Comments on: Afghan Leader Backs Law That Legalizes Rape

By: Henry

Henry — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:28:24 +0000

I don’t even know how to describe Afghanistan properly to people. Awful shit like this makes perfect sense there. Afghani culture and lifestyle, especially in the Pashtun regions, is so primitive as to defy belief. Nothing has changed in 2000 years except now they have cellphones, heavy weapons and little motorcycles.

Regular Afghanis seem decent folks, but the Talib cats are pretty much uniformly first-class shitheads. Hamid Karzai is a politician, and shady even as politicians go. But there is no moral comparison between him and the Taliban.

By: Dianne

Dianne — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:40:50 +0000

But this can’t possibly be. We went into Afghanistan and freed women from the evil Taliban and now everything is happiness and equality in Afghanistan. Bush said so himself. And Obama agrees that we need to bring more of Afghanistan under US backed rule so it must be true. (Do I even need to put a snark tag on this?)

By: Monia

Monia — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:17:56 +0000

It’s not an April Fool’s joke ? No ? Really not ?

…

Concerning the multiculturalism versus feminism pseudo debate.

It all comes down, I think, to what values you place above all : tradition, or certain inalienable rights.

If it’s tradition, then, eh, well… feminism shouldn’t exist since it challenged western values at some point. And still does.

By: Afghan rape law outrages Canada, unreported in US | NJN Network

Afghan rape law outrages Canada, unreported in US | NJN Network — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:31:24 +0000

[...] in the US. The New York Times doesn’t carry the story but Jihad Watch, a blog does. Feministe is carrying the story. Why is the US media ignoring the story? Not covering stories is the #1 [...]

By: stlthy

stlthy — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:18:31 +0000

I don’t really think that respecting other cultures and fighting for women’s rights are mutually exclusive. Part of it is recognising that no culture is static, and that, in this case, there are feminists and human rights activists in Afghanistan working to improve women’s status. It’s much better, IMO, to work with them if asked; bombing people is a lousy way of ‘liberating’ them.

By: TheTopShoe

TheTopShoe — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:08:42 +0000

Who cares that males are usually stronger than females? That just makes the case for female superiority all the louder. We’re meant to direct the brawny beasts to do our bidding, and thanks to modern technology (i.e. Feministe’s logo) we no longer need tolerate their insolence!
Visit related comic videos on YouTube at TheTopShoe

By: Morningstar

Morningstar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:04:24 +0000

Multiculturalism does not mean cultural relativism.

By: Dirge

Dirge — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:22:38 +0000

I think Multiculturalism is more about respecting people who practice and believe other than you. It takes a bit of humbleness to accept this but it is a necessary position in order to avoid violence among different people.
I feel one can still believe in the goals of feminism and still be a multi-culturalist if you believe in a hierarchy of goals. One may struggle for womans rights the world over but one also wants to reduce violence in the world. So, while these laws are a sort of violence against women, one must also accept the sovereignty of other nations.
I guess it’s about not FORCING your believes on your others but you can still hold on and value ones own beliefs.
Then again if one can believes that the achievement of universal equality for women is more important than the rights of other nations, but then again how do you go about achieving that goal without resorting to violence? Boycotting, like we did to South Africa. I think many in Afghanistan would welcome that.
Just to be sure, this is simply enshrining into official law what is often practiced already. Whether they pass this law or not, many women in Afghanistan will be at the mercy of not only their husbands but their communities as well.

By: Adaugeo Index

Adaugeo Index — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:52:45 +0000

How do feminism and multiculturalism exist together? In many cultures around the world women are considered secondary citizens so I ask you, which should prevail – respect and tolerance for cultural norms, traditions, and sovereignty or the feminist believe that women are universally equally.

As odd as it may sound, I think the passing of this law is good for the country of Afghanistan overall. See why: http://adaugeoindex.blogspot.com/

By: Sara Pulis

Sara Pulis — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:18:20 +0000

Where’s the part where you write, “April Fools?” Please?