I thought we weren't supposed to comment on the clothing choices of female politicians, because it was sexist.

Dear Armchair Critic,

I grew up in Sydney but I've lived in Melbourne
for much of my married life so I don't know
what Sydney is like today. I haven't been back
for a while. However I trust that the Mitchell
Library is still standing and the Manley Ferries
are still carrying people across - "7 Miles
from Sydney and 1000 Miles From Care!"

As for my "love" of Muslims?

How can anyone love, or for that matter - hate,
an entire category of people?

I try not to have a negative attitude toward any individual,
and I certainly
don't have the belief that certain groups all share the
same supposed traits. Because that would be silly.
We all have our individual differences and are usually
judged accordingly.

Anyway, for me this discussion has now well and truly
run its course. It's been a real eye-opener.
See you on our next discussion.

Enjoy your week.

Feminism finds strange allies. From cynical experience, liberal (or centrist) feminists would accept the return of the chastity belt, if it were a 'woman's choice' and if it coincided with multicultural norms.

The standing ovation to George Brandis by the Labour and Greens MPs, while his own party sat silent, says it all. The centrist Left prioritises multiculturalism over women's identity and women's rights.

Radical feminists, on the other hand, are much less forgiving. They have the unhappy option of aligning with the right, which on the surface at least sees that the burqa and niqab are instruments of women's oppression - at least when it comes to the right's own agenda.

But radical feminists are not fooled. The right are much more concerned with the burqa and niqab as symbols of a threat to our way of life. Women's rights are simply a means to an end.

Whatever. Most radical feminists reject any form of women's oppression. If the right wants to come to the party, then consider yourselves invited.

It is completely useless inviting the radical right to any sort of party. Renegades that still want to live the English tradition. That mob are not Australians. They are soles of no hope that can not see past oppression and disengagement. The making of the threads of civil war. Right here in Australia.

@Killarney

Libertarian feminists believe that the value of free choice trumps all other values, but only when we talk about women. Radical feminists are more worried about the contexts and consequences of these choices.

The wearing of burkas highlights the problems with libertarian feminism. It is a choice, but one made in response to strong outside influences that trouble many of us. It cannot accurately be described as a "free" choice. Moreover, one woman choosing to wear a burka does nothing to benefit other women.

"Police say a woman wearing a burqa robbed a Subway restaurant with a knife.
She allegedly entered the fast-food restaurant in Croydon, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, at 5:30pm on Saturday and threatened workers.
Subway employees handed over cash and the alleged offender - wearing an Islamic full-face covering and a beige gown - fled the scene."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4814426/Knife-wielding-woman-wearing-burqa-robs-Melbourne-Subway.html#ixzz4qZNHnnBI

Police have made arrests.