Richard Gere arrested for kissing Bollywood star?

[FaT_tONle]

ROFL... this is too funny... that youtube clip was much more "vulgar in my opinion...

 

[jaguarr]

Those morons are blowing this crap way out of proportion. Not to mention the fact that this whole ordeal simply reeks of hypocrisy on part of the Indians. You think they're culturally conservative? B.S! I've seen far more 'vulgar' antics being performed in Bollywood stage dance routines that have a dozen guys simultaneously groping for every available inch of a single chick. Issuing out warrants for public kisses while your own film industry approves steamy sex scenes in films is downright ******ed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7N-bR6EUos

Yup, that's the very babe Gere kissed.

Yeah, but Gere's a Whitey so you've gotta figure that has some bearing. The Indian caste system is f**ked up, anyway, not to mention how they tend to view women.

jag

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Gere is a fool for not studying those people's customs before he did something like that, that being said this seems to be a total overreaction. Can they just accept his apology and be done with it?

 

[Capt Throbberson]

Those morons are blowing this crap way out of proportion. Not to mention the fact that this whole ordeal simply reeks of hypocrisy on part of the Indians. You think they're culturally conservative? B.S! I've seen far more 'vulgar' antics being performed in Bollywood stage dance routines that have a dozen guys simultaneously groping for every available inch of a single chick. Issuing out warrants for public kisses while your own film industry approves steamy sex scenes in films is downright ******ed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7N-bR6EUos

Yup, that's the very babe Gere kissed.

I wonder if it'd be alright if he rubbed his face in her crotch.

 

[terry78]

I wonder if it'd be alright if he rubbed his face in her crotch.

That would signal a huge Bollywood song and dance number.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Yeah, but Gere's a Whitey so you've gotta figure that has some bearing. The Indian caste system is f**ked up, anyway, not to mention how they tend to view women.

jag

WTF are you talking about dude? Indian caste system??? That sh:t has been dead for like thousands of years... sure there is still an upper and lower class but what country doesn't have that? I don't know what you are referring to... and its not like Indian women are forced to wear veils covering everything. Learn about other customs first before making baseless statements like that

 

[jaguarr]

WTF are you talking about dude? Indian caste system??? That sh:t has been dead for like thousands of years... sure there is still an upper and lower class but what country doesn't have that? I don't know what you are referring to... and its not like Indian women are forced to wear veils covering everything. Learn about other customs first before making baseless statements like that

I WORK with a bunch of Indians, jackass. Trust me...there is a caste system in India. It's far from dead. Read this:

http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/india.htm

And this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_caste_system

jag

 

[Kyalesyin]

Jag 1
fatwhatever 0

 

[FaT_tONle]

I WORK with a bunch of Indians, jackass. Trust me...there is a caste system in India. It's far from dead. Read this:

http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/india.htm

And this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_caste_system

jag

No sh:t.... but how exactly is that ****ed up... most Indians consider themselves to be among the Brahaman caste anyway... and believe me... they are all not priests... it has changed dramatically over time... India is still an impoverished country. There are a lot of servants... but its the only way they can make a living... I don't get how its so ****ed up when you clearly know nothing about it

 

[jaguarr]

No sh:t.... but how exactly is that ****ed up... most Indians consider themselves to be among the Brahaman caste anyway... and believe me... they are all not priests... it has changed dramatically over time... India is still an impoverished country. There are a lot of servants... but its the only way they can make a living... I don't get how its so ****ed up when you clearly know nothing about it

Hold on, now. You initially said this:

WTF are you talking about dude? Indian caste system??? That sh:t has been dead for like thousands of years... sure there is still an upper and lower class but what country doesn't have that? I don't know what you are referring to... and its not like Indian women are forced to wear veils covering everything. Learn about other customs first before making baseless statements like that

Clearly it is NOT dead, as you first intimated. So, now you are backtracking and saying that it does exist. Well, which is it? Secondly, the caste system isn't just boiled down to upper and lower classes in India. It's very complex and dictates where in the social strata people may choose their careers, how they may marry, etc. It's loosened considerably in many parts of highly modernized cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, but it is still present and a factor in the vast majority of the lives of Indians at least to a certain extent if not much more. Why is it f**ked up? It's f**ked up because many of the people who are subject to it have very limited prospects in life. They find it horribly difficult if not impossible to go outside those caste boundaries in their career choices or even over whom they may wish to marry. Life is almost pre-determined for them and they have little say in their destiny (this is more true for those that are living in areas where the caste system is more rigid, obviously, but it does influence even the cultures of bigger, more modernized cities). THAT is f**ked up. I question your knowledge on the subject, to be honest.

jag

 

[ck51100]

going to get popcorn.....

 

[ck51100]

definately popcorn....

 

[Kyalesyin]

going to get popcorn.....

Ditto me that please

 

[FaT_tONle]

Hold on, now. You initially said this:
Clearly it is NOT dead, as you first intimated. So, now you are backtracking and saying that it does exist. Well, which is it?

I should have said its not entirely dead... but clearly those caste systems don't hold the place that they used to anymore... Brahmins are not comprised of just priests and priests certainly don't carry out any sacrifices and things of that nature... the people that fall into those respective classes do not adhere to those ancient customs any longer... the system has changed dramatically

Secondly, the caste system isn't just boiled down to upper and lower classes in India. It's very complex and dictates where in the social strata people may choose their careers, how they may marry, etc. It's loosened considerably in many parts of highly modernized cities like Bangalore and Mumbai, but it is still present and a factor in the vast majority of the lives of Indians at least to a certain extent if not much more.

The problems you are bringing up have more so to do with poverty and being the most populated country in the world for his size... of course there will not be equality in a country like that. How can you have equal opportunity for 1.1 billion people even if the country is a democracy. But the majority pf people that do have education can move up and marry whomever they please... people are not stuck on one level and thats that.

Why is it f**ked up? It's f**ked up because many of the people who are subject to it have very limited prospects in life. They find it horribly difficult if not impossible to go outside those caste boundaries in their career choices or even over whom they may wish to marry. Again
Life is almost pre-determined for them and they have little say in their destiny (this is more true for those that are living in areas where the caste system is more rigid, obviously, but it does influence even the cultures of bigger, more modernized cities). THAT is f**ked up. I question your knowledge on the subject, to be honest. jag

What... are people supposed to discount a thousand years of their culture and neglect the rich history and tradition of their ancestors? Maybe its ****ed up to you... but thats just an ignorant thing to say... the problems you have pointed out have to do with economic status which is completely unrelated whatsoever to the caste system itself. If you are born in a rich family you will obviously be educated enough to see beyond the caste system and have the freedom to do as you will... those who are born into poorer less educated families simply have not had the opportunity to study in universities and move up in society. Those are the facts... there is no preordianed mandates everyone has to abide by... its simply the economy that need more work... and believe me India is on the rise in that department

 

[jaguarr]

Don't get me wrong. I'm fully aware that India's economy is on the rise in a very big way. But in talking with my Indian friends, they're the first to talk about how they are somewhat limited in the career paths they can pursue and whom they can marry. And they do view it as a function of the caste system, which had a HUGE impact on how the socio-economic stratas of that country were developed and that's something you're overlooking. It's a cause and effect relationship. Yes, the socio-economic system there is very limiting in what people can or can't pursue in their life, but it is a direct result of the caste system's influence on their society.

And, they don't always have freedom to choose whom they marry. Just ask the woman I used to work with who was basically forced by her family to return to India to marry some guy she'd never even met before that they'd chosen for her.

Is it ignorant to find a system that limits people from the get-go based on what strata of society they are born into "f**ked up"? You can call it what you want but, personally, I find it deplorable and unfair. Just because I find it as such doesn't mean I don't understand why it is that way, where it came from or that it has been a part of their culture for thousands of years. The fact that I understand all of that and still find it f**ked up makes it all the more justified as far as I'm concerned. But damn me and my views that humans should be able to be or do whatever they want to be without the social trappings that so many would seek to limit their fellow man with.

jag

 

[Kyalesyin]

Jag 2
Fatwhatever 0

 

[FaT_tONle]

Don't get me wrong. I'm fully aware that India's economy is on the rise in a very big way. But in talking with my Indian friends, they're the first to talk about how they are somewhat limited in the career paths they can pursue and whom they can marry. And they do view it as a function of the caste system, which had a HUGE impact on how the socio-economic stratas of that country were developed and that's something you're overlooking. It's a cause and effect relationship. Yes, the socio-economic system there is very limiting in what people can or can't pursue in their life, but it is a direct result of the caste system's influence on their society.

Lets back up a minute hear... if your friends live in this country... which I am sure they do... they are simply conforming to the standards set by their parents... its not something they are chained to a cross with... yeah maybe their parents will look down upon them if they date outside the culture or do something other than "becoming a doctor" or some sh:t... but it comes down to the individual and whether they chose to honor their parents customs and authority or do whatever they please. Its whatever they value more... I know a lot of Indians that want to please their parents first and foremost but that doesn't have to be the case. Especially in the US.

And, they don't always have freedom to choose whom they marry. Just ask the woman I used to work with who was basically forced by her family to return to India to marry some guy she'd never even met before that they'd chosen for her.

Again... it obviously doesn't have to be that way. You've seen movies... you know this... and she knows it too... if she was independent financially she could obviously do better for herself

Is it ignorant to find a system that limits people from the get-go based on what strata of society they are born into "f**ked up"? You can call it what you want but, personally, I find it deplorable and unfair. Just because I find it as such doesn't mean I don't understand why it is that way, where it came from or that it has been a part of their culture for thousands of years. The fact that I understand all of that and still find it f**ked up makes it all the more justified as far as I'm concerned. But damn me and my views that humans should be able to be or do whatever they want to be without the social trappings that so many would seek to limit their fellow man with.jag

Yare still exagerrating the problems... its isn't like it was back in ancient times. These castes, while unique among themselves, do not dictate the lives of most Indians today. Its just a valued custom that has been important for 4000 years... the cases you are pointing out are extreme examples in rural and impoverished areas of the country... but this doesn't even make up the majority any more... basically it DOES come down to an upper and lower class. The caste labels are just their to maintain structure and uniqueness among the society... showing that everyone has their place... it really has no justifiable influence beyond that

 

[jaguarr]

Lets back up a minute hear... if your friends live in this country... which I am sure they do... they are simply conforming to the standards set by their parents... its not something they are chained to a cross with... yeah maybe their parents will look down upon them if they date outside the culture or do something other than "becoming a doctor" or some sh:t... but it comes down to the individual and whether they chose to honor their parents customs and authority or do whatever they please. Its whatever they value more... I know a lot of Indians that want to please their parents first and foremost but that doesn't have to be the case. Especially in the US.

That's a part of how the caste system works in the first place, dude. The wanting to honor your family is a HUGE part of it. And that includes not only doing what your family expects you to but not necessarily giving opportunities to people from outside your caste.

Again... it obviously doesn't have to be that way. You've seen movies... you know this... and she knows it too... if she was independent financially she could obviously do better for herself

Uhmm...movies don't reflect reality, rarely if ever. They are movies. And anyone can do whatever they want to when they are financially independent. But, if you're limited by a socio-economic strata based on a limiting caste system, it's very difficult to break out from that. Especially if you don't want to dishonor your family or lose their approval of you.

Yare still exagerrating the problems... its isn't like it was back in ancient times. These castes, while unique among themselves, do not dictate the lives of most Indians today. Its just a valued custom that has been important for 4000 years... the cases you are pointing out are extreme examples in rural and impoverished areas of the country... but this doesn't even make up the majority any more... basically it DOES come down to an upper and lower class. The caste labels are just their to maintain structure and uniqueness among the society... showing that everyone has their place... it really has no justifiable influence beyond that

I never said it was like it was back in ancient times. You did. However, to think that the majority of India has been modernized is very naive on your part. The VAST majority of it is still quite rural and the caste system in those areas are VERY rigid. Most of the people who go to the bigger cities for their education and to work are a product of those rural areas. Guess what they bring with them when they move to those bigger cities? Yep...a pretty rigid view of the caste system. Some of them unlearn it while they're in the city, but many don't. So even if someone doesn't believe in or follow the caste system themselves at an individual level anymore, they are still affected by it because they live in a society that still has a lot of people who do believe in and follow it. It's really nowhere near as simple as upper and lower class. There are a lot of subtle layers inbetween that are direct results of the socio-economic stratas that developed out of the caste system. It's still a huge influence.

I'm not even sure what it is you're trying to argue at this point because you started out arguing that the caste system had been dead for thousands of years in your first post. Then you argued that I was ignoring thousands of years of cultural development in my viewpoints, which is ironic because you're the one who seems to be ignoring how the caste system has not only evolved itself, but how it's the direct cause of the socio-economic stratas that India currently has today. In fact, you seem to be arguing that a caste system that has existed for thousands of years and directly contributed to the development of a very complex socio-economic strata system is suddenly extinct and no longer a factor in modern India without any real compelling reason or evidence as to why that would be.

jag

 

[Kyalesyin]

Jag 3
Fatwhatever 0

 

[Mr. Smash'n Bash]

Whoever wins, we lose!

 

[TheDeparted]

anyone else think its funny, that a country, like India, that has such a high population, would be offended by public affection... specailly a harmless display like a arched back kiss...

I mean, how many millions live in India... everyone is screwing over there....

 

[Spider-Bite]

this is so incredibly stupid. this makes me feel like racist or something, but I have to say it.

Most people in the middle east are not very smart. Geez, just grow up people.

 

[TheDeparted]

India's main past time is having sex.... what's the big deal....

 

[Warhammer]

Customs aside, this is nothing more than overreaction. All people can do is b!tch, b!tch, b!tch, when there are plenty of other things to worry about.

 

[terry78]

this is so incredibly stupid. this makes me feel like racist or something, but I have to say it.

Most people in the middle east are not very smart. Geez, just grow up people.

You're right, that was kind of racist.