• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Michelle Obama forgoes a headscarf and sparks a backlash in Saudi Arabia

Infinite Chaos

DP Veteran
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
23,525
Reaction score
15,421
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Independent
FLOTUS-600x383.jpg


Barack Obama was in Riyadh on Tuesday to pay his respects to the late Saudi King Abdullah. His visit, for which he cut short a much-hyped trip to India, underscores how important the U.S.-Saudi relationship remains to the American leadership. On social media, however, much of the attention has focused on something else: His wife's attire. Link.

Some women are not to be messed with.. What I like about this is how black African heritage peoples are seen in Arab countries and this one threw local custom back in their face.

reminded me of this story -

[h=2]Queen Elizabeth II once terrorized King Abdullah — by driving him around[/h]Sir Sherard Cowper Coles was given a private audience with the Queen when he was appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in 2003. At the time, Abdullah was technically still the crown prince, though he'd been de facto ruler for several years. During their meeting, she gleefully recounted the story of Abdullah's first visit to Balmoral, her castle in Scotland. It all started innocently enough, with an offer to tour the estate:

-- The royal Land Rovers were drawn up in front of the castle. As instructed, the Crown Prince climbed into the front seat of the front Land Rover, his interpreter in the seat behind --

To his surprise, the Queen climbed into the driving seat, turned the ignition and drove off --

Queen Elizabeth basically spent an afternoon using her military-grade driving skills to haze the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. Link.

Too bad Michelle O wasn't given the opportunity to drive the motorcade but I'm certainly glad she didn't stand the prerequisite 10 feet behind her man
 
Liberals: Good for her, standing up for her rights and ignoring multiculturalism!
Conservatives: How can she insult our allies like this!? Damn it! We should respect Islam!
Libertarians: *after putting down the bongs* Wait... Arabia isn't just a country in Aladdin?
Moderate: Good grief, what the hell is she wearing? How are you going to get caught with the damn king of Saudi Arabia wearing Pottery Barn curtains? That's what is really important here.
Other:
Well, what this really signifies is that Michelle Obama is having an existential epiphany related to the croissants she had that morning.
Liberals pretending to be Independents: Well I for one will take this as an opportunity to be heard on issues that I believe will make me seem less liberal.
Conservatives pretending to be Independents: Wait, wait! Look at this link that shows how much Syrian Muslims hate crepes!
Centrists: I have an opinion!
 
Last edited:
Saudi Arabians can promptly go **** themselves if they think we should subject our women, much less our first lady to their barbaric and oppressive desires.
 
This falls under the damned if she does, damned if she doesn't category.
 
Seems we have another example that illustrates well that Saudi Arabia is just another Islamic theocratic nation assuming visitors adherence to their customs but showing no tolerance of customs of others. Proves well why our foreign policy needs a good review, if we have to show respect for a nation that still outlaws public showing of faith or practice in other religions.
 
Saudi Arabians can promptly go **** themselves if they think we should subject our women, much less our first lady to their barbaric and oppressive desires.

Precisely. Dress in Saudi Arabia isn't used to show respect. It's used to show subjugation. :shrug: Good on the first lady.
 
Liberals: Good for her, standing up for her rights and ignoring multiculturalism!
Conservatives: How can she insult our allies like this!? Damn it! We should respect Islam!
Libertarians: *after putting down the bongs* Wait... Arabia isn't just a country in Aladdin?
Moderate: Good grief, what the hell is she wearing? How are you going to get caught with the damn king of Saudi Arabia wearing Pottery Barn curtains? That's what is really important here.
Other:
Well, what this really signifies is that Michelle Obama is having an existential epiphany related to the croissants she had that morning.
Liberals pretending to be Independents: Well I for one will take this as an opportunity to be heard on issues that I believe will make me seem less liberal.
Conservatives pretending to be Independents: Wait, wait! Look at this link that shows how much Syrian Muslims hate crepes!
Centrists: I have an opinion!

Libertarians: *after putting down the bongs* How can she insult our allies like this, but good for her, standing up for her rights and ignoring multiculturalism! I do like those Pottery Barn curtains for clothes though.
 
Libertarians: *after putting down the bongs* How can she insult our allies like this, but good for her, standing up for her rights and ignoring multiculturalism! I do like those Pottery Barn curtains for clothes though.

I went for the easy kill. Sue me.
 
Libertarians: *after putting down the bongs* How can she insult our allies like this, but good for her, standing up for her rights and ignoring multiculturalism! I do like those Pottery Barn curtains for clothes though.

I think she looks great. :2razz:
 
This will blow over, but if you are going to someone's funeral to pay respects, shouldn't you respect them?
 
This will blow over, but if you are going to someone's funeral to pay respects, shouldn't you respect them?
Yes, I noticed that too that President Obama didn't wear the traditional headgear.
 
This will blow over, but if you are going to someone's funeral to pay respects, shouldn't you respect them?

I dont' think this was at the funeral.
 
When you go to a foreign country-culture you show respect for their traditions. If their traditions are too much for you to deal with then don't go. Michelle should have stayed home or stayed on her luxury 727. This would have said to the world she strongly disagree with the way women are treated in the Arab culture without flaunting it like the ugly American and spitting in their faces.
 
When you go to a foreign country-culture you show respect for their traditions. If their traditions are too much for you to deal with then don't go. Michelle should have stayed home or stayed on her luxury 727. This would have said to the world she strongly disagree with the way women are treated in the Arab culture without flaunting it like the ugly American and spitting in their faces.

You need to restate that. When an American goes to a foreign country they need to adopt their tradition. When foreigners come to America they expect Americans to adopt their tradition.
 
Liberals: Good for her, standing up for her rights and ignoring multiculturalism!
Conservatives: How can she insult our allies like this!? Damn it! We should respect Islam!
Libertarians: *after putting down the bongs* Wait... Arabia isn't just a country in Aladdin?
Moderate: Good grief, what the hell is she wearing? How are you going to get caught with the damn king of Saudi Arabia wearing Pottery Barn curtains? That's what is really important here.
Other:
Well, what this really signifies is that Michelle Obama is having an existential epiphany related to the croissants she had that morning.
Liberals pretending to be Independents: Well I for one will take this as an opportunity to be heard on issues that I believe will make me seem less liberal.
Conservatives pretending to be Independents: Wait, wait! Look at this link that shows how much Syrian Muslims hate crepes!
Centrists: I have an opinion!

Actually, this is going to cause problems for those on the left accustomed to being offended by anything that offends any Muslims. Do they criticize the first lady? Quite the conundrum.

Good for her.
 
Actually, this is going to cause problems for those on the left accustomed to being offended by anything that offends any Muslims. Do they criticize the first lady? Quite the conundrum.

Good for her.

It's going to cause problems for conservatives who constantly complain about insulting our allies too. :shrug:
 
This is about optics. It reminds me of when Boko Haram kidnapped those young ladies and Michelle went to twitter and tweeted "bring back our girls." The light lifting is easy. It's the heavy lifting that is difficult.

Having said that, given the circumstances, good for her.
 
It's going to cause problems for conservatives who constantly complain about insulting our allies too. :shrug:

It causes me no problems. For the first time in my adult life, I'm proud of our First Lady. If Saudi Arabia takes offense to something stupid like that, that's their problem.

Is that unequivocal enough for you?
 
It causes me no problems.

No one was talking about you X Factor, not everything is about you when the word "conservatives" is used.
 
LOL @ first time in my adult life.

I'm sure that the First Lady joins me in not caring about what you think and the Saudis.

That was a good one tho!!!
 
No one was talking about you X Factor, not everything is about you when the word "conservatives" is used.

I was wondering how you'd take someone acting outside of how you predicted and it's to disregard it completely. That's funny. I must have shorted out a couple wires in your brain. Lol.

I'll be watching for the throngs of right wingers lining up to bash Michelle Obama.
 
When you go to a foreign country-culture you show respect for their traditions. If their traditions are too much for you to deal with then don't go. Michelle should have stayed home or stayed on her luxury 727. This would have said to the world she strongly disagree with the way women are treated in the Arab culture without flaunting it like the ugly American and spitting in their faces.

As the wife of a head of state Mrs. Obama has no real choice in the matter - she has to attend. As previously stated traditional garb for women is used as a means of subjugation. Good for her.

And while I generally agree that guests should not offend their host a host has an obligation to be hospitable and respect their guest's traditions. I wouldn't think of inviting a vegetarian to my home and demand that they eat meat because meat eating is part of my tradition. I'd serve them a vegetarian dish.
 
Last edited:
LOL @ first time in my adult life.

I'm sure that the First Lady joins me in not caring about what you think and the Saudis.

That was a good one tho!!!

I wondered if anyone would catch that. I have no doubt she couldn't care less what I think, same for you too, of course. :)
 
Back
Top Bottom