Egypt issues arrest warrant for Jon Stewart

[Professor]

I can list a major, structural change. Afghan women may attend school. Yes, they may be assaulted by the citizenry, but the government allows it. This is a huge change.

The ME may not be nearly as non-conformist as many Western civilizations, but they are light years ahead of where they were 100 years ago. Frankly, how much has Western culture moved in 100 years? Women could vote, minorities could vote (though were still oppressed), and society was basically free. Things are more equal now, but no major shifts.

Compare that to the ME of 100 years ago. Heck, there aren't even the same countries any more. Women may vote and walk around freely. They have many of the rights of men, if not all. Foreigners aren't killed for being Christian. Heck, there are even Christian churches in most countries in the ME.

To say that the ME hasn't changed is just plain wrong. The ME has changed more than perhaps any other area of the world. And, like when the Western countries were changing (1700s-1800s), there is a lot of violence and upheaval.

[exploited]

[Professor]

How can you say that there aren't "real changes"?

Take women attending school. When the Taliban ruled, zero women attended school. Now, thousands are in school. That's both a structural change and a cultural change. Every single one of those women now think it's OK to go to school. And, their families think that. And, most of their community allow it (whereas before they would have stoned her).

That is cultural change. These women are becoming educated. You can take away a right to vote. You can take away property. You can take away a lot of things. But, the knowledge that these women now have and are acquiring daily can NEVER be taken away. This is an irreversible change.

[spacemonkey]

[exploited]

[The Dharma Bum]

Islamic extremism isn't their actual culture.

[The Dharma Bum]

[exploited]

[The Dharma Bum]

[Professor]