Uber taxi driver Ramy Botros has a curious defense after he allegedly put his hand down the shirt of a 25-year-old female customer: she was asking for it and in Egypt such assaults are considered justified for women wearing such outfits. This of course was in Orlando, but that did not seem to matter in this rather curious use of the cultural defense, something that I have discussed earlier.
The woman said that she noticed that the man was driving in an odd pattern and back tracking while telling her how attractive and pretty she was. He then allegedly stopped his Honda Civic and started groping her breasts.
Botros, an Egyptian immigrant, reportedly dismissed her objections and said that the fondling was harmless. She later picked him out of a photo lineup. Police say that Botros said that it was not his fault because she was “wearing a revealing shirt with no bra” and that, in Egypt, if a “girl like her . . . means she asking for that.”
Botros was only charged with a misdemeanor and released on a $500 bond. However, Uber has suspended his driver’s account. It appears that the company does not subscribe to the same cultural defense theory.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
Nick – It’s PTBD.
wrxdave – could his refusal to drive her to her destination be considered kidnapping with the intent for assault? The post does not explain how the encounter ended. Was she able to escape or did he stop on his own? If the assault ended because she escaped, than it was attempted rape.
Karen, When people only use one side of their brain the other side atrophies. That’s how you get the Rain Man responses from them.
People get into cars with complete strangers all the time, Taxis are even a predominant mode of transportation in many large cities. We encounter and enter into confined spaces such as elevators with them too frequently.
What I find curious, even slightly shocking, is that this man was charged with a misdemeanor eligible for a $500 bond when he clearly was (allegedly) engaging in a sexual battery to which he freely admitted he did. It was premeditated, calculated, and he had to pull over in an out of the way place to do it, indicating that he knew it was wrong to do.
Apparently somebody IS buying the cultural defense theory at some level. Perhaps she should be thankful she didn’t decide to wear a short skirt too, who knows what that might mean she wanted on a hot and humid Orlando day?
Well it’s tedious to constantly hear the complaints about silly things like latte salutes, it takes away from the seriousness of real wrongdoings by Obama. And for those of you with Bush Amnesia Syndrome, no worries there are plenty of volunteers to remind you of the similarities of Obama and Bush. you can continue to pretend the Bush Administration never happened, well news flash it did and Bush’s overreaches set the stage for Obama’s. Those who deny history are doomed to repeat it. SO, I plan on contrasting and comparing both Presidents every single chance I get. Don’t like it? Too bad.
What I find tedious, is that every time Obama gets in hot water over yet another scandal (or someone else high up in his Administration) supporters rush with the “but Bush” defense. And when Muslim extremists behave badly, yet again, they rush with the “but Christians” defense. It dilutes the very serious problem of Muslim extremism expansion and Sharia Law. If people successfully portray radical Islam as “just as bad” as Christianity, it will weaken efforts to stop its spread. You cannot compare Muslim terrorists with the Amish, Mennonites, Sisters of Charity, or any other Christian fundamental group. And doing so takes the spot light off of the beheadings, or the 5-day torture and murder of a mother of 3.
Please continue to follow this case. I want to know how the case finds.
Sex has always been used as a form of control – occasionally it backfires – it doesn’t go the way the girl intended it. Poor little innocent girl gets felt up. This same poor little innocent girl will kill a baby if it’s inconvenient to have one. Wake up folks.
The old cultural sharp slap in the face would bring wisdom to the uncouth Uber droid.
What kind of an idiot gets into a car with a complete stranger??? If Ted Bundy was still alive, this is how he would get his victims. Geeesh!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
And CUE the ‘Blasphemy!” decriers every single time someone criticizes certain aspects of fundamentalist Christianity. I’m grateful I still get the freedom of speech to speak out about very destructive types of religons whether they be Islam or Christianity. Don’t like it when people speak out? Too bad.
There is no cultural defense. When you’re here you obey our laws. That’s why you can’t drown your daughter in the family swimming pool for sullying the family’s honor by dating an American boy.
But, I don’t know . . . his picture looks like he’s “asking for” being punched in the face.
I’m glad the company fired him immediately.
And, cue the Christian bashing, each and every time a Muslim misbehaves. Because, obviously, the Amish Christian fundamentalists do this, too . . . Plus beheadings, floggings, stonings, and amputations. Oh, wait, all they do is stop speaking to you.
Yeah, very sickening, so why do some want to turn this country into a male dominated fundamentalist theocratical misogynistic hell hole like those countries in the ME that have a state religion? Think we won’t ever go down the path of blasphemy laws and morality police under Christian fundamentalism? No, then you’re living in a fools paradise.
Mr. Botros is an idiot, but does he think that we are stupid?
He wanted to cope a feel, so he did. Cultural differences aren’t that great.
Maybe we should adapt to his culture and cut off one of Mr. Botros’ hands.
UBER is not a nice way to travel. Clients should be ware and so should potential drivers. The only people making money with UBER is the billionaire CEO.
My answer to this driver is: GO BACK TO EGYPT! Sorry for the virtual screaming but I am sick and tired of this kind of arrogance. If Egypt is so perfect why not live there. I predict we will soon see more of this kind of stuff unless we take a strong stand now. When individuals of a certain culture put others at risk because of their beliefs, we need to politely tell them to go and to make sure they are no longer permitted to work in any business that involves working with the public. If one is unable to function in a culture wherein men and women mix and have equal rights one does not belong out in public.
Is this a double-bind for potential women customers? If this is the culture in many Muslim countries, would a woman be within her rights to enquire if the driver is a Muslim, and if so reject the ride? Would she then be accused of racism?
You’re in America now, Jack.
He’ll get off. Daily we Americans give up our rights, customs, and dignity to leesches on our society who impose their uncivilized and immoral ways of life on us, and we submit.
This incident will be used by corrupt politicians, bribed by taxi companies, to continue trying to ban competition that Uber provides. Uber is a cheaper and better way to get around cities.