A Soft Spot
By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on June 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM in Benjamin Netanyahu, Current Affairs, Egypt, Human Rights, Israel, Palestinians, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Women
Not too long ago, you may recall, I was on a cruise in the Mediterranean. One of our stops was in Egypt, and we spent the night in Cairo (the ship docked in Alexandria). We had a wonderful tour guide, a young woman named Rasha, seen above. Despite never having left Egypt, her English was impeccable. It was hard to believe she had never been in an English-speaking country. From my own experience, I know there were significant gaps between what I was taught in school in language classes and the language spoken when I traveled to those countries. She was delighted to tell us how different things are for women there now than they used to be, even her mother worked (and was getting ready to retire), which was a point of pride.
She explained to us the different ways in which women dress in Egypt. How Rasha dresses is typical for women where she lives, though women in the south often wear black (HOT), and while I cannot recall the name now, their clothing is similar to burkas, though their faces aren’t covered. But, that style isn’t unique to the south. We saw many women in Cairo dressed like that.
Rasha took us to some amazing places, including the national museum, which houses an unbelievable collection of antiquities - one could easily spend an entire month in there, though we had but a few hours. We did get to see ALL of King Tut’s burial chamber, though, so that was pretty cool. And Rasha, a thoroughly knowledgeable guide, took us to the Great Pyramids (as well as other places). And it was in National Museum that we saw women dressed in full burkas - it was startling, to tell you the truth. Wow.
And so it was, that when I saw the following video, I wanted to share it with you since I developed a soft spot for Rasha, and her country. Secretary Clinton is hosting a group of young people from Egypt. Their goal is to improve the lives of people in their country, including the area of human rights:
What an amazing trip this must be for these young people, many of whom have never left Egypt, either. And how fortunate that they get to spend some of that time with this remarkable woman, the one capable of listening to a multi-part question, and answering it in full (without notes or a teleprompter). How wonderful that she is the one with whom they get to meet as they work on the issue of human rights, an issue near and dear to Secretary Clinton’s heart. What a great start they are getting, and no doubt, it will help them when they return to their country to work to implement those changes (and hopefully, this will extend to the treatment of animals in Egypt - that’s a story for another day). How fortunate are we to have a Secretary of State who is so gracious, generous of time, spirit, and knowledge. One can only imagine what she would do as president …
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“And how fortunate that they get to spend some of that time with this remarkable woman, the one capable of listening to a multi-part question, and answering it in full (without notes or a teleprompter).”—RabRousRevAmy
Yes! This is one of the things that always impressed me about our Secretary of State. How she could always answer any question–even a 10 part-15 minute long complicated question–with precision, depth and authority. The woman knows everything. so sharp.
(And glad you had an interesting time in Egypt. Was one of my grandpa’s top favorite trips and he went everywhere.)
A great thing to do is to go to Charlie Rose’s Web site, and search for Hillary Clinton. The interviews are mind-blowing because they show just how much Hillary knows. Go here: http://www.charlierose.com
Excellent post! Thanks for sharing! Bravo to all the multi-talented people the world over who can speak without the aid of a teleprompter–guess some people simply know how to think on their own two feet.
I hate watching this sort of video because I am sad she isnt president. She is so much more articulate and competent than the bozo we elected.
In addition to Egyptians treating their animals better, I would like them to treat their Copts better. I can dream, cant I?
-I hate watching this sort of video because I am sad she isnt president. She is so much more articulate and competent than the bozo we elected.-
Felt the same way (maybe more seethe than sad) watching world news and seeing a clip of her at the investiture of the new El Salvador president.
Wish the State Dpt. had its own news channel.
I have also visited Egypt and had a female guide who did not wear any sort of Moslem mandated covering. I found Egypt to be a very poor country. One of our other guides was an accountant but he told us that it paid better to be a tour guide.
What I didn’t know at the time, but read later, was that approximately 80% of women in Egypt have been subjected to female genital mutilation. Of course, I have no way of independently confirming that, but if it is true then how sad.
Listening to Obama search of a soft spot = the only thing that was, IS, AND WILL BE RESTRUCTURED IS THE TRUTH. Obama = Pathological Liar = Pinocchio
Soft Spot: If you believe one word of what Obama said just talked about then you have a soft spot for PATHOLOGICAL LIARS. You need to take that to your doctor since pathological liars don’t put out their medical records for inspection to the electorate.
Now Obama continues to restructure American values and the American psychic. Welcome ObamaChavezCastro. Give us more of your nonsense. Make us the slaves of your pathology.
Hillary is a marvelous woman. Her intellect, knowledge, and years of experience shows every time she speaks. She does her homework and comes prepared.
As with every other politician I’m sure she has an ego and she’s bound to make mistakes. The difference is she’s willing to acknowledge those things.
Hillary is the real friend to the people of the world. Too bad Americans couldn’t see it and voted for “the most popular guy in school” in stead of the person that could actually get something done.
One of the things Hillary pointed out was the need for a strengthened economy as a way to deal with some of the other issues Egypt faces. If there is more economic security, other issues can be addressed as well. And yes, Egypt is most definitely a poor country from what we saw.
I have to say, most of the women we saw DID have some kind of head scarf or covering. Just my own personal experience, though.
And, yes, it is hard to watch Clinton, knowing all the while it should have been her, what we are missing as Americans by it NOT being her, and the constant reminder of how Obama got there (through the actions of the DNC)…
Amy,
Aren’t you (somehow) glad on occasion when we think that Hillary is not being blamed for this disastrous war in Pakistan costing 65 billion and counting not to mention another 60 bil. in Iraq when Obummer promised to pull out. He would have sabotaged her presidency via his “dirty tricks drones” anyway. She is truly needed to show the world (even if the Teletotus can’t) that a gracious, respectful and far-sighted perspective of one’s friends *and* “enemies” is more effective…? Her Press Release on GLBT issue today would NOT have been issued under an Obummer State Department! The man’s a flip-flopping, flip-offing phony par excellence! Let’s hope by 2012 he’s out of the White House and joined by Rezko somewhere in an offshore tax haven….or joined the Reagan Transformational Trinity Church of the Regresser where he obviously belongs!
“Periodically, Barack will feel down and start launchhing attacks against the SoS to boost his appeal…”
Bravo, Hillary! What better Ambassador does the World need than her gracious, far-sighted (not obamyopic) perspective on countries that are needed now more than ever for sane policy in the middle east.
I was in Giza at the Pyramids last summer and I share Rabble Rouser Amy’s fond recollection. I was surprised that everyone there spoke English, they were courteous and they helped me find a Coptic Orthodox Christian monastery in the old part of Cairo! They ever had a guard outside of it –guess guarding the Byzantine icons? Beautiful…
As for the Nile cruise…amazing. What really impressed me is that the taxi driver said to us: Just leave your purses in the back seat! I objected. Yet we returned 2 hours later the purse was intact!! Of course, underneath the apparent calm, young people there are longing for Democracy. Pres. Mubarak is repressive and the country’s U.S. bilions are somehow not reaching the low and middle classes there. Why? Mubarak’s administration is dictatorial–yet not anywhere near as oppressive as Saudis where women are not allowed to drive! Egypt is more like Europe (together with Lebanon where Beirut used to be called “middle-east’s Paris”) than any other country there. Perhaps if good democratic leaders were supported instead of installing repressive dictators all over, Obama would not need $665 billion for the military Pentagon’s budget this year! Elminating this would take care of half the deficit for this year alone!
Just send Hillary to take care of diplomacy. Much better than spending money on Obama’s War with 2 million homeless now in Pakistan-Afganistan border and hundreds of women and children massacred with Obama’s weapons/drones! Shame, really when the Pentagon/State Dept. ratio of spending is 180:1….
GREAT comment, Mary, thank you!
There is certainly something abt that part of the world, isn’t there? The Pyramids, the people, the history…Thank you for pointing out the difficulties under which they live, too - well said.
Thanks, R3 Amy.
I enjoy reading your informative posts and insights. I think Hillary and you share the compassion, intellect and curiosity of many an American woman (and man). So many of you spiffy bloggers I’ll never meet in person are becoming stable, steadying, witty beacons of the Best of America. Let’s all start putting our quarters in a jar to save up for next-door-city/state/region gatherings. I may not make it to Egypt; I would like to meet some of you wonderful writers in your neck of the woods before long.
Texas–Let’s plan a huge get together in 2012–when Hillary is sworn in!!
I.LL BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Texas, you are too kind! Thank you - I am honored that you think of putting me in the same sentence with Hillary and her qualities. Holy smokes - I am humbled by that, blown away, even…Thank you!
And if you like history, great food, and the beach, c’mon down, I’ll show you around town! Or, we can do what Sonic said! Or BOTH!!
Awesome!!!!!
Wouldn’t that be just a total blast?? There are so many cool people here, I think it would be fantastic to get us altogether!
You’re quite welcome, R3Amy. I enjoyed a short layover in the big ole Atlanta airport on my first ever trip across the pond. Be most fun to live near the ocean.
You might appreciate this, Amy. I was a nanny for a family of sweet kids and cute Scottie puppies for 8 months. I witnessed terrible treatment of the puppies–outside in all weather in worm-infested yard, feces everywhere, no water outside (it took at least two weeks for the mother to buy a bowl for outside), water bowl dry every morning I came to work, crummy adult dogfood fed to puppies (took me 4 months to finally get puppy food for them), etc. I became the stable alpha female in the home for the kids and the puppies. When the constitutionally weaker of the puppies developed ringworm, hookworms, whipworms, roundworms and was going downhill fast, my pleas to take her to the vet to no avail for months, the mother, finally agreeing to let my vet look at the puppy in March and surprised by both the vet’s diagnosis and the vet bill, gave me the puppy.
The puppy, Bella, is now about a year old, is healing nicely and going through her first and only season. When she is fully recovered from all her challenges, I shall have her spayed and then I shall find her a good home. I’ve been a cat person all my life–we writers like to sit with our animals of choice near our desks–and this tough little terrier sits right at my feet. Tres cute.
Yep, a nice little gathering of Hillary supporters, sane people, animal lovers, writers and more on the beach. Could that be fun or more?
I have watched HRC since she was “only” a a First Lady. To see her name dragged through the mud was a terrible thing to me. I remember her steadfast denial of the charges against her at the dawn of the Clinton Administration and her support of the man whom she loved beyond all measure. I remember the calls for more investigations when it was found that she made some money in real stock-i.e., cattle. I remember her attempts, against all odds to come to grips with health care. I remember the calls for her to divorce her husband by the right-wing Stepford wives and her subsequent ignoring of such calls. I remember her standing beside her husband, in spite of the odds against her and the ridicule to which she would be subject. I remember her ability to call me, personally to action, even though I had never net her–she did that to me. I remember her call to find within me the better person that I am and to follow her.
That HRC is not the president is, at times, more than I can bear because I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would have been the best.
And to all you Obamabots, I am sorry, but nothing That One could ever do would ever replace the sort of affection I have for HRC. He has done nothing by way of comparison–nothing.