please take a minute to read this

[chesters1]

compare the amnisty int one to the press release

http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/Index/AFR440...UNTRIES/NIGERIA

no mention of her background nor her marital status

http://www.mertonai.org/amina/afp-cahched1.htm

[Vagabond]

Many years ago, I was told the following story about a District Commissioner in a similar area.

 

Woman considered to be an adulteress - tribe intended stoning her.

 

District Commissioner not anxious to interfere, but felt he had to do something.

 

So he offered to pay every man that shied a stone at the womans head, one shilling if he hit her, but would give a rifle bullet as a consolation prize to each man that missed.

 

He pretended not to realise that the going price of a bullet was about two shillings.

 

As a result, every man narrowly missed the woman with his stone and swore she must be innocent, as God had deflected his aim.

 

After the "stoning" the woman went free.

 

Alas, I fear no such happy ending here, but I think it is right to register a protest. The womans best chance would seem to be by intervention by the National Government.

[Nugg]

Just to use a comparison here, what about Suadi laws concerning theives, be honest, when talking about a theft how many of us have said " They ought to have their bl**dy hands cut off?

[Newt]

OregonDave:

Me? I've always been against murdering some girl just because she got pregnant. I assumed that everyone else was too - guess not.

Obviously not "everyone" is against else there wouldn't be places with laws specifying death as punishment for unwed pregnancy.

 

As far as the responders on here though, I haven't seen anyone post in favor of punishing this woman in this manner for her bahavior. Simply a split between the attitudes of

 

- I think this is wrong so they shouldn't be allowed to do it.

and

- I don't feel I have a right to interfere with internal affairs of other countries unless their actions are a threat to me or mine.

 

My personal feeling is that unwed pregnancy is, at worst, a peccadillo and often not even that. Certainly nothing that should call for punishment beyond the woman having to raise a child as a single parent.

 

But her's is neither my country, my customs, or even my culture. So on what basis do I have any right to dictate what their laws are?

 

[ 31. October 2002, 01:11 AM: Message edited by: Newt ]

[HOPPY4]

scoobs11,

Ideas, Rights, Obligations and Interference? We are all human beings and as such have the right to LIFE. We as a race have too LONG been willing to tell someone else that their way was not the Right way when they had a different opinion. NO, I do not believe that this woman should be KILLED for her action. YES, I do not believe that we can and should voice our feeling concerning the practice that is over and beyond human rights issues. The influence that we are able to bear on each individual group of people that we come into contact with is far reaching. You are each presented with a decision, DO you turn your head and act like it doesn't exist or Do you say NO? When is it time to Stand Up and let it be known that this is not what you believe in?

[OregonDave]

Hi Newt -

 

I choose to be involved in the world. Due to advances in communications, I figure that what happens somewhere else, happens right in front of me.

 

So perhaps they should do as you indicated and punish her by making her raise her child as a single parent. That works for me.

DaveK

[loonyl]

Originally posted by Newt:

Originally posted by OregonDave:

 

- I think this is wrong so they shouldn't be allowed to do it.

 

Not just I but Amnesity International, with Oprah leaching it for as many viewers as possible. Wonder how quick she'll drop it?, prob as soon as the humanitarians in her country get bored? 1 week?

 

and

- I don't feel I have a right to interfere with internal affairs of other countries unless their actions are a threat to me or mine.

 

Nope,

Ignore starvation, welfare state, human rights.....once I'm ok Jack.

 

Thankfully Amnesty International have a laid down laws of Human rights, not american rights or English rights, but human rights. Errr...It's kinda like a buddy telling you to lose the gun-hoe mentality.

 

My personal feeling is that unwed pregnancy is, at worst, a peccadillo and often not even that. Certainly nothing that should call for punishment beyond the woman having to raise a child as a single parent.

 

Or even worse, take her credit cards away.

Gotta hurt.

 

But her's is neither my country, my customs, or even my culture. So on what basis do I have any right to dictate what their laws are?

 

You don't,

Amnesty International does.

 

Liam

 

[ 01. November 2002, 01:24 AM: Message edited by: loonyl ]

[Newt]

Dave - I agree. One of mine grew a kid w/o ever having any thoughts of a hubby. I simply told her that if anyone could manage, she could and that I hoped the little one was just like his mother. He was.

 

Liam - Since the original post from Scoobs11 (who may never speak to me again ) was for us to lodge an individual protest (or actually, add our name to an existing protest) I was responding from myself alone.

 

Yes, I know the AI folks have tried to set generalized humanitarian rules for the world. But I won't add my name to the list because even though I do not like or approve of the planned punishment, I also don't feel I have any right to protest this particular action or any other that is purely a local sort of thing.

 

And I'm not at all sure that a group of folks saying in effect, "We think this is wrong so they shouldn't be allowed to do it" is a very good idea either.

 

Consider this - when the PETA folks say, "We think fishing is wrong so they shouldn't be allowed to do it, that doesn't sit well with many/most on here. But it seems to me as a very similar situation with one major exception. There is no people shortage anywhere on the globe. There are fish shortages.

[loonyl]

Originally posted by Newt:

Liam - Since the original post from Scoobs11 (who may never speak to me again ) was for us to lodge an individual protest (or actually, add our name to an existing protest) I was responding from myself alone.

 

Ooops...

I was responding for Another.

 

Yes, I know the AI folks have tried to set generalized humanitarian rules for the world. But I won't add my name to the list because even though I do not like or approve of the planned punishment, I also don't feel I have any right to protest this particular action or any other that is purely a local sort of thing.

 

Until a human right breach happens locally ?(usa 11/9)

 

And I'm not at all sure that a group of folks saying in effect, "We think this is wrong so they shouldn't be allowed to do it" is a very good idea either.

 

Unless it's the rest of the world?

 

Liam

 

Consider this - when the PETA folks say, "We think fishing is wrong so they shouldn't be allowed to do it, that doesn't sit well with many/most on here.

 

Agreed,

but all lunatic groups should be stopped from attacking others (whatever their real interests) in the rest of the world by force?

 

But it seems to me as a very similar situation with one major exception. There is no people shortage anywhere on the globe. There are fish shortages.

 

Errr.....

& of course Human Rights being agreed internationally,

....but sure that was a typo.

 

[ 01. November 2002, 02:17 AM: Message edited by: loonyl ]

[Jim Roper]

Newt:

 

Yes, I know the AI folks have tried to set generalized humanitarian rules for the world. But I won't add my name to the list because

I thought AI was short for 'Artificial Insemination', though, thinking about it, there are similarities.

When no-one knows who their biological father is, we will only have a number on a database to call our own.

If people want a say in another country's affairs, that don't interfere with them, they should go and live there and vote there.

That's what the rest of the world seem to want to do with England!!

International Socialism achieved?

 

Perhaps 'Artificial Intelligence' is more appropriate.

 

These non-productives have to be supported somehow, I suppose, but why do they have to mess up everybody else's life.

 

Jim Roper