Will a Striptease Save A Woman's Access to Education?

Malala Yousafzai, a 14-year-old Pakistani advocate for woman's access to education in Pakistan's Swat Valley, was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban last week. In 2009, she blogged for the BBC documenting the burning of girls' schools after violence erupted between the Taliban and Pakistan government. Ms. Yousafzai was nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize in 2011, but did not win. Then, the government of Pakistan presented her with its first Pakistan National Peace Prize.

A spokesperson for the Tehrik-e-Taliban of Pakistan issued a statement claiming the assassination attempt was not directed at the girl per se, but at her ideas:

“If anyone thinks . . . that Malala is targeted because of education, that’s absolutely wrong, and a propaganda of [the] Media,” the statement said. “Malala is targeted because of her pioneer role in preaching secularism and so called enlightened moderation. And whom so ever will commit so in future too will be targeted again by TTP.”

Former First Lady Laura Bush wrote a compelling opinion article in The Washington Post urging leaders to do more than just laud this young girl. Read A Girl’s Courage Challenges Us to Act.

But then singer Madonna performed a striptease at a concert in Ms. Yousafzai's "honor," while the young girl remains in critical condition in the hospital. 

No, we're not kidding. SBW is sure this is not the type of action the Former First Lady was calling for and requests that celebrities at least try to understand the seriousness of the sacrifices by those like Malala. Madonna also claimed that she supported President Obama as the 'Muslim in the White House'. Get it together - because this is more than embarrassing.

Michelle Obama Doesn't Look or Act Like a First Lady?

NPR's Ari Shapiro interviewed Virginia voter Bobbie Lussier about her feelings on the upcoming election, particularly President Barack Obama.

Her response?

"I just -- I don't like him. Can't stand to look at him. I don't like his wife. She's far from the first lady. It's about time we get a first lady in there that acts like a first lady, and looks like a first lady."

She made this first statement at last month's American Legion annual meeting in Indianapolis, which started a firestorm among NPR listeners. Many accused her of racism.

After calls for clarification, Shapiro met up with her again in a local American Legion meeting in Northern Virginia earlier this week.

When questioned about any racial implications in her comments, Lussier doubled down and rejected those accusations. Lussier said, "I don't care what color she is. It's just she just doesn't act and look like a first lady. I mean she's more about showing her arms off. ...I mean, can you imagine you know, Kennedys or the Bushes or anybody doing pushups on the floor? I mean you know. That's just not a first lady."

Lussier must not have noticed that first ladies have been going sleeveless for years.  

True, there was no equivalent of Michelle Obama Watch for First Lady Laura Bush or First Lady Hillary Clinton. But there was really no doubt that they were worthy of the title 'First Lady'. 

Lussier ended the interview by saying that she was frustrated. "I just hope Romney wins."

Is her frustration racial? Decide for yourself.


The full transcript is here.