Lol so let me get this straight: Jane Smythe and CatandMouse both joined the SDMB in the same month and in fact only two days apart, they happen to be each others only “friends” according to their profiles, and they both happen to post similar retarded viewpoints that defend each others retarded positions.
Yeah they definitely aren’t Trolls/Socks :rolleyes:
Find a mod and ask them to check our IP addresses. I would imagine it would be difficult for both of us to be online at the same time with two different IP addresses.
This cultural relativism is wrongheaded, in my opinion. Sure, we shouldn’t blanketly dictate to other cultures what their cultural norms should be. However, we need to make a distinction when it comes to human rights issues vs all other rights issues. The right to own a gun is a rights issue, but (to me) not a human rights issue. On the other hand, the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of gender is a human rights issue that we should protect in ALL countries in the world. Our planet is gradually moving that way, but some of the slow kids have yet to learn the lesson.
I think we as a planet can reach consensus on issues of human rights, and we should push those who are slow on the uptake to see things our (correct) way. It’s not cultural imperialism, its just the RIGHT THING TO DO.
FGM is a side issue, irrelevant to the OP, and only brought up by your apparent sock.
Most of us indeed do not assume that the rest of the Islamic world behaves as the Saudis do, so that’s another idiotic argument.
Since we are no longer dependent on them for oil, we are free to bring some economic pressure to bear if we feel so inclined. I’m not sure that would be a good idea, but only because of the likelihood of Daesh and Al Qaeda using it to recruit, and not because I don’t think we have that right.
Nonsense. It’s my culture to use what means I have available to influence cultures that are fundamentally inhumane. You’re free to criticise this aspect of my culture, at least by my cultural norms, but I see yours are different. Also stupid.
So… oppression is okay when it’s one gender over another, though not when it’s one race over another. And if you’ve been doing it for a really long time.
I really wish you’d stop equating Islam-in-general and Saudi Arabia’s cultural practices.
The Quran doesn’t require women to cover their faces. Nor does it call for segregation of the sexes. This is the law of Saudi Arabia, not the law of Islam.
I certainly would hope not. I also don’t see anyone in agreement with the Saudi’s & their harsh punishment of this woman for not wearing her hijab. The point I was trying to make is that we are in no position to try and liberate or dictate laws or change their culture.
Change will take place within their own country, just like it has here, with women fighting for equal rights.
I disagree. We can exert influence. We have the ability to use various incentives and dis-incentives. Money talks - the ability to distribute or withhold it can be a powerful tool.
Trade deals, or the lack of them. Tariffs or the lack of them. tax breaks or the lack of them. Sales of weapons systems OR THE LACK OF THEM…