Iran: Four months in jail and 30 lashes for walking dog in streets

[Dr. Strange]

Tehran, 19 Feb.(AKI) - A 70-year-old man has been sentenced by an Iranian judge to four months in jail and 30 lashes for going out on the street with his dog.
...
President Ahmadinejad recently provoked debate in Iran about dog ownership when he took possession of four guard dogs, bought in Germany at a cost of 110,000 euros each.
...
The dogs are at the centre of a theological controversy because Islam considers dogs to be impure.
http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1892967009

Does this mean I'm not allowed to laugh at Snoopy?

[DS1]

1. those lashes will probably kill him

[Warpy]

2. Allah is merciful

The lashes will be meted out, a few at a time, with a recovery period between each session. :sarcasm:

Seriously, I expect this sentence to be reduced the way the rape victim's sentence in Saudi Arabia was reduced. This is the kind of thing that provokes marches and riots and the government doesn't want that. Those Mullahs want to hang onto power as long as they can, and unrest over harsh punishment for silly infractions will undermine them more than all the hidden satellite dishes in Tehran will.

[Dr. Strange]

4. Well, especially since Ahmadinejad has some.

Another case of the Golden Rule: He who has the gold, gets the fatwas.

[readmoreoften]

3. Sounds reasonable.

:sarcasm:

[wuushew]

5. Why do people always post anti-Iranian stories?

All it does is spread a unconscious dislike and enmity towards another culture. You are doing Bush's work for him.

We only have the right to change or modify our own behavior. Having opinions on things we have no sovereignty over is a waste of time and counter productive.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. It's a human rights issue.

[wuushew]

8. Yeah so what

The United States already has economic sanctions on Iran and I certainly don't support their government through tourism.

Since I don't believe in using force, what more would you suggest be done? Just wait it out, many other noble causes are competing for attention.

[LostinVA]

11. You respond to a human rights issue with, "Yeah so what?"

:puke:

[Midlodemocrat]

12. I'm scratching my head at that, too.

:puke:

[LostinVA]

17. I found the perfect response to that

See below.

[wuushew]

14. Then you can answer the question

what is the point of this discussion and what is the ultimate purpose?

Are we talking about Iranian abuses solely out of anthropological curiosity?

[LostinVA]

16. We're talking about it to bother you

I think you need a hug.

:hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

18. ;

:rofl:

:thumbsup:

[Dr. Strange]

19. Hugging someone you're not married to?

That will be 14.6 lashes.

[LostinVA]

22. Uh oh -- we better bomb Iran!

(you know someone took that header seriously)

[Dr. Strange]

7. Why are you wasting your time posting this?

You can't change my behavior. Having an opinion on what I post is a waste of time and counter productive.

[riderinthestorm]

9. Gosh, why would anyone want to get a full picture of another culture?

From here on, only nicey-nice stories are to be published!! "Stay away from that man behind the curtain", says the great and powerful Oz!

(The censure police have spoken!)


:sarcasm:

[slackmaster]

20. I see it as a pro-dog story

Not anti-Iranian.

[McCamy Taylor]

25. This is a separation of Church and State issue. Iranians deserve liberty, too.

[BreweryYardRat]

26. Because some things are unquestionably wrong, no matter what the culture is?

Don't bother replying, you're now on ignore for stupidity.

[truebrit71]

27. Because they're led by a bunch of religious nutters...

...and we need to keep abreast of what these theological neanderthals are up to...

[notadmblnd]

10. I thought it was pigs they hated?

Oh, and the sole of a person's feet? Why all the dog hating?

[Dr. Strange]

13. Impure.

The dogs are at the centre of a theological controversy because Islam considers dogs to be impure.

But I think lolcats are still okay.

[Bobbieo]

15. Thank you for posting this. Always like to learn about another culture

and its religious beliefs.

[slackmaster]

21. Women too

:hi:

[Johonny]

23. hmm

Everytime I step in dog poo I'll wish I was in Iran? This seems unAmerican.

[Dr. Strange]

24. How often do you step in dog poo?

(Not counting trips into GD-P.)

[TheWraith]

28. I'd heard Mohammed was a cat person, but this is just ridiculous.

You want to know how religions go bad? It's when "scholars" get involved and start writing up rules. If you go back and read the original source, religions very rarely resemble the intent of their prophets.

[MasonJar]

29. The Muslims misinterpret their religion so ignominiously. Oh, sure, God really

said man's best friend is impure...not my god!!! If he had, I would never believe in him.

[DemoTex]

30. When's my whipping and where's my cell?

I just got back from walking Nick-Nick "in the streets" (actually, on the sidewalk).

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

31. Dubai tops this story. 4 years in prison for a grain of marijuana ... here ya go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2891860