Teacher to Be Flogged for "Blasphemy"

Gillian Gibbons is 54 years old, and why she chose to teach in the Sudan, where they routinely treat women badly, I don't know. Anyway, she "allowed" her class to name a teddy bear "Mohammed," after one of the children in the class. The Sudanese government took time out from murdering thousands to condemn her to "40 lashes" for "insulting religion." Of course, a reading of their newspapers shows us that they aren't afraid to insult other people's religion, daily. Of course, when they say, "religion," they mean Islam alone. Ms. Gibbons is no youngster, 40 lashes could be a death sentence for her. As of today, the National Organization of Women have no comment. Maybe they think they'll be next under the lash if they do -- or they just don't care about a woman who would teach in Sudan. This report says she has not been charged. But unless "cooler heads" prevail, she will be. (Update: No whip for this woman. They sentenced her to 15 days in jail and will deport her. This for "allowing" children to name a teddy bear "Mohammed.") (CNN, 11/26/07)