Midweek Politics: The French Burqa Ban...Discrimination or Logical Safety/Human Rights Legislation?

[celtics23]

Run time: 06:27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy0NNBjZiho   Posted on YouTube: July 15, 2010 By YouTube Member: MidweekPolitics Views on YouTube: 81   Posted on DU: July 19, 2010 By DU Member: celtics23 Views on DU: 361

 
Personally I agree with the co-host who says this is arbitrary and discriminatory. Does anyone here think banning burqa's could EVER pass in the US with our Constitution?

From www.midweekpolitics.com / Youtube: www.youtube.com/midweekpolitics / Subscription: www.midweekpolitics.com/membership

[qcmadman1]

1. Absolutely

Burqas are used to make women second class citizens, and make absolutely no sense.

[damntexdem]

3. It should be a woman's choice, whatever we think of them.

Outlawing the wearing of a religiously-endorsed item of clothing ALSO makes women second-class citizens. The only justification is that of safety, in situations or jobs where a burqa really is a safety hazard.

[donthebun]

2. I'm on board

If you go into a bank unable to be identified, how do you get money?

[bvar22]

4. There are some laws in the US...

...against wearing a mask in public.
It is worse since 9-11 and video surveillance.

Check your local laws. Some states and jurisdictions have laws restricting the wearing of masks in public. Others don't. The penalties for violation of mask laws also varies.

Some examples:
1) It is a Class 6 felony to wear a mask in public in Virginia except in very limited circumstances, and protection from the elements is not included in that.
2) In West Virginia, violation of their mask law is only a misdemeanor, and protection from the elements is specifically permitted.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081211110550AAw43TP

Incredible as it seems, I was stopped on Halloween in New Orleans (of ALL places) for wearing a mask while driving. According to the officer, it was against the law to operate a motor vehicle while wearing a disguise. This happened in the 80s, well before 9-11.

If you want to have some REAL fun, wear a mask into a bank.

[Better Today]

5. My thoughts run along the lines of considering things like hoodies,

that for practical purposes when fully utilized are not a whole lot different than a burka, particularly if sunglasses are added to the equation. I do understand the need for some exposure of each individual at places like banks and such, but if hoodies and hats and glasses are allowed, I don't see how burqas should be banned.

This one is tough. I don't like the idea of western ideals forced on women, but the full coverage is easy to be construed as a safety issue since anyone could put one on just to hide their identity. So unless, and until, crimes are being committed by people in burqas, seems we should let them dress as they see fit.

[izquierdista]

6. Taisez-vous, Americains

You have only a petit idee what motivates the French and why they are 99.7% opposed to burkas. Until you understand why prostitution is not a crime, but pimping is, you will not understand the French point of view.

As long as you cast it in an American viewpoint (security, security, we must be able to ID someone), you will remain clueless.