Saudi king: Women given right to vote for first time in next nationwide local elections - Polidicks

[QUOTE=Megafanx13;32499416]Again, sounds kind of racist.[/QUOTE] It's more of a thing we joke about than a derogatory put-down of Arabic women. Obviously they're very loving too, I'm just saying I wouldn't piss one off!

Sand monkeys and camel jockeys

[QUOTE=Cone;32490915]Then why haven't they had a revolt yet?[/QUOTE] You haven't lived the life, you don't realise how difficult it is to just 'rise up'. Just read [I]Life and Fate[/I] by Grossman, he explains that people who've never lived in oppressive regimes don't understand the difficulties of trying to escape it or destroy it.

[QUOTE=CommieTurtle;32494401]You apparently haven't seen the show Cops. Just watch a few episodes and see our white trash women.[/QUOTE] Yeah I can imagine.. Then there's also the richer big-time consumer American women spend a lot on beauty products, procedures and stuff.. kinda gross in my opinion, I wonder what the Arabic women think of that.

[QUOTE=Gekkosan;32502517]Yeah I can imagine.. Then there's also the richer big-time consumer American women spend a lot on beauty products, procedures and stuff.. kinda gross in my opinion, I wonder what the Arabic women think of that.[/QUOTE] Like make up and stuff? It's the same thing, hahaha. Except actual procedures are usually done in Lebanon, they have the most skilled plastic surgeons as far as I know and that's where the biggest market for that is.

[QUOTE=Megafanx13;32499416]Again, sounds kind of racist.[/QUOTE] maybe instead of jumping to call him a racist for saying that people raised in an entirely different culture are strong, you should consider the fact that sometimes when someone refers to a geopolitical area's population, he's just making an observation about their culture, not assuming that everyone of that race shares those traits

Let me explain something that people in this thread seem to be missing. Yes, it might seem strange that women get to vote before they get to drive. [b]That's because this is basically a superficial change. They live in a country where voting means absolutely nothing.[/b] So yeah, they got the right to vote before they got the right to drive or go somewhere unaccompanied by a man. This was to appease women's rights groups and simultaneously keep women in a position of inferiority by assuring they hold no power. Basically nothing has changed.

Plus, I am Arab so it wouldn't make sense if I was being racist to my own culture would it? [editline]27th September 2011[/editline] Also, to the guy above: They also get to run for these positions. It's a step forward, sure the king makes all the calls but there is now room for females in the government, even if it is on an advisory panel or something, which is good for Saudi Arabia.

[QUOTE=Conspiracy;32506460]Plus, I am Arab so it wouldn't make sense if I was being racist to my own culture would it? [editline]27th September 2011[/editline] Also, to the guy above: They also get to run for these positions. It's a step forward, sure the king makes all the calls but there is now room for females in the government, even if it is on an advisory panel or something, which is good for Saudi Arabia.[/QUOTE] Lady, and yes, they get to serve in the "government," only the Shura Council... a council to the king of 150 appointed individuals. He also alluded to them being able to be nominated for municipal elections, which have yet to even be announced, never mind the incredible odds stacked against a woman actually being elected. None of this counts for the elections on Thursday, which is only the second election they've had since 1963. They aren't getting a voice, they aren't receiving tangible rights, they're receiving the illusion of progress and nothing more. [quote]"We don't really think now that we've been promised a real right because it's been postponed." said Wajeha Al-Huwaider, a prominent Saudi women's rights activist. "The king could have said this is happening now because the next election is going to happen this Thursday -- it wouldn't have been a problem to postpone this election for a month and have women participate in this round." "For the Shura council it's another year and a half, for the municipal election it's another four years -- anything could happen during that time," she said. "Whatever can be given can be taken." "That will give time for extremists to reverse the decision," said Al-Huwaider. "The government thinks they will give time for people to adjust to the idea, but if you're against something, you'll never change your mind and if you're for it you'll never change your mind. Why do they hesitate when it comes to women's issues? The government always hesitates." This Thursday's elections come after more than two years of delays, so any time frame for when future elections may take place is not seen as a solid plan. Amnesty International said the announcement that women will be given the right to vote is "no guarantee of rights."[/quote]