Saudi king pardons woman who was gang raped
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has pardoned a woman who was gang raped and then sentenced to six months in prison and 200 lashes for being alone with a man who was not related to her, in a case that sparked rare criticism from the United States, the kingdom's top ally.
Outrage over the sentence prompted strong comments from US president George Bush, who said that if such a case occurred to one of his daughters he would be "angry" at a government that didn't protect the victim. The White House called the sentence "outrageous."
Saudi officials have bristled at the criticism of what they consider an internal affair, but also appeared keen not to hurt their image in the US. Yesterday Bush's national security council spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, said the White House thought the Saudi king had "made the right decision" by pardoning the woman.
It appears that International pressure helped on this case. Is it going to change things in Saudi Arabia for women? NO. This is one isolated case. Continued pressure needs to be placed to reform the whole system over there. It won't happen though. They have to much oil people want so they will look the other way while they oppress their people. Politics is grand stuff, ain't it.
It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first. Ronald Reagan
