And our government says these are the good guys ...

Reader Alert: While this post will look like it is about Islam, it really isn't.

In the April 26th edition of The Economist is the story about human rights abuses against women in Saudi Arabia, which can be found at http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11090113.

As a result of that country's involvement in and support for US military action in the Gulf region, most Americans know some things about women's rights in Saudi Arabia. I remember, and I suspect most others do also, reading about the concerns expressed by the Saudi government over female soldiers driving military vehicles since women are not allowed to drive in the Kingdom.

But, the inability to drive is among the least of the problems for Saudi women. According to the Human Rights Watch, the practise of having a male guardian with legal control over the female leads to most abuses. For example, quoting the piece, "millions of Saudi women [ ] are unable by law to study, work, travel, marry, testify in court, legalise a contract or undergo medical treatment without the assent of a close male relative,be he a father, husband or, less commonly, a grandfather, brother or son." That means, for example, if a husband is guilty of physical abuse against a wife, she cannot file a complaint with the police or go to court to seek redress unless he accompanies her.

While this practice is ostensibly based on the Qur'an, and thus would be part of Islam, it is actually based on a particular interpretation, that of the Wahhabis, of a Qur'anic verse. In actuality, the women in Saudi Arabia are subject to much more stringent regulations than their counterparts in other Muslim countries. Is this something our government should be tolerating?

The White House announced a trip by the President and First Lady to Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia in mid-May. The President has already "leaked" the news that he is authorizing a major weapons sale to Saudi Arabia and that he will ask for help from the Saudis in lowering oil prices. The conclusion of the official WH press release announcing this trip reads, "In his meetings with regional leaders, the President will reaffirm efforts toward peace and prosperity and our close work with regional allies to combat terrorism and promote freedom." Not a word about human rights abuses in any of the countries; not a word about ignoring UN resolutions; not a word about any problems in any of these countries.

Granted, there may be behind the scenes talks on a number of human rights issues, but there is no public acknowledgement of any such. And, the First Lady has shown that she is willing to speak up on issues that concern her. Earlier this week, Mrs. Bush scolded the leaders of Burma (Myanmar) and chided them for their flawed constitutional process and their failures in guaranteeing freedoms for all citizens.

Maybe, it is because these are the "good guys" - the ones who are on our side and have oil reserves - and, thus, they do not deserve reminders of their failings.