Bikini OR Headscarf

 Here is a great article

By Krista Bremer, (O, The Oprah Magazine

June 9, 2010 -- Updated 1609 GMT (0009 HKT)  ) I found on the CNN web site

  that discusses the topic of how one American woman married to a Libyan , living in the US reacted when her young daughter decided to wear the head scarf . This is really a love story , one of trust and respect .I think many women like her will relate to her dilemma of conscious .If you are non Muslim , it will give you a glimpse into a life that many find mysterious and unfathomable .
Bikini or headscarf -- which offers more freedom? - Topix

And Stuff Like This ....

Thank Allah the weather has changed !!! Even if it only last for 24 hours it is better than what we have experienced the past three days . All day before yesterday the wind blew out of the north in gusts bringing no relief from the horrible humidity and heat we have had to endure, and endure is the operative word here , with oppressive overcast cloudy skies . How wind can come straight off the Mediterranean Sea and still be hot I don't know but it was . Late, night before last , it rained briefly ushering in , for this North African nation , a fall like coolness that was so welcomed yesterday !

I have heard from my family in Houston . All are ok . Thank you to all of you that have asked after them . Most have electricity and water again , but some are not too sure when they will be able to return to work due to damage done to buildings they work in caused by Hurricane Ike .

I watched this news story on one of the American news channels late one night . I later found it on CNN web sight . It is about Mexico gifting China a replica of the Mexico City Angel statue to place on the Great Wall Of China . Sorta hit my satirical funny bone later ... thinking how Bush wants to build a wall between the US and Mexico to keep out the Mexicans and here they were standing on a wall so big that it can be seen all the way from space .You can watch the video here of the Mexican mariachi band celebrating the placement of the statue on the Great Wall of China .

This Ramadan there is much talk of the Arabic Ramadan soap operas that several of the Arabic channels are offering their viewers . The pro's and con's for these shows are raging all across the blogasphere with much controversy . Personally I have my own favorite show , so you see , I am in favor of these shows as they are only offered during Ramadan .As with any other form of entertainment , like internet surfing , you must know when it is time to enjoy your self and when it is time to get a life .

My favorite show we watch each night (making Moe translate anything I might miss) is Bab AL Hara . It is about a old town in 1929 Syria .Much like the British soap opera East Enders , it is centered around a neighborhood and it's residences .There is something for everyone ; murder , intrigue against the French colonial government , gun running , romance , neighborhood fights ,deaths , weddings ,family problems that people are still facing today such as spousal abuse , drug addiction , and divorce .

The characters are all strong even the women , which I like because they are not wusses ! The men show tender sides which most Arab men try to hide but are known to have now and then , lol .And like I said before , there are many relevant issues featured , that are you still have in this modern life . The show is so popular that it is in Wikpedia , the on line free encyclopedia .Click the link above to see it's page .

Now , having talked about Ramadan TV , I thought it worth mentioning a new religious ruling out of the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia by Sheik Saleh Al Lihedan . He issued a fatwa ( a relgious decree ) stating that it is OK to KILL the owners of satellite TV networks that have programs with IMMORAL content . This could be something as innocent as two adolescents holding hands or married couples kissing good bye as they go to work . I am taking a bold step here by assuming that HE isn't in favor of any the Ramadan soap operas .

I thought I would add the Saturday Night Live spoof featuring Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler playing Hilary Clinton for your laugh of the day , because this video is really medicine for the soul . It is well worth the time it takes to download it to watch . Enjoy !

Ike's Post Script

The above pictures were taken at Houston , Clear Lake , and Galveston .

Rosebud called me just a little whole ago . She is my daughter that lives in Houston . She posted on her blog her experience of Hurricane Ike . Thought you might want to read her " eye wittiness " account of what happened to her and her husband .

Some 14 oil refiners were shut down due to Hurricane Ike and 1 in Louisianan was still closed because of a slow recovery from Hurricane Gustav that hit that state recently , reports Reuters news service . The price of oil is already on the steep rise even though President Bush had asked everyone to report any price gouging of petrol .

Ike is currently wearing his self out heading up the state of Texas toward the state of Arkansas CNN reports . The National Geographic News service tells us just HOW lucky Galveston and Houston got the very last minute as Ike had a change of heart and made a sharp turn to the right of the island as it made it's way inland , saving many lives in the process.

Women -360

This past week saw a fabulous win for Danica Patrick at Motegi , Japan .It put her in the fast track as a top Indy Car racer . She has worked hard to achieve her goal to step into the winner's circle as the very first winning female racer on the Indy Car circuit .Danica's win as the first woman driver in the Indy Car league ranks right up there along with drag racer Shirley Muldowney, who won three NHRA Top Fuel Championships . Women are proving that they are more than capable to compete with the Good Ole Boys in the once closed world of car racing .


This brings us to the 360 degree turn of events .... women not allowed to drive in The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia .Truly amazing that women are still not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia especially after reading of Danica Patrick's win this past week .It is almost as if we are living in parallel universe's . One in which women are allowed even encouraged to achieve their goals and another where women are still enslaved , in a manner of speaking .I stumbled across this link ,WSS Links : Women and Politics , in association with the Association of College & Research Libraries / American Library Association . A whole lot of association huh ? LOL !This link furnishes bio information on many women who have become successful .



March 11, 2008 BBC reported the story of Saudi Arabian woman activist Wajeha Al Huwaider's defiant stance toward the " No Driving " law in her country .Ms. Al Huwaider explains her position in a video she made while driving in violation with the "No Driving" ruling . I have included a interview with CNN Octavia Nasr , senior editor for the CNN Arab Affairs which includes Ms. Al Huwaider's statements and shows her driving a car . This woman was breaking the laws of her country for just driving a car . Unbelievable in the year 2008 !

This also lead to another unbelievable world situation which involves not only women , which I know is the topic here but I felt the real need to include this now , children , but also men ; Human Trafficking , or SLAVERY by any other name .Slavery in the year 2008 is a untenable condition that should concern us all .In any country it may be found or practiced sad to say . Please read this link I have provided to learn more about combating Human Trafficking .