Saudi Judge: It's OK to slap your wife

As someone who has lived in Saudi and who has witnessed the condition of many women therein, this doesn't surprise me--hence I'm not about to fly off the handle and rant about the conservative patriarchy. Been there, done that. Really, it's kind of a given when you're talking about the Kingdom.

This is only 'news' in that these ideas are being articulated and publicized more than in the past.

Let me balance with this: "progressive" movements are taking hold and making headway in recent years. (i.e, did you catch the part that this was at a seminar on domestic violence?? That is unique). King Abdullah--the 'cautious reformer'--is an asset to the forward-thinking crowd in the Kingdom. It will take time, but it's not hopeless. There are and always have been exceptions to the unfortunate norm.

PS. I must throw this in, though--any man who would deny his wife a decent abaya should be slapped himself.