Based on a recent Associated Press report, I’m pretty sure that the revolution in Libya is about to be handed to the rebels. Their secret weapon is a “khaki-clad” heavyset solider with thick makeup named Ibtisam Saadeddin who has been given the assignment of keeping order at Tripoli’s women’s-only gas station. According to reporter Diaa Hadid, Saadeddin takes her job extremely seriously, showing her support of Gadhafi by wearing a pin on her uniform of the dictator with another attached to her green headscarf. If the iconic images are not enough to show her support, she openly beams, “He is the crown of my head.”
Today, the sun is beating down with the forecast of 104 degrees expected and Saadeddin is “barking orders.” This particular pump is the only one approved for use by women.
Libya does not treat women in the same way other Arab nations like Saudi Arabia does. In fact, the juxtaposition of women drivers with a female military overseer is far from the norm that American women have come to expect. But a woman’s-only gas station cannot lead to much good.
Quoting a woman waiting in line in the AP story, “I’ve waited four days for fuel. It’s so tiring,” said Sana Njeim, a 26-year-old computer student. She said her life revolved around gas lines. She leaves only to go to class, eat and sleep, leaving her car in neutral so the men can roll it forward.”
Four Days! I’ve got to give credit to the men who are helping to push the cars. Njeim, who is clearly exhausted and spent begins to offer more criticism of her plight including the high price of food and other staples. During the interview, she is quickly shut down by some of these helpful men who demand that she only say nice things about the country and their “beloved” dictator, one man shoves “a picture of Gadhafi on her rearview mirror. ‘Tell her you love the leader!’ he barked.”
Saadeddin joins in with her plump fists pounding in the air calling out how much she loves the “crown of her head.” Other men chime in and before you know it, there is a chorus of loyalists together as one chanting the love and loyalty of the dictator.
The reporter notes, “None of the women waiting in cars joined in.”
The revolution is nearly over. I can feel it.
