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What they really want to do to us

By Uppity Woman on December 2, 2008 at 1:30 AM in Current Affairs

Please look at the photo below and understand exactly what this is all about for women everywhere.

How does this photo make you feel?

Do you have a mother? That’s what she would look like if one of these savages got their neanderthal paws on her after the slightest perceived offense. Just so you know. It’s almost a sport with these beasts.

Then imagine a misogyny-enabling government that wants to talk to people and break bread with them with No Preconditions. Imagine a party that abandoned you with a sneer.

Thank you Mr. Kristof, for showing a bit of the Truth. You’re the first person to really even bother in a long long time.

30kristof2span

Photo: Nicholas D. Kristof, NY Times

“Acid attacks and wife burnings are common in parts of Asia because the victims are the most voiceless in these societies. Naeema Azar, above, was attacked by her husband after they divorced. Her 12-year-old son, Ahmed Shah, looks after her.”

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Published: November 30, 2008

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Terrorism in this part of the world usually means bombs exploding or hotels burning, as the latest horrific scenes from Mumbai attest. Yet alongside the brutal public terrorism that fills the television screens, there is an equally cruel form of terrorism that gets almost no attention and thrives as a result: flinging acid on a woman’s face to leave her hideously deformed.

Here in Pakistan, I’ve been investigating such acid attacks, which are commonly used to terrorize and subjugate women and girls in a swath of Asia from Afghanistan through Cambodia (men are almost never attacked with acid). Because women usually don’t matter in this part of the world, their attackers are rarely prosecuted and acid sales are usually not controlled. It’s a kind of terrorism that becomes accepted as part of the background noise in the region.

Read the rest here. Take a deep breath first. You are going to need it. Then ask yourself the last time you heard anyone in USA government denounce or revile these well-known actions that some wish to bring to our shores. George Bush? Condi Rice? Barack Obama? joe Biden? Nancy Pelosi? Howard Dean? Sarah Palin? John McCain? Anybody? I do recall Hillary’s “Women’s Rights are Human Rights” in Bejing, identified as one of the top 100 speeches in America of the 20th Century. How long ago, again?

When was the last time NOW decried these atrocities? Then ask yourself if, after all you have seen and heard during the last election season, whether or not enough of your sons seem to care. Perhaps the Goal here is to just tell us that if we behave we won’t get the Acid Treatment in the future.

  • Strawberrybitch

    This was the first year in my life that I felt I was fighting an uphill battle when it came to women’s rights. It’s like we lost 20 years of hard earned progress in two years…and I’m pissed off.

    • SensibleWoman

      I agree, Strawberry.

      I just sent the link to this to my kids reminding them of the STARK difference, but also that we should somehow contribute to making life better for women elsewhere while also remaining vigilant to KEEP what we’ve gained here.

      NOT letting up on my kids on this issue…daughters AND son.

    • http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

      I agree Strawberry — I’ve been so pissed of that when my brother in law called my husband (to brag) I said some very rude things so that in-law could hear exactly what I thought of his vote for that ONE.

      Sarah Palin did mention the attacks against women in one of her stump speeches — I don’t remember which one — it was so memorable because politicians generally don’t give a damn. But she got it — she understands. I was so grateful that at least one politician understood. I’ve never heard a male politician even mention the “honor” murders or any of the death and torture that women the world over endure — simply because they are female.

      I’m waiting for same damned male to call me a racist because I didn’t vote for O-shit. I’m going to nail his ass to the wall — with details about femcide or femacide — and how from now on I am going to blame every single murdered female on HIM.

      We should be pissed — and we need to hold on to our anger.

      • Strawberrybitch

        Northwest, you are too funny. We had Thanksgiving Brunch at Shenanigans in Tacoma, right on the water front. It was wonderful, and the Bloody Mary bar was also lovely. A pack of miss dressed slovenly O-obot types sat right behind me and I was shocked at how quickly the conversation turned to Palin bashing…how long has it been since the election? I don’t know what it was, the overdose of cornbread stuffing, too much pecan pie…or that second Bloody Mary with the extra shot of Stoli, but I’d had all I could take. I went off…loudly. Something about the biggest sexist pigs were liberal “men” who can’t even do a push up without breaking a nail, Redneck conservative males with huge 4×4′s and gun racks showed women more respect this year and my favorite (as I shot a laser guided death glance at the chunky, moon pie faced, second hand store dressed female worshipping at their feet) Hell has a special place reserved for females who fail to support other females. Needless to say I created quite a stir. But we tipped the waitress very well, (the O-bots could barely afford the bill let alone tip) and we were very polite to the servers. So I’m sure we were forgiven. Plus my kids are cute well mannered little demon seeds and charmed the socks off of all the grandmas there by holding open doors and letting the ladies go first. A dying art these days. Yeah, we need to voice our displeasure loudly. We need to do it for all those women that can’t.

        • Dormaphaea

          Yeah, what is it with the Palin bashing? Obots in my sphere are the same way…they can find an opening in the least innocuous conversations and manage to bring up Palin and then, wham!

          I just walk away when they start. Rolling my eyes. Makes me dizzy.

          • Ferd Berfle

            Obots in my sphere are the same way…

            Now that the election is over, the bots have been relegated to the ashheap of history, forgotten and no longer in the spotlight, which they crave much like their idol. Like five-year olds, they act out so as to get their attention fix. It is really quite simple–they never grew up.

          • /www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibsP6XN2dIo&eurl trixta

            It’s not so much about Palin or HRC — it’s about the unleashing of brute misogyny. These women are just the excuse. Tomorrow it will some other woman who “deserves it.”

      • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82qCwLX9piE Woman Voter

        Yea, I remember that one, Lady Lynn was with her. Does anyone know if there is a transcript of that speech?

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82qCwLX9piE Woman Voter

      Amnesty International: Stop Violence Against Women
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdYhmcVgaYI
      Every minute of every day all over the world, women are harassed, attacked and even killed just for being women, daughters, Sisters, mothers, children. It doesn’t have to be this way. Amnesty International is working to stop it. Making a difference is easier than you think. The first step is making your voice heard, make some noise to stop violence against women.Take action at Amnesty Internationals’ website.
      http://www.amnesty.org/
      ………………………..

      I too feel pained and a deep sorrow. I feel that we have come under fire and our own helped out. All our leaders stood silent and said nothing!

      We have lost ground and as SBB said, “Ladies stand your ground.”

      We must DIVEST FROM MISOGYNY! Stop supporting companies that have men that sing songs calling women misogynistic/sexist names. Stop supporting companies based in countries that don’t value Women as Human Beings and don’t afford them Human Rights.

      Let’s DIVEST FROM MISOGYNY/SEXISM TODAY! Take some action, make some noise with your pocket books! Don’t support those that don’t support women. Silence is our worst enemy.

  • Maria3

    My God, I can not even imagine… this is horrible! I will pray for her and those that suffer like her. What is it with monsters that do that??!!

  • AF catfish

    Thank you Uppity Woman, thank you Nick Kristoff, Hillary, everybody for bringing this to our attention.

    • Ani

      Yes, thank you Uppity, for bringing this to our attention.

      We cannot look away but must stand up, speak up and do everything we can to insist they stop these horrid practices. Just as violence should not be tolerated anywhere — this type of misogyny and horrific behavior must particularly get a great deal of attention in order to find a way to stop it. Our country certainly cannot be seen to practice diplomacy with a country doing this without a precondition that this be stopped. Is this even possible?

      The violence against women in our country is horrible enough, but I really have no words to describe the violence these women in Pakistan and other countries have been subjected to.

  • AF catfish

    Unfortunately I fear this important story will be buried by the story of Michelle Obama’s new bling, awarded for being a good wife.

    • WildChild

      People are getting thrown out of their homes, losing jobs, and BOBO is buying the $20,000 bling. Just some more of that change we can believe in.

      • lizpolaris

        Yah, and remember that hilarious quote by Momo during the primaries, about how she and his Oliness needed money?

        “Yeah, we have Ivy League degrees, but they cost us a whole lot of money to get. And see, what we did was what we thought we were supposed to do. We got those fancy degrees, and then we left corporate America, and went to work in the community. And with every job we took, we made less money. But where we found ourselves, in a position like most young couples, with our PhDs and JDs and MPhs and WLMOPs, all those wonderful degrees, all mired in debt.”

        Poor Michelle. Debt and no way to pay it off, with all those degrees.

        “My income is pretty low compared to my peers.” Yah, at an annual $317K it was low. Right.

        Remember how she described the average $600 tax rebate as enough to buy ONE pair of earrings?

        “We spend between the two kids, on extracurriculars outside the classroom, we’re spending about $10,000 a year on piano and dance and sports supplements. And summer programs…Do you know what summer camp costs?”

        Yes, I do know how much it costs.

        http://michelleobamasuicidewatch.blogspot.com/

        I distrust BO, but I think his wife is the worst of the stereotypically me-generation greedy baby boomers our country has produced. And I think less of The One for marrying her.

      • bemused

        That’s 20,000 pounds, not dollars. And one ugly ring. Interesting choice of metal, though. Rhodium has gone down in price about 50% since the great meltdown started.
        But how does he afford a ring like this on his salary?

        • Fran

          He doesn’t even have a job right now. He quit his job. I guess she does not have a job either, since she is now full-time supermom.

          If his campaign still needs so much money, why doesn’t he donate to that? It’s kind of an insult to the many low-income small donors he is STILL asking to give money and time to him!

          • Ks Girl

            Do you think just maybe he spent some of those campaign funds to buy his wife the bling?

            I do. Drudge said the ring cost 30,000. Let’s see. How many small donors did it take to buy the damn bling????

            Hmm… Change we can all believe in. Right?

    • Strawberrybitch

      Sickening. Blood diamonds, just sickening. I refuse to wear diamonds because many come from unstable areas that fund terror and war. I don’t care what DeBeers says you can’t tell me every diamond they sell is conflict free. I don’t do illegal drugs or buy ivory for the same reason. But obviously, Michelle has no problem with keeping other black people down. Wench.

  • http://www.wewillnotbesilenced2008.com OBAMA IS A FRAUD

    Has anyone seen the movie Boxing Helena? Another creepy insight into the minds of people who want to keep women “boxed” and dependent. I agree with the posters here who think that that we were set back 20 years in 2 short ones. I’ve never in my life seen such ugliness and sexism. Very sad.

    • Shelly T.

      Come on, I have seen “Boxing Helena” and that was not about sexism. That was a movie about a psychotic, murderous freak. If anything, it said something rude about the British.

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  • VRWC – Aftermath Dept.

    Isn’t it a pity that this is not just about rich people – as almost all us Americans are, comparatively at least – breaking each other’s hearts. A common calling card, where life and limb are cheap: Have heart of darkness. Will travel. Stand up and fight – before it’s as hard for us as it already is for billions.

  • etc.

    Thank you, Uppity, for the post. And Nick Kristoff for the article.

    I really feel like I’m spitting in the wind here, but perhaps one of these days women will rise in defense of other women, no matter their religion, background, or political bent.

    It’s a slippery slope, and just because one assumes these tragedies can never happen here doesn’t mean they won’t.

    I think this election taught me that. You know what this picture says to me?

    Beware and be forewarned.

    I’m very disappointed that Hillary accepted the Secretary of State position. One more strong woman under the thumb of a useless man.

  • kat in your hat

    TAKE ACTION!

    Fight Violence and Terrorism Against Women!
    http://pumaparty.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5875

  • Rascal

    Michelle’s ring cost 20K British pounds which converted is $30,000 American dollars. That’s change for you.

  • Rascal

    I’m really glad that this type of news is being written because these attacks and murderous acts against women have been going on for many years. We can no longer hide our heads in the sand and pretend this does not occur.

    • workingclass artist

      You should check out Atlas Shrugs…Geller writes about this stuff regularly…

  • workingclass artist

    I get kinda discouraged trying to post comments and they go to the ether…sigh…
    Great post Uppity…Caught it at your Blog…Thanks.
    I heard on BBC Radio about a Band of Females in India that pursue Men who commit crimes against Females and force Men to admit publicly their crimes and compensate victims in Rural communities overlooked by Police…
    If women were armed/trained equally…would that make these males hesitate…Hmmmm…
    Not a fan of violence but it does make you think

    • TexasMirth

      If women were armed/trained equally…would that make these males hesitate…Hmmmm…Not a fan of violence but it does make you think

      I don’t think you have to be a fan of violence to see the use of violence against these men as a necessary tactic. It is the “language” they speak — and I think it would get their attention if one (or more) of their own experienced acid in the face.

      • workingclass artist

        A GUN is a great equalizer…and an international language…

      • http://uppitywoman08.wordpress.com Uppity Woman

        If I were married to one of these pigs I would kill him in his sleep.

      • Strawberrybitch

        I, personally, don’t like guns. The problem is, you have to wait until a certain level of violence is reached before you use it. Myself, I like to walk softly and carry a big stick as they say. I have been bodybuilding and powerlifting for almost 27 years. I am a big girl (180 lbs.) and I’ve also recently taken up Martial Arts. Men don’t mess with me. You can hear them snicker behind my back at the gym, but they don’t have the balls to say anything to my face. I take extreme pleasure at having men move out of the way for me. And even more pleasure when they leave the gym or dojang with their winkies tucked up into their abdomens. I would love to start a training facility just for women, not to just defend themselves but to take out and take down a few of the more sexist bastards out there. Logic and reason are pearls before swine to these types of SOBs. A good swift knife strike to the throat works better. Then we can chat about playing nice.

        • workingclass artist

          I’d join if I could afford it…Maybe Sweat Equity?…I have some minor construction skills…chuckle…Not all women are blessed with formidable stature…But even a 5′ 100 pouder to learn to aim and fire…and stop the biggest bully on earth from doing their worst…Guns are the great equalizer…Knives can be taken away…Guns can be effective before close quarters fighting ensues…Perhaps good training in both is ideal…

          • Strawberrybitch

            WA, a knife strike is basically the tae kwon do version of an underhand karate chop to the throat. Done with enough force it can crush the larynx. But you are correct, there are equalizers. But I do think if even a 100 pound petite female carries herself with self confidence, she will be less likely to be harrassed.

            • workingclass artist

              True…But5 then again a Brute will seize an opportunity especially if they have the numbers. Ask yourself this…If Females in say a Dafur village had GUNS…Would thy be driven out…Maybe…but enough villages make the cost too great…The are bypassed for easier pickings. This swhy the Nation of Israel continues to exist…Small country…Big sticks and the willingness to fanatically die for it…Just like their neighbors in fact more so imho…Their cause is forged in a healthy pragmatism of facing the simple reality that despite cultural assimilation…Folks still tried to wipe them off the face of the earth. Nowthat they have regained Israel…They will fight to the last child to hold onto it…And everyone knows it too…If Females had a similar solidarity because they were just fed up…It might not end it..But it could make a difference…I say these women should be armed and trained.
              Not as an eye for an eye…But in the common language Brutes understand…Females should quit asking for equality…They should just take it! Oh well…That was a fun trip to Fantasy Island…

  • Shelly T.

    Yes this is horrible, terible to look at and a tragedy. But keep in mind, this happens here in the U.S., in Canada, and everywhere on earth. Men routinely beat and harm and rape women everywhere they dominate. In the Congo, in Somalia, in Rwanda, rape and murder of women is routine. That is the male-run violent world we live in. Some women in the Congo are repeatedly raped, some several times a week. Children are killed after being raped. Horrible violence towards women also happens every day in the United States. What do you propose us women do about this? We live in a world made up of male domination and male rule, nearly everywhere on earth. Do we…. Revolt? Rebel? Take over the world and put even more men in jail?

    Our jails are already overflowing. Maybe male dominated cultures all over the world need to change and contain more women in their governments. It looks like we are making progress towards that end now in the U.S. government, finally.

  • Angela Worden

    Thank you, Uppity Woman. As usual, your article was timely and important. Without reporters like Mr. Kristoff, the NY Times would be just another rag with opinionated articles that attack the best and brightest among us. There were many of those attacking Hillary Clinton during the primaries largely by Frank Rich and Maureen Dowd. This Kristoff article was objective, thorough and helpful. It is articles like Kristoff’s and your commentary, Uppity, which can begin to help to make the world a better place.

  • S. Markom

    Thanks for the post on this profound problem.

    First Lady Laura Bush has been an outspoken and ardent advocate of women’s rights in Afghanistan and in the Middle East since 2001:

    http://www.commondreams.org/views01/1214-03.htm

    throughout her husband’s tenure:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/22/international/22forum.html

    and more recently in her trips to the Middle East:

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/28/AR2008102802956.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

  • wodiej

    thank you Uppity.

    Dear God, I feel like I am going to be sick. My heart is breaking for this woman and thousands like her. While things like this are not as frequent in the US, women are the victims of abuse all the time, raped, tortured, emotionally abused, killed. Yep, Obama the great one stood idly by while his kool aid kids piled on us women.

    excuse my french but….FUCK YOU OBAMA.

  • wodiej

    I am considering getting s amall handgun just for protection.

    • http://uppitywoman08.wordpress.com Uppity Woman

      Try a Glock 19. Easy to hold and you get plenty of tries.

      • http://barbarany_9.blogspot.com Barbara

        Oh Uppity!! You are just one of those ‘bitter’ Americans! (sarcasm intended) ;)

  • Fran

    I think it is sweet, and important to note, that this woman’s son is taking care of her – and he looks proud of his Mom.

    Re: misogyny in this election: When I saw the c**t tee shirts (in my own city), I actually felt fear for women in general. It is indicative of how readily this attitude is tolerated, or even encouraged.

    • kat in your hat

      I know, I’m very impressed with the son. He seems very sweet, caring, and supportive. I feel badly he has to grow up so fast and take care of his mother so intensively.

      • Ivory Bill Woodpecker

        And if the son grew up to kill the pitiful excuse for a man who disfigured his mother, the son would be punished, when he should get a damn medal.

  • Sassy

    Uppity, it goes without saying that these are horrendous acts.
    It is unfortunate that women, long ago, did not learn to defend themselves, if possible.
    This country has it’s share of savages…I remember the case of the young woman whose arms were severed and she was discarded in a ravine. Also, a young woman was chased through her workplace, doused with gasoline, and set afire.
    We can never know what is around the corner, but I pray I will have the opportunity and courage to use my 38!

  • rolling_thunder

    test

  • Sharon Reynolds

    Well even our supposedly conservative (sort of at this time) Supreme Court has no respect for even infant females.They said it does not matter whether it is an infants vene that endures the worst torture and rape, unless he finishes her off all the way it is not worthy of the death penalty. Puke.

  • Sharon Reynolds

    Infants even

  • http://www.bodybuildingguru.com/ steve smith

    Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so! really nice post.

  • cynic

    I take very strong exception to many of the comments here.

    I’m male. I deplore violence against women. I detest the men who commit it, and take a zero-tolerance position toward them. I look upon anyone who suggests that women should “know their place” with contempt.

    I also happen to be an Obama supporter. No doubt there are plenty of Obama supporters who are total jackasses, just as there are plenty of jackasses of all political persuasions. The sort of generalization implied by some here is offensive. I’m on the same side of this particular issue as you are. Do you really want to classify me as an enemy, soley on the basis of my political position or gender? That’s counter-productive, to say the least.