DALLAS (Reuters) - Republican evangelicals are not the only political base vice presidential pick Sarah Palin is energizing.

Democratic foot soldiers have sprung into action in response to John McCain's running-mate's personal attacks on their candidate, Barack Obama, her opposition to abortion rights and her endorsement from religious conservatives.

"When Palin's radical and extremist views are combined with her inexperience and questionable record, it makes for an energizing brew more potent than Red Bull," said Colorado Democratic leader Pat Waak, referring to the caffeinated energy drink.

Palin's impact on the left was seen almost immediately after her rousing speech last month at the Republican National Convention, when Obama's campaign reported the next day that over $8 million had poured into it from over 130,000 donors.

More recently, Palin drew the ire of Democrats when she accused Obama of "palling around" with terrorists because he served on a community board in Chicago with former 1960s radical William Ayers.

"Her attacks will make liberals see red," added political scientist Cal Jillson of Southern Methodist University.

The Alaska governor, skewered on late-night comedy shows and an object of liberal wrath on the blogosphere, has also proven an able fund-raiser for other secular and liberal causes before the November 4 presidential election.

Songwriter Gretchen Peters is donating the royalties from her song "Independence Day" during this election cycle to Planned Parenthood -- and asks that donations be made in honor of Palin. Planned Parenthood provides women's health-care services, including abortion clinics, and is frequently a target of social conservatives.

Peters was angered by the McCain/Palin campaign's use of the song, which is about domestic abuse.

"The fact that the McCain/Palin campaign is using a song about an abused woman as a rallying cry for their vice presidential candidate, a woman who would ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest, is beyond irony," Peters says on her website.

"They are co-opting the song, completely overlooking the context and message, and using it to promote a candidate who would set women's rights back decades," she says.

Planned Parenthood spokesperson Tait Sye said a separate online campaign to raise money on its behalf "in honor of Sarah Palin" has netted more than $1 million from over 38,000 donors in all 50 states and two-thirds of the donations are from new donors who have not contributed to it before.

Organizations and activists who support abortion rights are a base for the Democratic Party. Abortion is a sharply divisive and highly partisan issue in the United States.

Palin, who bills herself as a moose-hunting mother of five, gave birth last spring to a Down syndrome baby and strongly opposes abortion rights.

COUNTERPUNCH

"Sarah Palin has energized the Republican base in unexpected ways and there is always countermobilization to a successful mobilization," said Jillson.

In the battleground state of Colorado, Democratic Party officials said they were getting a boost from Palin's presence on the ticket.

"I am meeting women who have never been involved before, and they are really energized to work on behalf of the Obama-Biden ticket," said party leader Waak.

The factors that make Palin such a target for liberals of course are the same that have enabled McCain to solidify his support among the Republican Party's evangelical base.

President George W. Bush, a Republican, got almost 80 percent of the votes cast by white evangelical Protestants in the 2004 election and analysts have said McCain, who had failed to really excite this group before he picked Palin, cannot win without them.

Evangelicals account for about 25 percent of the U.S. adult population, giving them clout in a country where faith and politics often mix.

Source: Reuters

I get an emotional charge, either positive or negative, when someone or something is associated with someone I deeply dig, or detest. Back when both Paris Hilton and Sarah Palin come out in favor of Obama's renewable energy plan, various emotions that I still do not wholly understand, bubbled up and said " Oo La La" and suddenly Obama looks favorable to me...

But when I hear a loser Vice Presidential candidate contend that Obama was hanging around terrorists, the opposite occurs. The person making the charge suddenly looks r-e-a-l-l-y stupid. We're just hearing about this now? Obviously the truth in this case is being stretched to score points and nothing else. One must ask why? What are they trying to hide?

Are they trying to hide that Sarah Palin is not capable of running the country?

Are they trying to hide that McCain's tax breaks to the wealthy only perpetuates today's problem?

Are they trying to hide the fact that Iraq, was a 10 billion a month error in the wrong direction?

Are they trying to hide the fact that trickle down economics siphons money away from average Joes?

Are they trying to hide the fact that McCain's platform is just like Bush's in 2000?

Are they trying to hide the fact that the Vice President candidate will be indicted by Alaska's legislature?

Are they trying to hide the fact that McCain's energy policy does not work?

Are they trying to hide the fact that McCain is as old as Brezhnev was four years before he died?

Of course they are.

Obama said it best. "I don't see how I can be held accountable for something that someone I know, did when I was 4 years old."

Of course as long as there are Republicans there will be those stupid people who think any Democrat should be held accountable for everything...

But that same stupid person will argue just as vociferously that incidents like joining a secessionist party, and espousing violence to secede from this country, are commendable... That associating with lobbyists who buy influence for certain legislative tidbits, proves the greatness of the American Way.... Hey, why not use them to run one's campaign? What a great idea? That bringing up race, and pointing fingers at "that one" to play on America's fears and drive people to the polls, is a commendable practice because it works in scaring white voters.

But using guilt by association is a two way sword... Allow me to turn the tables and show you exactly what I mean.

John McCain touts his experience. (This same scenario will also hold up for Biden). He has been in Congress for a long time.. Long enough to have worked closely with Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, and even Robert Byrd from West Virginia. All of who fought integration early on.. All of who were at one time extremely prejudiced... One even admitting he was a member of the KKK.... McCain met with them, voted in sync with them, joked around with them.... but never did he take to the floor and denounce them publicly and shun them for their past intolerance. If the same standard Sarah Palin is trying to apply with tying Ayers to Obama, were also to be applied to John McCain.... he should have...

Reality is this: Ayers like Jesse Helms, Strom Thurmond, and Robert Byrd, has overcome his faults and is working for the good of the country. Why are we suddenly singling just him out of the rouge's gallery?

Simple.

The Republicans are worried about their base. They are not even trying to win the election... They are trying to scrounge up enough votes to still be viable four years from now. They are struggling to still keep their core constituency strongly committed to voting on November 4th, and not settling down at home and saying " Ah, forget about it..." They are beating the drums of fear, because they see the possibility of a 80 - 20 loss this term... as well they should.

The war in Afghanistan is tubing.
The stock market is crashing.
Pensions are free falling to ground level.
We are spending money we do not have at rates we cannot afford.
America is at the mercy of energy speculators.
America is at the mercy of Chinese note holders.
American's have lost 35% of their retirement IRA's and Keogh's in just two weeks.
American's homes average 40% less then they did at this time last year.
We have a Vice Presidential candidate who embarrasses the nation each time she's interviewed.
We have a Republican candidate who in four years will be as old as Brezhnev was when he died.
The Republican candidate's economic adviser played a major part in our financial downfall.

Americans after just 8 years, are now turning over a debtor nation to their children, far worse than the one that their parents once gave to them.....

So the reason for Sarah Palin's tactic is clear....

It should be clear to all, that we cannot afford Republicans. Everything they touch... falls apart.

The majority of people in Bamian Province are ethnic Hazaras -- Shiite Muslims who are of Turko-Mongolian origin and who settled in the wake of Genghis Khan. They are in many cases more open than most Afghans to the idea of women working outside the home.

Second Lt. Nahida Rezai, 25, was the first woman to join the Afghan National Police in the town of Bamian. "I had some problems at the beginning," she said.

Source: New York Times

Just in, are the questions for tonight's debate between Senator Joe Biden (D) De. and his Republican opponent Sarah Palin, Governor of Texas... It is my belief that this source leaked them beforehand strictly to prove that the questions being asked were fair.... as some have questioned whether they would be...

TO SENATOR BIDEN: Can you go into your complicated plans on how you wished to divide Iraq into separate provinces, and explain why the Iraqi's themselves are choosing to go the other way? Isn't you plan bunk?

TO SARAH PALIN: One of the things Dick Cheney was able to accomplish during his past two terms as Vice President, was provide an ear and solid advice to George W. Bush... If you are elected and become Vice President, do you feel confident that you can, if required, spell the word "tax"?

TO SENATOR BIDEN: The recent bailout passed by the Senate last night contained a lot of pork completely unrelated to saving Main Street from Wall Street.. for example removing the tariff off of kid's arrows 5/16ths an inch thick... Can you explain to the American people why everything the Senate has to pass, has tons of things not relevant to the American people?

TO SARAH PALIN: Many Americans are worried that you, coming from Alaska which being separated from the rest of the US by the nation of Canada, might make your values a little different from the rest of those of America... Can you put those fears aside for all Americans and say the entire "Pledge of Allegiance" without missing a line?

TO SENATOR BIDEN: You have recently said we need to find Bin Laden even if it means entering Pakistan to find him... Ten years ago you were advocating that we use force in Bosnia, and then Kosova, and then Albania, and then Macedonia to prevent outbreaks from occurring over there.... In your opinion, if your plan ten years ago was so controversial, why are we hearing nothing about it now?

TO GOVERNOR PALIN: You are currently involved in an ethics controversy within your home state. Can you tell us "yes" or "no", is Monegan a good or bad, person?

TO SENATOR BIDEN: You claim that you have sat down before heads of state... But some of those heads of state are now imprisoned. Can you explain to the American people, why if this is what happens, any other head of state would want to sit down to talk with you?

TO GOVERNOR PALIN: America wants to know. Do you wear underwires in your bra?

TO SENATOR BIDEN: Do you wear underwires, also?

TO GOVERNOR PALIN: What brand of undergarments do you find to be the most comfortable? Mine always start to hurt after the fifth hour.....you know that wire starts to bite in.....

TO SENATOR BIDEN: You are soon, if not already, about to send your first born off to Iraq. What is it that you expect him to accomplish and will you be disappointed if he does not return with "world peace" in his hands?

TO GOVERNOR PALIN: You too have recently sent your first born off to Iraq... Can you in front of these cameras, show all of America that you truly have the where-with-all to serve as Vice President in a McCain administration: by spelling the word "Iraq"?

 There are no laws stating that breastfeeding in public is illegal, but there aren't any stating that it is okay either. If you choose to breastfeed but want to do so discreetly then you can go to a bathroom, feed in the car or breastfeed under a blanket. Nowadays thankfully, many maternity retail stores and family friendly cafes are offers breastfeeding stations with sofas and plenty of elbow room! Just remember that no one should make you go somewhere with your baby that you don't feel comfortable in.

If you have any stories of your own, please feel free to leave a comment.

Courtesy of PhillyPhotos.

Anyone who has ever been to Tony's for a cheesesteak, knows that until one is fed, one simply doesn't think correctly.. Therefore for a Temple student to question our next president on whether or not we should go into Pakistan to flush out terrorists, before she has even had one bite, is unconscionable.  (lol).

No one should be asked such an important foreign policy question before they have taken a bite out of a delicious Philly styled cheesestake on a roll with carmalized fried onions....  It should be against Federal Law.

But its not, and someone did..

And Sarah in trying to get the obnoxious, ugly, pus-ridden, (see video) gag-reflex inhibitor, annoying character out of her pretty face, answered his question unprepped, speaking strictly from the heart...

It was of course the wrong answer, according to John McCain, and the right answer according to Obama....

McCain in his way of telling her, "don't bother your pretty little head with issues, us men will handle them"....responded for her...  He spoke for her and said that she had misspoke...

Of course she misspoke... she was waiting for a cheesesteak at Tony's for heaven's sake...  At least give her the dignity to speak for herself, instead of having "the campaign" do it for her.....

A short list of what women everywhere should be asking?

Can McCain speak for women when they don't agree with him?

Under this cloud of Women's issues, should McCain just "let her go" to "do her thing"?

Not being apologetic and not being defensive, would that endear McCain to more women voters?

Try as he might, can McCain ever show himself to allow women the right to think for themselves?

• "I am a free lover. I have an inalienable, constitutional and natural right to love whom I may, to love as long or short a period as I can; to change that love every day if I please."
• "I now announce myself as candidate for the Presidency. I anticipate criticism; but however unfavorable I trust that my sincerity will not be called into question."
• "I shall not change my course because those who assume to be better than I desire it."
• "If Congress refuse to listen to and grant what women ask, there is but one course left then to pursue. What is there left for women to do but to become the mothers of the future government?"
• "While others prayed for the good time coming, I worked for it."
• "I retain not one ill-will recollection. I gave America my youth. It was sweet and gallant and fruitful."
• "I endeavor to make the most of everything."

By Tamim Saidi, Engage Minnesota

Based on my many conversations with Minnesotans about Islam, one of the most frequent criticisms I hear is the so-called “oppression of women." As Muslims, we acknowledge that there are some Muslim women who are oppressed. But this oppression is not because of Islam, the religion, but rather because of cultures, traditions, politics, ethnic or tribal codes conduct or simply an individual’s desire to have dominion over another individual.

In a previous article I attempted to distinguish between the religion, Islam, and the culture of its followers, Muslims. One of the points I made was that just as it is not fair to blame Christianity for the non-Christian practices of various Christian groups, it is not fair to blame Islam for non-Islamic practices of some Muslims.  Unable or willing to distinguish religion from culture, many people end up blaming Islam for un-Islamic practices.

In the 6^th Century CE Islam, via the teachings of Qur’an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (p), elevated the status of women to a much higher degree than ever imagined.  As such, it is particularly distressing to see the religion that was then the “liberation movement for women.” now unjustifiably criticized for “oppressing women."

In times when baby girls were being buried alive and women were traded like animals, the Prophet Muhammad (p) banned these practices and gave women rights previously unheard of. He (p) gave married women full ownership of their wealth and assets.  He (p) said that mothers have four times more rights regarding their children, than fathers (see my article “Mothers in Islam”).   He (p) urged husbands to remember their responsibilities to their wives, including the obligation to provide kind and gentle treatment along with food, clothing and shelter. In his last major sermon before his death, he (p) commanded Muslims to "Treat your women well.”   He (p) said:  “The best of you, in faith, are those who are the best to their wives.” 

The prophet Mohammad (p) did more than simply proclaim platitudes however; he (p) lived what he (p) preached. He (p.) was a model of piety and good behavior. Although it was the norm during those times for a man to hit his wives and children, the Prophet Muhammad (p) never struck or abused his family. He (p) did his own chores around the house, including mending his clothes.  He (p) consulted with his wives and treated them with love and respect.  And yes, like prophets before him, such as Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon and others, peace be upon them, Prophet Muhammad (p) had multiple wives whom he treated equally.  Clearly, if Muslim women are abused or oppressed today, it is not because of Islam – it is in spite of Islam.  In most cases, it might be due to cultural practices and understanding, and weakness of human nature.

Spiritual Equality & Women’s Involvement

The Qur’an, the Muslims’ holy book, and the last revelation of God, states that “The best among you in the Sight of God is the most pious of you." From this verse, and a number of other references, Muslim scholars have concluded that men have no superiority over women for merely being male, and vice versa.  Superiority is defined exclusively by piety – not by gender, not by race, and not by physical appearances.

To site an obvious example that many Minnesotans can relate to, let’s consider a historic woman, the Virgin Mary (p), and a historic man, Pharaoh. In the Qur’an, Mary (Mariam, in Arabic) is called the “Most honored woman of humanity.”  No Muslim would ever argue that the man, Pharaoh, was more honored in the “Sight” of God than the woman, Mary.  Since she displays the highest state of piety, Mary (p), a woman, has a much higher place in Islam than Pharaoh, a man; in fact, she definitely has a much higher degree over billions of non-pious men. I do not think any Muslim would argue that a woman of good character who accepts God, prays, fasts, performs charity and, performs pilgrimage, has a good character and honors her duties to her family has a much higher standing in the Sight of God than a man who does none of these things.  The mere fact of being a male does not make one better in God’s Sight. Thus, both men and women have equal opportunity to be loved by God and to be admitted to highest levels of paradise, by God’s Grace and Mercy.

Muslim women have been an integral part of Islam since its beginnings. Early Islamic history attests to the contributions of many Muslim women, in different aspects of the society. Khadijah, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (p) was the very first Muslim. She accepted the message of the Prophet and relinquished her great fortune to support Islam.

Years after the death of Khadijah, Prophet Muhammad (p) married Aisha, who was a known for her piety and keen intellect. As a Muhadditha (narrator of prophetic traditions) and a faqeeh (scholar), she was a scholar in her own right. Uncharacteristic of women of her time, Aisha would not sit quietly when a man would misquote a prophetic tradition.

There were even women who fought in battles to defend the Prophet (p) and Muslim communities. Sumaiya, who was tortured and killed by Makkans for defending her faith, is known as the first Muslim martyr.

The tradition of women’s involvement in their faith and communities continues on in our modern society. Countless Muslim women worldwide work tirelessly to make their communities and the world a better place. A number of Muslim majority countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Turkey, have had women leaders and prime ministers. By contrast, a woman president still seems like a far away dream for millions of Americans.

More recent examples of Muslim women leaders include Ingrid Mattson, a Canadian born Muslim convert who serves as the President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). ISNA is one of the largest national Islamic organizations in US and Canada, and an umbrella organization for many Islamic centers and mosques, including the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley, and the Columbia Heights masjid. Many of Minnesota’s Islamic organizations, including the Muslim Students Associations (MSA), benefit from the leadership and service of their dedicated women volunteers. And it is truly refreshing and inspiring to see Farheen Hakim, a Muslim woman who chooses to wear hijab (the traditional scarf worn by many Muslim women), run for public office including the post of the Mayor of Minneapolis. Finally, even a quick look at the authors and editors of EngageMN.com attests to the integral participation and dedication of Muslim women right here in Minnesota.

It is noteworthy that Islam does acknowledge the differences in genders, not just in physique, or anatomy or physiology, but also the different psychologies of both genders.  The author of the book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus made millions of dollars pointing to some of these differences.  Islam sees the outwardly stronger physique of men as not just a gift but as a responsibility and liability, and assigns men to the responsibility to be the protectors and sustainers of women.  In Islam, it is the responsibility of the husband to provide for the family.  A wife does not have to pay for the “bills” or for the food, even if she has an income.

Hijab – The modest dress

Quite often Minnesotans ask me, “Why do women have to wear scarves?” Modesty is an important aspect of Islam. The Qur’an asks women to be modest by wearing their scarves so that they will be “recognized and will not be harassed.”

But it is not only the Qur’an that encourages women to cover their heads. The Bible states, “every women who prays or prophesiseth with her head uncovered, dishonors her head… if the women be not covered let her (hair) also be shorn (shaved off).” I Corranthians 11:5-7.

Covering the hair is not only an Islamic practice.  Christian women of different countries cover their hair.  Many South America Christian women, as well as African Christian women (mostly older women) still cover their hair during Sunday services. Women visiting the Vatican cover their hair, as did First Lady Laura Bush when she visited the Vatican.  Russian women, Jewish women, Hindu women, and women of many more backgrounds cover their hair.

To single out and attack Islam for advocating modesty and then to frame that custom as “oppressing women” is wrong-headed and completely inaccurate. Modesty, after all. is not only an Islamic tenant. In fact, the overwhelming majority of religions endorse and urge modest behavior. Lest we forget, the mother of Jesus (p), the Virgin Mary (p) also wore a scarf.  I have never seen any image of the Virgin Mary without a scarf.  Mary (p) is considered as the “most honored” woman of humanity in the Qur’an, and I think most Christians would agree with this description.

As modest as nuns

In the footsteps of the Virgin Mary, many nuns of various religious orders wear head coverings of sorts, including scarves, and loose fitting clothing. This is very much the way many Muslim women dress.

Some time back I heard of a small study that evaluated observers’ perceptions of Muslim women in scarves.  Although I was not able to find the details of the study, it has made sense to every Minnesotan with whom I have shared this story.  The researchers selected a random group of Americans, and then separated them in two groups.  To Group A they showed a picture of a nun wearing a scarf and her lose fitting clothing.  To Group B they showed a picture of a Muslim woman wearing a scarf and loose fitting clothing.  They asked both groups about their perceptions of the women in the pictures and to describe their feelings about them.  [I understand that there may have been some small variable such as the Muslim woman may not have been Caucasian, or she may not have been wearing all black attire.].

Although both women were wearing scarves that covered their hair entirely, as well as loose fitting clothing, the findings were astonishing.  Overall, Group A, which was shown the picture of a nun, had very positive perceptions.  They described her as “a woman of God,” “dedicated,” “helping people,” “making a great sacrifice,” “woman of high spirituality,” and other very positive descriptions.  Many in Group B, which was shown the picture of the Muslim woman, had opposite descriptions.  They perceived the person as “oppressed,” “uneducated,” “backwards,” and a number of other negative descriptions.  Even though both women, the nun and the Muslim woman, were essentially dressed the same way, the observers took away radically different impressions of the two.

Most Minnesotans are fascinated by this study.  The Muslim woman may have been one of the thousands of American Muslim women who are physicians, nurses, lawyers, teachers, engineers or other highly educated professionals.  But unfortunately because of her attire, the observers had entirely skewed perceptions of her.  Clearly this study makes it clear that our untested perceptions have much to do with us and our backgrounds rather than with the person herself.

So by making modesty a regular practice for both men and women, Islam has made it clear to men that women are their spiritual counterparts, and not a sexual commodity to be bought or sold.  Islam urges the societies to honor and value women for who they are, for their piety, righteousness, intelligence, integrity, lofty characters, efforts, accomplishments and the sacrifices that they make as a mother, a sister, a daughter and a member of the community, and not based on how “sexy” she looks. 

So the next time when we see a Muslim woman wearing a scarf, let’s assume that she might be the doctor who will save our lives, or the nurse who can comfort our pain, or the lawyer who will defend our rights. Let’s see her as a teacher, who shap.es our kids, or a respected and devoted mother who instills compassion and respect in her children, or a treasured wife who meets life’s challenges head-on with her beloved husband.  Let’s remember that she is an immensely cherished daughter, a precious member of our community, and perhaps, a person with a very lofty position in the Sight of God, Almighty.  And finally, let us all remember that God loves all of us.

Tamim Saidi is an American Muslim and an active member of the Muslim community in Minnesota.

كيف لي ان امنع نفسي عن الكتابه, و بعض المواقع التافهه, ورسائل المتعنتين تصلني وانا في عقر داري؟

فرسائل موقع اليوتوب من جهه, والمدونه من جهه :) وخطتي لترك السيروكسات ستبوء بالفشل قريبا اذا استمر الوضع :)

لا انكر ان اتباعي لنصيحة امي بترك الحديث عن السلبيات جعلتني اعيش حالة تفاؤل وهدوء لايام قليله, لكن مارايته اليوم في مدونتي امر مضحك ومبكي في نفس الوقت

اعتقد ان احدى كتاباتي (ضربت على وتر حساس) مما ادى الى دخول البعض على المدونه من احد المواقع التي اشك انها استضافت احدى تدويناتي كانذار حرب :)

للاسف, وجدت رابط الموقع الرئيسي, ولا اعلم حتى الان من اي صفحه في ذلك الموقع تمكنوا من الدخول على مدونتي, ولا اريد ان اعرف. ما قرأته يكفي لادخالي في نوبة ضحك هستيريه :)

دعوني اعطيكم امثله بسيطه, لكن قبل ذلك, هناك شيء يجب ان تعرفوه عني.

انا من النوع الذي يقتنع بسهوله :) حتى لو كان في الموضوع جور وظلم, اقتنع لان الواقع مؤلم وهذه هي الحياه. لكن, وبالرغم من ذلك, لم يتمكن القائمين على الموقع بمقالاتهم المتعدده من اقناعي

حسنا, لنبدأ برابط الموقع الرئيسي, استعدوا للضحك

مسيار اون لاين

انتقلوا الى صفحة المقالات, واقرأو ماهو مكتوب :

اسفه على ذلك. كنت اتمنى تاخير (الحش) للعيد, لكن لم استطع تمالك نفسي.

المقاله الاولى

اريد من احدكم ان يشرح كيف تبرر هذه المقاله زواج المسيار! وما موقعها من الاعراب في ذلك الموقع؟ وما علاقة التعدد بالمسيار؟

على الاقل, الرجل ملزم عند التعدد بالعدل بين زوجاته, اما في المسيار, فالمرأه مضطره للتنازل عن حقوقها.

ما وجه الشبه؟

امر اخر, تسمية (عانس) فيها شيء من الجور. فكما تكون المرأه عانس بعد سن معينه, فالرجل كذلك. او كلاهما عازب. اختارو اي من التسميتين ما شئتم, لكن لا تخصوا جنس معين, بتسميه معينه

المقاله الثانيه.

مقاله اخرى لا اعلم كيف تبرر المسيار! ولا محل لها من الاعراب

وعن زواج المسيار قال: بكل أسف سموه بغير اسمه مما زاد النساء منه نفوراً لسوء نظرة الرجال إلى هذا الزواج مع أنه كان موجوداً منذ القدم وهو زواج شرعي صحيح مستوفٍ لجميع شروط النكاح وأركانه وإنما يُبنى هذا الزواج بالتعاون بين الزوجين والتفاهم فيما بينهما بأن تتنازل المرأة عن بعض حقوقها كالمبيت أو النفقة أو السكن ومتى ما طالبت المرأة بحقوقها فإن ذلك حق مشروع لها.. وأدعو الرجال والنساء ومن كان له ظروف لا تسمح له بإعلان زواجه أن يبادر إلى زواج المسيار

قد ترونها كدعوه للخير, لكني اراها دعوه لاضطهاد المرأه اكثر واكثر

قصة كان موجودا منذ القدم لا تبرره الا اذا اثبت لي احدهم ان الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم, راه في زمنه, واقره. اما قياسكم وفتواكم, فساتركها لكم

وهل وجود الامر منذ القدم دليل على صحته؟ هل يعني هذا ان وأد البنات عاده جيده لانها موجوده منذ القدم؟

الامر الاخر( اذا تنازلت هي عن حقها) الا تكفيكم التنازلات التي قدمنها حتى الان؟

قيدنا بالولي في كل صغيرة وكبيره, واستسلمنا, حرمنا قيادة السياره واستسلمنا, اضطهدت حقوقنا في الزيجات العاديه, فسكتنا, والان تريدون للمرأه ان تتنازل فتتحول الى بائعة هوى تحت مسمى الحلال! اين المنطق؟

في الزيجات العاديه, وخصوصا هذه الايام, تتحمل المرأه كافة التكاليف, وكانها هي (ولي الامر) وزوجها احد اطفالها, وهي ملزمه بان تنفق على اولاده وعلى نفسها, واحيانا عليه هو ايضا. لذلك, تجدونهم يشترطون كون زوجة المستقبل موظفه.

اعتقد ان الشرع الزم الرجل بالنفقه ولو كانت المرأه ذات مال!

الان, وبما تسمونه (زواج) مسيار, تريدون جعل الامر اكثر رسميه حتى تخرسوها الى الابد

«اهزم العنوسة.. تزوج اثنتين وخذ الثالثة مجاناً»

يقول كاتب المقال ان هذه العباره ليس ساخره, انما هي دعوه لحل مشكلة العنوسه, وردي عليه هو, احسنت! الان اثبتم ان المرأه لكم مجرد سلعه لا اكثر ولا اقل

بوركتم! وكانها ناقصه!

اما رايي في المقاله ككل, فهي لا تبرر سوى التعدد(المشروط شرعا بالعدل) وتحفيف المهور, ولا ارى انها تدعم المسيار باي طريقه

لأن المرأة هنا بطواعية وبنوع من الاستقلالية الذاتية ترسم وضعاً شرعياً يناسبها ويحقق لها غايات معينة، وهي إن تنازلت عن بعض من حقوقها التي لا ترى نفسها بحاجة إليها، بوعي وإدراك وإرادة كاملة منها تقديراً لظرف آخر، فهذا شأنها.

حسنا, عادة, يقال ان النساء ناقصات عقل ودين. مقوله اؤمن بها, لكن يفسرها المعظم على نحو خاطيء, وعلى هذا الاساس, تعامل المرأه معظم الوقت وكانها كائن غبي, لا يمتلك عقلا, ولا يعرف حتى كيف يفكر عن نفسه...ما ادى الى تقييدها باذن ولي الامر في كل صغيره وكبيره وكانها قاصر

الان, وعندما رايتم ان وصف المرأه بالعاقله, وان اعطاء جلالتكم لها صفة العقل التي سلبت منها جورا سيبرر لكم تصرفاتكم, فعلتم ذلك. واعتقد ان المرأه لو طلبت ان ينظر اليها كعاقله فيما عدى ذلك, لرفضتم

ولو تمعَّنا في علاقات الزواج العادي من حولنا لاكتشفنا أن كثيرا منها يتفق ووصف المسيار ولكن بصورة مُقَنَّعة، فماذا نقول عن الرجال الذين يستولون على معاشات زوجاتهم ولا ينفقون عليهن فَلساً من دون حول منهن ولا قوة؟ وماذا عن الأزواج الذين تفننوا في السفر إلى أقاصي الشرق والغرب واعتادوا الغياب المتكرر عن البيت لطلب المتعة خارج إطار الزواج في حين تبقى الزوجة وحيدةً مهملةً؟ وماذا عن هذا الذي يتزوج أكثر من واحدة ويعطي كل واحدة جزءاً من وقته الثمين؟ أليست هذه كلها صوراً متباينةً من المسيار وإن اختلفت التسميات؟ ومن يحقق العدالة لهؤلاء النساء؟ وماذا عن الزواج العرفي؟ وماذا عن الزواج بنية الطلاق الذي يضمر فيه الرجل الطلاق ثم ينفذ من دون سابق إنذار؟ وماذا عن الزواج الميسر للمسلمين في الخارج أو الزواج فريند؟ أليست كل هذه صوراً للزواج منقوصة الحقوق بالنسبة إلى المرأة ولكن بشكل مفروض ومن دون اختيارها الحر. أنا لست أنظر إلى الفوضى هنا، ولكني أسرد حالاتٍ نشاهدها يومياً وهي ليست بأحسنَ حال كثيراً من المسيار.وهل يبرر كل ما ذكرت ان تجعلو الظلم والجور حلالا وتقرونه على النساء؟جوهر الموضوع - من وجهة نظري - هو حفظ الحقوق في أي نوع من أنواع الزواج من خلال شروط العقد والإيفاء بها

اذا لا داعي ولا مبرر له. حقوق النساء مسلوبه منذ القدم, ولا نحتاج لتشجيعالرجال على الاقدام والمضي قدما في ظلمهن

في السابق كان الإقبال على زواج المسيار من الرجال وليس النساء أما الآن المرأةه هي من يطالب به وبشروط غريبة على مجتمعنا(...)محرم لسفر, زوج لا يسأل, زوج سائق

هل رأيتم الان سبب المشكله؟ مقولتي التي ارددها دائما, ابحث عن سبب المشكله ولا تعالج ما نتج عنها. من اسباب تحليلهم لهذه المهزله, هو قولهم ان النساء ايضا يرغبن به. وصدقت تنبوءاتي, فبسبب تضييق المجتمع عليهن, قررن ان يلجأن هن ايضا الى هذه المهزله كحل

اما عن قولهم انهن يرغبن الزواج وباي طريقة كانت, فهذا ناتج عن التربيه التي نشأن عليها هنا. دائما ما يصور المجتمع لهن انهن لن يستطعن العيش دون رجل, وان عدم زواجهن يعني ان هناك عيبا ما فيهن, وان الزواج يساوي الخلاص والنجاه. لذا, ترضى احداهن باي زوج ولو كان ذا سوابق غراميه, ويقولون لها( عفى الله عما سلف) اما بالنسبة لها, فلن تطبق عليها ابدا ما حييت بحجة انها امرأه وان الرجل لا يعيبه شيء

لا حظوا ان الموقع يتعمد تسمية النساء عانسات, وكأنه يحفزهن على التخلص من صفه سيئه! ولو كان المسيار الذي يروج له الموقع كما يقولون, (لا هضم فيه لحقوق المرأه) فلما يتم وصفهن بصفه يعلمون تمام العلم مدى سلبيتها, ومدى تاثيرها على البعض؟

ام اخر, قرأت بعض الطلبات للرجال والنساء بدافع اللقافه :) لاحظوا ان النساء يطلبن الرومانسيه (امر خرافي) والرجال يعدون بها ( ركب على اصولها)

ان كان هناك فصيله واحده على وجه الارض لا تفقه في الرومانسيه شيئا فهي الفصيله السعوديه على وجه الخصوص, والعرب بوجه عام

ملاحظه: مدونتي ماهي الا تمهيد لما ساكتبه في روايه باللغه الانجليزيه. فليتعرف العالم عليكم يا اسياد الحفاظ على المرأه باسم الدين والدين منكم بريء :)

تصبحون على خير :)

The meeting has been named "Moving towards a peace through religion" which was held 4-7 September and co-organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Tehran's Institute for Interreligious Dialogue (IID).

The 25 women from Iran, USA, Pakistan, Senegal, Palestine, Sweden and other European countries discussed issues related to the role of women in interreligious dialogue, and had the opportunity to exchange experiences with Swedish families, and local Christian-Muslim women groups.

The process of asking questions and finding answers together was the foundation of the gathering. From religion and modernity to secularism, from integration of immigrant communities to civil courage and conflict transformation towards peacemaking, the women discussed many issues. They shared their concerns about education, media and human development, and reflected on the challenges they face as women in peacemaking.

IID hosted the first meeting of this project in Tehran on 24-28 November 2007. The backdrop of Iran for this debate was unique as it involved women participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America along with the Iranian women. These women - policy makers, journalists, educationists, doctors, NGO workers, religious scholars and filmmakers - were able to add numerous dimensions to the dialogue essential to create an impact on peacemaking. Source

It was the first time we had such a thing as inter-religious dialogue. There was some before, but not as interesting as this one. I think their approach is good and helpful. I hope they continue this and also i hope that it does not remain as the dialogue for we need some more action.

I strongly think that Muslim women need such a thing for themselves at particular though. Shi'a, Sunni and Sufi, from any sect, We also need dialogue and corporation.

I know, most of us may proclaim ourselves only as muslim. But sometimes while a simple talking,  arguments raise, everyone's trying to input her entry, thought and belief. It makes us unable to see the deficiencies and weaknesses. I know most of us are so tired of arguments, esp when we face too many stereotypes even from our co-religious fellows. No matter Arab, Iranian, Afro, Asian or whatever, Muslim women need to learn and help together to clear up their way for the next generation.

Yep, we have bigger problems than attacking each others. Poverty , illiteracy and violence in some muslim countries continue to persist..

"For more than a decade, Barack Obama has said "yes" to women's rights, while John McCain has consistently said "no" - NO to pay equity, NO to contraceptive access and reproductive rights, NO to appointing Supreme Court judges who will uphold women's rights and civil rights, NO to funding shelters and other anti-violence programs, and NO to supporting working moms and dads with policies that support work/life balance."

No Way, No How, No McCain.

But, above all, NO Palin.

Brazilian woman that was locked in home by husband in Lebanon, returns home. (Article in Portuguese)

I'm so glad that she arrived home safely. I remember it was a few weeks ago when I was just in the living room when my sister was watching about a coverage about her drama in "Fantastico".

The story in a nutshell. Nariman is the Brazilian woman who married a lebanon man while still in Brazil. While still here they had a kid, but then after some talks they agreed that moving to Lebanon would be good for the family, so they moved there early this year (2008).

"While in Brazil, my husband didn't hit me, he was afraid. When we arrived in Lebanon was when the agressions started."

They moved to Lebanon and things changed, her husband started to hit her and  her inside their house, which made her want to return to Brazil with her son. In July 21st, when she attempted to board a flight back, she was stopped by local authorities, as there was a charge against her from her husband for "abandonment of conjugal home and kidnapping" from a religious tribunal.

Late June she was able to break out from the house, and found refuge at the Brazilian consulate, whe she asked for help to return to Brazil, who helped find an Lebanese NGO that aids women and children that are victims of home abuse. Unable to wait for the tribunal result, she was then able to flee ilegally back to Brazil last saturday, starting her long journey back home, finally arriving in Brazil yesterday morning.

Are cases like these that makes me believe that the constant efforts from organizations like Equality Now are necessary. I'm not saying about being feminist, which can be excessively extreme at times, but EQUALITY. Like a wise man once said, "Equality is like Gravity".

I know that there are cultural particularities that allowed her husband to act the way the acted, but that just goes agains basic notion of human rights.

You can read more about another outrageous case over here: http://iamduakhalil.blogspot.com/

You can read more about how to help out with other women treated unfairly all over the world at EQUALITY NOW!

http://www.equalitynow.org/

This is also a great moment to remember, to reflect, for that I'll post once more Joss Whedon's take about the violent assassination of Dua khalil.

by Joss Whedon
May 20, 2007

Let's Watch A Girl Get Beaten To Death.

This is not my blog, but I don’t have a blog, or a space, and I’d like to be heard for a bit.

Last month seventeen year old Dua Khalil was pulled into a crowd of young men, some of them (the instigators) family, who then kicked and stoned her to death. This is an example of the breath-taking oxymoron “honor killing”, in which a family member (almost always female) is murdered for some religious or ethical transgression. Dua Khalil, who was of the Yazidi faith, had been seen in the company of a Sunni Muslim, and possibly suspected of having married him or converted. That she was torturously murdered for this is not, in fact, a particularly uncommon story. But now you can watch the action up close on CNN. Because as the girl was on the ground trying to get up, her face nothing but red, the few in the group of more than twenty men who were not busy kicking her and hurling stones at her were filming the event with their camera-phones.

There were security officers standing outside the area doing nothing, but the footage of the murder was taken – by more than one phone – from the front row. Which means whoever shot it did so not to record the horror of the event, but to commemorate it. To share it. Because it was cool.

I could start a rant about the level to which we have become desensitized to violence, about the evils of the voyeuristic digital world in which everything is shown and everything is game, but honestly, it’s been said. And I certainly have no jingoistic cultural agenda. I like to think that in America this would be considered unbearably appalling, that Kitty Genovese is still remembered, that we are more evolved. But coincidentally, right before I stumbled on this vid I watched the trailer for “Captivity”.

A few of you may know that I took public exception to the billboard campaign for this film, which showed a concise narrative of the kidnapping, torture and murder of a sexy young woman. I wanted to see if the film was perhaps more substantial (especially given the fact that it was directed by “The Killing Fields” Roland Joffe) than the exploitive ad campaign had painted it. The trailer resembles nothing so much as the CNN story on Dua Khalil. Pretty much all you learn is that Elisha Cuthbert is beautiful, then kidnapped, inventively, repeatedly and horrifically tortured, and that the first thing she screams is “I’m sorry”.

“I’m sorry.”

What is wrong with women?

I mean wrong. Physically. Spiritually. Something unnatural, something destructive, something that needs to be corrected.

How did more than half the people in the world come out incorrectly? I have spent a good part of my life trying to do that math, and I’m no closer to a viable equation. And I have yet to find a culture that doesn’t buy into it. Women’s inferiority – in fact, their malevolence -- is as ingrained in American popular culture as it is anywhere they’re sporting burkhas. I find it in movies, I hear it in the jokes of colleagues, I see it plastered on billboards, and not just the ones for horror movies. Women are weak. Women are manipulative. Women are somehow morally unfinished. (Objectification: another tangential rant avoided.) And the logical extension of this line of thinking is that women are, at the very least, expendable.

I try to think how we got here. The theory I developed in college (shared by many I’m sure) is one I have yet to beat: Womb Envy. Biology: women are generally smaller and weaker than men. But they’re also much tougher. Put simply, men are strong enough to overpower a woman and propagate. Women are tough enough to have and nurture children, with or without the aid of a man. Oh, and they’ve also got the equipment to do that, to be part of the life cycle, to create and bond in a way no man ever really will. Somewhere a long time ago a bunch of men got together and said, “If all we do is hunt and gather, let’s make hunting and gathering the awesomest achievement, and let’s make childbirth kinda weak and shameful.” It’s a rather silly simplification, but I believe on a mass, unconscious level, it’s entirely true. How else to explain the fact that cultures who would die to eradicate each other have always agreed on one issue? That every popular religion puts restrictions on women’s behavior that are practically untenable? That the act of being a free, attractive, self-assertive woman is punishable by torture and death? In the case of this upcoming torture-porn, fictional. In the case of Dua Khalil, mundanely, unthinkably real. And both available for your viewing pleasure.

It’s safe to say that I’ve snapped. That something broke, like one of those robots you can conquer with a logical conundrum. All my life I’ve looked at this faulty equation, trying to understand, and I’ve shorted out. I don’t pretend to be a great guy; I know really really well about objectification, trust me. And I’m not for a second going down the “women are saints” route – that just leads to more stone-throwing (and occasional Joan-burning). I just think there is the staggering imbalance in the world that we all just take for granted. If we were all told the sky was evil, or at best a little embarrassing, and we ought not look at it, wouldn’t that tradition eventually fall apart? (I was going to use ‘trees’ as my example, but at the rate we’re getting rid of them I’m pretty sure we really do think they’re evil. See how all rants become one?)

Now those of you who frequent this site are, in my wildly biased opinion, fairly evolved. You may hear nothing new here. You may be way ahead of me. But I can’t contain my despair, for Dua Khalil, for humanity, for the world we’re shaping. Those of you who have followed the link I set up know that it doesn’t bring you to a video of a murder. It brings you to a place of sanity, of people who have never stopped asking the question of what is wrong with this world and have set about trying to change the answer. Because it’s no longer enough to be a decent person. It’s no longer enough to shake our heads and make concerned grimaces at the news. True enlightened activism is the only thing that can save humanity from itself. I’ve always had a bent towards apocalyptic fiction, and I’m beginning to understand why. I look and I see the earth in flames. Her face was nothing but red.

All I ask is this: Do something. Try something. Speaking out, showing up, writing a letter, a check, a strongly worded e-mail. Pick a cause – there are few unworthy ones. And nudge yourself past the brink of tacit support to action. Once a month, once a year, or just once. If you can’t think of what to do, there is this handy link. Even just learning enough about a subject so you can speak against an opponent eloquently makes you an unusual personage. Start with that. Any one of you would have cried out, would have intervened, had you been in that crowd in Bashiqa. Well thanks to digital technology, you’re all in it now.

I have never had any faith in humanity. But I will give us props on this: if we can evolve, invent and theorize our way into the technologically magical, culturally diverse and artistically magnificent race we are and still get people to buy the idiotic idea that half of us are inferior, we’re pretty amazing. Let our next sleight of hand be to make that myth disappear.

The sky isn’t evil. Try looking up.

joss | General | 05:35 CET | 382 comments total | tags: joss post

Feminism happens to be one of the most fundamentally misunderstood term. Feminism hopes in advocating equal rights for women. But there are quite few people who think Feminism is the replacement of the supposed dominant sex.

Unfortunately, we are dealing with a subtler problem here. We are not addressing to who the dominant or the ablest is. Instead we are speaking about the co-existence of both. Life is all about sharing. Men and Women have to work together to solve various troubles and share expertise that’s special for each sex.

Somewhere in the evolution of our culture, this subtler aspect has been missed or deliberately avoided. We are one bigger species rather than being two. Let’s forget the past and advocate what’s really true.

To speak about rights, every hu(wo)man (English happens to be more masculine on such terms) on this earth happens to share the same subset of rights regardless of race, gender or religion. Let’s take this as the fundamental law for the betterment of everyone on earth.

ΔΥΟ Νεαρές Πακιστανές Σύμφωνα με τη Διεθνή Ειδησεογραφία βρήκαν ΦΡΙΚΤΟ ΘΑΝΑΤΟ ,ΑΦΟΥ ΘΑΦΘΗΚΑΝ ΖΩΝΤΑΝΕΣ έπειδή αρνήθηκαν να δεχθούν Συζύγους που επέλεξαν οι ΟΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΕΣ ΤΟΥΣ.
Αν ειναι δυνατόν σκέφθηκαν οι γονείς,αδέλφια,ξαδέλφια και λοιπό σκυλολόι,μέχρι και ΥΠΟΨΗΦΙΟΣ ΒΟΥΛΕΥΤΗΣ ΣΤΙΣ ΕΠΙΚΕΙΜΕΝΕΣ ΕΚΛΟΓΕΣ,λέγεται οτι συμμετείχε.

-Μας ρημάξατε ,μας γελοιοποιήσατε,δεν έχουμε μούτρα να βγούμε έξω,μα τον Θεό [λάθοςΑΛΑΧ] ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΑ ΝΑ ΕΙΧΑΤΕ ΠΕΘΑΝΕΙ λένε οι Μάνες
[ΓΥΝΑΙΚΕΣ ΚΙ ΑΥΤΕΣ ΑΝ ΔΕΝ ΕΧΩ ΠΑΡΑΦΡΟΝΙΣΕΙ].
Τα κοριτσάκια ακούνε τις ΜΑΝΕΣ και μένουν ΚΑΓΚΕΛΟ.
-Μα δεν μας αγαπάτε,προτιμάτε να πεθάνουμε,ρωτούν -με αυθάδεια οφήλω να ομολογήσω].
Δενγνώριζαν τα δύστυχα,πως ,στη Σκοταδιστικό Θρησκευτικό Φανατισμό η ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑ και η ΤΙΜΗ της δεν έχει καμία Σχέση με την ΑΓΑΠΗ.
Αύτά τα ΔΥΟ είναι ΠΑΡΑΛΛΗΛΕΣ ΓΡΑΜΜΕΣ ΠΟΥ ΔΕΝ ΣΥΝΑΝΤΟΥΝΤΑΙ ΟΥΤΕ ΣΤΟ ΧΩΡΟ ΟΥΤΕ ΣΤΟ ΧΡΟΝΟ ΤΟΥ ΣΚΟΤΑΔΙΣΜΟΥ.
ΠΡΟΦΑΝΩΣ οι νεαρές υπάρξεις είχαν κουρασθεί ,ίσως να είχαν νοιώσει και τα βέλη του ΕΡΩΤΑ και αποφάσισαν.
ΩΣ ΠΟΤΕ ΘΑ ΕΙΜΑΣΤΕ ΠΡΑΓΜΑΤΑ ΑΝΑΘΕΜΑ ΤΗ ΜΑΝΑ ΜΑΣ?
ΔΕΝ ΥΠΑΡΧΕΙ ΣΤΟΝ ΚΟΣΜΟ ΑΥΤΟ ΜΙΑ ΘΕΣΗ ΠΟΥ ΝΑ ΕΙΜΑΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΙΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΙ?

Τα Τραγικά αυτά παιδιά προτίμησαν να πάνε κόντρα,προτίμησαν τουλάχιστον να πεθάνουν ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑ.
Μέσα στο οριμαγδό των ήμερών
[ΨΥΧΡΟΙ ΠΟΛΕΜΟΙ-ΟΠΛΑ-ΠΑΠΑΔΕΣ-ΚΑΡΧΑΡΙΕΣ],
ΚΆΠΟΙΟΙ ας ασχοληθούν με το Θέμα .Εσείς Κυρίες των blogs,αφήστε τα στιχάκια και τα τι καλά περάμε στις Διακοπές και Συκώστε την ΦΩΝΗ ΣΑΣ

http://kafeneio-gr.blogspot.com/

σσΟ: Μας προκάλεσες Τασπαν και θα σου αφιερώσουμε μια πικρή παγκόσμια αλήθεια ηλικίας 2,500 ετών που μας την κρατούν κρυφή. Αν αυτοί τα σπαν, ώρα να τα σπάσουμε και εμείς. Και όποιος αντέξει.

Truly, I wasn't going to comment on national politics until the primary was over, but the Sarah Palin story will just not go away... Like Brittney Spears, it just keeps getting more absurd......

Americans are celebrity conscious.... Many of us wish we were one, but we do not begrudge them their life within the bubble.... Perhaps because America has just discovered her new found "hotness", the current "bubble" has matriculated around Sarah Palin and her family.....

Troopergate, a scandal as it is now being called, is really nothing new... It happens on every level in government, military, or the corporate world, most often going unreported. Any reader thrust in the same position, would do the same thing....." That sob ex-brother-in-law.... bitch-slapped my sister; I'll get him". If you didn't feel the same way... what on earth are you, an alien?....You certainly are not much of a family person...

Perhaps none of you have ever been in a position of authority. But if you are ever placed in an executive position, whether it is in a governmental, military, or corporate environment, and you are accountable to people above, and responsible to people below....., you have to directly meet challenges to your authority.... They happen... You react... Life goes on..... So if you ask an underling for a favor and they refuse, "fire my ex-brother-in-law" you are required to take some form of action, if you wish to be taken seriously the next time... Personally, I think the option she chose, was well crafted.. She had good advisers; that option probably would not have occurred to me..

We can always go back later and investigate as to why that firing occurred..... Here at home, that happens within the Delaware State Police firing practices all the time.... We here in Delaware should be used to it by now... Even now, Republicans are simply asking for a similar accountability over actions that occurred in Delaware Psychiatric Hospital....

We need these reviews for they serve a greater purpose.... If there were not a fear of accountability, what motive other than altruism would then exist to counteract the natural human tendencies to profit from ones situation?

So perhaps an judgmental error was made... Who out there has not made one over their lifetime? But the argument being made..... is respectfully whether or not Sarah Palin has the character to be Commander in Chief.... As of right now, so far as I can find out..... there has not been a breach of Public Trust, where money from people like you or I, has been used for her personal use or gain...

To be so squeaky clean in the land of Ted Stevens.....I think says loads.. It's one thing to be in church and not steal from the collection plate as it goes by.... It is another to still refuse to steal, even when among a den of thieves. As I hear more about the culture of Alaska, under Republican Ted Stevens..... I have to shake my head how anyone could have remained honest in that environment.... If Sarah comes thorough this clean, .....she has the character to be President of the United States....

About the family...

The GOP are flying Bristol Palin's boyfriend out to the convention..... (I told you they should have banned torture). We shall see how that pans out.... My opinion is that he should have been left alone.... But the bubble reigns....and that is unfortunate for the entire clan of Palins.

Remember Brittney Spears? How many of you currently know that she has turned her life around, lost weight, and is trying to regain visitation rights and I think, may have already acquired them by now? I wonder how many of you know how that turn about came around? (I'm a fan, you can tell?)

Answer: it was her father who stepped back into her life.... Of course she let him, but a father's love is impossible to replace. Now I know that many of you don't know your fathers, or have fathers who abused their privilege... But I bet when you are truthful, you wish it had gone down differently at times, don't you? A father is important and that is where this "adventure" needs to occur... in the family and not in the public spotlight....

Some may say that such a messed up family has no place on the national ticket... To them I say....look around.... There are messed up families all around you... You work with them, you go to school with them, you recreate with them..... It happens... and it happens more with political figures and celebrities, no doubt because their parent's time is stretched way too thin to parent effectively....

So I may be the only person left on this planet to have this opinion, but if McCain knew all this and chose Sarah Palin anyway, he has a lot more character than any Democrat has so far given him... For America's families ARE messed up. And having someone who has experienced it first hand, is the first step in getting the foundation built in the right spot, so we can begin to build ourselves right out of it..... It sure is a lot more trustworthy than someone living a fake, prefect lie, waving their finger at me while calling me a "bad parent".

We all mess up occasionally. Its what we do afterward that determines whether we deserve to go on.... or not....

Photo Courtesy of Le Point

Debate Moderator:

Senator Biden: With your emphasis upon your protection of battered women, and your avid stance as a protector of woman's rights everywhere across this nation, and your career-long belief that women should be considered for what they are, other than sex objects,.... do you or do you not, within the time allowed,.... feel that shots of your your opponent's cleavage...against which you unfortunately have no defense,..... should be allowed to be shown across this nation during these debates.....

Senator Biden:

Yes.

Often as a civilian, one wishes certain things to happen within one's country, but fully knowing human nature, one never realistically expects it to happen.

One of my dreams was to someday to have been part of an elective process where men became dwarfed by ideas.... where people ignored the parties, the personalities, the spin, the media, and listened avidly to both propositions and voted for a direction.... not a candidate......

Some dream, huh?

John McCain's courageous choice as Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential candidate, creates one of those rare moments when such an opportunity can occur.

His choice is courageous.

Over at Delaware Liberal they have attacked the credibility of one John Sydney McCain for making such a choice. There is likewise deep disappointment over in Mitt Romney's Camp Delaware Politics.Net, for they wanted a "real 'man' " to fill that post.....

Being attacked by both sides of the aisle, illustrates the courage McCain's choice entailed.  A scan of news reports just hours after the announcement, the predominant word used was "risky".

But how will this be viewed by historians who care little of partisan politics?

McCain's choice balances the ticket. More appropriately said, it balances both tickets.

For no matter who wins.... we are guaranteed to have a minority, either a black or a woman, leading the executive branch. Furthermore, on both tickets we have new blood to inspire hope, generators of new ideas, as well as two so called "mavericks" from both sides of the aisle who being well entrenched, are well respected and deeply knowledgeable as to how to get things done inside of Congress... A necessity these next four years...

For now we have inexperience on both sides... That takes out that argument. We have old stalwarts on either side. That takes out that argument. We have proud parents of service men on both sides; that takes out that argument. We have compromisers (sub appeasers) on both sides, that takes out that argument. We have photo op families now on both sides; that takes out that argument. We have reformers on both sides; that takes out that argument.. We have.....well a fairly balance ticket with both parties edging down the center line... both parties representing the whole of America to some extent.....

Some may call McCain simple for his choice, but those calling him so are probably possessive of an agenda they wish to present, and need him out of the way to present it..... In reality, these Vice Presidential decisions are not made in a vacuum. McCain had just as good of data available to him as did Obama, (shhh) some of which we can only imagine now that FISA is no longer in effect.....

So a season full of political commercial's stating (sub either) "Obama/Sarah Palin" lacks the experience to take on Washington.... will fortunately not happen this season.

Unless some scandal hereto unknown breaks out into the mainstream.... both tickets are balanced against each other....

Any personal attack against any one candidate, can be levied by the other party, straight back.

McCain's choice, unlike a Romney for instance, nips presidential negative advertising in the bud before it can even begin to flower...

So what we will debate........ will be the issues....

Issues, remember those?

Like should we seek to control assault weapons?
Like should we roll back the Bush tax cuts?
Like should we shift our troops to Afghanistan sooner, rather than later?
Like should we worry about conservative, or liberal judges being chosen?
Like should we worry about privatizing Social Security?
Like should we worry whether our insurance is single payer or multipayer, or entirely for-profit corporate insurance?
Like should we trim down our armed forces to give them a rest?
Like should we give large corporations additional tax breaks, exploding the deficit further?
Like should we trim entitlements even though it will remove citizens from any access to health care...period?
Like should we subsidize renewable energy to jump start its growth over the soon to be extinct fossil fuel conglomerate?
Like should we use the power of government to force automobile manufactures to make products that cut down on fossil fuels?
Like should we appoint a judge who will outlaw abortion entirely?

I know I missed something... help me out...

McCain may have stumbled into this arrangement serendipitously, but if he did, it was an amazing stroke of good fortune. But I am more inclined, knowing John McCain from way back, to guess that knowing his hands were tied by his party's operatives and funders, he used his Vice Presidential pick to create a campaign to be run "his way." Sometimes that is just what one does when he is placed in a box by others....

He creates his own destiny that takes history in his own direction, not in the narrow direction wanted by those funding the RNC.....

What I'm saying in essence, is that McCain outflanked those who put him into power as the next George Bush of the Republican party... The negative ads, already casted, filmed, edited, ready for delivery, will now sit on the shelf... For their use, could backfire on the Republican's candidate himself.....

This fits well with that John McCain of old... and for that reason, that which makes the most sense of his choice, is why I think he did what he did.... And you know..... any man with the balls to stand up to his own dismal, corrupt party,.......is certainly worth cheering.....even if he is a ripe seventy-two years old........