Women bear brunt of Iraq bloodshed

[swag]

Source: AFP

BAGHDAD (AFP) - "There was a stranger at the door. He gave me an envelope which had two bullets and a letter that said 'if you do not close your beauty parlour, we will kill you. Your work is haram (forbidden),'" says Asma Kadhim, 40, one of the thousands of Iraqi women facing the brunt of daily bloodshed.

That threat two years ago changed her life. Fearing for her and her family's safety, Kadhim shuttered her flourishing salon in northern Baghdad's Waziriyah neighbourhood and emptied out the work space.

"Home is the only place for Iraqi women now," says this Shiite mother of two grown daughters, now working full-time as a housewife.

Kadhim's problem is representative of the problems Iraqi women face in a country ravaged by war, then an anti-American insurgency, and then brutal sectarian conflict.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080307/wl_mideast_afp/womeniraq_080307171830;_ylt=Ask5ZkIT_lQu._l6JvO7zddX6GMA

[defendandprotect]

1. Some say: "All war is a war on women" ---

and, of course, since women are the natural protectors of children . . .
it is also indirectly a war on children.

[Threedifferentones]

5. Ummm

Its not like men feel a natural urge to protect their kids? Or like they die alot in war?

Men of the world unite! We must sacrifice ourselves to keep women oppressed! And fuck the kids too! Please...

War is a crime against all humanity, all of us suffer terribly under it except the horrible few who manage and cause it. Occasionally some of those evil people are women, actually. Why anyone would think war is an operation designed to target women and kids especially is beyond me, though they of course suffer along with the men of the world.

[ensho]

8. women don't start wars - look in the mirror to see where violence start

when men fight, women and children are collateral damage to them. men that war don't care.

[SpikeTss]

9. Actually: Rich men and powerful men start wars

The best way to prevent wars is to distribute wealth equally.

[ensho]

10. yep, men

nt

[TheLastMohican]

11. I wouldn't be sure about that...

Just give Condi a chance and see it goes.....

[ensho]

7. true

nt

[bumblebee1]

2. I hope the hell this woman has a breadwinner at home.

If not, she and her children are screwed every way from Sunday. Iraqui women definitely ahd it better under Saddam.

[tanyev]

3. Time to send Laura out to put more lipstick on the pig.

Q My last question would be about the Iraqi women. How do you see their role in the society now?

MRS. BUSH: Well, the good news that came out of Iraq that the Governing Council has been able to write this agreement so they can begin to write the constitution is very good news. And even though I don't know what all is in that agreement, I do understand that women's rights are protected in that agreement, and I like that very much.

I want the women of Iraq to know how much American women stand with them. We want them to be successful. We want the people of Iraq to have peace and to be able to build their country in a good and secure way, so that the children of Iraq have a future that's free from violence and that's happy and with wellbeing for all the children and the people of Iraq.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/03/20040308-6.html

[acmavm]

4. Laura and the Terrible Twins need to pack up and go live over there for

a few months. And if they survive they need to be asked if they still support the fucking monkey that is her husband, their father, in his decision to front for the corrupt bastards that came up with the war in Iraq.

[tanyev]

6. Good idea. They can take the future Mr. Jenna Bush with them.

[Olney Blue]

12. I didn't think I could dislike Laura Bush more. I was wrong.

She is the chimp's chief enabler, and partner in his war crimes.

[bettyellen]

13. thanks for posting this