French Government Bans the Burka

I am very surprised at my reaction to banning the burka. On one hand, after majoring in Women's Issues, I have always been sensitive to how women are treated or mistreated throughout the world. How different cultures treat women and behave towards women today, in the so-called "modern age". The burka, to me, smacks of women's rights being violated, women becoming invisible, women being controlled by the patriarchy, women remaining in the background, literally. For me it was sexual . . . if women don't hide their body and faces behind a robe and a veil, men will get excited looking at them and want them sexually. We don't mask the men, we hide the women from their view. As if men can't control themselves, so women must remove their suggestive bodies and faces from the lascivious leer of men.

Is a burka required garb? Are we talking required by law, by the Koran, by their husbands, by their God? Or do some women wear it because they feel more comfortable not being leered at by men . . . because it is a religious belief that they must remain modest? . . . because it is their culture? I always believed that the burka was a way of male domination over women. I was so opposed . . . I, of course, believe that women everywhere should be free. Free to do as they please, free to be educated, free to pick their own mate, free to not get married, free to have a child or not, free to drive, free to be outside their home without a male escort, free to make their own decisions. Whatever those decisions are.

To that degree, I have not changed. I believe that women should be free to make their own choices (this applies to their bodies too, i.e. abortion rights, contraceptive rights etc.).

So why am I so opposed to the French law that bans the burka? I surprised even myself . . .

not to mention my French husband!

Women's rights. That is what this law is about . . . to me . . . in my opinion . . .

Men still telling women what they can and can't do, can't wear, can't can't can't . . .

It is not that I am for the burka or against it . . . it is merely that women should be able to make that choice.

What do you think? Tell me your opinion . . .

Some things in life are just too bizarre!

Friends who won't fly in a small plane

There are always those . . . there is always one . . . My mother once warned me not to fly in a small plane, when a date offered to fly me to Death Valley for dinner in his plane . . . I was impressed, but my mother said . . . "You have small children to think about. You can't be so careless with your life . . . " I went anyway . . .

Now we have our own small plane, a beautiful Bonanza flying out of Santa Monica. My beautiful husband is a pilot and we fly somewhere at least once a week. I have taken 10 hours of flight instruction just in case someday I might need to fly the plane. But friends of mine, who say they don't want to fly should fly with us. The fear is in the mind, there is nothing scary at all, in f act, quite the opposite . . . it is so beautiful to fly just above the ground and take pictures and see the world from a different perspective. And for those who hear all these 'horror stories' about small planes . . . I say . . . what about all those horrific car crashes we read about every day? We don't stop driving?? Anyway, it is always fun to share our adventures and fear keeps many of my friends from experiencing a wonderful activity that we have a chance to share. I have never had anyone with a plane before, so I think this is an opportunity for all of my friends to experience with us. Put your fear aside and your sense of adventure ahead of you. Live Life . . . if not now . . .when??

Married 6 months today

Congratulations to Joani and Marcel . . . 6 months of wedded bliss. No bitchellati here!!

Couldn't be happier and more in love . . . Life is perfect. It took a long time . . . 27 years since my divorce, but definitely worth the wait. We were married at the Ritz Carlton in the Marina on a beautiful November day among family and friends. Thank you to everyone who was there to share our joy and to those friends who were away and not able to share the day, but share the love anyway. We had a wonderful honeymoon in Martinique, then traveled to France for the holidays and skied in the Three Valleys . . .

Living, loving, playing tennis . . . does life get better than this?

Shopping or Sex?

Do women really think more about shopping than men think about sex?  One woman said she doesn't think about either.  

What are the odds?

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

By JOANI J. STEWART

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LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

By JOANI J. STEWART

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I am proud to announce the publication of my newest book of photographs. Soon to be announced will be the BOOK BITCHELLATI - but until then, make yourself feel good with a book of beautiful images. Click on the link and see for yourself.