This calls for a celebration. Let's pop open a bottle of cham -- Oh, never mind.
The Kingdom of the Two Holy Places creeps toward treating women as human beings: "Saudi Arabia to lift ban on women drivers," by Damien McElroy in the Telegraph (thanks to all who sent this in):
Saudi Arabia is to lift its ban on women drivers in an attempt to stem a rising suffragette-style movement in the deeply conservative state.Government officials have confirmed the landmark decision and plan to issue a decree by the end of the year.
The move is designed to forestall campaigns for greater freedom by women, which have recently included protesters driving cars through the Islamic state in defiance of a threat of detention and loss of livelihoods.
The royal family has previously balked at granting women driving permits, claiming the step did not have full public support. The driving ban dates back to the establishment of the state in 1932, although recently the government line has weakened.
"There has been a decision to move on this by the Royal Court because it is recognised that if girls have been in schools since the 1960s, they have a capability to function behind the wheel when they grow up," a government official told The Daily Telegraph. "We will make an announcement soon."
"Saudi Arabia to enter 20th century, lift ban on women drivers"
Did you meant to write "20th" century or is it a mistake and you wanted to write 21st?
By any means, I think its right, because they are a hundred year behind the rest of the world.
Cars were invented in the 19th century, so you've given them a century's credit not due.
If not 12.
....oh, they can drive, but they had better not be caught with non family males in the car...or get caught listening to music CDs, or not wearing insipid Muslims head gear which will serve to hamper the drivers vision which will no doubt be the cause of many motor vehicle accidents....
...if the woman is involved in an automobile accident will she always be assumed to be the one at fault...
...what are the requirements for a female to get a drivers license...will the woman be allowed to purchase her own car?...what does her drivers license test consist of ?.....will the woman have restrictions on when and where she can drive?....what if the womans car is found parked at the apartment of a non family males apartment?...will the religious police (who no doubt will permanently be assigned to follow femal drivers) kick the door down and arrest all who are inside....what will the womans fine be for speeding, making illegal turns, participating in road rage incidents, hit and run, disobeying road signs, driving without license, improper or inoperative motor vehicle equipment?....
....Islamic women think they are discriminated against now....just wait until they hit the road...
Does this mean Saudi women can get in a car and runaway from their husbands?
'course, it could be tough driving with those chains on your hands and your feet.
I suspect all the foreign drivers got expensive (even at slave wages).
In the Immortal Words of Frank...meaning I wish I'd thought of this instead of Frank IBC: "Does this mean that Saudi women are allowed to drive Jews into the sea?"
"The move is designed to forestall campaigns for greater freedom by women, which have recently included protesters driving cars through the Islamic state in defiance of a threat of detention and loss of livelihoods."
-- from the article above
HA! What a euphamism!! "... a threat of detention and loss of livelihoods." What a way to write "you'll be raped and then tortured and beaten to death, probably by your very own husband and probably in the town square."
HAR HAR! Oh those funny Saudis and the journalists in their pockets.
Does this mean that American troops in Iraq will ALSO need to watch for FEMALE suicide drivers as well?
The only way to erradicate extremism from that society would be to separate children from their parents during their education period. Otherwise, forget about the whole thing, it will take two centuries for Saudis to be civilised - assuming that they want to be civilised.
Call me cynical but I wonder what is behind this sudden burst of genrosity? First women are allowed to drive, then they are allowed to stay in a hotel by themselves (albeit after telling the police).
On a totally different, and unrelated subject, which has nothing whatsoever to do with this subject, ahem. Today, Gordon "comrade" Brown, prime minister of Britain said he wanted to grant India and
"others "access to the UN Security Council.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder which "others" he had in mind?
As I say, this is obviously nothing to do with the OT. Don't know why I even brought it up...........
Question - when cars were invented, was there any ban on women drivers at the time? In any country where cars existed?
But will they ever be enlightened enough to be able to celebrate such a perceived societal "advancement" by popping the cork out of a bottle of bubbly?
Put the chattel to the metal.
In lieu of the mandatory male chaperon they will be allowed to have a dildo in the car.
...will they be allowed to own cars?...
20th century would of course be the avant-garde of Saudi freedom. Better late than never.
BTW, education for all women is an important pillar for this to happen at all. Worth noting.
This calls for a celebration. Let's pop open a bottle of cham.
How wonderfull! how evolutionary ! I mean.. revolutionary !
Keep on Saudi ass-kissing, American boys !
That should be your way of celebrating it..