Five Absurd Things I Heard in August

We run across absurdities every day because people exaggerate, twist facts, or spread misinformation. Here are some recent examples.

Photo by author

Women in the United States are as bad off under Republicans as women in Afghanistan are under the Taliban.

I hear this a lot on social media, online communities, and most often in The Washington Post “Comments” section. And every time I hear it, I think of how ridiculous it is.

Afghan women, under the restrictive, oppressive, and misogynist reign of Taliban terrorists, are not allowed to attend school beyond sixth grade, leave home without a male guardian, work in local jobs, go to gyms, parks, or other public places, or speak in public, since the high-pitched trill of a woman’s voice might sound provocative to a man. Women must remain covered from head to toe, their faces shielded, even if it obstructs their vision.

Show me a place in the United States where women suffer this same level of legal oppression, and you’ll change my mind.

If Trump or Kamala win, it will mean the end of Democracy.