Taliban's answer to women's education - Poison Gas

If you oppose an American military presence in Afghanistan, then you may to work harder to explain your position today after Taliban insurgents used poison gas on a school for girls. This truly exemplifies the idea of the "evil extremist".

Yaqubi said 20 girls had fallen ill in a suspected poison attack on another Kunduz school last week, although it was not until the weekend attacks that the issue caused national alarm.

In the south and east, where the Taliban control towns and villages, schools for girls remain shut, teachers have been threatened and some girls have been attacked with acid.

Despite the attacks, Sumaila said she hoped to return to school, if her father allows her.

Do I resemble that remark?

This one's for Shadowmom

From TheDogHouseDiaries.com.

Women Wobble But They Don't Fall Down

What do Weebles and pregnant women have in common? They may wobble, but they don't fall down. It turns out that men and women have a difference in the lower spine and hips that allows women to adjust their center of gravity so they don't fall over when the added weight of pregnancy come. Even though the article credits evolution instead of God, it's still an interesting article.

Are women to blame for the sexism of men?

The Guardian has up an interesting (warning, non-family-friendly topics mentioned) on what they call "Lad Magazines" - the British equivilents of Magnum - and accusations from feminists that they are unacceptably sexist and proof that men have not learned anything from the Feminism. The problem now, the author argues, is not men who are trying to be better, but women who encourage boorish and sexist behavior!

It is hard to see how men can be expected to notice a distinction between professional sex objects and the vast majority of women if we can't tell the difference ourselves.

I can't really post more of the article here, because of non-family-friendly topics, but if you are a parent I encourage you to click over. It argues convincingly that before any more progress is likely to be made on male culture to cut down on demand for girly shows and the like, women need to change their own behaviors which seem to encourage their objectification.

I am not arguing - nor is the author - that men do not need to control themselves and fight against other men who would treat women as objects. But I have to agree with her when she says it is inconsistent to teach your son to respect women, and then let your daughter wear clothes with words like "Too Sexy" and "Booty Call" on them.

Woman-Speak Translations for Men

I am neither married nor currently in a relationship. So, I have no significant woman in my life to check with on this. But somehow, I suspect this post could have saved many relationships. Men and women both speak English here in the USA, but that does not mean they speak the same language.

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!

Married bloggers, if it is safe to do so, please educate me on whether these would have been useful in your pre-marriage counselling.

The Power of Women

Posted without further comment. I'll let my married friends educate me on the reality. Expressing an opinion can only exclude me from ever seeing the reality myself.

A study, which was just released, finds that wives have more power than their husbands in making decisions and dominating discussions.

"The study at least suggests that the marriage is a place where women can exert some power," said lead author David Vogel, a psychologist at Iowa State University (ISU). "Whether or not it's because of changing societal roles, we don't know.”

Is that Taupe, Eggshell, or Offwhite?