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| Europe |
| BBC Headdress controvery update: Beards In Jeopardy |
| 2004-01-21 |
| EFL but silliness remains unsullied. Fred, sorry for yet another post on this issue, but this one is so chalk full of rationalizing stupidity that I couldn’t resist posting it. It called my name all morning like a jelly donut. I knew its siren call would plague me throughout the day. Kill it if you wish; I have excorcised my headscarf demon. A proposed ban on religious symbols in French state schools could include a ban on beards, according to the French education minister. Luc Ferry said the law, which will be debated in parliament next month, could ban headscarves, bandannas and beards if they are considered a sign of faith. But Mr Ferry said Sikhs might be able to wear head coverings if they were discreet. He also acknowledged that Sikhs were not permitted by their religion to cut their hair, and suggested that they could wear caps. If your religious believe procludes you from cutting your hair, won’t you have to wear one of those red and white floppy stovepipes from The Cat In the Hat? Mr Ferry, in a National Assembly legal committee hearing about the draft law, said the definition of a religious symbol in the proposed law was broad so that pupils could not bypass the law simply by deviating from a list of proscribed items. So any compromise act aimed at compliance will be interpreted as an attempt to skirt the intent of the law. Some Muslim girls wear bandannas to cover their hair as an alternative to the traditional headscarf, feeling it is easier to blend in to the crowd. So bandanas are on the no-no list. What happens if you’re just having a bad hair day, are a fan of the Grateful Dead, or are nostalgic for the taste Aunt Jemimah syrup? Asked about beards, as worn by many Muslims, Mr Ferry said: "As soon as it becomes a religious sign and the code is apparent, it would fall under this law." I am conflicted on this one. I don’t really care for that pubescent bean sprout on the chin thing, but this kind of penalizes the followers of the Norse god Odin as well. Also for those youths who can grow an actual beard or mustache, this unfairly inhibits their efforts to buy alcohol underage. Jacques Myard, an MP from Mr Chirac’s ruling party weighs in. "Beards are not at stake because we have young boys and they don’t have beards," he said. So the beard rule only applies to kids young enough so that they can’t grow them anyway. As the proposal stands at the moment, discreet religious symbols - such as a small star of David or cross worn around the neck - would be permitted. But he said ordinary headbands, which he described as "invisible turbans", were preferable to traditional headgear. So invisible turnbans are allowed. "This is more a question of discipline than any religious or political affair but I would say today that we are not facing a religious approach with the Muslims Huh? He told the BBC’s World Update programme that France was "absolutely tolerant to any religion". Huh? The Sikh angle is a great addition to the controversy. It’s the inevitable twist to any effort to rein in free expression. Many American companies are dealing with this issue with regards to their smoking policies. There is always some person who wants to know how the new policy will affect those who chew tobacco or use snuff. It is always fun to see somebody with a tie trying to discuss the dangers of second-hand spit. |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #14 I dreamt that all this tempest in Frawnce over the hijab was a mad hatter's tea party put on for my enjoyment. I awoke from my dream and found out that it was for real. Not only that, I saw multitudes jumping on the raft floating on the sewage lagoon. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-1-21 11:28:31 PM |
| #13 Will religious symbols include NASCAR numbers? Like I worship 8. See the light infidel. 19 is the Holy Number and Mayfield is the chosen Dodge Boy. |
| Posted by: Lake Loyd 2004-1-21 4:33:41 PM |
| #12 Wait a minute. I thought we were wrong because we attacked terrorists instead of dealing with them judicially. How can these same clowns that say would should be arresting terrorists then fail to arrest the acid throwers? BZZZB. .... Sorry, brainlock. I'm better now. Must have entered the wrong logic path. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-1-21 2:43:49 PM |
| #11 SH - I completely agree with you. I'm just predicting that this is going to become a highly emotional issue, for both western and Muslim women, rather than a rational one. |
| Posted by: B 2004-1-21 2:40:50 PM |
| #10 B, I read what was at the link - I disagree with what she said in that the solution should not be outlaw the bandana. The solution would be to protect the women from the acid throwers and then let the women decide how they want to dress. Government's sole function is to protect citizens from bozo's. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-1-21 1:46:11 PM |
| #9 Will religious symbols include NASCAR numbers? Like I worship 8. |
| Posted by: john 2004-1-21 12:32:31 PM |
| #8 If I were writing a screenplay to document this ridiculous controversy for all time using the made-for TV format (which would be a satire unto itself), I would have the German Chancellor attempt to provide political cover for Chiraq by banning baldness in German schools to combat the intolerance of skinheads. This would force actual bald people to wear wigs to school. Can you imagine an entire school protesting the ordinance with Trafficant toupees. Sinead O'Connor would sing at a candlelight vigil for the oppressed. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-1-21 11:12:44 AM |
| #7 It's funny how one fake religion (remember Mo wasn't a profit any more than I am) can cause sensable people to go through all manner of BS. |
| Posted by: Lucky 2004-1-21 11:07:42 AM |
| #6 ok..so I'm stupid. Here it is but I broke it up with a return after 2004 so it wouldn't cause a problem http://www.yourish.com/archives/2004/ jan18-24_2004.html#2004012003 |
| Posted by: B 2004-1-21 10:58:00 AM |
| #5 Darn, it never works when I do the link. I'm going to try again. |
| Posted by: B 2004-1-21 10:56:48 AM |
| #3 Our local news reader wore what appeared to be a partially stuffed polecat on his head for years. What's the problem? |
| Posted by: mojo 2004-1-21 10:41:56 AM |
| #2 I knew it’s siren call would plague me throughout the day. Thanks for beating me to it. This story was calling to me like the One Ring whispering in Frodo's ear. "Post me, post me, you know you want to, my precious, yesssssssss!!!!" |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-1-21 9:57:57 AM |
| #1 I just keep my dip habit very discrete in the office. Besides, the stains in the carpet were becoming unseemly. |
| Posted by: Dragon Fly 2004-1-21 9:52:33 AM |