I find this weather thing a little strange. Are you guys saying that if someone goes to London in the summer they can't expect some sun? Northerner and Cadaan went in the spring, so is it really all that unusual that there'd be rain?

I didn't know Abtigiis was a woman, Ms DD. Or are you forgetting this little story is from his fervid imagination? The whole thing is as absurd as a Kipling morality tale without the charm of talking animals.

Originally posted by Paragon: ^Cara, as Abtigii is saying, 'real women' arent bothered about feminism, either? Something, eh? I wonder at the common sense of anyone who would argue that real African women have no problems with sexism. There's no unequal access to education for boys and girls, no traditional practices that limit their potential. It's all just feminists agitating over the trivial because they are just unattractive and jealous. 'Real women' in Africa are content to serve coffee, and if they are particularly ambitious, maybe they can be maids in Dubai or Saudi Arabia, especially if they are real pretty and accommodating. I really don't have anything much to add to this silly discussion. Of all the struggles that Africans face, I fear the greatest one is the complacent stup!dity of some of its men, ignoring the larger social upheavals while whining about how women don't know their place anymore.

Real men aren't Ms DD.

Really Abtigiis, you're not going to get a raise out of me since you didn't even try for subtlety. "Feminists are ugly and bitter, pretty girls are submissive and grateful, har har har". Very original and thought-provoking, that. I just find it surprising that you spend so much time on this kind of "Bridget Jones' Diary"/"Sex and The City" stuff, doesn't it get as boring for you as it gets for the reader?

My guess is you have to write 10 trashy and juvenile articles or stories for every 1 decent article or story. I suppose it's worth it, so carry on.

Meeshan waxaan mooday in Somali lagu hadlo laakiin waaxaaga waa af-carabi Nuunoow

Originally posted by NGONGE: Do keep up, my dear. I don't think I can Ngonge, what with having to figure out which bits are throw-away lines and which bits are facetious nuggets, and which points I should ignore because you're just springing a trap and/or testing our acumen or any other number of obfuscating smoke-screens. I just don't have the stamina I used to...

How sweet KK. Some pictures of fathers and kids. I like the one of Pablo Picasso and his son, they have an identical expression.

Ngonge, if I understood you right, you think 9 year olds are old enough to be forced to wear the hijab. My question is the same one you asked Ibtisam: how would you explain to a 9 year old that she must now cover herself up? What's changed about her body from when she was 4, or 7 or 8? At some point, you mention that a nine year old gets beaten up if they don't pray as if this is any more reasonable than forcing a 4 year old to wear the hijab. And yet complain about "raising Muslim robots"! That's a little confusing, my dear. It's as challenging for a 9 year old to pray as it is for a 4 year to wear the hijab, and in both cases you must explain yourself to the child, with no guarantee that they understand. If you're beating the 9 year old for not praying, then you have resorted to "do as I say and don't ask any questions". Why is it egregious in one case and not in the another? By the way, there was no question of force in the original question, nothing about MAKING 4 year olds cover themselves up. You're adding an unnecessary intensifier there. Most little girls will do as they are told with a bit of encouragement and bribery, if it's not too unpleasant. People here referred to it as "practice" which by definition means it's not the real thing, and won't be treated as such. So is gentle encouragement off the books, as it will be (by Johnny's definition) indoctrination?

Especially since he's probably thinking real hard about how he's gonna get the sand out of there.

Lily and Ibti, you have to understand it's not just the person Ngonge or Johnny you're arguing with. It's also the entities Giant Male Ego Ngonge and Be Quiet Little Lady Johnny Even when they know they should concede they won't give an inch. Endearing really.

Yeah Malika, take me.

Johnny, from a biological perspective, raising your child to be religious is the fittest strategy But even in less technical terms, it still would be a moral imperative for a religious parent to teach their child right from wrong, as the parent understands it. If this means preventing said child from experiencing the joys of an unfettered mind, then so be it. It's their immortal soul we're dealing with here, not your everyday mistakes and faults. Say you have a swimming pool in your backyard. Your 3 year old finds the sight well nigh irresistible. Are you going to sit down and explain all about how gills work, and how we lost ours millions of years ago, and that someday you'll teach her to swim, but now you'd REALLY prefer if she just sat quietly by the pool while you go and grab a soda? Or are you gonna lock the screen door and tell her in no uncertain terms to stay away from the pool or else? Is it acceptable, in other words, to impose your will on a child until such time as they can make their own decisions? How is religious indoctrination any different? This applies to Ngonge as well.

^OK, what did you do CL?

Ibti, you're not serious about not letting little girls run and scream in a playground? Johnny, how do you suggest a parent raise their child without sharing any of their values and beliefs? And from a religious parent's point of view, isn't it more important to save their beloved child from eternal damnation than to avoid 'indoctrinating' them? I would think NOT teaching them would be parental neglect and indifference, if anything.

Keep em coming, Adam. I'll try anything, even if it involves wrestling a hippo by the light of the full moon. Last year, loratidine+pseudoephedrine worked like a charm, but it's not so reliable this year. Sometimes it works within 30 minutes and lasts all day, other times I might as well have had a sugar pill

^LOL. Too lazy to search for the dessert. Ngonge, that's atrocious, but it did lead me to a fantastic collection I'd forgotten about, so you're forgiven. Man, and I thought Kipling stank.

"But if you can say $10 saves a life, that makes students feel they can help a lot. And every student has $10." Who's got $10?

This is fantastic A & T.

^A petty teacher

This is the internet age man, nothing the girl said could possibly require this silly farce I put my money on the extreme deforestation. She just objected to the groom being so well groomed.

To make up a ridiculous story just for the sake of an unfunny joke, and then beat it to death How are the logistics any different than for a short woman and a tall man? Can't the taller partner, I dunno, bend a bit?

^Now you're a little short on the brains department. Wasn't that your theory?

^Yep. As usual making a big fuss out of what some woman wore or didn't wear while scarfing down sugary donuts dipped in lard, which is much more likely to kill 'em. I swear no pun was intended.