We used to care about women's rights then we realized -- Hey, we're guys!!

This is actually the transcript from the end of "Meet The Press" this Sunday, August 20th. Not, surprisingly, the participants included three white men, including David "I Heart Hilary Duff" Gregory. And here's what they had to say (bold added by me for emphasis):

MR. GREGORY: Fast forward to this morning. Gentlemen, we put this on the screen from The New York Times. "[American ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay] Khalilzad had backed language [in the constitution] that would have given clerics sole authority in settling marriage and family disputes. That gave rise to concerns that women's rights, as they are annunciated in Iraq's existing laws, could be curtailed. ... [The[ arrangement, coupled with the expansive language for Islam, prompted accusations from [a Kurdish leader] that the Americans were helping in the formation of an Islamic state."

Mr. Diamond, is that a change of position?

MR. DIAMOND: It would be, I think, a substantial change if it's true. We need to wait and see what exactly is true. All of these are just reports. Let me say, I don't think we have--and I think Reuel would agree with this--we don't have the power anymore to foreclose this, to veto this. We're not a veto player there anymore. But neither do I think the United States should be endorsing it. And I think our clear stand should be in favor of individual rights and freedoms, including religious freedom, as vigorously as possible. So I hope the ambassador on the ground is standing up for that principle.

MR. GREGORY: Mr. Gerecht, the consequences of this?

MR. GERECHT: Actually, I'm not terribly worried about this. I mean, one hopes that the Iraqis protect women's social rights as much as possible. It certainly seems clear that in protecting the political rights, there's no discussion of women not having the right to vote. I think it's important to remember that in the year 1900, for example, in the United States, it was a democracy then. In 1900, women did not have the right to vote. If Iraqis could develop a democracy that resembled America in the 1900s, I think we'd all be thrilled. I mean, women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy. We hope they're there. I think they will be there. But I think we need to put this into perspective.

MR. GREGORY: All right. We're going to have to leave it there. Gentlemen, thank you. Reuel Marc Gerecht and Larry Diamond, we're going to leave it there. Thanks to you both.

And we will be right back.

(Announcements)

MR. GREGORY: That is all for today. Tim Russert will be back right here next week, because if it's Sunday, it's MEET THE PRESS.

Okay, so after I picked up my jaw from the floor after the bone-headed comment that "we'd be pretty happen with a democracy that resembled America in the 1900's", I wondered what exactly "we'd" be happy with? The virulent racism, anti-Catholicism and anti-Jewish sentiment of the KKK? The lynchings? Segregation? The soon-to-be enacted anti-Asian laws? Child Labor? God, such a virtual smorgasboard of bad not to mention subjugation of women.

And, I don't know if this is too obvious but the right to not have your father or brother murder you, the right to marry, escape an abusive relationship, protect your children or attend school is not a freaking "social right". And mullahs shouldn't have a say in these matters at all.

And the other two bozos were worse because they did not call him on it at all. One merely expressed "the hope" that America would do anything. David Gregory, just smiled. Such a nice smile for such ugly words. Maybe he was humming "So Yesterday" in his mind. It's so important to be friendly and be value free, right?

Because these three fellows do have the same values -- guys rule!! And, like John Roberts, would no doubt prefer an Islamic state like Saudi Arabia, the home the 9/11 bombers to Iraq, a country where women did have the right to vote, did not cover their hair, and went to school.

Or at least that's how I see it. Because in a society where merit was more important than gender, these guys would be unemployed.