[Merak, Banten, Indonesia; October 28. Image via Getty]

MERAK, BANTEN, INDONESIA - OCTOBER 28: Sri Lankan asylum seekers hold placards during a protest on board a wooden boat demanding the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to take care of a group of refugees, at Merak seaport on October 28, 2009 in Banten Province, Indonesia. The 78 asylum seekers are refusing to dissembark in Indonesia with some threatening to kill themselves if not taken to Australia. The Indonesian immigration officials are prepared to defy an order from the Indonesian President Susilo and direct the ship to the Australian funded detention centre on Bintan Island.(Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

[Dambulla, Sri Lanka; October 7. Image via Getty]

Competitors from several countries take part in the cycle segment of the Amazon Raid endurance race in Sri Lanka's north central town of Dambulla on October 7, 2009. Some 120 women, mostly from France, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Sri Lanka, are taking part in the six day event that tests participants in disciplines ranging from cycling to trekking. The race takes place in one of Sri Lanka's former historic cities of Dambulla and in Sigiriya, which is a world heritage site and home to a fifth-century rock fortress. AFP PHOTO/Ishara S. KODIKARA (Photo credit should read Ishara S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

[Colombo; October 1. Images via Getty.]

Sri Lankan school children take a day off at the Vihara Maha Devi park in the capital Colombo October 1, 2009. Sri Lanka is marking the International Day of Children with a series of state-sponsored events to focus on eradicating child labour and the sexual abuse of children. AFP PHOTO/ Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI. (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan children take a day off at the Vihara Maha Devi park in the capital Colombo on October 1, 2009. Sri Lanka is marking the International Day of Children with a series of state-sponsored events to focus on eradicating child labour and the sexual abuse of children. AFP PHOTO/ Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI. (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

[Colombo, Sri Lanka; September 25. Image via Getty]

A traditional Sri Lankan dancer performs in a Hindu ritual at the national parliament on September 25, 2009. The annual event seeks to invoke blessings for members of parliament in the predominantly Buddhist nation. AFP PHOTO/Ishara S. KODIKARA (Photo credit should read Ishara S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

[Colombo, Sri Lanka; June 3. Image via Getty]

Sri Lankans dancers take part in the National Military Victory Celebrations in Colombo on June 3, 2009. Sri Lanka's president called for a 'new era' in foreign relations as the island staged a military parade to mark its victory over separatist Tamil Tiger rebels. President Mahinda Rajapakse, whose government has been threatened with a possible war crimes probe over the manner of its military success last month, presided over the celebrations. AFP PHOTO/ Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI (Photo credit should read LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Iraqi Maj. Gen. Abdul Karim al-Rubaie in Diyala, Iraq (the site of the most recent female suicide bomber attack this weekend) has seen a significant increase in the number of women suicide bombers, but says: "Most of our women wear black cloaks that can hide anything and we can’t prevent that." Cultural mores prevent male security personnel from frisking women, and recent laws have prevent most Iraqi policewomen from carrying guns. While the U.S. military is attempting to increase he number of female security personnel in order to alleviate the increasing concern that the easiest way for bad people to hide a bomb is on a woman, they face some pretty significant cultural and bureaucratic difficulties in doing so.

In other countries, however, it's much more common to see female suicide bombers. In Sri Lanka, they're often the only ones who will volunteer, even after significant indoctrination. In Tamil Tiger territory, young women and girls are often given to the Tigers for indoctrination when they are orphaned or cannot be cared for by their families. In most cases in the Middle East, however, terrorist groups seem to turn to female suicide bombers when security forces successfully disrupt male attackers. Women are viewed as terrorists of last resort, either because it is feared that they will not complete their attacks or because the religion of the attackers all but forbids it. In some cases, as noted above, women will be fitted with bombs but not given the triggers to prevent them from failing to complete their attacks. Some studies, like the one done by the Army, show that the unwillingness to use female suicide bombers is in direct correlation to the religiousness of the attackers — in other words, the more secular the reason for the terrorism, the more likely the organizations are to employ suicide bombers.

The Mind of a Female Suicide Bomber [Time]
Another Female Suicide Bomber Strikes Iraqi Province, Killing 15 Near Courthouse [NY Times]
Bombing Kills 43 in Shiite Holy City in Iraq [NY Times]
Obey Your Self-Righteous Lies While Your Sisters And Daughters Die, All Decisions Are Final [Attackerman]
When the Suicide Bomber Is a Woman [Marie Claire]
Female Suicide Bombers [Army Strategic Studies Institute]

While gas prices climb higher and higher, the Times' Eric Wilson explains:

Clothing is one of the few categories in the federal Consumer Price Index in which overall prices have declined — about 10 percent — since 1998 (the cost of communication is another). That news may be of solace to anyone whose budget has been stretched just to drive to work or to stop at the supermarket; in fashion, at least, there are still deals to be had.

Of course, sometimes the "deals" come from manufacturers in China who move elsewhere (in China or out of the country) when their workers demand higher pay. Or maybe you wear Victoria's Secret underwear, made in Sri Lanka, by "skilled and educated" women working in a country torn by war, terrorism and racism. Or! Your "deal" could come from a company like Zara, which manufactures its clothing in La Coruña, Spain. "Because the company does its own manufacturing," Sherman explains, "The clothes reach the sales floor more quickly and efficiently, thus serving more consumers."

The truth is whether we're in a recession or not, all brands just want you to buy their stuff. You may not need it, but they need you to want it. So they're going to price accordingly. "We as a business cannot afford to have a customer take a second look and ask, ‘Do I need this?'" Bud Konheim, CEO of Nicole Miller tells the Times. "That is the kiss of death. We’re finished, because nobody really needs anything we make as a total industry."

Dress for Less and Less [NY Times]
Who Makes The Clothes On Your Back? [Forbes]
Lingerie And Terror [Economist]

Earlier: The Gap Is Dead; Long Live H&M. So Do You Buy More Or Less Regrettable Clothing Now?
Shocker: Not All Luxuries Are Created Equal