"Raped, Kidnapped and Silenced" By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

[Catfight]

Please, let's do something here, call Bush today and demand the release of Mukhtaran Bibi. This should get way more coverage then Terri Schivo ever did, this cannot be overlooked!

The article:

No wonder the Pakistan government can't catch Osama bin Laden. It is too busy harassing, detaining - and now kidnapping - a gang-rape victim for daring to protest and for planning a visit to the United States.

Last fall I wrote about Mukhtaran Bibi, a woman who was sentenced by a tribal council in Pakistan to be gang-raped because of an infraction supposedly committed by her brother. Four men raped Ms. Mukhtaran, then village leaders forced her to walk home nearly naked in front of a jeering crowd of 300.

Ms. Mukhtaran was supposed to have committed suicide. Instead, with the backing of a local Islamic leader, she fought back and testified against her persecutors. Six were convicted.

<<skip>>

After she had been detained, a court ordered her attackers released, putting her life in jeopardy. That happened on a Friday afternoon, when the courts do not normally operate, and apparently was a warning to Ms. Mukhtaran to shut up. Instead, Ms. Mukhtaran continued her protests by cellphone. But at dawn yesterday the police bustled her off, and there's been no word from her since. Her cellphone doesn't answer.

Please read the entire article: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/14/opinion/14kristof.html?hp

[izzie]

1. Awful story and in 20 years we will say we did not know-------

that they were so bad. After all Bush likes this man and it does seem that the men in that country find women scary so need to be killed or some such thing. The sweet smell of the powerful over the weak.

[twenty4blackbirds]

2. kick

'culture of life'?

[Shallah Kali]

6. Culture of Life only applies to cultured life

blastocysts and the like. When it comes to actual living breathing human beings you are on your own.

[ellenfl]

8. 'culture of life' only applies

to white christian women.

ellen fl

[OKNancy]

3. Can one be sad and angry at the same time?

This is so terribly sad and it makes me so amgry. There are no words to convey my disgust.

[acmavm]

4. Calling Laura bush**, Laura bush** please pick up the red courtesy

phone. Time to put you big fat ass out front and loud. Time to support women (instead of being just a phony whiny bitch).

In other words, put up or shut up.

[Beaverhausen]

5. Kick and nominated

this is important.

more info here:

http://www.4anaa.org/projects/mukhtaran-mai.htm

[Shallah Kali]

7. Human Rights Watch Campaign on Violance against womein in Pakistan

http://hrw.org/campaigns/pakistan/

This isn't the only crime going unpunished over there. This is the scum that Bush Co. has allied our country with. These are the criminals people around the world now associate our country with instead of freedom and justice. And how much longer will even the thoughtful folks excuse americans in general for the actions of those in power when we are a democracy? argh. Will have I have ot have "don't blame me I voted for the other guys" tatooed on my forehead?

[varun]

9. Here's why Mush has become so bold...

from the article (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/14/opinion/14kristof.html?hp)

..."This is all because they think they have the support of the U.S. and can get away with murder," Ms. Jahangir said. Indeed, on Friday, just as all this was happening, President Bush received Pakistan's foreign minister in the White House and praised President Musharraf's "bold leadership."

So, Mr. Bush, how about asking Mr. Musharraf to focus on finding Osama, instead of kidnapping rape victims who speak out? And invite Ms. Mukhtaran to the Oval Office - to show that Americans stand not only with generals who seize power, but also with ordinary people of extraordinary courage...

[twenty4blackbirds]

10. one Mukhtaran Bibi as courageous as four McCartney sisters