The Other McCain

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Married at 10? Divorced at 12? Hey, Who Wants to Play ‘Guess Which Religion’?

Posted on | March 4, 2010 | 41 Comments

If you guessed “Lutheran,” try again:

Nujood is a Yemeni girl . . . 

(Doggone, I was going to guess “Belgian.”)

. . . and it’s no coincidence that Yemen abounds both in child brides and in terrorists . . . 

(Beware of the Utah Liberation Front!)

For Nujood, the nightmare began at age 10 when her family told her that she would be marrying a deliveryman in his 30s. . . .

(I’m guessing the deliveryman was Methodist, right?)

Her new husband forced her to drop out of school (she was in the second grade) because a married woman shouldn’t be a student. . . .

(Typical patriarchal Methodist!)

Nujood’s father asked the husband not to touch her until a year after she had had her first menstrual period. But as soon as they were married, she writes, her husband forced himself on her. . . .

(Methodists don’t take “no” for an answer.)

Yemeni journalists turned Nujood into a cause célèbre, and she eventually won her divorce. The publicity inspired others, including an 8-year-old Saudi girl married to a man in his 50s, to seek annulments and divorces. . . .

(Saudi Methodists — the worst kind.)

At first, Nujood’s brothers criticized her for shaming the family. . . .

(No self-respecting Yemeni Lutheran would get divorced.)

There are a couple of reasons countries that marginalize women often end up unstable. First, those countries usually have very high birth rates . . .

(Pre-pubescent girls can’t get pregnant, but the time to explain that to a Yemeni Methodist deliveryman is probably not on his wedding night.)

Second, those countries also tend to practice polygamy and have higher death rates for girls. That means fewer marriageable women — and more frustrated bachelors to be recruited by extremists. . . .

Polygamy and extremism — these are frequently occuring problems among fundamentalist Methodists. But maybe you noticed something kind of interesting here:

Not once in the entirety of his 807-word column did Nicolas Kristof name the religion of Nujood and her ex-husband.

Wonder why that is?

Category: Foreigners, New York Times, Religion

Comments

41 Responses to “Married at 10? Divorced at 12? Hey, Who Wants to Play ‘Guess Which Religion’?”

  1. Dave C
    March 4th, 2010 @ 9:20 pm

    That’s getting as bad as the ‘Guess the Political Party’ game when reading about political scandals.

  2. Dave C
    March 4th, 2010 @ 4:20 pm

    That’s getting as bad as the ‘Guess the Political Party’ game when reading about political scandals.

  3. Robert Stacy McCain
    March 4th, 2010 @ 9:31 pm

    That’s getting as bad as the ‘Guess the Political Party’ game when reading about political scandals.

    The omission was rather glaring, wasn’t it?

  4. Robert Stacy McCain
    March 4th, 2010 @ 4:31 pm

    That’s getting as bad as the ‘Guess the Political Party’ game when reading about political scandals.

    The omission was rather glaring, wasn’t it?

  5. datechguy
    March 4th, 2010 @ 9:37 pm

    I reviewed and wrote about her situation a month ago. Link is at:

    http://datechguy.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/i-am-nujood-age-10-and-divorced-amazon-vine-review/

    Hey for $800 a week the times could have run this a month ago.

  6. datechguy
    March 4th, 2010 @ 4:37 pm

    I reviewed and wrote about her situation a month ago. Link is at:

    http://datechguy.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/i-am-nujood-age-10-and-divorced-amazon-vine-review/

    Hey for $800 a week the times could have run this a month ago.

  7. Red
    March 4th, 2010 @ 9:40 pm

    I was going to guess ‘Kentucky’.

  8. Red
    March 4th, 2010 @ 4:40 pm

    I was going to guess ‘Kentucky’.

  9. Hey NYT for a mere $800 a week you could have had Kristoff’s story written… « DaTechguy's Blog
    March 4th, 2010 @ 4:46 pm

    […] as Robert Stacy noticed Kristoff couldn’t remember her religion, but in my Amazon review I was able to identify […]

  10. Live Free Or Die
    March 4th, 2010 @ 10:25 pm

    Ooh!Ooh! Pick Me!Pick me! I know the answer! It must be Yemeni Fundamentalist Mormons!

  11. Live Free Or Die
    March 4th, 2010 @ 5:25 pm

    Ooh!Ooh! Pick Me!Pick me! I know the answer! It must be Yemeni Fundamentalist Mormons!

  12. Dave C
    March 4th, 2010 @ 10:58 pm

    Not Greek Orthodox.. Is it?

    I’ve been hearing Greece in the news lately.

    It’s Greek Orthodox, isn’t it.

  13. Dave C
    March 4th, 2010 @ 5:58 pm

    Not Greek Orthodox.. Is it?

    I’ve been hearing Greece in the news lately.

    It’s Greek Orthodox, isn’t it.

  14. proof
    March 4th, 2010 @ 11:07 pm

    I guess that’s why we never hear much about Muslim Democrats. They are so gosh darn below the radar that no one ever sees them!

  15. proof
    March 4th, 2010 @ 6:07 pm

    I guess that’s why we never hear much about Muslim Democrats. They are so gosh darn below the radar that no one ever sees them!

  16. Prophet Mohammed
    March 4th, 2010 @ 11:22 pm

    I am sorry, is there a problem with this? I married Aisha when she was six and consumated the marriage when she was nine.

  17. Prophet Mohammed
    March 4th, 2010 @ 6:22 pm

    I am sorry, is there a problem with this? I married Aisha when she was six and consumated the marriage when she was nine.

  18. Amy P.
    March 4th, 2010 @ 11:25 pm

    Second, those countries also tend to practice polygamy and have higher death rates for girls.

    Never say why they have “higher” death rates for girls…could it be because Islam tells you to kill them if they so much as sneeze wrong, lest they dishonor the family.

  19. Amy P.
    March 4th, 2010 @ 6:25 pm

    Second, those countries also tend to practice polygamy and have higher death rates for girls.

    Never say why they have “higher” death rates for girls…could it be because Islam tells you to kill them if they so much as sneeze wrong, lest they dishonor the family.

  20. DYSPEPSIA GENERATION » Blog Archive » Married at 10? Divorced at 12? Hey, Who Wants to Play ‘Guess Which Religion’?
    March 4th, 2010 @ 9:20 pm

    […] Read it. […]

  21. Right-Wing Links (March 4, 2010)
    March 4th, 2010 @ 11:06 pm

    […] Married at 10? Divorced at 12? Hey, Who Wants to Play ‘Guess Which Religion’? […]

  22. Roxeanne de Luca
    March 5th, 2010 @ 4:17 am

    Not once in the entirety of his 807-word column did Nicolas Kristof name the religion of Nujood and her ex-husband.

    Wonder why that is?

    Because the Pope wouldn’t let him?

    Wait, no, those aren’t Catholic names. Time for a new theory.

    Adding to AmyP’s comment: the “higher” death rates for girls also probably have something to do with having 13-year-old girls having sex, getting pregnant, giving birth, and doing so without adequate medical care (as if there is such a thing).

    That brings me to my next point: what is it with the way that the Leftists and the whack jobs in the Middle East (religion unnamed) that hate the idea of female virgins who are over the age of 10?

  23. Roxeanne de Luca
    March 4th, 2010 @ 11:17 pm

    Not once in the entirety of his 807-word column did Nicolas Kristof name the religion of Nujood and her ex-husband.

    Wonder why that is?

    Because the Pope wouldn’t let him?

    Wait, no, those aren’t Catholic names. Time for a new theory.

    Adding to AmyP’s comment: the “higher” death rates for girls also probably have something to do with having 13-year-old girls having sex, getting pregnant, giving birth, and doing so without adequate medical care (as if there is such a thing).

    That brings me to my next point: what is it with the way that the Leftists and the whack jobs in the Middle East (religion unnamed) that hate the idea of female virgins who are over the age of 10?

  24. Joe
    March 5th, 2010 @ 7:20 am

    A bit cowardly of Nick not to meantion Islam, but he did take the lead on pointing out the Muslim on Muslim violence in Sudan (with the Sudanese committed genocide on fellow Muslims who happen to be darker…hmmm, I thought there was no racism in Islam).

    It must be Bush’s fault somehow…

    Oh wait, I just channelled some Nick Kristof there with that last sentance. Disregard.

  25. Joe
    March 5th, 2010 @ 2:20 am

    A bit cowardly of Nick not to meantion Islam, but he did take the lead on pointing out the Muslim on Muslim violence in Sudan (with the Sudanese committed genocide on fellow Muslims who happen to be darker…hmmm, I thought there was no racism in Islam).

    It must be Bush’s fault somehow…

    Oh wait, I just channelled some Nick Kristof there with that last sentance. Disregard.

  26. Gregory of Yardale
    March 5th, 2010 @ 1:58 pm

    It was Nick Kristof who first noted Obama’s ability to perfectly recite the Muslim call to prayer.

    http://www.city-data.com/forum/elections/444727-obama-chants-perfect-muslim-call-prayer.html

  27. Gregory of Yardale
    March 5th, 2010 @ 8:58 am

    It was Nick Kristof who first noted Obama’s ability to perfectly recite the Muslim call to prayer.

    http://www.city-data.com/forum/elections/444727-obama-chants-perfect-muslim-call-prayer.html

  28. Tex
    March 5th, 2010 @ 2:35 pm

    He didn’t mention the girl’s religion because it is irrelevant to the story, which is more about human rights and child abuse than religion.

  29. Tex
    March 5th, 2010 @ 9:35 am

    He didn’t mention the girl’s religion because it is irrelevant to the story, which is more about human rights and child abuse than religion.

  30. Dell
    March 5th, 2010 @ 2:46 pm

    And just think, boys and girls, this religion – complete with all of it’s…ahhhhh….rather unusual marital practices, is putting down roots at a mosque near you!! And when you attempt to apply 21st century law you shall be thwarted at every turn.

    “Our religion allows us to rape little girls and that’s none of your damned business!”

  31. Dell
    March 5th, 2010 @ 9:46 am

    And just think, boys and girls, this religion – complete with all of it’s…ahhhhh….rather unusual marital practices, is putting down roots at a mosque near you!! And when you attempt to apply 21st century law you shall be thwarted at every turn.

    “Our religion allows us to rape little girls and that’s none of your damned business!”

  32. Today’s Tidbits
    March 5th, 2010 @ 3:35 pm

    […] Married at 10? Divorced at 12? Hey, Who Wants to Play ‘Guess Which Religion’? Y’all know the answer, but its a fun game to play.  Sort of like ‘name the Commie in the White House.’ […]

  33. John David Galt
    March 5th, 2010 @ 9:33 pm

    I see a golden opportunity for NOW to make themselves relevant again. Gee, I wonder if they’ll take me up on it.

  34. John David Galt
    March 5th, 2010 @ 4:33 pm

    I see a golden opportunity for NOW to make themselves relevant again. Gee, I wonder if they’ll take me up on it.

  35. Ccs
    March 7th, 2010 @ 1:24 am

    Red
    March 4th, 2010 @ 04 40
    I was going to guess ‘Kentucky’.

    It’s not mentioned whether or not they were cousins.

    I kid, I kid.

  36. Ccs
    March 6th, 2010 @ 8:24 pm

    Red
    March 4th, 2010 @ 04 40
    I was going to guess ‘Kentucky’.

    It’s not mentioned whether or not they were cousins.

    I kid, I kid.

  37. Roxeanne de Luca
    March 7th, 2010 @ 1:52 am

    He didn’t mention the girl’s religion because it is irrelevant to the story, which is more about human rights and child abuse than religion.

    Tex: isn’t that like saying that AIDS deaths are about inadequate medical care, not about a virus? Child abuse and human rights violations are the symptoms of the problem which are, as such symptoms of such problems often are, problematic in of themselves. That in no way negates the underlying issue.

  38. Roxeanne de Luca
    March 6th, 2010 @ 8:52 pm

    He didn’t mention the girl’s religion because it is irrelevant to the story, which is more about human rights and child abuse than religion.

    Tex: isn’t that like saying that AIDS deaths are about inadequate medical care, not about a virus? Child abuse and human rights violations are the symptoms of the problem which are, as such symptoms of such problems often are, problematic in of themselves. That in no way negates the underlying issue.

  39. Weekend reading « Politicaljunkie Mom
    March 7th, 2010 @ 8:24 am

    […] Need a laugh: head over to The Other McCain for Married at 10? Divorced at 12?  Who Wants to Play ’Guess Which Religion’?  […]

  40. John Farmer
    March 17th, 2010 @ 1:10 pm

    “He didn’t mention the girl’s religion because it is irrelevant to the story, which is more about human rights and child abuse than religion.”

    What a wanker.

    Of course, we believe you. It’s ALL about ‘religion’, or rather, the political ideology that is called ‘Islam’.

    Islam is fascism.
    Islam is evil.

    Mohammed was the anti-Christ.
    Mohammed was a mass murderer, multiple rapist, bigamist with 14 ‘wives’, and a paedophile.

  41. John Farmer
    March 17th, 2010 @ 8:10 am

    “He didn’t mention the girl’s religion because it is irrelevant to the story, which is more about human rights and child abuse than religion.”

    What a wanker.

    Of course, we believe you. It’s ALL about ‘religion’, or rather, the political ideology that is called ‘Islam’.

    Islam is fascism.
    Islam is evil.

    Mohammed was the anti-Christ.
    Mohammed was a mass murderer, multiple rapist, bigamist with 14 ‘wives’, and a paedophile.