EmmaGoodEgg

Obama On Women's Rights

Standing center stage at the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, US President Barack Obama had plenty more to say on Islam and the west but here's what he said about women's rights:

"I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

Now let me be clear: issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world."

You can find the transcript of the speech here.

New Moon Trailer

Much to the anticipation of many, New Moon the second part to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, is due for theatrical release on 20 November 2009. Here's the official trailer:

Let's hope New Moon the movie has more Mr-Edward-Please-Bite-Me-With-Your-Fangs-Cullen than the book did.

President Obama To Speak To The Muslim World

US President Barack Obama will travel to Egypt for a historic speech in which he will seek to strengthen US relations with the Arab world and the larger Muslim world. The speech is scheduled to take place at 1310 Cairo time on 4 June, or 6.10pm Brunei Time.
For those of you in Brunei, you can watch it live here:

· Al-Jazeera (Channel 513, Astro)
· CNN International (Channel 511, Astro)
· BBC World (Channel 512, Astro)

Why Archie Won't Marry Veronica

Hands-up anyone who has NEVER read an Archie comic book in their life. Well, at least those I know do. My father used to buy Archie comics when I was younger and well-thumbed copies of it were strewn about our home, often in the kitchen and bathrooms (it was our choice of great bathroom reads). The hero of the comic is namesake Archie Andrews, all American ginger-head high school student. He lives in a fictional town called Riverdale and goes to Riverdale High School. His best friend is Jughead, a slothful cute boy who ambles through life devouring hamburgers. His other best friend is Betty Cooper. Blond, all American sweetheart. Betty's best friend is Veronica Lodge, the spoiled dark-haired heiress who has Archie eating out of the palm of her hand. Then there are the great secondary characters of Moose and Midge, Reggie Mantle the III, Dilton Doiley, Miss Bernice Beazly, to name but a few. Their names are enough to bring a little cheer. To this day my sisters read Archie comics over Tabasco and a splash of Indo Mie.

So this is the landmark 600th issue of Archie which the folks over at comicbook.com say will set the tone for the wedding of the century. Where for years Archie has been flitting about through high school like a teenage butterfly between Betty and Veronica, finally proposes to Veronica. There's outrage in the forums on the prospect of Archie marrying Veronica and not long-suffering Betty. But let's see what you think:

poll by twiigs.com