is this right?

[sherminator]

http://news.bbc.co.uk...ld/europe/8480161.stm


Have to say I personally agree with this ruling. Happy for people to come up with a good argument against and happy to change my views as well if someone can think why this isnt a good thing!

[123everton]

On the contrary, the link talks about banning the veil in public buildings and on public transport, women are people (even Muslim women) and they are being threatened with a ban for wich many are in agreeance.
Chaka has mentioned at least twice about manners.
And, in other threads the posts of "them" being traitors for "their" anti-war protests are legion.
Maybe it's ok if you're white and middle class.
If that law came in here (public transport), the first thing I'd do is call a meeting and get a vote off the members, I'd then organise a mass protest of civil disobedience, I would invoke and implore revenue protection and security and audit to refuse to implement these laws, with multiple drivers every hour on the hour.
Bad law should be defied.

[naomi24]

Everton, What on earth are you talking about again? No one is calling for a ban on people from any section of society. They are simply asking those who wear burkas to show their faces in public, just as everyone else is obliged to do.

I get the impression from your continual references to class that you're a bit of an inverted snob - but that's only an impression you understand. ;o)

[123everton]

Well you'd be wrong, hippies were very middle class, everyone else was working cleaning up after them.
If they refuse to remove their veil will they be allowed access?

[naomi24]

'Hippies were very middle class and everyone else was working cleaning up after them?' Well, I don't know where you get that from, or what it has to do with this subject, but it'll be news to some of the people I know.

If the law states that faces must be exposed in public places, then everyone must, quite rightly, abide by the law.

[123everton]

So then they would be banned from entering then.

[naomi24]

Well, since everyone else would have to abide by the rule, I would hope so. Gosh, Everton, from reading your posts one could almost believe you support discrimination.

[Rev Sermon]

Naomi,

I think we'll have to agree to disagree but one comment on your reply to me, if you argue for banning the burka as it disguises the identity then surely you would have to similarly ban hoodies, balaclavas, those little dust masks the Japanese wear when anyone says bird flu etc, etc, etc..

If this is your view then it sort of agrees with my view of a ban only when there's a "real" reason but we're not going to agree as to whether this is too draconian or not. Sorry.

[Rev Sermon]

Wizard,
Not everybody's as beautiful as us.

[naomi24]

Rev, hoodies, balaclavas, and motorbike helmets are already banned in many places - for very 'real' reasons. Why do you think that anyone wearing the burka should be treated any differently to the rest of the population?

[naomi24]

It's all to do with man's apparent inability to control himself, Wiz.

[naomi24]

Wiz, I can't think of another reason, but there must be a more rational one, so hopefully someone will enlighten me.

[naomi24]

Well, Wiz, that apparently is the reason these women spend their lives in hiding, but that doesn't explain why we should give them special dispensation, or why they should receive preferential treatment, or why this country should compromise its security.

[naomi24]

Sorry Wiz, your last post wasn't there when I posted. We shall see.

[naomi24]

True, but in reality the reason these women are enshrouded in a burka is irrelevant. The real question is should they alone be entitled to preserve their anonymity?