In an attack both on free speech and the free press, Saudia Arabia has ordered a female journalist to be flogged 60 times for airing an interview with a man who bragged about his sex life. Rosanna Al-Yami was also given a two-year travel ban for her role in the episode of “A Thick Red Line,” a popular show on social taboos.
On the episode, Mazen Abdul Jawad bragged about sex. He was given a sentence of five years in prison and 1,000 lashes.
The world has become accustomed to outrageous sentencings under Sharia law courts. However, this pushes even prior Saudi cases to an unprecedented degree with a direct attack on journalists. This case comes in the aftermath of the Obama Administration supporting a United Nations resolution that recognized the need to balance free speech and free press rights with a respect for religion. It also called on reporters to show more restraint and responsibility. For a prior column, click here.
For the full story, click here.
Hmm, me personally thinks that this is a wee too bit excessive. From a mans perspective, ok, heck both of them. Geeze, sounds like something I read about puritanical new England. Bundling Boards anyone?
Nice. Our allies. And I thought Bush was trying to bring democracy and freedom to the Middle East?
I’m sick that our tax dollars go to help these misogynistic dictators, and that we continue to build the royal family palaces and buy them jets with our gas – oil -money.
I wish somebody would give King Abdullah a 1,000 lashes for his CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY (although, on second thought, he might like that too much. He is personally a fool and his “kingdom” is a joke.
All the rightious outrage in the world is useless. Nothing will ever change in these Muslim countries until the people themselves rise up aqainst thhs tyranny. Maybe we should stop trying to bring democracy to totalitarian leaders and support the citizens in a real revolution.
Under pressure, King Abdullah cancels lashes for this journalist:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/10/26/20091026SaudiSexTalk26-ON.html
PS. I’d still like the king to get some lashes, but maybe 500 instead of the 1,000 I originally called for.
George:
“Nice. Our allies. And I thought Bush was trying to bring democracy and freedom to the Middle East?
I’m sick that our tax dollars go to help these misogynistic dictators, and that we continue to build the royal family palaces and buy them jets with our gas – oil -money.”
What tax dollars?
The Saudis are the ones who are putting billions in America’s crappy economy. In other words, you owe them for the fact that your dollar isn’t worth even less than it is already.
Further, if you are so outraged about “allied” getting your “tax dollars”, what about Israel which gets $3 billion that it uses to occupy and steal other people’s lands?
Or is this oen of those “outraged only if they’re Muslims” things?