Saudi Males Vote in Nationwide Elections

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050210/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_elections

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Male voters converged at polling stations in the Riyadh region on Thursday to participate in city elections, marking the first time Saudis are taking part in a vote that largely conforms to international standards. Women were banned from casting ballots.


Some voters were optimistic that the elections would lead to further reforms in this country tightly ruled by the Saudi royal family and often criticized by international human rights activists.


"This was a wonderful moment," said Badr al-Faqih, a 54-year-old geography professor, moments after submitting the first ballot at one polling station. "This is a first step toward more elections."


<snip>

When told the woman was a journalist, the elderly man told the reporter, "I feel a lot of pain because women cannot participate in the vote."

[onehandle]

1. Ah...Nothing but males voting. The GOP's wettest dream. nt

[applegrove]

2. The men have to try this voting thing first. Then if all goes okay -

The men have to try this voting thing first. Then if all goes okay - the woman can try it .... if they have drivers licenses.

[Disturbed]

3. Woman can't get driver's lisence because..

they aren't allowed to show their faces but just this week they beheaded a woman.This is a country that is one of the Bush Junta's favorite ones. No comments from shrub about beheadings being barbaric etc. about this, though.

[applegrove]

5. Exactly - so how are they going to vote for the changes they need?

Exactly - so how are they going to vote for the changes they need?

[leftchick]

8. this calls for a bumpersticker of some sort...

Democracy in the Middle East Has to begin In Saudi Arabia!!!

Saudi Democracy First! Stop Beheading Women!!

Beheading Women is Okay wih Bush! The Saudis are his Friends!!!

[physioex]

16. I have read the responses on this thread....

And it seems that most people have a negative view of SA and rightly so. But some of the blame goes to the US for propping up this opressive regime. And if you saw the Frontline piece, you will note that these people are not like us westerners. You simply cannot compare the two standards. Yes SA has a very long way to go, but this is good news eventhough it is not a great leap forward.

[Vladimir]

4. I can't wait for the W admin to claim this

as a sign of democracy spreading...

[DeaconBlues]

6. Men only election for token positions in the government

Welcome, Saudi Arabia, to the eighteenth century!

[DeaconBlues]

7. dupe

[proudbluestater]

9. This does *not* qualify as a Democracy, neocons!

Bring on the threats to the Saudis. They need "freedom"; they need "liberty!" FOR ALL PEOPLE.

[proudbluestater]

10. dupe DOH!

[G_j]

11. hey lets do that here!

I'm sure the American Taliban would be thrilled

[Magleetis]

12. We need to attack

Saudi Arabia so that we may bring freedom and democracy to her people!

[bif]

13. Not nationwide

NPR reported it was just a few local elections around the capital. And half the seats were appointed by the royal family.

[Roland99]

14. They know where women belong...sorta like the ultra-right-wingers

Abdullah al-Muhaidib, 43, an auditor, said he would not have allowed his wife to vote even if the government had permitted it. "She is a queen at home, but I am in charge of what takes place outside the house," he said.

With attitudes like that, it's no wonder Saudi Arabia is looked down upon by this administration.






Oh wait....






The right is defending this as "moving in baby steps".

Well, Iraq moved in big giant leap.

[NYC]

17. I'll bet the queen gets to mop the floor,

and do the laundry. You know, just a few royal duties. I'll bet she's just thrilled to be a queen.

[Rockerdem]

15. The Saudis have leapt forward to the year 1790

Out of the dark ages, still a little behind, but gaining fast.

[Triana]

18. It's NOT a nationwide election

...not if only males vote.