Saudi king: Women will be allowed to vote and run for office - CNN.com The extremists aren't going to like this at all. Nice to see some positive change though, albeit long in coming.
That's what I am worried about, 7th. Or beating the hell out of/gang-raping any women who head to the polls.
It sucks, but this isn't something I see being resolved without any problems. People will be angry, but over time it should become acceptable. May as well start sooner.
It's gonna happen IP ,unfortunately. Thats just what those idiots do when they get upset over something. Intimidation will be used to prevent as many women as possible from voting.
I think there will be some intimidation used, but hopefully they push through it and let the people of the area have more freedom.
The first time women could lawfully vote in elections in this country they overwhelmingly pulled the lever for Warren G. Harding. Warren. G. Harding. I'm just saying.
Thought this was interesting: Why is King Abdullah willing to let Saudi women vote but not drive cars? - By Brian Palmer - Slate Magazine
I don't see the risk. He can have anyone in the country's head cut off right now, should he so choose.
As could the leaders of Libya, Syria, Egypt, etc. a year ago. These times are achangin' in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has a large disenfranchised underclass, religious extremists who already find the House of Saud's leadership dubious, and foreign nationals from other ME countries. Shit could change fast there. Like much of the ME, Saudi Arabia has no political history as a state. It's just another colonial carving from the Ottoman Empire, with the House of Saud happening to get control.
Saudi Arabia isn't your run of the mill cave in the ME. They have more money than everyone else and economic woes aren't going to foment an uprising like they have in the rest of the ME. Cash says house of Saud is in very good position. Post was a bit in jest, but they don't have the issues that the other shitholes do.
The Saudis are also shrewd and careful in how fast they move on things. I'm just saying this doubtlessly pissed off the hardliners.
probably did, but it helps get the outsiders off their asses for human rights abuses. I think this was pure pragmatism. They haven't changed their worldview and aren't moving away from Wahabbism, but want people like the UN out of their business.
I've never been to Saudi, so can't speak of first hand knowledge. Saudi's are much more educated than the Afghans that I've worked with, but if they view a woman's place in society like the Afghans. There'll most certainly be suicidal dumbasses standing by for the word.
