“It’s not an election unless a fatwah is issued.” LOL, but so true. The Palin video was painful. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. Still, just because she’s inarticulate (that’s diplomatic speak for stupid), doesn’t make it OK for her to be disrespected. I understand how this thing upset Pakistani feminists. A hug doesn’t translate so easily into Pakistani culture. It means something different there than it does here. It’s socially (and, yes, religiously) unacceptable in Pakistan to hug members of the opp. sex who aren’t related to you or to whom you aren’t married. In Pakistan, a few years ago, I witnessed my 16 year old male ABD cousin trying to hug another cousin’s wife at their first meeting. You should have seen the looks on everyone’s faces. Loving and benign gesture from the American perspective, attempted rape from the Pakistani perspective. Not defending here, just explaining. Perhaps, the point is best illustrated by the following analogy: Zardari asking Palin for a hug is like Bush asking to spank Gordon Brown. OMG, I just got the visual on that thought. I also stand by the well known theory that Mr. Aziz actually meant that the one time he conquered a woman, he was done in two minutes. Give Uncle a break, English is tricky. (Did someone say that in a comment before? I don’t feel the thrill of an original statement there?)

Boston_Mahesh wrote: I’m quite surprised that inter-gender hugs are frowned upon in Pakistan. I assumed that the Punjabis there were just like the Punjabis of India in that the Punjabis of India greet one another – even the opposite gender – with brotherly/sisterly hugs. I think that this is a beautiful practice, by the way. Hmmmmm….From what I’ve seen, I would think that not all Punjabi Pakistanis frown upon giving hugs to the opposite gender.

Like Korean and Japanese women’s rates, I won’t be surprised if our exogamy rate skyrocket by the next generation or so.

It’s already happening now. I would speak my mind right now, but the sepia mutiny police is going to silence me or delete my comments. It’s like the fairness doctrine like the libs are trying to enact.

I blame desi and ABD mothers predominantly. I think the increasing exogamy among ABDs is a large reflection of how fed-up desi women are getting with this entitled position men hold in our culture.

Everyone’s experiences are unique and shape their worldview. Personally thanks to the way I was brought up, while I’am respectful towards all women, I make a special case to be more respectful towards Indian women.

Lets not make isolated personal experiences into actual social theory.

In my professional world especially, brown men–with higher degrees, etc.,–generally tend to dismiss me. It is often overt, but more often than not, in western context, subtle, but very much there. And when they realize that I know my stuff, then they get very insecure and start listing authors they have read or obscure theories or asking me if I have read this or that. It is very amusing and depressing at the same time. But when it comes to white women–especially ones that are somewhat youngish and somewhat attractive–their behavior is obsequious. They act like any moment they’d lay down on a puddle for the woman to walk over them.

I blame desi and ABD mothers predominantly. I think the increasing exogamy among ABDs is a large reflection of how fed-up desi women are getting with this entitled position men hold in our culture. Like Korean and Japanese women’s rates, I won’t be surprised if our exogamy rate skyrocket by the next generation or so.

Zardari’s behavior is very familiar. It is typical disrespect shown to women–regardless how they look. And let’s not get all U.S.-centric and make a big deal of this fatwa. Fatwas are very common, and nothing to make a big deal over. It is basically a denunciation of something. Rarely are they taken seriously outside of the neighborhood from which they were issued. Zardari has more to fear from the U.S. bombings inside Pakistan, and the resulting potential for a civil war.

he was turned off by the sight of your not-so-flattering dark-skinned somewhat-chubby slightly-hairy thighs in those cute short gym shorts ?

Well, we’re turned off by your wit-free, offensive comment. There are ways to disagree with someone or call them out without resorting to misogyny or cheap shots like “not-so-flattering dark skin”. Take your self-loathing elsewhere.

he was turned off by the sight of your not-so-flattering dark-skinned somewhat-chubby slightly-hairy thighs in those cute short gym shorts ?

wtf im not hairy or fat. and the color of my skin is not lighter when im wearing a cute dress….but thats BESIDES the point. THE POINT IS i wasnt fishing for compliments or trying to score with him. i was just being cool/friendly. but apparently women are just sextoys/eye candy and otherwise not meant to be taken seriously. which is why the feminists are mad at zardari.

see u fit in perfectly with that category.

Zardari is now single, and wants ass. I think that’s the only reason he acted like that.