Maybe, but that doesn’t mean we need to encourage people to be unhealthy.
I am always amazed by how easily we tolerate “religious” or “cultural” customs just because of their stated source. It really needs to stop. I don’t care if it’s a person’s religion or their heritage that condones an illogical, inconsiderate, and/or inhumane act. They need to discontinue that custom. Sure, one might think where does the line get drawn about what customs “make sense” versus those that do not? Am I suggesting that only Western ideals will win out? No, in fact, the choices are generally not that hard. If they are, there’s discussions to be had–but often topics are just avoided, or ridiculousness accepted on its face just because something is cultural or, more often because it’s religious.
These girls eat 14,000 to 16,000 calories daily. Recommended for a healthy 12-year-old girl is 1500 calories; in comparison, an adult male bodybuilder eats up to 4000. (photo from MC)
I first heard about force-feeding of women in Mauritania when I found this article in Marie Claire magazine. This is particularly troublesome when one considers that it’s more specific than just “women”– it is force-feeding of children that is the concern. I am amazed that I’d never heard of this “leblouh” before. If I haven’t heard of this from any of the blogs, newspapers, and magazines that I read, or from any of my friends or their friends–obviously this is an issue that is not getting any attention. Perhaps because Mauritania is not such a huge country, and a minority of it’s poor, uneducated women are really not a priority for anyone? Probably so–but this kind of sick point of view should be condemned. The fact that the world sat by while the junta government took over and ran rigged elections was just a prelude to these kinds of abuses returning.
Until recently, it appeared that force-feeding and the big-is-beautiful ethos were dying out. Although leblouh has never been outlawed in this Islamic republic, in 2003 the government started a campaign to fight child abuse and raise awareness of the health risks of obesity. Moreover, as diverse global influences — from knockoff Western fashions to Nigerian pop music and French TV — slowly reached the masses, young women in cities like Nouakchott, the capital, were beginning to slim down under their mulafa robes. But in December 2007, progress stalled when gunmen with suspected ties to al Qaeda’s North African wing murdered four French vacationers near the capital, causing tourism and foreign investment to plummet. Then, in August 2008, a military coup removed the democratic government and installed a junta that favored “a return to tradition.” An election in July kept the junta in power, despite claims of massive vote-rigging.
Surely, when we turn a blind eye to one problem, others will arise.
Posted September 25th, 2010. Add a comment
Not exactly an inspiring game, but it got a lot more fun as the first half came to a close. The winning goal for Spain was well-deserved, as they were clearly the better team throughout the game–and the fact that at least 4 Spanish players had a touch to set up the goal was a great illustration of how Spain had played.
Meanwhile, on a level of at least as much attention as the Cup game itself (at least in America and Germany) was that Paul the Octopus was right, again! This means he has a better record (7 wins-0 losses) than the Spanish team (6wins-1loss) in this World Cup. So, kudos, my cephalopodic friend! Other animals have tried to grab the headlines, but been somewhat less successfull: Harry, the Ozzie Crocodile, Mani, the Indian parrot, a Malaysian parakeet named Meena, a Dutch Chimp named Pino in an Estonian zoo, and even Jabulani–named ominously the same as the soccerball used for S. Africa’s World Cup matches– another octopus. I find it unsurprising that there are people who would listen to the predictions of various animals, and equally funny that there are people who are willing to believe in some supernatural being governing all their worldly (and post-worldly) doings but find it odd that one should believe in a cephalopod’s powers! On the other hand, while multiple sources have reported that PETA asked for Paul the Octopus to be released into the wild following his string of victories, I haven’t been able to locate anything on their website to that effect. I’m thinking throwing an animal raised in captivity out into the wild is somewhat less than wise.
We were lucky on base to have a couple of similarly sized rooms, because both got filled up! I hear from the workers here that this is by far the most interest they have ever seen in soccer. I knew the other football is growing in the USA. Here’s the room I was at:
Hope you had a fun place to watch the game at–where did you watch?
Cheers,
-r-
Proving that newspapers do in fact report good news sometimes, this morning’s Stars and Stripes paper reported: “Just hours before the start of the world’s largest sporting event, American Forces Network secured the broadcasting rights to the 2010 World Cup.” For many soldiers and support personnel working at US bases, this was a matter of great worry– as only few places have access to ESPN. Soccer fans had consigned themselves to having to try and find an online stream, or the really lucky few to find a TV set with ESPN. Even the day before the world’s biggest sporting event, people at cafeterias on US bases found themselves staring at the Stanley Cup replays and some random baseball matches. No, not even in America does anyone REALLY care about the Stanley cup. Fine– except maybe about 7 people!
Meanwhile, further down the article on realizes why this was a big issue. Reports the Stars and Stripes: “The process to obtain the broadcast rights involved 34 international television licensees and sub-licensees in 28 territories, who waived their territorial exclusivity, the AFN release said.”
So here we are–ready. Here in Kuwait this means the games will be on at the big TVs where we can all gather to watch, and maybe– just maybe– all the excitement draws in a few new converts to the beautiful game!
Cheers,
-r-
