Bob and Rape in Saudi Arabia

On Wednesday, Bob talked about the abhorrent conviction and punishment of a women in Saudi Arabia who was ganged raped. Bob is right to be outraged. The treatment of women in Saudi Arabia, and in other parts of the Muslim world, is often inhumane and unconscionable.

So then Bob criticized the "media" for not reporting these abuses vigorously enough. After that, he went on a screed about how "the very same people" who criticize a lack of equality for women in the U.S. by some religious groups are "silent" about the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia. Take a listen.

Bob doesn't identify who these "very same people" are. Instead, he's created some general bogeyman to attack. In this case, it appears that his bogeyman is "feminists." But it's important to note that numerous feminist organizations have not been silent about this injustice in Saudi Arabia.

It's like Bob was trying to say, "Hey, these feminists shouldn't be complaining about the sexism of some Christians; instead, they should be focused on the really bad Muslims." First of all, why is it wrong to combat injustice no matter what its degree? Can only the most egregious abuses be criticized? Second, Bob's argument is kind of analogous to me verbally abusing my wife but then saying, "you shouldn't be mad; just be happy that I'm not beating you."

I did, however, find something interesting about who wasn't seriously criticizing the Saudi government over this verdict. Namely, I was upset that the U.S. government, led by President George W. Bush, did not strongly condemn the Saudis. Instead, the U.S. government only offered "mild criticism."

[State Department spokesman Sean] McCormack declined to directly criticize its close ally, or the Saudi legal system, which has made a series of erratic verdicts in recent months. "I don't have anything else to offer," said McCormack when pressed on whether Washington condemned the court's decision... Asked whether the Saudi authorities should reconsider the sentence against the woman, McCormack said he could not "get involved in specific court cases in Saudi Arabia dealing with its own citizens."

Bob spends an inordinate amount of time praising and promoting Bush and the Republicans. But did anybody hear him criticize Bush or the administration in this matter whatsoever? Bob can take time to criticize the "media" and unnamed feminists, but not Bush?

In an unrelated story, here's a picture of Bush and Saudi Prince Abdullah holding hands as they stroll through spring flowers at Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch.

UPDATE (12/4 10:30 PM): Bush talked to Saudi King Abdullah last week. When asked if he pressed the rape case issue with him, George said, "he doesn't remember if the subject came up." Classic.