Foxy,

My issue with the Burqa debate - is that people select on values. They want to be able to do, and wear what they want, but will gladly tell other people what they can and cannot do.

We are talking about a piece of clothing - and in terms of public affairs - unless say a court says so (which it did in one case, that a Burqa needed to be taken off for identification), I did not agree.

Why? Currently I am vegetarian. I don't agree with the majority of people who eat meat. If however I was to tell the majority of people (having parliamentary numbers) in Australia to stop eating meat - we'd have the biggest protests in Australian history. It's simple respect.

In fact one woman I spoke to on this agreed with me after I raised this connection - and using how women are treated overseas does not justify "less worse" treatment in Australia.

If you have strong objections to the certain values (you refer to), don't come to Australia. What do I do, get cut up and be sent back to my various families homelands?

All areas are a terrorist risk - the Burqa is a side show in the whole debate - and a very easy one. After all it stands out.

Hi there JAYAB...

I couldn't agree with you more ! One need only look to what is happening in the UK now, as a true measure and a realistic indication of what will happen here in Oz. If we continue to permit people of Islamic persuasion to enter and settle into our country. We will pay an awful price, in the end if we permit it to continue !

For the umpteenth time...ISLAM in all it's various forms is absolutely, and totally incompatible with our Australian culture in every possible way. I'm NOT inferring that Islam is either fundamentally evil or inherently bad, rather that it's completely incompatible with us, and our own peculiar way of life. I'm sorry it's this way, but it is unfortunately, and nothing that may be said or done, will ever change that fact. This is not a racist statement, it's my opinion only !

MayMay,

"The radical, anti Muslim bigots are a mere minority in Australia."

Thankfully the radical, anti-Christian bigots are a mere minority in Australia; feeling lonely?

Perhaps some clarification may be needed here: what some people might find 'confronting', or even offensive, may still be legal.

I find people vomiting in a gutter somewhat confronting, but it's still legal. People wearing Speedos in the street can be confronting but it's still legal; as a perv, I don't mind people wearing bikinis in the street, it adds to the variety of life.

As a hetero, I'm revolted by the sight of two men kissing, but it's still legal and I would support their right to do it. Perhaps somewhere else. We don't have to like what's legal, on the one hand, but what we might find confronting or revolting, may be quite legal.

But I'm blowed how anybody could find the nikab all that confronting: one can still see the smile in someone's eyes, and if they don't want people to see their face, then that's up to them. Muslima are often so beautiful that it's no wonder they don't want strange men ogling them, as I would if they weren't wearing one. Me 0, them 1. Fair enough.

Until the nikab is misused by someone, an idiot in Parliament or a terrorist, either one of which would be causing great distress to women properly and innocently wearing one, I don't really feel we need to worry. We can stay insouciant and calm.

Joe

Dear Nathan,

This is Australia. It is not the Middle East.
And covering the entire face and body
separates and distances the wearer from the
normal interactions with broader society.

Those who wear the face veil should have the
right to wear it in private and public. However
they do not have the right to insist they
be allowed to wear it in all workplaces and
environments. As stated earlier even Islamic
legal norms dictate that the community has the
right to dictate certain things unacceptable or
acceptable as part of public interest. The community
has a right to say no to them. Covering the entire
face and body is not a religious issue. It is to most
of us a sign of subjugation. The submission of women
deprived of their identity. It is confronting, possessive
and oppressive. At least to me.

'Muslima are often so beautiful ' bit of a generalisation their Loudmouth. I have known a couple of white woman who could not get husbands and then fell prey to predators. You would not of called them 'beautiful'.