I'm glad it was reversed but it's not like the men are going to be punished for raping their wives from here on out. Are they really going to prosecute men for raping their wives now? Doubtful.
I understand how a lot of previous commenters feel like there should be no recognition/praise of Karzai for this. I do understand. The law should never have been passed in the first place, and should never have been defended. However, I remember my Psych class teaching me about reinforcement principles and conditioning, and as I understood it is important to acknowledge positive behaviours. We understand this with our dogs, we understand this with our children. It is also true for human adults, I think.
So, good for you, sir, for realizing that you did a very bad, very hurtful thing and taking steps to undo it.
I don't like Karzai, but his chances of getting elected again are nil, because he signed this into law to get shiite support in the election. Now he's on the shit list.
Baby steps, people. Baby steps. I'm not giving Karzai unqualified praise, but this is a step in the right direction- even if it's one that should have had to be taken in the first place.
@BellaTricks: Agreed. Though it may be frustrating, we aren't going to bring Afghanistan to the forefront of equal rights by not being gracious where we can.
@BellaTricks: I'm pissed as hell that the law was even drafted in the first place. And I refuse to praise Karzai for essentially being a coward in every respect.
But I am happy that the law was rescinded and I am a pragmatist, if nothing else. This situation is better than legalized rape and that is a good thing.
This is like the legislative equivalent of a non-apology apology. "Sorry we were total misogynistic assholes! We'll just reverse it and pretend there was no real broad anti-woman sentiments in the first place."
@BellaTricks: Oh yeah, it is better, but I insist on calling a spade a spade in this case. It's not like anyone who supported this law saw the light regarding its immorality.
@BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit): As mentioned above by Sputnk_Sweetheart, the women of Afghanistan who bravely fought against this risking their lives, deserve the lion's share of the praise. I think both international & domestic pressure were necessary to get this travesty fixed.
Karzai told CNN's Fareed Zakaria that he and others were unaware of the provision in the legislation, which he said "has so many articles." Karzai signed the measure into law last month.
Well, reading is lame, so it makes sense that he would just sign it to avoid going through all that crap.
@lilbobbytables: On NPR, one of the signers of the law was out protesting AGAINST its enactment. He explained that there were many versions of the law passed around and some versions were written up and included after legislators signed it. Sounds like the bill-making process in Afghanistan needs a lot more transparency, among other things.
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'OOh, gee! LAWS have so many ARTICLES, my poor eyes get so tired from reading them! Tra la!"
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So, good for you, sir, for realizing that you did a very bad, very hurtful thing and taking steps to undo it.
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Nice try, Karzai. I'm glad to see the law has been reversed, but I still question how it got passed in the first place. *sigh*
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But I am happy that the law was rescinded and I am a pragmatist, if nothing else. This situation is better than legalized rape and that is a good thing.
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I'm watching you Karzai *narrows eyes menacingly*
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Well, reading is lame, so it makes sense that he would just sign it to avoid going through all that crap.
/sarcasm.
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