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Uh-Oh, I Blinked and Missed Obama's Mention of Muslim Women
To Jill and Bonnie, who felt that Obama was miserly with his words in Cairo today only when it came to talking plainly about women in the Muslim world, I say: Me, three!
I set my alarm early so I could hear the president's speech in real time, and mostly found his rhetoric bracing. (Or was that the cappuccino?) He wasn't shy about coolly ticking off the facts of life on the very real threat of Islamic extremism, or about pushing Hamas to give up violence and recognize Isreal, or about decrying Arab anti-Semitism: "Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecendented Holocaust. Tomorrow I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant and hateful.''
Neither did Obama shrink from freely acknowledging the Muslim branch of his family tree -- which while hardly brave in front of today's audience, will certainly be twisted and used against him in his next campaign.
So when he got all the way to the end of this bold holding forth with barely a mention of women's rights, I thought oh, I must have taken a mental vacay for a minute there and missed it, the way I sometimes do in church. But no, turns out he really did talk for 57 minutes...and devote all of three short paragraphs to women's rights:
"I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.'' Now, as Jill pointed out, the issue isn't Western insistence that Muslim women shed their burqas, it's the intimidation of, violence against, and informing on women who don't choose to wear them that we have a problem with.
"Now let me be clear,'' he said, as he often does. "Issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.'' Again, what tripe; him besting Hillary Clinton at the ballot box in a squeaker is not really on a par with women who are not free to decide their own destiny, or even how to spend the day.
More weak tea: "Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.''
To be fair, I remember when poor Karen Hughes bumbled her way through her "my most important title is mom'' listening tour of the Muslim world in 2005, as Bush's ambassador -- and was criticized for being too blunt about the situation of women. She shocked Saudi leaders by blurting out her view that women should be able to drive and "fully participate in society,'' and the trip was for a variety of reasons considered such a flop that she worked behind the scenes for the remainder of her 2 ½ years in the job.
Is this another one of those situations where there may in fact be no way to reconcile two such different world views? (Yes, George Tiller is still on my mind.) Does sugarcoating show respect or condescension? Realistically, maybe there was no way to be both polite and forthright on this matter. Still, isn't the situation of so many women in the Muslim world "baseless, ignorant and hateful''? I'm sorry he didn't feel he could challenge his audience as straighforwardly as he did on religious freedom and anti-Semitism; why was that?
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Melinda Henneberger
Melinda Henneberger is the editor-in-chief of PoliticsDaily.com. She spent 10 years as a reporter for the New York Times, in the paper’s Washington and Rome bureaus... more
Comments (70)
obiwan2112
10:11PM Jun 4th 2009
The world would be a better place if civilized nations blanketed the Muslim world with pamphlets explaining to Muslim women who Lorena Bobbitt was and what she did. Muslim kitchens are no doubt full of drawers with sharp knives.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(4)
(4) 
sandsnnydz
9:22AM Jun 5th 2009
Melinda ....me four !!!
no substance... nothing ...... on the abuse of women in that country
no substance... nothing ...... on the abuse of women in that country
RATE THIS COMMENT: (6)
(6) Pundit.
1:11AM Jun 6th 2009
I can't wait until we are all muslins and I can have my clitoris cut out.
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(-2)
(-2) Ed
10:22PM Jun 4th 2009
I also noted Obama omitted any reference to Coptic Christians, but then I doubt he knows what they are.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (6)
(6) tfitz1017
5:37PM Jun 5th 2009
Yes actually, he mentioned "the Copts". ADD!
Free Tommy Christopher!
Free Tommy Christopher!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (4)
(4) brntrewesl
10:33PM Jun 4th 2009
Before the election, when he was afraid of being identified as Muslim, BHO* could not find a Muslim if he was standing in a Mosque during Ramadan.
Yesterday, speaking to Muslims at Cairo University, he stated “If you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.”
BHO* tells bigger whoppers than “Finger Waggin Slick Willy,” and his mesmerized groupies just keep drooling.
Show your stuff, BHO, sell them the Brooklyn Bridge.
Yesterday, speaking to Muslims at Cairo University, he stated “If you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.”
BHO* tells bigger whoppers than “Finger Waggin Slick Willy,” and his mesmerized groupies just keep drooling.
Show your stuff, BHO, sell them the Brooklyn Bridge.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (6)
(6) Kleestard
2:39AM Jun 5th 2009
Obama also wags his boney muslim finger.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (5)
(5) happyfeet
10:51PM Jun 4th 2009
That guy you fired was trying to call attention to the treatment of women too.
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(8) Mr. Serene
10:52PM Jun 4th 2009
Before you wag your finger at the President and the Moslem world, you might take a deeper look at home. Increasingly, we are finding American women rejecting many of the goals and gains of the Womens' Movement of the 1970's to seek more "traditional" lives and values. Worse, many younger women are acting positively 1950's when it comes to fighting over guys and being friends with benefts in relationships which are not reciprocal.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-5)
(-5) Dana Seilhan
1:27AM Jun 5th 2009
It's kind of difficult to fight for women's rights when women are given a false choice by society between bad behavior and sexual license (not "freedom"--or only "freedom" for men, anyway) on the Left, and bad behavior and sexual restriction on the Right. Either way it's bad behavior, and at least the Right gives lip service to "respecting" us. I remain convinced the Left only applauds legal abortion because the guys on that side want to weasel out of child support. If they didn't support it, Roe would go right down the drain--and they know it, so we b?!ches ought to just be grateful they want us at all. Pardon me whilst I roll my eyes.
The Right is no better. Men on that side genuinely believe women are here to be their free maid service and childcare. (Sorta like guys on the Left, to tell you the truth, only we're there to double the guys' income as well by having jobs of our own.) We're supposed to submit, but it's "mutual submission," whatever that means. We're supposed to do what men say, but that makes us "free."
Tell you what, why don't you ALL shut up and let us figure it out for ourselves. We vote, we run for office. We can sort it. Go back to the living room, crack open a Bud and watch your football. You've made enough of a mess.
As for all this pontificating about Muslim women, MAY I remind the class that in the end, American feminists made white women choose between our race and our gender, AND, that Obama thanked the women of America by turning his primary opponent into his majordomo and later, into one of his cabinet servants. He could have picked her as his running mate but oh, no, that would have been silly. Are you really surprised he's acting like this? Meanwhile, may I ALSO remind the class, or inform you if you didn't already know, that from the beginning Islam officially encouraged women to own property and to work, forbade female infanticide which is still practiced in India (home of the Left's favorite religious movements!), and allowed women to keep their maiden names upon marriage. Just because human beings don't want to follow God's purported word does NOT mean the religion teaches other than what it does. I know you're all college grads and stuff, but a little extra-credit homework once in a while wouldn't kill you. Show me where Judaism and Christianity grant these rights IN THEIR ORIGINAL HOLY BOOKS, not the commentary. Go ahead, let's hear it. For that matter, good luck finding these things in Buddhism or Hinduism either.
The Right is no better. Men on that side genuinely believe women are here to be their free maid service and childcare. (Sorta like guys on the Left, to tell you the truth, only we're there to double the guys' income as well by having jobs of our own.) We're supposed to submit, but it's "mutual submission," whatever that means. We're supposed to do what men say, but that makes us "free."
Tell you what, why don't you ALL shut up and let us figure it out for ourselves. We vote, we run for office. We can sort it. Go back to the living room, crack open a Bud and watch your football. You've made enough of a mess.
As for all this pontificating about Muslim women, MAY I remind the class that in the end, American feminists made white women choose between our race and our gender, AND, that Obama thanked the women of America by turning his primary opponent into his majordomo and later, into one of his cabinet servants. He could have picked her as his running mate but oh, no, that would have been silly. Are you really surprised he's acting like this? Meanwhile, may I ALSO remind the class, or inform you if you didn't already know, that from the beginning Islam officially encouraged women to own property and to work, forbade female infanticide which is still practiced in India (home of the Left's favorite religious movements!), and allowed women to keep their maiden names upon marriage. Just because human beings don't want to follow God's purported word does NOT mean the religion teaches other than what it does. I know you're all college grads and stuff, but a little extra-credit homework once in a while wouldn't kill you. Show me where Judaism and Christianity grant these rights IN THEIR ORIGINAL HOLY BOOKS, not the commentary. Go ahead, let's hear it. For that matter, good luck finding these things in Buddhism or Hinduism either.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-3)
(-3) dedmondg
10:55PM Jun 4th 2009
Umm... One hears with his/her ears not his/her eyes, correct? How therefore can you "blink" and miss someone orate something from his lips?
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-4)
(-4) whitlock707
11:11PM Jun 4th 2009
I am so sorry that the first lady of the U S did not see what a chance this was to show the world that strong black American women will not take a step back for anyone, PressBO said his truth by telling his wife to stay home where she belonged.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (6)
(6) whitlock707
11:23PM Jun 4th 2009
PressBO said his truth by telling his wife to stay home where she belonged.
Now after that does it realy matter what lies he told.
Now after that does it realy matter what lies he told.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (1)
(1) giles chauvin
11:41PM Jun 4th 2009
no!
we have to make sure that muslim countries continue to marginalize women.
cultural geographers think that the west sped ahead of the east because muslims hogtie 50% of their population's potential.
if they allow women to contribute to their civilization's productivity, they might get even, or ahead of us, again.
we have to make sure that muslim countries continue to marginalize women.
cultural geographers think that the west sped ahead of the east because muslims hogtie 50% of their population's potential.
if they allow women to contribute to their civilization's productivity, they might get even, or ahead of us, again.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) Dana Seilhan
1:33AM Jun 5th 2009
The West sped ahead because they started the Industrial Revolution. If it weren't for the factory machines and the socialist revolutions that followed demanding the human rights of workers, we'd all still be sitting in wattle and daub huts picking our noses. "Discovering" the New World helped us too. Otherwise most of us would probably be speaking Arabic now thanks to the Moors.
If you really think being a woman in the West has been a frigging picnic before about 1970 or so... you are either a guy, or you got lucky and privileged.
If you really think being a woman in the West has been a frigging picnic before about 1970 or so... you are either a guy, or you got lucky and privileged.
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(0)
(0) politics of fear
11:54PM Jun 4th 2009
I doubt Muslim women care for your opinion considering you fired a writer for defending women in a article on your site because you don't want to publish criticism of Playboy and their pro violent rape of certain women because they are conservative.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (5)
(5) Janeyre
11:56PM Jun 4th 2009
Goodness sakes... Why are you people expecting this one, imperfect man to conquer all of the ills of the world? Homosexuals, want his head. You people wanted him to address the Muslim Women Issue. He can't solve the ills of the world. It isn't his position to go to the Middle East and tell those people, what they already know. It isn't his position to make life different for homosexuals here... Muslim women will have to make a difference in their own lives... The White American Women, did... Never before, has so many, issued ultimations on a President. We have enough real problems, in this country. Muslim women in other countries should not be Obama's torch to carry. Michelle is where she should be. Some of you people, are just unreasonalbe in your comments. Our economy and such is something to be addressed. Let them take care of their own problems...
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-5)
(-5) whitlock707
8:05AM Jun 5th 2009
He can't solve the ills of the world. It isn't his position to go to the Middle East and tell those people, what they already know.
=========================================================================
The pressident of the U.S. goes to give a speech to the 57 states of islam, where women rights are at least in question & the first lady of the U.S. is not by his side, instead there is Hillary walking behind in her place with her head covered.
He can't solve all the ills of the world, but, he could say my wife is going to walk proudly by my side, dressed as she pleases, or I will make my speech some where eles.
He always says one thing while at the same time doing another & the Obamamedia ( now of the world ) let him get away with it.
We ars becoming a nation of weak beings & will be crushed by a brutial people.
=========================================================================
The pressident of the U.S. goes to give a speech to the 57 states of islam, where women rights are at least in question & the first lady of the U.S. is not by his side, instead there is Hillary walking behind in her place with her head covered.
He can't solve all the ills of the world, but, he could say my wife is going to walk proudly by my side, dressed as she pleases, or I will make my speech some where eles.
He always says one thing while at the same time doing another & the Obamamedia ( now of the world ) let him get away with it.
We ars becoming a nation of weak beings & will be crushed by a brutial people.
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(3)
(3) Jenna
12:06AM Jun 5th 2009
Perhaps he was hesitant to ruffle too many feathers at once; pushing for female equality in one of the world's most patriarchal cultures cannot be seen as merely political agenda; it's interference.
After all, he was a guest in a predominantly Islamic country, and there is only so much one can say to one's host without crossing the line between being insistent and downright brazen.
Regardless, I do hope that the women who desire freedom and equality can attain it, but that sort of cultural revolution must come from within.
After all, he was a guest in a predominantly Islamic country, and there is only so much one can say to one's host without crossing the line between being insistent and downright brazen.
Regardless, I do hope that the women who desire freedom and equality can attain it, but that sort of cultural revolution must come from within.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (5)
(5) Jade
10:16AM Jun 5th 2009
Thank you Jenna, for your intelligent comments. Most of these people, seem to be in a fantasy world...
RATE THIS COMMENT: (0)
(0) 
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