Belgium to ban the Burka

[Myrddraal]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8597950.stm

What do you think? I haven't heard much about the motivations behind this ban, but I have heard that the reason given is to prevent terrorism.

Necessary compromise of freedoms to save lives, or bigotry?

[Fragony]

There is no need to ban the burka current laws are fine, a burka already is illegal since you aren't allowed to cover up your face in public.

[Hax]

What do you think? I haven't heard much about the motivations behind this ban, but I have heard that the reason given is to prevent terrorism.

I think I agree with Fragony here. There's no need to specifically ban burqas. What should be banned is the complete masking of your face.

[Megas Methuselah]

I guess Belgium simply doesn't have the balls to handle multiculturalism.

[Centurion1]

i hate burkas for what they represent and they just bother me. that being said this is a ridiculous withdrawal of free expression.

You Europeans all talk about how Americans are right wing loons and we stifle all expression, this would never pass here.

[Megas Methuselah]

...this would never pass here.

Really?

[Fragony]

i hate burkas for what they represent and they just bother me. that being said this is a ridiculous withdrawal of free expression.

You Europeans all talk about how Americans are right wing loons and we stifle all expression, this would never pass here.

There is the security argument and it's valid, especially in Brussels. But this is all symbolism, police isn't in control in these area's. Police-vests don't stop AK47 rounds, they can do zip.

[Beskar]

There is no need to ban the burka current laws are fine, a burka already is illegal since you aren't allowed to cover up your face in public.

I share Fragony's post 100%. You give guidelines on dress based on things like "you aren't allowed to cover up your face in public", not "ban burka!".

There is fundamental difference between the two, even if the first one means that Burka's are basically banned.

[Fragony]

There is fundamental difference between the two, even if the first one means that Burka's are basically banned.

wow. Come over to the dark side.