I...Agree with the French

[AlexanderSextus]

As a yankee i must continue our historical tradition of siding with the french on this one...

[Fragony]

There is no need to ban the burka, you have to be recognisable on the street, current laws are fine

finger -> face MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA shambling sleepingbag

disrespect is key.

[Zim]

Burkinis are pretty silly (well, they're a clever adaptation for those feeling obliged to follow a pretty silly rule anyway) but it seems odd to have a pool ban a type of clothing designed for swimming in. I suppose if they thought they'd lose a lot of business they wouldn't do it. Still odd.

It is kind of funny to see a French pool keeping people out for wearing too much, here it'd likely be for wearing too little (possibly with the same argument of the clothing, or lack thereof, being degrading to women).

As far as the government appointing 32 legislators to spend six months trying to find ways to limit the use of the Burkha....that's interesting. I guess it keeps them from causing the kind of trouble they might in their normal duties, although I'm sure they'll find a way to cause trouble with their current assignment.

[Kralizec]

I despise islamic dress code, but part of me is uncomfortable with banning them. Strictly speaking they don't harm anyone.

Emerainville Mayor Alain Kelyor said "all this has nothing to do with Islam", adding that the swimsuit was "not an Islamic swimsuit" and that "that type of suit does not exist in the Koran".

I always think it's odd when people do this. You never hear of protestants lecturing catholics on how to venerate saints, or McDonalds refusing to allow jews inside because they're not allowed to eat there according to their religion...

Somebody should try entering a French pool in a diving suit to see if anyone makes a complaint about it.

[InsaneApache]

Is Burka short for Berkshire Hunt?

[Husar]

There is no need to ban the burka, you have to be recognisable on the street, current laws are fine

finger -> face MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA shambling sleepingbag

disrespect is key.

Wouldn't that be illegal under the anti-discrimination laws that countries like Norway, Sweden and Germany have?

[Fragony]

Wouldn't that be illegal under the anti-discrimination laws that countries like Norway, Sweden and Germany have?

So what, if they insist on asking more than we are prepared to give humiliate the crap out of them, mock them, redicule them, up to the point that they simply can't take it anymore, and after that laugh them in their face until they start enjoying it and laugh along. Presto.

[Idaho]

So what, if they insist on asking more than we are prepared to give humiliate the crap out of them, mock them, redicule them, up to the point that they simply can't take it anymore, and after that laugh them in their face until they start enjoying it and laugh along. Presto.

So harrass and abuse people who do things differently to you Fragony. Nice.

[rory_20_uk]

You're right. Allow everything that a culture somewhere finds OK. Knives under cots? Sure, why not. Dogmatic teaching from a young age? It works abroad, why not here? Never offend others sensibilities, so everyone must take shoes off before entering a house of Mosque. Mustn't let police work offend anyone. Polygamy? Well, rather legalise it than cause any offence. Cutting sheep's throats in the back garden? Well, if their grandfathers did it we can't change them can we? Church bells causing offence? Better stop them too whilst we're at it. The Queen is defender of the Faith. Clearly that's discrimination. Better scrap that too.

[Idaho]

You're right. Allow everything that a culture somewhere finds OK. Knives under cots? Sure, why not. Dogmatic teaching from a young age? It works abroad, why not here? Never offend others sensibilities, so everyone must take shoes off before entering a house of Mosque. Mustn't let police work offend anyone. Polygamy? Well, rather legalise it than cause any offence. Cutting sheep's throats in the back garden? Well, if their grandfathers did it we can't change them can we? Church bells causing offence? Better stop them too whilst we're at it. The Queen is defender of the Faith. Clearly that's discrimination. Better scrap that too.

What the devil are you wittering on about We are talking about the right of people to wear whatever clothes they like.

Church bells causing offence eh? That sounds like a classic example of a news agenda puff-piece. I'd love you to find the actual story behind that. You sound like you have swallowed a year's subscription to the Daily Mail. A lot of unsubstantiated nonsense masquarading as 'British culture in crisis'.

Once again I ask - what about your life has been compromised in any way by people wearing hijab?

[Centurion1]

What has Afghanistan got to do with this? This is about european law.

Taliban and their anti-female laws.

It is denigrating to women. I don't know if you can revoke the privilege unless you infringe on personal freedoms. The women don't complain because that is their culture but as soon as they gain some freedom from their male oppressors i am sure they won't want to wear the burkha. i mean it doesn't really look very convient, must really mess with your peripherals.


Gosh i felt like a feminist for a minute there.

[Vladimir]

Gosh i felt like a feminist for a minute there.

There's no shame in that. I've considered myself a lesbian for years.

Alright, let's take a chick in a full islamic dress with a hijab and stuff and compare her to a Catholic nun. Both are covered, both do it out of devotion to God. Nobody would ever give a nun a hard time over the way she is dressed.

Nuns don't swim in their habit/robe thing.

[Idaho]

Taliban and their anti-female laws.

It is denigrating to women. I don't know if you can revoke the privilege unless you infringe on personal freedoms. The women don't complain because that is their culture but as soon as they gain some freedom from their male oppressors i am sure they won't want to wear the burkha. i mean it doesn't really look very convient, must really mess with your peripherals.


Gosh i felt like a feminist for a minute there.

I don't think Fragony and Rory give a toss about women's rights. They are just scared of the filthy foreigners.

[Fragony]

So harrass and abuse people who do things differently to you Fragony. Nice.

I have no time for their imaginary friends, when you are tresspassing meet the dogs. The only way we can make this work is by being perfectly clear, this is us, you are welcome here but this is not your country it is ours and we do things our way. So if some beard demands 5 prayer breaks a day they won't make theirselves very popular. Ask it to me and I will give him a spot where there is absolute certainty that while he is praying to mecca everybody will be looking at his butt. If you can't take a healthy dose of rudeness you definately don't belong in the Netherlands, we don't like to be told what to do.

[rvg]

Hmm... no problem. Don't give muslims any breaks. Don't adjust anything to fit their needs. That's not a problem really, however, telling them what to wear imho goes too far. You don't need to (and quite frankly, shouldn't) change the existing rules to accomodate them, but let's face it, clothing as long as it meets the basic standards of public decency is a personal business of the wearer. Otherwise we're getting into the fashion police territory reserved for for Iranian Basij and the Taliban Ministry of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

[Idaho]

I have no time for their imaginary friends, when you are tresspassing meet the dogs. The only way we can make this work is by being perfectly clear, this is us, you are welcome here but this is not your country it is ours and we do things our way. So if some beard demands 5 prayer breaks a day they won't make theirselves very popular. Ask it to me and I will give him a spot where there is absolute certainty that while he is praying to mecca everybody will be looking at his butt. If you can't take a healthy dose of rudeness you definately don't belong in the Netherlands, we don't like to be told what to do.

You don't even see the paradox

You don't belong in the Netherlands if you don't like to be told what to do - but here's what you must do or you should leave.

Ahhh the far right. It would be amusing if it didn't lead to violence.