Dopeskills

Well, on the one hand, I can understand why this pilot would be upset having to wear the local clothing and "respecting" the local customs. Then again, she IS in the military, she IS in a different country, and it's really NOT a good idea to incite the natives. The US doesn't take the same "holier than thou" policy towards people that have different traditions and whatnot. As soon as she leaves the base, she's not under US jurisdiction anymore, and she would be expected to obey the same laws as everybody else. WE may not think the laws are fair, but then again, it's not OUR country. It's THEIRS.

Random

DopeKills-

The point I keep trying to make is. it is not a law there!!!! it is a religious custom for those who follow their religion

The US Military was trying to get her to follow a Local RELIGIOUS custom, NOT A LAW!

Dopeskills

I understand what you're saying. You're saying that it's a religious edict that women wear the abaya, not a governmental one. However, if I remember correctly (and there is, of course, the possibility that I'm wrong, although I doubt it), Saudi Arabia doesn't have the same policy of separation of church and state that the US does. In fact, I'm pretty sure that they do the opposite: enforcing religious dicti as if it were a decree from their "earthly" ruling body. Therefore, I maintain my assertion that it is indeed a law of one sort or another.

Random

No, it is NOT A LAW. Women from other countries that visit there are not required to wear it. Women from other countries who LIVE THERE are not required to wear it.

IT IS A RELIGIOUS CUSTOM, NOT A LAW!!!!!

Damien

They(tourists) are not there representing the US military. Being in the military in another country means you have to put on a certain image in your host country.

I got into a fight with another airman, off-base in another country. He punched me first and we both got in trouble (LOR's)for bringing a bad light to the Air Force. Everything you do as a serviceman reflects on the military and as a serviceman it's your duty not to tarnish that.

Random

Damien- So much for that theory...
US Goverment employee's ARE representatives of our goverment, and they are not required to wear it, only military personell are.

Female US Government employees can drive, wear normal clothes, and travel without a male escort. it is only US Servicewomen that are subject to this assine Military rule.

Damien

So what are you gonna do about it?? tongue.gif

JustinL

Random,

Have you ever done any/much travel outside of the U.S.? I understand your American zeal for pursuing all that is rightious but in reality that only works here in the U.S. The rest of the world doesn't live by our rules yet. It just seems like your view of the outside world is a little nieve. You should read this book:

Price of Honor : Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Silence on the Islamic World -- by Jan Goodwin

I just finished it. While I haven't been to Saudi, I have been to numerous muslim countries and coupled with what I read in that book only serves to expand the view that I got when I was in places like Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Turkey (liberal compared to most), Indonesia (liberal), Malaysia (liberal)

In the Saudi section of the book I mentioned a woman was caught by police when she was putting groceries in her car, her veil slipped slightly and a strand of hair was showing. She was taken before the judge (who is a religious judge because all law is derived from the koran) and given something like 80 lashes.

So whatever you hear on cnn is not necessarily the full picture, in fact far from it.

JustinL

P.s. I'm not trying to start a war with you or anything, I understand the reason why you want her to win, but those battles have to be won by the Saudi women, we can't force our will on them.

Chris H

LOL, poor Random.