Saturday, February 23, 2008

Open Freedom


Frequently Asked Questions about Stoning

  1. What is stoning?

    Stoning, or lapidation, refers to a method of execution in which an organized group throws stones or rocks at the person they wish to execute. Although it takes many different forms, stoning has been used throughout history and in many religious and cultural traditions as a kind of community justice or capital punishment. For instance, the practice has been documented among the ancient Greeks to punish people judged to be prostitutes, adulterers or murderers. It is also documented in the Jewish Tradition via the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and the Talmud, or Jewish Oral Law. In the Old Testament of the Bible, stoning is prescribed a method of execution for crimes such as murder, blasphemy or apostasy. Although there is no mention of stoning in the Quran, the practice has since grown to be associated with Islam and Muslim culture.


  1. Shouldn’t we just accept stoning as part of someone’s culture and their right to freedom of belief?

    There is no excuse for the killing of women in the name of any ‘religion’, ‘culture’ or ‘tradition’.

    ‘Religion’ and ‘culture’ cannot and must not be invoked as excuse for the killing of women, because religion and the laws which derive from it are always subjective interpretations. Culture is not static, but constantly re-created and re-defined by the various interests of groups in positions of power in a society at any given time. There is no excuse for the killing of women. Murder is a brutal violation of the most basic human right – the right to life – and any practice which harms women or impinges upon their agency and autonomy contradicts fundamental rights, such as the right to security; the right to freedom from violence; from inhuman, degrading treatment and punishment; from terror; the right to choose a marriage partner; and the right to not face discrimination under the law. As long as impunity exists, the misappropriation of culture and religion will continue to threaten women’s safety.

    No ‘culture’ has the right to kill and harm women based on their perceptions of morality or honour. The freedom of belief does not mean freedom to kill. Stoning is a brutal example of how culture and religion are being misused to perpetuate violence against women.



Women Living Under Muslim Laws Logo

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Open Influence (peddling?)

How hamstrung would the office of the President of the United States of America be if...

The Clinton’s Kazakh Affair Is Spinning

Posted by Zhanna_Zhukova | in Politics, Business | on February 20th, 2008
Tags: No Tags

Here is an updated reporting on the scandal around ex-president of the United States Bill Clinton, his friend Frank Guistra (a canadian financier and businessman) and Kazakhstan, where Guistra got a lucrative contract in uranium production after the visit to Almaty together with Clinton. ...



'I so want to be President but I can't take him anywhere...*Sigh*'

Open Language

Are languages free? Thoughts on the International Mother Language day

Today is the International Mother Language Day, an annual event in UNESCO member states to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This is mostly the international recognition of the Language Movement Day called ‘Ekushey February', which is commemorated in Bangladesh since 1952. The date of 21st February was chosen in homage to a number of ‘language martyrs' from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) who were shot on 21st February 1952 in Dhaka, during public protest. They were demonstrating to establish their mother language Bangla as a national language along with Urdu, which was chosen as the sole official language in the then newly created Pakistan.

Shaheed Minar

Photo: Shaheed Minar, a solemn and symbolic sculpture erected in the place of the massacre. The monument is the symbol of Bangladesh Nationalism.

Open QOTD (2)

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice

-- Thomas Paine

Submitted for your consideration by Sister Beth (who doesn't blog, yet!)

Monday, February 18, 2008

Open Progress?

in short…

February 13, 2008 · 8 Comments

USA … 1931

Saudi Arabia… 2007

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Translation: “According to The Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice; passing coffee to women is not allowed.

Thanks for your cooperation!”

Oh no, thank you...

Open Open Open Open

Click "What has Barack Obama done for me lately?" ... then just reload the page every time you get the urge.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Open Superdelegates

Excerpts from David Plouffe's letter to Barak Obama supporters...

As you've probably heard, there could be a wildcard in the race for the Democratic nomination.

We firmly believe that the candidate who has won the most pledged delegates -- the result of having more voters in more places supporting your campaign -- will be the Democratic nominee.

...

While we intend to continue winning states and expanding our lead among the pledged delegates, and believe that will likely ensure that Barack is the Democratic nominee, we're also doing the work of reaching out to superdelegates and making sure as many as possible support Barack Obama.

Here's where you can play a key role.

Our work so far has taught us one important lesson: that your personal story about why you support Barack Obama is often the most powerful persuasion tool for someone who's undecided. That's true whether that undecided voter is your neighbor or a superdelegate.

The story of where you're from, what brought you into the political process, the issues that matter to you, and why you became part of this movement has the potential to inspire someone who could cast a deciding vote in this contest.

Our staff will compile stories from supporters like you and make them a key part of the conversation with superdelegates as Barack asks for their support.

Share your story to help persuade superdelegates now:

http://my.barackobama.com/superdelegates



Here is my response to that request...

I believe that people, in their heart of hearts, are good caring conscientious citizens. I know that all members of our great nation wish to serve as a model of democracy in action for a world that is torn asunder by the interests of a privileged few. Please allow our democratic process to be a beacon of freedom.

. . .