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Nov. 8 2009 - 4:59 pm | 2,162 views | 2 recommendations | 9 comments

‘This is not considered assault’ (acceptable ways to beat your wife)

Here’s why, when Bill Maher says he views some Islamic societies as in many ways backwards, I agree …

That’s some backward-ass thinking. Enough to revolt almost anyone of Western sensibilities.

Then again, we have midget fights and call it good television (and it’s free to those too poor for the wonders of cable) …

*sigh*

I can see how there would be some animosity between these two societies.


Comments

3 T/S Member Comments Called Out, 9 Total Comments
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  1. collapse expand

    Take a look at the Penguin Atlas of Women in the World (ed. Joni Seager).

    The US actually has a higher number, per capita, of women beaten to death by their husband/boyfriend than many Arabic countries. Not to defend the obvious misogynism of the above video, just remember the biblical story about the splinter in the other’s eye and the plank in one’s own…

    • collapse expand

      It could be that the US has more reported cases of women beaten to death than many other Arab countries. Now there are 25 different countries that belong to the Arab World (according to Wikipedia) and it would be unfair to lump them all together as I’m sure they each have their own judicial system. But I do have more confidence in American jurisprudence, and its ability to rightfully convict men of crimes against women.

      At least midget fighting is consensual fighting. They looked to be having a good time.

      In response to another comment. See in context »
  2. collapse expand

    Three women are killed every single day in the U.S., more than 90 percent of them by their intimate partners, overwhelmingly male. It gets a little old demonizing other cultures and religions in the “land of the free” when every morning I know three women will die at someone else’s homicidal behest.

    • collapse expand

      I completely agree. My point was to illustrate that self-righteousness is meaningless. Even as one may highlight an ugly, offensive segment in another society, they neglect the log in our own eyes.

      But my riff is also on broadcast standards. Which program was more offensive? Advocating ways to assault women, or midget fights?

      Perhaps the greater lesson is that television is bad for you — save for, of course, Jon Stewart. ;O)

      In response to another comment. See in context »
  3. collapse expand

    How other countries treat their women is none of our business.

    Don’t disagree unless you approve a military draft in the U.S. which includes women.

    Equal Rights = Equal Responsibility.

    • collapse expand

      I disagree on the grounds that were the U.S. military in conscription mode, I think women should absolutely be included.

      One: the military would be better off having a larger force. More minds = better chance of a problem being solved.

      Two: more people on the homefront would get pissed, thus raising the level of peace activism. I’m all about some peace activism.

      Three: I’ve known plenty of women who could have kicked my ass. Take Rosie O’Donnell, for instance — just look what she did to poor Larry David. ;O)

      In response to another comment. See in context »
  4. collapse expand

    Religious literacy: There any deities who take the form of dwarfs. One was Vamana, who in Hinduism was the Fifth Avatara of Vishnu, and the first incarnation of the Second Age, or Treta yuga, according to Wikipedia. (See also Gary Coleman, though not technically a dwarf but still a god, according to me.)

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