Two general types of fallacies that are generally ubiquitous in political debates and other discourse.… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Michael Walzer Sees it Differently 
Jan 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
These oppositions don’t come close to an accurate description of the arguments that are actually going on today.… Read the rest
Competing Views of Multiculturalism on the Left
Jan 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
One sees Islam as monolithic, the other doesn’t. One is Cold Warish, the other isn’t.… Read the rest
Christine Stansell on Katha Pollitt
Jan 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What interests her is the play of illusion, self-delusion, and observational power as they shape our knowledge.… Read the rest
Robert Irwin on Muzaffar Iqbal on Islamic Science
Jan 29th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘The book is a polemical essay, rather than a history, and welcome as such.’… Read the rest
Relegated to the floor
Jan 28th, 2008 12:01 pm | By Ophelia BensonWomen in Santa Maria Quiegolani, Oaxaca, Mexico are not allowed to vote in local elections because the men say they don’t do enough work.
It was here, in a village that has struggled for centuries to preserve its Zapotec traditions, that Eufrosina Cruz, 27, decided to become the first woman to run for mayor – despite the fact that women aren’t allowed to attend town assemblies, much less run for office. The all-male town board tore up ballots cast in her favor in the Nov. 4 election, arguing that as a woman, she wasn’t a “citizen” of the town. “That is the custom here, that only the citizens vote, not the women,” said Valeriano Lopez, the town’s deputy mayor.
Yes, … Read the rest
Catholic Cabinet Ministers Kick Up a Fuss
Jan 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Over Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, claiming the ‘ethical issues’ it raises are matters of conscience.… Read the rest
Holocaust Remembrance Week Activities
Jan 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
At the UN.… Read the rest
Starry-eyed Review of Tariq Ramadan
Jan 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Nor does he lose sight of the animating purpose of true religion, to charge mankind with love and compassion.’… Read the rest
‘Lack of Paternal Referent’
Jan 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
France failed to assess adoption by a lesbian the same way it would a single heterosexual. … Read the rest
Gay Adoption Ruling Advances Family Equality
Jan 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Decision marks a turning point in the European Court of Human Rights’ jurisprudence on family rights.… Read the rest
Kenya: ‘People Are Killing Each Other’
Jan 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We had been living together all this time before, we had peace, we worked together.’… Read the rest
Academic Sentenced for ‘Insulting’ Ataturk
Jan 28th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
His crime was to say the early Turkish republic was not as progressive as portrayed in official books. … Read the rest
Women Lose in Indian Rights Gain in Mexico
Jan 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
All-male town board tore up ballots cast for Cruz, saying that as a woman, she wasn’t a citizen of the town.… Read the rest
Jacob Weisberg on Bush’s Religion
Jan 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
He swears, he doesn’t pay tithes, he doesn’t try to convert others – he’s not much of an evangelical.… Read the rest
Mathematics and God
Jan 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
How easily nonsense proffered in an earnest and profound manner can browbeat someone into acquiescence.… Read the rest
Cherie Blair Disses the Pope
Jan 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Without contraception women are screwed. … Read the rest
Charlie Hebdo Editor Back in Court Over Motoons
Jan 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Union of Islamic Organisations of France and World Muslim League appealed last year’s acquittal.… Read the rest
Free Expression Does Mean a Right to Offend
Jan 27th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Is Wilders asserting a right to free speech or dressing up a gratuitous religious insult in constitutional language? Both.… Read the rest
Today, respect for women no longer exists
Jan 26th, 2008 2:46 pm | By Ophelia BensonFrom Price of Honor by Jan Goodwin, pp 69-70.
“A typical case was related to me by Deputy Police Superintendent Farkander Iqbal…the chief of an all-female police station in Lahore, which was set up to handle only crimes against women.”
Iqbal tells about a sixteen-year-old girl, Rahina Jasnin, who was married to an unemployed laborer and whose in-laws complained that her dowry was too small. They beat her; she screamed; the neighbours heard the screams, but did nothing. Rahina gave birth to a daughter, and was beaten because it wasn’t a son. One night she woke up to find her mother-in-law holding her down.
“Her husband poured kerosene over her and then ignited it…When it was over, Rahina’s in-laws, thinking … Read the rest
