Saudi women 'might vote but not drive'

[ECH1969]

A key Saudi royal put a damper on hopes that Saudi women might soon be allowed to drive in the Islamic state, but said in an interview published on Tuesday that they could gain some voting rights.

The right of women to drive has been a key demand of reformers in Saudi Arabia, and has been backed by some government ministers.

"It is regrettable that this has become an issue, since it doesn't deserve to be. I am surprised it has been brought up," Prince Nayef told Kuwait's Al Anbaa newspaper.

Powerful religious scholars fear driving would encourage women to mix with men outside their family.

http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Saudi_Arabia/10082711.html

[KamaAina]

1. Wow! What wonderful allies they make for promoting democracy!

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

but, they DO have OIL :eyes:

[BOSSHOG]

2. They might be on to something there

Go ahead kick my ass, but cuff me first.

[LilyLibber]

5. You've really got a thing for being cuffed, dontcha?

:eyes: :pals:

Sanctioned sexism is still sexism. I hate this.

[BOSSHOG]

7. I was on deployment in Saudi in 96

Our female servicepersonnel had to wear Abayas when off base and had to sit in the back of our vehicles and of course could not drive. That ain't no way to treat humans. Serviceman "joke." T&A - toes and ankles.

Cuffs do come in handy especially when there's a headboard involved.

[Target_For_Exterm]

3. Can't have those pesky women escaping the control of men

and thinking for themselves and such. If they drive - why, they might actually think they're worth something!

Nothing like being a second class citizen to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside (not!).

[smirkymonkey]

14. Or, if they drive....

the might start running down men in the streets. You could hardly blame them.

[USA_1]

4. Sounds Just A Bit Like the USA ...

in certain places here, Blacks and Hispanics can drive, pay high gasoline prices and gas taxes, but when it comes to voting some polls are closed to them and they go away without voting.

Shameful when you think about it.

[Quantess]

6. Well, if they're wearing face veils, they should not be driving, anyway.

Go ahead, flame away.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. That's exactly what I was thinking...

Some head-coverings offer better vision than others; but If someone was trying to drive while wearing a burqa...

[Anakin Skywalker]

13. You Have Got a Point There! They Can Ride Motorcycles Though?

What? No BMX racing for these gals?

[w4rma]

8. Very good news. (nt)

[lizerdbits]

9. "I am surprised it has been brought up."

Well I guess we need to start punching them a little harder if they are thinking they have rights and crap. :eyes:

[Crazy8s]

11. Driving 'privilagesare not necessarily sought by Saudi women

My sister-inlaw has lived in Saudi over 25 years after marrying a Saudi. She does not drive, nor does her grown daughter. When she visited last year, she got a USA license (her sons were quite amused and took plenty of video of her driving), but her daughter declined the opportunity.

"Why should I drive when I can be driven where I need to go and sit in the back seat like the princess that I am?" she said in explanation. Saudi women are usually assigned a driver--a male who takes them shopping, etc. These men are also 'gophers' and are sent out to shop when the women have other things to do.

We must remember that other cultures have differing viewpoints on what is sexist.

[Quantess]

17. it's sort of odd that a woman would want independence, isn't it...

(Coming from an inherently independent person who happens to be a woman, I was being sarcastic right there.)

[Anakin Skywalker]

12. Well, How the Hell They Gonna Get to the Polls, Holmes?

Or is internet voting the rage over there?

[JerseygirlCT]

15. I don't have words for how much I can't stand that Saudi government

Pigs.

[saigon68]

16. It isn't a Government ITS A CRIMINAL ENTERPRIZE

With a Chimpanzee as a Catamite.