IGNOBEL ACTS

        Surprisingly we are in agreement with Bush on one point. He says the filter of the media prevents us from hearing the truth. He claims there are good things going on in Iraq and the media is only telling the bad things. So, he is going around the country telling how things really are.

        Strange that he should complain about that filter since it has covered his ass since he ran for office in Texas, nation-wide and still now while in the White House. So it must be he really is feeling the pain to admit that the media filters.

        Take for instance the horror for women in Bush's Iraq. Women cannot go out onto the streets without almost surely being kidnapped and/or raped. This information is filtered.

        Then there is the ruling council that the Bushmen set up in Iraq. It only had three women on it and one has been assassinated. There are highly educated women in Iraq but they cannot practice their professions under the Bush regime. This information is filtered.

        While it is true that any Iraqi is always in danger of being killed on the streets by our beleaguered, undermanned troops or collaterally from the attacks on Americans by other Iraqi, women are more at risk even in their homes.

        Now we are told that security in Iraq is mainly for the American Troops as Bush brags about how a recent attack on their headquarters in a Baghdad hotel was thwarted when only Iraqi killed and injured.

        This follows the pattern of Bush's first conquest, Afghanistan. Bush pledged the emancipation of women but they are in worse conditions than they were under the Taliban. Bush is too busy in Iraq to bother to keep his word.

        But why should we be surprised? In Bush's America, polls are already claiming (80%) that sports hero, Kobe Bryant, is innocent of rape despite the evidence already made public.

        The woman who made the charge against him is openly referred to as a slut. Kobe's woman lawyer is allowed to defame the victim in court and is cheered for doing so. The rape shield law died in unaction some time ago.

        Just like the women who came forward to tell how Arnold S. molested them.

        The credibility of women is ferociously being attacked by women. The same women who condemned President Clinton with no evidence at all when he was accused of rape are delighted to excuse Kobe and Arnold.

        So why should we be surprised at how our government treats women abroad? Sure, women will get the glad-hand around election time, but Bush really doesn't need them. He has most of the men and the big money.

        Don't count on the economy bringing him down. He manipulated its decline with his corporate buddies help and will manipulate its recovery prior to the election the same way so he can claim credit.

        And, women can still be manipulated by fear. Every time Bush's polls go down, he warns of another imminent attack by terrorists. If they go down still more, the stock market takes a leap upward.

        Happily there is one thing he has not been able to manipulate. Remember how petitions went around asking that he be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize? HA!

        It was just awarded to Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian woman. In case one forgets, Iran is one of the places "peacenik George" wants to invade next after Syria.

        Extracts from the Nobel committee's citation

        It is a pleasure for the Norwegian Nobel committee to award the Peace Prize to a woman who is part of the Muslim world, and of whom that world can be proud.

        As a lawyer, judge, lecturer, writer and activist, she has spoken out clearly and strongly in her country, Iran, and far beyond its borders. She has stood up as a sound professional, a courageous person, and has never heeded the threats to her own safety. In an era of violence, she has consistently supported nonviolence. It is fundamental to her view that the supreme political power in a community must be built on democratic elections.

        We hope that the people of Iran will feel joyous that for the first time in history one of their citizens has been awarded the Nobel Peace prize, and we hope the prize will be an inspiration for all those who struggle for human rights and democracy in her country, in the Muslim world, and in all countries where the fight for human rights needs support.

        Bush's America is one of the countries "where the fight for human rights needs support."

        Our heartfelt congratulations to Shirin Ebadi and to the Nobel Committee.

        twanda@sover.net

        2003-042

        Copyright 2003 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: twanda@sover.net.

        G e n d e r G a p p e r s   T M