When the geniuses responsible for the Iraq War argued that we had to use force to bring democracy to Iraq, I wonder if this is what they had in mind:
The Iraqi government has ordered all policewomen to hand in their guns for redistribution to men or face having their pay withheld, thwarting a U.S. initiative to bring women into the nation's police force.
The Interior Ministry, which oversees the police, issued the order late last month, according to ministry documents, U.S. officials and several of the women. It affects all officers who have earned the title "policewoman" by graduating from the police academy. It does not apply to men in the same type of jobs.
Critics say the move is the latest sign of the religious and cultural conservatism that has taken hold in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's ouster ushered in a government dominated by Shiite Muslims.
Seriously. We’ve been there for nearly five years, and all we’ve managed to do is get 3,888 Americans killed while babysitting the birth of the Middle East’s newest theocracy.
We’re surging and the political situation is still polarizing. If we leave, it will get worse--especially for women.
It’s late and I don’t really have much to add. I just wanted to draw some attention to this story. It’s bad. Before we know it, this place, which was among the most liberal in the Arab world prior to 2003, will be executing women in soccer stadiums.
Again, congratulations are in order for Kristol, Wolfowitz, Cheney, et al. This is really a fine job they’ve done.
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