PHOTO: Laura Bush poses with breast cancer survivor . . .

[Bluebear]

First lady Laura Bush, on a tour of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Jordan, sat with a breast cancer survivor, Nabweia Hussein al-Zaabi, during a conversation with survivors at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During her travels Mrs. Bush will visit several cancer treatment centers to help begin a new cancer awareness in the region.

[Buzz Clik]

1. Ummm.... I can see Nabweia Hussein's fingers. Is she in trouble?

[roguevalley]

81. the pattern of her dress under that burka thing is pretty. nice nails

too, She looks like a woman with dignity. Laura looks drunk.

[Bucky]

82. The sight of her nails is filling my Godly mind with lustful thought.

We should stone her for leading me on so, o wicked wicked female!

[Yael]

2. Laura * promoting health care...

The mind boggles.

[tinrobot]

37. ...and the UAE has universal healthcare.

...even for women in Burkhas.

Boggle me that.

[OzarkDem]

94. Yet no health care for uninsured US breast cancer patients

She's sick for using a tragic disease to score political points while Dim Son refuses to help uninsured women get treatment.

[BlueStater]

3. That smile of hers gives me the creeps

It's practically the only facial expression she ever makes.

[Bluebear]

5. Laura is happy because her outfit finally is the prettiest.

No, I didn't say that. :spank:

[Mabus]

69. I'm glad you said it

:rofl:

[goodgd_yall]

102. The basic black is always a chic choice.

Frankly, I'd rather see Laura cover her head in a burqa.

[SoCalDem]

122. Ric-Rac was on sale at Jo-Ann's Fabrics..

It always dresses up a bland outfit.

[Turbineguy]

7. What would you do?

What would any of us do? She's married to arguably the worst person on the planet.

[Maq]

8. BOTOX smile

And the image is George sitting next to her.

[Tinksrival]

28. Ha!

Laura seems happiest when she is free of the shrub!

[Xenotime]

30. I swear she looks like the joker from that michael keaton version

[calimary]

40. The body language looks like she does NOT want to be there.

Head and neck leaning away, hands crossed on knee closest to the other woman, in effect "locking her out." laura looks as though she wants outta there, BADLY!

[YOY]

73. She shows up on DC local news once in a blue moon giving a tour of the garden or some sh**

Always with that smile...that creepy f***ing fake smile. It makes the reporter's smile look genuine.

[notadmblnd]

4. I know it's a rotton thing to say...

but it looks like shes posing with a black plastic garbage bag.

[Liberal In Texas]

6. Dressing like that is truly bizarre...

Then there's that Arab woman next to her...

:evilgrin:

[Bluebear]

15. ...

:spray:

[Bonobo]

9. How do we get Laura to put one of those on?

[goodgd_yall]

103. Really....it would be a big improvement n/t

[Catherine Vincent]

10. What a sad picture. n/t

[tabasco]

11. The Booshes love our enemies, the Saudis.

[MADem]

12. Ohfachrissake!! Who DRESSED that woman!!!!!

And I'm talking about the one on the LEFT.

Her clothing is way too tight for the region. She looks like a .... a.... STRUMPET!!!!!

I'm only half-joking. That costume she has on is just wrong. Something looser, not quite painted on, would have been preferable.

[Benhurst]

21. It probably was looser

when she bought it.

[MADem]

22. Oooooh, that's cold!

True maybe, too!!

Hell, who wouldn't be hitting the Rocky Road, thin mints and scotch, married to the asshole she's married to, I suppose! That poor thing was a DEMOCRAT before she hooked up with George.

[leftynyc]

83. I don't get what you're talking about

Laura's outfit (while not my taste) fits her just fine - why should she wear something looser? Do Saudi's dress like us when they're here to make US feel more comfortable. Frankly the sight of a woman in a burka makes me sick.

[MADem]

86. Why yes, they very often do.

The guy on the right is Prince Bandar:





Let me put it this way--that picture of Laura, over there, is the same as a topless woman in a thong. Margaret Thatcher managed to 'thread the needle' without any difficulty--she didn't hide her face, but she kept her shit well covered.

Whoever advised Laura is TONE DEAF and a cultural retard. Even the bare or bare looking skin on her wrists, ankles, and neck is just wrong.

I'm not insisting that she wear full-bore hijab, or even modified Islamic dress, but she might have chosen something that suited the culture a bit more. Her advisors really suck. The outfit is jarring in that context.

Ritual politeness is a hallmark of that culture, they'd never make her feel uncomfortable, but she, by wearing what she's wearing, is doing exactly that to her hosts.

[leftynyc]

105. Well, I disagree

I think Laura looks fine. And prince bandar dressing in a suit is not what I'm speaking of. I'm speaking of women and the treatment of them. Women in burkas makes me sick because it turns them into objects and is part of a culture that demeans women.

[MADem]

106. Your welcome to disagree. I speak from living in that culture, I know what flies and what falls.

And I never suggested that Laura should wear a burka, a chador, a chaderi or even hijab.

What I suggest is that she just be a little less tone deaf to the mores of the region, and not wear clothing that calls attention to her figure by sticking like wet paint to it, specifically her ass, legs and bosom.

You can complain about it all you want, but I will tell you from knowledge, not opinion that, with that clothing, she makes herself into an 'object' (and not in a nice way) for any males from the region who are looking at the picture.

If she'd taken a few style tips from Benazir Bhutto, even forsaking a headscarf, she would have been better off. Benazir doesn't wear a tent, but she doesn't do the Islamic equivalent of "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard" either, which is doubly offputting after a certain age.




FWIW, the topic here is the clothing, the custom of hijab, and how it relates to the culture. The issue of women's rights is a separate topic altogether, and varies from nation-state to nation-state in the region. You have to be extremely cautious about conflating the two issues, because one does not necessarily follow another. Ask Karen Hughes.

[leftynyc]

108. On the contrary

I think the issue of women's rights and their clothing is very much linked in Saudi Arabia. You make it sound like Laura was wearing spandex - she wasn't. She was wearing a suit that I consider perfectly acceptable and frankly I can't believe any progressive wouldn't have a problem with the way women are forced to dress and live in that part of the world.

I really must ask you - do your have a problem with the burka, chador, naqib? I've already stated my opinion on this.

[MADem]

111. You ignore the religous component. You can't wish that away, either..

See, no one over there CARES what "you" think is "acceptable." If she walked down the street in that outfit, unescorted, she would be treated to smelly men approaching her, pushing her against a wall, squeezing her vagina and negotiating for sexual congress. I am not exaggerating.

So please, cut with the bullshit "I can't BELIEVE any progressive" nonsense. I am telling you simple, basic, FACT--the way it IS over there--and you are retorting with your utopian vision of how you WANT the world to be, and getting angry with me because I live in the real world.

Well, let me tell you, your wishes aren't going to change that culture. You can wish in one hand, and shit in the other, and guess what you'll end up with?

Being sensitive to, and aware of, cultural differences, and presenting yourself in a fashion that fosters dialogue and makes both parties feel comfortable is part of the art of diplomacy. Laura and her painted on outfit FAILED the diplomatic test.

Try reading what I wrote, above--go on, REALLY READ IT. The answer to your "really must ask you" question was in that post.

You have an opinion, and your opinion would get you manhandled over there. But hey, knock yourself out.

[leftynyc]

117. First of all

I am not angry at you - I don't even know you. I merely disagree with your position - some people can do that without anger in their heart.

I'm still having trouble believing your thinking Laura is wearing something "painted on". Your frothing at the mouth is not swaying me in the slightest. I'm well aware of the culture that she's visiting and as much as I detest both her and her husband, she is not wearing anything offensive in my opinion. I also have not read in any mid-east paper (obviously English edition) where anyone there was outraged at her clothes. Just you.

For many reasons, I will not be going to Saudi Arabia or any other country that treats their women like garbage.

[MADem]

118. I'm trying to tell you I don't HAVE a "position." I'm telling you what will happen

to you, or Pickles, without security, without an escort, on a street, in that costume. I am trying to express to you how the culture "IS"--not a utopian vision of how it "should be."

I'm not frothing at the mouth. But there you go again: she is not wearing anything offensive in my opinion.

See, your 'opinion' does not govern, here. Your opinion won't change the impression of the slobs on the street, if they were to catch a glimpse of Pickles, or you, or anyone, trotting down the road in that outfit.

You won't hear "outrage" about this (and it wouldn't be "outrage" at any rate--it would be snarky, nasty commentary, along the lines of "I'd tap that hag," but in local vernacular) because this picture won't be published in the paper over there.

And you certainly won't be going to Saudi Arabia in any event--not without a relative who is male, to escort you everywhere, to be responsible and accountable for you, and to make decisions for you in the public arena. That's how it is.

But Laura wasn't IN Saudi Arabia, in any event. She was in the UAE when this picture was taken.

[lunatica]

119. I agree with you

When you are representing your country the last thing you want to do is offend the country in which you are an official guest. All our diplomats and the First Lady have an army of protocol experts who coach them on the minutest detail. Clothing is paramount. Even travel agencies give advice about how to dress, especially for women. Some catalogs geared towards travelers will recommend that women wear longish flowing skirts instead of pants or shorts in many countries.

Laura could have dressed in clothes that are much looser, with longer sleeves and looked quite stylish. A losely draped scarf would have gone a long way to concede the country's social dictums without seeming to accept them. We have forgotten common decency and simple manners with this administration. But I can just imagine what the GOP Hissy Fit Machine would say. As a matter of fact I remember the screeching when Hillary visited with Arafat's wife! Lordy! She wore a lose scarf and as usual they went at it.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

92. I agree.

Her outfit doesn't seem tight to me. Her legs are covered with the exception of her ankles.

And that burka makes we want to throw up. I can appreciate cultural differences like women wearing veils over their hair, but this is just way beyond that. It's disgusting.

[leftynyc]

104. Hair scarves don't bother me either

But covering up a body because men can't control themselves just plain sucks. There is modesty and then there is turning a person into a shadow.

[MADem]

107. It is, though.

See post 106.

It's too tight. It reveals way too much form.

You might not like that, but if you walked down the street unescorted, in that outfit, in that region, men would feel quite free to approach you and grab your posterior and squeeze your VAGINA, while attempting a negotiation, because you'd be advertising, in that culture, in that clothing, that those items are for rent.

You can disagree with the "correctness" of it all, but that's what would happen. It is a cultural difference.

[Botany]

13. She is loaded

Sorry but every old "stoner dude" vibe tells me she is "stoned to the bone."

[madrchsod]

25. this one is even better

[kineneb]

26. ack! Zombie Stepford Wife! run for the hills!

I wanna' know what she is on, so I can avoid it.

[tanyev]

14. Isn't it great that the first lady of the United States of America is doing

so much to help the women of Dubai? When is she going to squeeze a few minutes into her schedule for poor and uninsured women in this country?

[fedupfisherman]

17. So cancer awareness is wrong?

Well I guess it is since it's not Americans she's helping

[tanyev]

29. Just seems a little odd for her to fly half-way around the world to a country

that offers free health care for its citizens and has one of the highest per capita income rates in the world when so many women here are in dire need. Do women in these countries even want to hear from Laura Bush? Maybe someone like Queen Rania of Jordan would be a better emissary. :shrug:

[Benhurst]

32. Yeah, but it's soooooo depressing mixing with the peasants back home.

[SammyWinstonJack]

76. ...

:thumbsup:

[OzarkDem]

98. Race for the Cure Founder Nancy Brinker was just appointed to State Dept

Its Brinker's job to help the Bush administration and the GOP presidential candidate's "pinkwash" their pathetic records on breast cancer in the US.

They wouldn't dare hold an event like this in the US, given all the uninsured patients here.

[tanyev]

99. Ah, yes. I had forgotten about the Nancy Brinker connection.

That explains a lot. Isn't it nice how Laura's neck healed so fast, enabling her to make a long trip again?

[Richard Steele]

45. As I've previously stated, in reply to the "opinions" regularly expressed in your posts:

Your concern.
Let me thank you for it.

[OzarkDem]

97. "Awareness" is BS

Awareness is a word the GOP and its minions use to make people think that talking about breast cancer is as good as doing something about it.

We're all "aware" of breast cancer. We're also "aware" that many women die from it because they don't have health insurance and access to treatment.

Unfortunately, Laura and her best friend, Nancy Brinker, don't care if US women get treatment or not.

Sorry, but breast cancer survivors are fed up with the GOP and Bushco using the suffering of women to score political points.

[fedupfisherman]

16. Laura you are ugly! n/t

[femmocrat]

18. I wonder how that poor soul who is covered from head to toe

found out that she had breast cancer? Wouldn't she be stoned or something for uncovering her breasts?

[Bluebear]

19. Let alone doing a self-exam. :(

[piesRsquare]

20. Note Laura's purse between them

That's a mechanism by which people establish distance from others--like a territorial marking.

Laura has clearly established that Mrs. al-Zaabi is "over there"--distant and apart from Laura's world, and NOT welcome in.

Oh, the fences we build...

[Vektor]

33. "Psychological barriers."

You are absolutely right.

[Stephanie]

23. The First Lady Endorses the Burka.

As a fashion statement, and as a way of life.

[madrchsod]

24. one could write a thesis

on this picture. my god there is so many things wrong on so many levels....

[greenbriar]

27. how unclassy...she should at least be in a dress

man those people have no class

[Baby Snooks]

31. One picture is worth a thousand words...

The picture sums up the Arab committment to women's rights, doesn't it, as well as Laura Bush's concern for cancer awareness in this country.

I would imagine she knows better than to try to pull it off here - too many would question the inability of a growing number of women in this country to seek medical attention after they discover a lump in their breast. How many women die of breast cancer in this country each year simply because they couldn't afford private insurance and were put on "waiting lists" by hospital districts?

[Bluebear]

34. It's dawning on me that the woman is not Arab, she just doesn't want to be seen with Pickles.

:)

[uppityperson]

35. What a picture.

[Book Lover]

36. Is it me or is the woman to the right

smiling?

(thanks, As'ad!)

[xxqqqzme]

38. is the woman on the right

in the witness protection program?

[gateley]

39. DSB posted a group photo of this yesterday. There are 4 Arab women in all.

Two had little - and I mean little - slits for their eyes, one's face was uncovered, and this one who was totally covered. It makes me feel uneasy looking at it. It is just so wrong.

[DemGa]

84. Indeed...nt

[Luminous Animal]

41. Link, please. (n/t)

[Bluebear]

42. Right click properties.

[Luminous Animal]

43. No help there...

http://www.graphics8.nytimes.com/packages

[Bluebear]

44. I get:

http: //graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2007/10/22/20071022POD/20442792.JPG

take out space after colon

[Luminous Animal]

47. Still doesn't tell me it is legit.

I'm starting to think the photo is bullshit.

[Bluebear]

48. LOL, yes, the nytimes.com was your first clue.

[Luminous Animal]

52. How about you give me the link...

that leads to the photo? It can't be that difficult. Anybody can title a jpeg with any string of text.

[Bluebear]

53. Google today's news, for pete's sake

And I gave you the link #44

[Luminous Animal]

56. I did. And I searched the NY Times site.

I'm funny about asking for evidence before I bash the hell out of someone.

[Bluebear]

57. Who asked you to bash the hell out of someone? Please, move on.

You got your link.

[Luminous Animal]

61. Just hoping to get along, joining the bandwagon!

"That smile of hers gives me the creeps"
"Laura is happy because her outfit finally is the prettiest."
"BOTOX smile"
"I swear she looks like the joker from that michael keaton version"
"Dressing like that is truly bizarre..."
"How do we get Laura to put one of those on?'
"She's loaded"
"ack! Zombie Stepford Wife! run for the hills!"
"Laura you are ugly! n/t'"
"how unclassy...she should at least be in a dress"

[MADem]

89. Here's a thought--you don't LIKE it? Don't PARTICIPATE.

Or is the Net Nannying somehow satisfying to you?

[Book Lover]

50. Oh for crying out loud

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCallPlus/story?id=3758969&page=1

[Luminous Animal]

55. Thank you.

And I sincerely mean that. That is all I fucking wanted. I've seen too many people run away with themselves on speculative tangents on scant evidence. Witness the recent Randi Rhodes story.

[MADem]

88. Google is YOUR friend, too. NT

[Coexist]

109. what is on the fingertips of these women?

[Book Lover]

116. It's nail polish I believe

edited to be much much less of a jerk. apologies.

[Coexist]

123. I missed the rudeness - did you direct it at me?

the one on the left appears to have rubber thimbles on her fingers - are those really nails?

[Book Lover]

125. It was directed at the world

I had a cruddy commute into work and that came through in my original, sarcastic post. I'd like people to think at least a little good of me!

And now I see what you mean about the woman on the left: I was looking at the woman on the right. I am stumped as to what those could be...

[MADem]

87. Sorry, it isn't ....unless you imagine that the NYT exists.. nt

[Cleita]

46. OMG! She's showing her ankles in Saudi Arabia!

Arrest her!

[Luminous Animal]

49. This is a remarkabley pathetic thread.

The photo is bullshit. The nasty comments are the product of simple mind politics.

Why don't we speculate on who Laura's color consultant is? (Naomi Wolf?)
How much did she spend on a haircut? ($400?)
I wonder what her laugh sounds like? (A cackle?)

[Bluebear]

51. "The photo is bullshit." . . . lol

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Book Lover]

60. I beg your pardon?

Is that any way to thank someone for providing you a link? You are so very welcome, young lady.

[Luminous Animal]

62. Oh for crying out loud...

'Twas like pulling teeth.

[Book Lover]

64. A) No it wasn't, and

B) Am I ever going to get an apology for you calling me an asshole after I did you a favor?

[Luminous Animal]

65. I did thank you

but I won't apologize. Asking the OP (or the rest of the DU population) for a link is NOT asking for a favor. It is a customary request. "Oh for crying out loud", is not a generous response but rather, the way one usually responds to a pest. Granted, you may perceive me as being a pest, but I really cannot account for that.

[qanda]

67. But, Book Lover wasn't the OP

You really should take the high road and apologize to them. Perhaps their "Oh, for crying out loud" was in response to the fact that no one had already given you the link. But even if it wasn't, it didn't merit you calling them a nasty name.

[Bluebear]

91. And the OP provided a link posthaste.

Somebody was just gunning for an argument.

[MADem]

93. No it isn't a customary request, because most posters are sharp enough

to know that you right click on the photo, go to properties, and there you have it.

You're unique, though--you have "trouble." And you are behaving in a pest like fashion--your insults are scattered all over this thread. Talk about shitty manners!

Enjoy yourself while it lasts.

[Coexist]

110. an aside, what does 'luminous animal' mean?

just curious.

[MADem]

113. You'd have to direct that question towards the person who

came up with the name.

[Phillycat]

75. It's possible you're on the wrong board.

[MADem]

95. Likely, if you ask me. NT

[MADem]

90. You're not adding to it, either, with your finger wagging and hectoring. NT

[Gravel2008]

54. Sick. Any country who dresses their women up like that should be invaded.

And feminists everywhere should agree.

[Book Lover]

59. self-delete

[Luminous Animal]

63. First, we need a few more posts

on what a ridiculous clown Laura Bush is for wearing that totally mainstream middle-aged outfit and totally mainstream middle-aged make-up. Then after we decide who deserves more contempt, then we can decide who to invade.

[MADem]

96. I don't know what 'mainstream' you're from, but that ain't mainstream

in my neck of the woods.

[tanyev]

72. Is there a statute of limitations on that?

Should we invade China for binding women's feet a few decades ago?

[Gravel2008]

77. AFAIK, China isn't doing that anymore

These women are living in bondage and being oppressed NOW. It's ridiculous that we wouldn't at least do SOMEthing. But no, we need their damn oil, so we have to look the other way. Where's the fucking outrage?

Sorry, guess I just needed to vent.

[Vilis Veritas]

79. Your right...let me help with what you know.

Forced prostitution, labor houses with 20 occupants (girls) in a 10 x 15 room, 20 minute lunches where slop is served, young kids forced to do 16 hour days making shiny baubles to fill the Marts Wall...nothing to see here, move along...let's give them most favored nation status so that they can feed us lead and cheap shit to satisfy our desire for, well...cheap shit.



Doesn't she look happy!
http://www.mazm.com/2007/09/19/38.toys-manufacture-in-china-25-pics.html

On a good note, 568 workers out of 200,000,000 (that's 200 million) were freed!!! Hoorah!!!

At least 568 workers have been freed, including dozens of boys, and 168 people detained following media revelations that prompted a series of police raids in recent weeks in the north-central provinces of Henan and Shanxi.

snip...

China's 200 million migrant workers have long been victimized through poor or withheld pay, summary termination and discrimination in housing, health and education for their children.

Typically, slaves were sold to kilns for $66 by people traffickers who abducted the young and weak from train and bus stations or off the street, and lured the stronger with false promises of good paying jobs.

http://www.manufacturing.net/china-cracks-down-on-labor-abuse.aspx?menuid=276

Buy more cheap shit, no oppression here.

And yes, I am outraged that not more people understand that America, Mexico, India, Dubai, China, etc...is just more of the same and the oppression will only get worse as we hand over the world to these new corporatist. If people think that American corporations are bad, just wait...

Shit. Ruined a perfectly good day...oh wait, just took the blinders off...

[leftynyc]

85. I don't think they should be invaded but

they certainly shouldn't be considered our friends. Those burkas make me sick. Talk about turning women into objects!!!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

112. Dubai's got a relatively liberal dress code.

So I'll have to assume this woman's choosing to dress this way.

I don't know why feminists would want to kill this woman.

[me b zola]

126. It is more likely that her husband/family

made that choice for her.

[The Doctor.]

66. 'Muslim women speak with their eyes'.

That is all.

[Coexist]

114. but Dr. - I can't SEE them.

[The Doctor.]

120. You got it.

:applause:

[Ilsa]

68. I wonder what that faceless woman's driver license photo looks like.

Oh yeah, women there can't drive. I wonder if they have to have a photo id.

I wonder if religious righters will try to blame breast cancer there on abortion?

Sorry guys, I am having random thoughts here. And at the risk of getting pounded, I like Pickles' pant suit. I'd probably wear it also.

[woodsprite]

70. The only problem I have with Pickles is the fact that she always

looks her smile is pasted on. It never reaches her eyes. They're always spaced out someplace else. BUT, if you were married to that piece of crap, I guess you'd need drugs to get thru it too.

BTW, I like her pantsuit, but I think it's inappropriate for where she is. It looks like she shops at Coldwater Creek. I totally love that store, but I would expect a little more from a rich first lady. Compare her to Jackie Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Reagan, or any other number of first ladies. I don't even think there IS a comparison there.

[Ilsa]

80. I don't mind that she doesn't shop for designer stuff

for her day outfits. I wish her evening apparel had looked better on her, appropriately fitted, and yes, perhaps haute couture. Coldwater Creek has some lovely stuff.

[spanone]

71. cousin it? what a bizarro pic

[Bluebear]

101. Cousin It . .

oh no, you didn't :)

[progressoid]

74. That is the weirdest damn thing I've seen all week.

Correction: all month.

[bigwillq]

78. Last I heard, millions

are dying of breast cancer in this country too. While I realize there is a cancer issue affecting that country, I wish our government did more to help the people in this country first.

[tabasco]

115. The lady in the burqa has government health care.

Laura Bush has taxpayer-funded health care.

Millions upon millions of Americans have no health care at all.

I'm sure Laura will get right on that issue.

[Bombero1956]

100. bull

that's George under there, don't let the nail polish fool you.

[dembotoz]

121. if i had to sit next to a bush

i would hide my face too.

[Beelzebud]

124. At first I thought this was a fake picture...

Religion is a cancer on our planet.