Russian woman put on trial in Dubai for drinking juice in public2. Comment #254129 by practicing atheis on September 25, 2008 at 11:48 am
after the billions of dollars that have been spent in the UAE by the government for the construction of the new hot spot tourist attraction for the jet-setters of the world, this makes no sense. in fact, it is just plain stupid. they are essentially going after the european leisure market and this incident will turn away more people than the fancy new buildings and man-made islands and indoor skiing facilities could ever attract. dumb-asses.3. Comment #254130 by TheHardProblem on September 25, 2008 at 11:49 am
'Put on trial' is maybe put a little dramatic here, the woman is given a fine, something you get as well for speeding.4. Comment #254131 by Ex~ on September 25, 2008 at 11:49 am
5. Comment #254133 by decius on September 25, 2008 at 11:52 am
'Put on trial' is maybe put a little dramatic here,
I find this to be pretty much acceptable, from a cultural point of view.
6. Comment #254150 by DamnDirtyApe on September 25, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Sounds a little too draconian for my liking.7. Comment #254154 by textnotspeech on September 25, 2008 at 12:11 pm
TheHardProblem = Troll or Asshat8. Comment #254157 by quantum_flux on September 25, 2008 at 12:12 pm
9. Comment #254161 by Sargeist on September 25, 2008 at 12:16 pm
10. Comment #254162 by History_Junky on September 25, 2008 at 12:17 pm
11. Comment #254181 by javb222 on September 25, 2008 at 12:29 pm
12. Comment #254184 by kaiserkriss on September 25, 2008 at 12:32 pm
13. Comment #254191 by PaulJ on September 25, 2008 at 12:37 pm
14. Comment #254193 by Sargeist on September 25, 2008 at 12:40 pm
If you obey the law you've nothing to fear.Yes. And?
15. Comment #254215 by Greybishop on September 25, 2008 at 1:05 pm
16. Comment #254216 by D'Arcy on September 25, 2008 at 1:08 pm
17. Comment #254217 by Sargeist on September 25, 2008 at 1:08 pm
18. Comment #254226 by the great teapot on September 25, 2008 at 1:17 pm
What the fuck does Meh mean.19. Comment #254238 by Greybishop on September 25, 2008 at 1:28 pm
The young people told the court that they were not Muslims and were thus unaware of the fact that their actions could be punishable.
20. Comment #254244 by 8teist on September 25, 2008 at 1:32 pm
21. Comment #254250 by Samir Nayanajaad on September 25, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I have to agree with Greybishop on this. He said what I was thinking.22. Comment #254251 by Sargeist on September 25, 2008 at 1:39 pm
23. Comment #254255 by Frankus1122 on September 25, 2008 at 1:41 pm
I find this to be pretty much acceptable, from a cultural point of view.
While I don't think it's reasonable to fine someone for drinking juice in public, the laws of the country are the laws of the country and while you're there, they apply to you. It makes no difference what one thinks is "right" or "wrong".
24. Comment #254274 by Greybishop on September 25, 2008 at 2:03 pm
The laws of the land are the laws of the land. No arguement. But that the laws of the land are reasonable and acceptable is arguable. In fact, to say something is acceptable because it is part of a cultural history is stupid.
South Africa had system of legal racial segregation less than 20 years ago. Was that acceptable? Just because something is institutionalized or part of a culture does not automatically make it okay.
25. Comment #254293 by Janus on September 25, 2008 at 2:20 pm
26. Comment #254315 by Greybishop on September 25, 2008 at 2:39 pm
The point is that fining or imprisoning people for drinking juice is morally wrong.
27. Comment #254329 by Jaz on September 25, 2008 at 2:47 pm
28. Comment #254331 by Swordmaiden on September 25, 2008 at 2:47 pm
29. Comment #254355 by Greybishop on September 25, 2008 at 3:03 pm
This, however, is an example of absolute 100% irrationality which ONLY exists because of loyalty to absurd religious traditions.
It has nothing to do with eastern vs western morality, why are you bringing that into it?
The point is that fining or imprisoning people for drinking juice is morally wrong.
30. Comment #254367 by clintonjason on September 25, 2008 at 3:11 pm
31. Comment #254372 by mrjonno on September 25, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Well not wanting to defend stupid laws if say a Texan walked around London with a hand gun in his belt the minimum punishment by law would be 5 years in jail. More likely the police would probably just shoot you , the person involved might well not live long enough to see a trial and the vast majority of Brits (including me) would support the police's action for what I believe is no crime whatsoever in Texas?32. Comment #254374 by Eshto on September 25, 2008 at 3:27 pm
33. Comment #254379 by Goldy on September 25, 2008 at 3:38 pm
34. Comment #254394 by Ohnhai on September 25, 2008 at 3:58 pm
35. Comment #254406 by MaxWeiss on September 25, 2008 at 4:16 pm
The problem with all the people who think this isn't so bad is that it goes beyond cultural differences. If it was something like you can't wear skimpy clothes, that's different--that's an acceptable cultural thing. But the problem with this particular incident is that they are preventing people from eating and drinking, and this is a HEALTH concern. It is possible somebody will need food or water desperately. This is NOT an acceptable "cultural" difference. Granted the people should have studied the rules of where they were going and they are somewhat at fault for their ignorance, but that doesn't change the fact that the law is NOT ok.36. Comment #254408 by Sciros on September 25, 2008 at 4:19 pm
37. Comment #254411 by MaxWeiss on September 25, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I was simply pointing out that the idea of morality is to at least a degree dependant on perspective. We dislike it when it's suggested that Sharia Law should be applied anywhere in the West, so to suggest that a Western definition of the morality of a law should apply in a Middle Eastern country seems at least problematic.
38. Comment #254419 by Jesus Jones on September 25, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Although the thought of drinking juice being punishable is humourous and worrying, I have to agree with Sargeist and Greybishop.39. Comment #254420 by NoXion on September 25, 2008 at 4:44 pm
1: it is a Muslim country
2: it wanst a lynching, it was a valid law on the books and well known.
3: Ignorance of local laws is no defence...
4: not brushing up on local laws that might trip you up BEFORE you go there is simply stupid...
In the UK I play Airsoft, it's illegal here in Australia. Can you imagine the mess I would have been in if I had simply ASSUMED airsoft was also legal and got off the plane with my totally illegal toy guns?
40. Comment #254429 by Greybishop on September 25, 2008 at 4:54 pm
It is only acceptable to infringe on another's rights when by doing so you prevent him from infringing on others. This is a basic moral commonality throughout all civilized nations.
There is no threat posed by people drinking during the day, and it is absolutely unacceptable to force people not to eat or drink. Period.
It is not a valid law, as it forces non-Muslims to abide by Muslim customs or face punishment for not holding to certain unsubstantiated beliefs (in this case, that drinking juice during the day offends Allah).
41. Comment #254447 by ukvillafan on September 25, 2008 at 5:08 pm
42. Comment #254450 by A on September 25, 2008 at 5:10 pm
If we let these bastards drink juice in public we will be a small step away from Darwinism, let's kill off this nascent display of worldliness now.43. Comment #254459 by Greybishop on September 25, 2008 at 5:20 pm
The point of the story is that this country is a theocracy and it passess laws that are a) based on superstitious nonsense and b) discriminatory against all non-muslims
44. Comment #254461 by SPS on September 25, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I wonder what the chances are of finding out this type of thing is against the law even if you were to 'brush up' on it before going there. It's not the type of action one would immediately associate with the violation of law.45. Comment #254463 by Greybishop on September 25, 2008 at 5:38 pm
wonder what the chances are of finding out this type of thing is against the law even if you were to 'brush up' on it before going there
Ramadan
During the Holy Month of Ramadan all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and eating, drinking and smoking in public areas during daylight hours should be avoided.
46. Comment #254466 by SPS on September 25, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Greybishop,47. Comment #254467 by Border Collie on September 25, 2008 at 5:45 pm
48. Comment #254472 by m-man on September 25, 2008 at 6:00 pm
F*CKING islam, i am so sick of this sh*t,49. Comment #254476 by NoXion on September 25, 2008 at 6:18 pm
A mouse can protest that being eaten by a cat is not a moral act and that the law of nature that says predators eat prey is invalid. The cat's still going to enjoy its dinner.
Further, the law in Dubai doesn't ask that you "Hold to certain beliefs" but that you abide by their practices, which happen to be shaped by their beliefs
If you are in a persons home and they ask you not to eat in the living room, you abide by their request. After all, it's their home and the reason they asked you not to eat in the living room is irrelevant.
And as we are SO fond of saying whenever the idea of imposing Sharia Law in a Western country comes up:
"If you want to live under the laws of your home country, go back home."
50. Comment #254477 by WilliamP on September 25, 2008 at 6:18 pm
If Dubai wants to be the tourist destination it aims to be, it should be more liberal.
1. Comment #254119 by DarwinsPitbull on September 25, 2008 at 11:30 am
PS: We should also go after these people who think its perfectly okay to chew gum in public. Off with there heads.
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