Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009

RSS |

Twitter

Lovers
Make Time
in Sydney
Clock Tower

Witnesses agog at towering hijinks

18 hours, 58 minutes ago
Coma Man's Words
May Not Be His

Experts doubt Houben's 'facilitated communication'

20 hours, 10 minutes ago
After Nabbing Terrorist, Navy SEALs Face Assault Rap

Iraqi accused in '04 incident got bloody lip from US captors

Nov 24, 09 8:33 PM CST
FAILED WORLD RECORDS

'Jet Man' Ends Up in Drink

Thanks to parachute, wing and pilot seem intact

9 hours, 24 minutes ago
Saab Veering Toward Junkyard

GM's failed bid to unload Swedish automaker may spell its doom

12 hours, 44 minutes ago
Philippine Massacre
Death Toll Hits 57

Government declares emergency rule in Maguindanao province

10 hours, 33 minutes ago
Afghan War May Sock Us With Surtax

House Dems propose 1% war tax

18 hours, 35 minutes ago
Blair Knew Iraq Had No WMD
10 Days Before War Began

Intelligence ignored, British panel told

2 hours, 22 minutes ago
Polanski Could Go
Free on $4.5M Bail

Director remains in jail pending appeal of Swiss court ruling

10 hours, 13 minutes ago
Israel Declares
10-Month
Freeze on Settlements

Not good enough,
say Palestinians

8 hours, 18 minutes ago
Poor Nations
Stiffed on
Climate
Pledges

Billions in promised cash unaccounted for

18 hours, 11 minutes ago
Blackwater Waging
'Secret War'
in Pakistan

Mercenaries doing CIA dirty work, plotting killings

Nov 24, 09 4:55 AM CST
Startled Snake Horks Up
New Chameleon Species

British scientist startled reptile before it could digest dinner

Nov 23, 09 7:41 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

Burka Is 'Not Welcome' in France: Sarkozy

Prez says religious covering a sign of female 'subservience'

By Harry Kimball| Posted Jun 22, 09 1:03 PM CDT|

(Newser) – Nicolas Sarkozy today spoke out strongly against Islamic coverings for women, like the burka, the BBC reports. In a rare speech to parliament, which is considering a ban, the French president said, “we cannot accept to have in our country women who are prisoners behind netting. … The burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience. It will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic.”

“That is not the idea that the French republic has of women’s dignity,” Sarkozy continued. The president stressed, however, that “the Muslim religion must be respected as much as other religions.” A leading French Muslim has called discussion of a ban “a way of stigmatizing Islam.”

French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomes Emir Of Qatar Sheik Hamed Bin Khalifa Al Thani prior to their meeting at The Elysee Palace in Paris today. (AP Photo)

Parliament members applaud French President Nicolas Sarkozy. (AP Photo)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses parliament members at the Versailles castle. (AP Photo)

A woman wearing the niqab in Marseille, central France. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

11.24.09

Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar

11.23.09

Books Are Bad for You

73 comments

VIEWING:

Antiks
Jun 22, 09 1:06 PM CDT

“the Muslim religion must be respected as much as other religions.” Religion shouldn't be respected, it should be scorned. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

kirei_gaisuto
Jun 22, 09 1:23 PM CDT

I love people who think that everyone should respect their beliefs when they refuse to respect anyone else's. Hypocrite.

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 1:28 PM CDT

I think I have a good quote on this issue: We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart. H. L. Mencken

+14

IN RESPONSE:

emptycalm
Jun 22, 09 7:46 PM CDT

I've come to realize that will never happen. People are too goddamn stubborn and stupid.

IN RESPONSE:

MarkFL
Jun 22, 09 11:27 PM CDT

First of all, the burka is not a belief. It is a tool of oppression. It is also quite hypocritical, kirei_gaisuto, to show respect for the freedom to be disrespectful. I personally agree that it is foolish for France to ban it. What will they do, arrest the women who are forced to wear it? There is no practical way to ban it. Speaking out against it is perfectly fine. Tolerating intolerance is as wrong as using the state as a form of thought police. However, the burka itself is a form of thought policing as well. A free society should be on the side of freedom in all cases. Don't ban it but dismissing it and ridiculing it are perfectly acceptable.

| 0 minutes ago

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 1:11 PM CDT

What if a woman wants to wear a Burka? What about her rights? While I agree that it is not right to force a women to wear one if she doesn't want to, my guess is that a lot of women wear Burkas for similar reasons to why some Christian women refuse to wear short skirts (an over simple analogy, but hopefully you get the idea). Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Jun 22, 09 1:17 PM CDT

What kind of self-respecting woman would WANT to wear a burka? They wear it because they were brought up being required to wear it and they don't know anything else. It's a demeaning and regressive policy of a barbaric and regressive religion. Burkas put women into walking prisons. I just can't believe it's 2009 and we still do this shit. Good on Sarkozy for being so non-PC about it and telling it like it is.

IN RESPONSE:

kirei_gaisuto
Jun 22, 09 1:22 PM CDT

Because some of them do wanna wear one Forderon. You don't have to like it or agree with it, because it's none of anyone's business but the woman who chooses to wear it.

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 1:29 PM CDT

Foredon, I think you should listen to the man in your avatar. He was very big on secularism.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Jun 22, 09 1:29 PM CDT

How do you know they truly want to wear a burka? There's no way to know because the desire to wear one may simply be a fear/guilt on the woman's part of changing something that Muslim women have done for centuries.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Jun 22, 09 1:32 PM CDT

What's more secular than human rights?

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 1:33 PM CDT

How do you know they truly don't? Regardless of their reasons for wanting to wear a Burka there are definitely women out there who would be upset if they couldn't wear one.

IN RESPONSE:

kirei_gaisuto
Jun 22, 09 1:37 PM CDT

You don't know that they want to wear one. But you don't have the right to force them not to anymore than their husbands have the right to force them to wear it.

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 1:38 PM CDT

How is telling someone they can't dress the way they please (regardless of their reasons for it) promoting human rights? You keep insisting that no one would want to wear a Burka, but my own personal experience (and common sense, really. Do you honestly think that not even ONE woman likes it?) says other wise.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Jun 22, 09 1:48 PM CDT

They're just accustomed to it (by force). Saying they like it because of this is very dishonest. Seriously, this is like arguing that slaves liked being slaves. These women are beaten, shot/stoned to death, required to pray separately from men, don't have the same rights to making a living as men, if any, AND they have to cover themselves completely from head to toe. How can you possibly argue that they would like this? Liking a centuries-old custom because it's ingrained into their lives and liking injustice are two very different things. This is injustice.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

kirei_gaisuto
Jun 22, 09 1:53 PM CDT

If those women don't want to wear it, then they should stop. But the ones who are wearing it because they genuinely believe it's what their god asks of them should be able to.

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 2:00 PM CDT

Forderon: Should we ban church because people only want to go because they are convinced they will go to hell if they don't? How could any one LIKE wasting a Sunday afternoon. Why can't you accept that some women might want to wear a Burka for some reason (fear of god, they don't like people seeing them, ugly, they think it's cool (I know a woman who actually think this))?

-1

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 2:01 PM CDT

Forderon: As mentioned below, would you also be in favor of banning high heels?

-1

IN RESPONSE:

AnnieChrist
Jun 22, 09 2:04 PM CDT

Forderon asks: What kind of self-respecting woman would WANT to wear a burka? Some would say what woman in their right mind would wear a nun's habit? Don't presume that the women in Burkas are being forced to wear them, any more than you can presume a nun is wearing her habit involuntarily.

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 22, 09 2:12 PM CDT

If you're going to ban burqas on the rationale that they're misogynistic somehow, then you need to ban habits and the niqab-like outfits Orthodox Jewish women often wear. Many religions have a tradition of oppressing women and continue to oppress women to this day. Singling out Islam is scapegoating, pure and simple. And such scapegoating is very, very dangerous--often a prelude to ethnic cleansing, especially in Europe. If you want to lift women up, don't attack just one symptom (the burqa), attack the disease (the misogynistic teachings and attitudes of all the major religions).

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Jun 22, 09 2:13 PM CDT

You people don't seem the understand the difference between force and choice. If women don't wear a burka, they are beaten/killed in some parts of the world. Nuns don't have to be nuns, they can choose to do it, and even if they don't choose, they're not treated like animals because of it. Same goes for high heels (?) and attending Church. Stop being PC for the sake of being PC.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 2:19 PM CDT

You don't seem to understand that no one is debating that its wrong to force somebody to to wear a Burka. We are talking about the rights of people who WANT to wear one. You seem happy to take away that right on the rational that "no one would want to wear it," even though some people obviously do. You don't understand that it isn't always forced. Sometimes it is a choice.

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Jun 22, 09 2:37 PM CDT

By that assumption, you would expect to see Muslim women going from no burka to wearing a burka. Do you see that much? I doubt it. In progressive Muslim nations, you see women wearing a head scarf at most, and no head covering at all in some cases. So basically you're willing to oppress the vast majority of women forced to wear one in exchange for the right of the few women who want to wear one.

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 2:47 PM CDT

My point (and as far as I can tell, our point) is that banning Burka's doesn't make these women's life better. If they are truly abused, or treated like animals as you claim, their situation won't be improved if we force them tot take off their Burkas. It might even distress women who genuinely believe they will go to hell if they don't wear it. It only addresses a symptom, and not the cause. Ultimately it arbitrarily attacks a particular religion (see anchowers earlier comment), and restricts everyone's (yes EVERYONE's) freedom.

IN RESPONSE:

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 2:47 PM CDT

2-bit nitwit, that is why Sarkozy is president of a nation and has a beautiful wife and you're a know-nothing dweeb stealing time from your employer. NEDA DIED because women have been fighting this bullshit. NO ONE wants to be draped and MASKED. The Burqa needs to be banned.

-4

IN RESPONSE:

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 2:48 PM CDT

It IS our business, Kirei...women are DYING fighting this.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 2:58 PM CDT

prowlerzee: 1) I'm not at work. I'm actually on campus. My internship starts up again next fall. I don't use Newser while at work :). 2) Your point would be valid if it were the Muslim women of France who were leading the charge. However it is mostly French people. 3.) See anchowers comment. You want to ban the burka? Fine. But start by staking care of ALL of the offending garments. 4.) Obama is president of a nation and has a beautiful wife. I know what you think of that. So what's your point? Presidents of nations == great? You need to rethink this. 5. "2-bits nitwit." That wasn't necessary. I do have to wonder why conservatives like to attack people by rhyming their names. Seriously, it's a trend I've seen across the internet. Liberals just don't do it.

IN RESPONSE:

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 3:14 PM CDT

Yeah, Annie Christ, you can pretty much know a woman chose to wear a nun's habit because she had to dedicate herself and take vows. Women are SHOT DEAD for going undraped. Why don't you stfu if you don't have a clue?

-4

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 22, 09 4:10 PM CDT

I think we all agree that no woman should be forced to wear a burqa. So the real question is, what will a ban on burqas accomplish? Yes, it will free women who are being forced to wear burqas. But it will also oppress women who choose to wear burqas. More ominously, it will likely lead to Muslim men in France not letting their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters out of their homes (the French government can only ban burqas in public, after all). And while such cloistering is itself a form of domestic violence, it will lead to even more physically brutal domestic violence. In addition, a burqa ban will lead to more protests by Muslims in France, which will in turn lead to more hatred of Muslims by non-Muslims. So, again, the answer is not to ban the burqa, but to destroy the misogynistic culture that dreamed up with the burqa in the first place. That can achieved through education and other means that don't scapegoat Muslims.

| 0 minutes ago

Reader22060479
Jun 22, 09 1:16 PM CDT

In this day and age allowing the wearing of total coverings of any kind is a question of security. Think of perverts going into women's bathrooms or terrorist hiding guns, bombs inside the covering. What about drug dealers carying drugs under the burka, etc. If women do not wish to show their faces even for an ID photo, then they are in effect non persons and need to stay at home and wear the burka there. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 1:31 PM CDT

So should we ban baggy clothing too? Luggage (could be bombs in there!) This is a slippery slope I think.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 22, 09 1:25 PM CDT

Freedom demands that if we wish respect and acceptance for the many, that we must respect the beliefs and voice of the few. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Timinator2K
Jun 22, 09 1:31 PM CDT

France looking for a reason to kick bunches of muslims out of France..this may trigger the violent reaction they'll use to justify their xenophobia. Native French don't want their country swallowed up by Islamization. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 1:35 PM CDT

I think this is really at the heart of the issue. If you wanted a way to piss off extremist muslims and get them to start some shit, it would be hard pressed to think of a better way than outlawing their traditions. France doesn't like Muslims (let's not kid ourselves), and I suspect Sarkozy might be doing this for a bump in polls

IN RESPONSE:

Laugh
Jun 23, 09 2:46 AM CDT

Bravo, Sarkozy!

| 0 minutes ago

kokuaguy
Jun 22, 09 1:31 PM CDT

There are issues of religious freedom and freedom of expression involved, and I expect that Sarkozy's poll numbers have more to do with his position than anything else. I would prefer to see the social welfare system make wearing of the burka in public an indicator of possible domestic abuse, and target those homes for scrutiny by adult protective services officials. This would be a subtle of indicating society's disapproval without giving the extremists and fundamentalists an issue to rally around. Requiring that school girls dispense with their head coverings is more like enforcing a school uniform requirement, but banning a particular form of attire completely seems arbitrary and a sign of a Big Brother society. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 3:11 PM CDT

At least you're trying, kokuaguy, I give you credit for that. At least you're thinking about the situation. I recommend you rethink the ban, tho. The burqa should be immediately illegal throughout all free societies. We're not talking about pretty headscarves. We're talking about a cloth shackle that masks the face. It blocks 100% of the body from sunlight, and it provides a haven for any criminal who wants to escape detection. If men are forced to take off their sunglasses, ballcaps and hoods when going into stores and banks, no way these women get a free pass. Not to mention, let's have bigots running around in white KKK robes and masks while we're at it. Masks are incompatible with free societies. It's OUR society, we set the guidelines.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 3:14 PM CDT

That's a separate issue. Should Halloween customs that cover the body be banned? Or only in particular situations, such as at the airport?

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 22, 09 4:27 PM CDT

I like kg's idea.

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Jun 22, 09 7:24 PM CDT

Mahalo, prowlerzee. You can be so nice when you want to be.

| 0 minutes ago

doingtherightthing
Jun 22, 09 1:45 PM CDT

I keep telling you people, the muslims got it right. "burka's for all ugly women. That way nobody has to guess what's under that "burka"......what are you people thinking; ban the burka.....no way lets keep those burka's going! Reply

-5

| 0 minutes ago

ultramagnus21
Jun 22, 09 1:55 PM CDT

High heels can be likened to when Chinese women jammed their feet into tiny shoes and basically broke them. How are burkas different? I understand where Sarkozy is coming from and of course I would love to see female subservience extrapolated from modern societies, but it doesn't consider the women who would want to wear burkas regardless of their symbolic background. We need to find another way to stand against Islamic female subservience. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 3:05 PM CDT

Oh, let's see, shit4brains. How are high heels different? 1. Women aren't forced to wear them. 2. Women aren't told to stay in their homes unless accompanied by male relatives and wearing high heels....but they ARE told to stay in their homes unless accompanied by male relatives and draped in these Islamic oppressive nations. 3. Women aren't SHOT when they don't wear high heels...but they are shot when undraped. Their fingernails aren't PULLED OUT if polished while wearing heels, but they are pulled out if polished and noticed under the drapes, too. 4. Women can take off the high heels to go swimming. 5. High heels don't block sunlight over 100% of the body, causing diseases from lack of vitamin D, for both the women and the infants they nurse, as burqas do. 6. Criminals can't use high heels to mask themselves and rob jewelry stores, etc, as they do with burqas. Here's a free tip for you, ultrastupid...turn off the MTV reality shows and read instead of getting your info from youtube.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 22, 09 4:22 PM CDT

Fuck off with your lame, unprovoked personal attacks and undocumented claims about robbers in burqas. And if women will be shot--or at least not let out of the house--if they don't wear burqas, then what will the burqa ban you desire result in except dead women or women imprisoned within the home? ultramagnus21 is right: "We need to find another way to stand against Islamic female subservience." A ban on burqas would be superficial, demagogic, inflammatory, and worst of all, discriminatory and counterproductive.

| 0 minutes ago

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 2:50 PM CDT

"My point (and as far as I can tell, our point) is that banning Burka's doesn't make these women's life better." stfu, 2 bits. Your views are IGNORANT and not even worth 2 bits, and here you are spewing the same uninformed crap nonstop. Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 2:55 PM CDT

"Do you honestly think that not even ONE woman likes it?" More 2 bit shit. Yeah, and when women are DYING while fighting it who cares about the ones who have internalized the abuse? There are also people who think ball-gags, whips and handcuffs are fabulous sex toys. We should stand by those who prefer not to have sexual slavery dictated to them, rather than make excuses for the men who insist their women wear visible cloaks of ownership. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 2:58 PM CDT

The women who "want" to stop should just stop? Is that it keiri? Just like NEDA, who was wearing a scarf she didn't want while she was GUNNED DOWN in cold blood? Do you know the people who drape women in those head to toe cloaks let schoolgirls BURN TO DEATH because the firemen aren't allowed to TOUCH them? You think they can take those burqas off and live? Turn off MTV and the youtubes, and buy, borrow or beg a clue. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

kirei_gaisuto
Jun 22, 09 3:24 PM CDT

You're talking about Iran, jackass. We're talking about France. A developed, democratic nation where women are not systematically tortured and murdered because they're not wearing a burqa. Where if a man harms a woman because she is not wearing it, he will be prosecuted. Get off your high horse, and think about the situation we're actually talking about.

| 0 minutes ago

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 3:04 PM CDT

The fact that you are the first person in this thread to resort to ad hominem speaks volumes about the strength of your positions, prowlerzee. You clearly can't count yourself among the "cooler heads" here. You clearly care more about banning a garment (a symptom), than curing the disease (fundamentalism). All this will do is rile them up. and make them take a more hard line stance than before. Also, no one has bothered to tell me why someone who wants to wear a burka shouldn't be allowed to. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 3:20 PM CDT

Go read the comments made over in Europe, where people are more informed. And get a clue already, pig. A. It's our society, and masks are not compatible. B. THE WOMEN ARE SHOT DEAD for going undraped. To talk about the ones who "want" this when they themselves are fighting it and DYING for it, is VILE. The ones who drape their women this way let school girls BURN TO DEATH because the firemen aren't supposed to "touch" them! There is NO WAY women "want" this. This is gender apartheid and slavery. The least we can do is say women can't be masked in our own open societies.

-4

IN RESPONSE:

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 3:21 PM CDT

What an intentionally stupid PIG.

-3

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 3:28 PM CDT

You are conflating burkas with the horrible things that happen to women in Islamic culture. Tell me, would the Muslim women of France really receive better treatment if they didn't have to wear a burka? Would it fix ANYTHING or reduce extremism in any measurable way? Or is this just a way to piss off and scapegoat Muslims? This is a shitty move that does nothing to alleviate either problem, and does nothing to further human rights. In fact its oppressive. Again: If a woman wants, for whatever reason, wear a burka, why should they be prevented from wearing one in appropriate locations?

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 3:31 PM CDT

"What an intentionally stupid PIG." Why am I talking to you? You're not going to have anything insightful to add until you calm down and stop confusing Iran with France.

| 0 minutes ago

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 3:23 PM CDT

Oh, and NO, count me out as a "cooler head" when young women like NEDA are being shot in cold blood in the street for standing up for her rights. Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

kirei_gaisuto
Jun 22, 09 3:26 PM CDT

Shut the hell up about NEDA already. Yeah, it's sad, but that was in Iran and we're not talking about that. If you wanna talk about her then go to a different thread.

IN RESPONSE:

AnnieChrist
Jun 22, 09 6:43 PM CDT

There is nothing so amusing as a truly ignorant cretin trying to appear thoughtful and intelligent, as prowlerzero is attempting here, As anyone who follows political discourse knows, the number of ad hominem insults delivered is inversely proportional to the IQ of the discourser. Little prowlerzero is the perfect exemplar of this fact, hoping to hide his abject ignorance behind his adolescent insults. Most amusing is his concern for the poor oppressed Iranians, Up until this week, he was a mccain cheerleader, all for bomb bomb Iran, axis of evil, etc etc like all his wing nut brethren. Today those same Iranis are his BFF's and he and his fellows ignore the fact that if they had had their way, the majority of the Iranian protestors would have been dead long ago from US delivered cluster bombs.

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 22, 09 7:23 PM CDT

"As anyone who follows political discourse knows, the number of ad hominem insults delivered is inversely proportional to the IQ of the discourser." I disagree only in that it's not the number of ad hominem attacks per se, but the number of unprovoked ad hominem attacks-- and I'd add that wittiness is a mitigating factor. (Otherwise, one could question your IQ, AnnieChrist, since you're personally attacking prowlerzee, albeit only after much provocation.)

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Jun 22, 09 7:34 PM CDT

Good try anchower... so you're saying ad hominem attacks are OK if the other side does it first, right? Well, I think they should be avoided at all times, even in the case of prowlerzee (love the prowlerzero nickname.) By the way, AC, what makes you think the prowler is a GUY?

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 7:52 PM CDT

I enjoyed reading that AnnieChrist. I think you hit the nail on the head.

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 22, 09 7:59 PM CDT

kg, I rue the degeneration of arguments into verbal slugfests as much as the next guy. But since I never start such battles but always win them, I'm not shy about retaliating when attacked.

IN RESPONSE:

MarkFL
Jun 22, 09 11:36 PM CDT

I am telling you all right now. Annie Christ is always right.

| 0 minutes ago

prowlerzee
Jun 22, 09 3:26 PM CDT

It just goes to show what a stupid swine Zerobama is for getting all his brainless followers to parrot the utter bs about the "freedom" to be draped! While young women are buried up to their necks and STONED to death, and young girls have acid thrown in their faces....for baring them and trying to go to school. Yeah, that's some "freedom" to be wasting your stupid lives jawing about. Reply

-3

| 0 minutes ago

kirei_gaisuto
Jun 22, 09 3:35 PM CDT

Prowlerzee. Stop typing for a a second and read. We are NOT talking about the crimes against women in the Middle East. Those women are not free to do whatever the hell they want. We're talking about France, where they are free. So, in France, since they have the luxury of option they should be able to opt to wear it or not wear it. Not have it mandated by the government. Stop talking about things that don't have anything to do with France. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Forderon
Jun 22, 09 5:11 PM CDT

Actually, I agree with you guys that banning burkas won't accomplish anything and probably will backfire. I'm just applauding Sarkozy for calling it what it is: a symbol of oppression. There are other ways to fight oppression of course, but that all starts with Islamic leadership policing their own religion. They need stronger leaders, which unfortunately they do not have. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

anchower
Jun 22, 09 7:31 PM CDT

Sarkozy's right, I guess. But he's saying these things for the wrong reasons: To attract voters by demonizing Muslims. I would much rather hear Sarkozy's words coming out of a Muslim woman's mouth, or better yet, a Muslim man's. (Also, Sarkozy's something of a hypocrite, seeing as he's something of a womanizer.)

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Jun 22, 09 7:46 PM CDT

Of course, anchower. Why didn't I see that it before. Bottom line, he just wants to get them to doff their duds!

| 0 minutes ago

kansas1946
Jun 22, 09 5:14 PM CDT

.” A leading French Muslim has called discussion of a ban “a way of stigmatizing Islam.” ****************************************** Hmmm...and is this "leading French Muslim" a man or a woman? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

doingtherightthing
Jun 22, 09 6:43 PM CDT

I think they should have colored burka's. Red is extremely ugly. Green: Plump and ugly. Brown:don't change just ugly. Black: the medusa of burka's, downright coyote ugly.......they can run burka ads like; pick your color to match your face or have in home burka parties hosted by real burka's. I can see it now: come lets go to a burka party.....boy those muslims are smart to have there women do burka........but they need color! Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

kokuaguy
Jun 22, 09 7:41 PM CDT

OH DAMN-- mighty whitey righty's riff just gave me the biggest laugh of the day. And he didn't LOL his own joke for once. Try as I do ... I just cain't quit you raht thaaaaang.

| 0 minutes ago

2-bits
Jun 22, 09 11:22 PM CDT

So we're all friends now? :P Reply

| 0 minutes ago

zobob
Jun 23, 09 5:41 PM CDT

Islam requres for women to cover everything except their face and hands. If you want to wear a niqib u do it by choice....also do u think their husbands "force" them to wear a niqib? if they forced them to wear it then they probably wont let women outta the house! They do it by choice! A tool of oppression? what does the bible say? the women who doesnt cover her head do not allow her to open her mouth in church! <--- forgot the exact quote...Forderon, your avatar says Islam is a good religion, but plz love him for what he did and not for the way he thought....women arnt allowed to pray in the same place as men?!? do u think i dont want to pray next to a women? its cause its distracting for BOTH, when they should b concentrating on prayer! But i guess im just trying to defend a useless cause, i mean their brainwashed into wearing it, how barbaric, sad thing Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world...WHAT?!? 2/3 of the people who convert are women?!? EVEN IN AMERICA?!? WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?!? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

zobob
Jun 23, 09 6:03 PM CDT

im sorry i said "requires"...its "suggests"

| 0 minutes ago

bewilderbeast
Aug 21, 09 7:36 AM CDT

The founder of Islam (clever salesman named Mo) didn't say all women have to wear a burka. Some later idiots invented that dumb law. Still doesn't make it wise for Nicolas Dubya Sarkozy to BAN THEM!!! If I was a French woman (non-muslim) I would wear a burka just to show him up. Hell, the Frogs have worn stranger fashions than that before today (admittedly as passing fads). Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 73 comments »

Islam • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • French Parliament • Islamic Sharia law • niqab • ban • clothing • Muslim women • burka

from our news partners

Roasted Baby on Spit Was 'Too Much' for 'Road' Director
(6 hours, 41 minutes ago)
Danes and Efron Bond Over Teen Success
(10 hours, 32 minutes ago)
Mysteries of "Tiger Woods Affair," "State Dinner Photos," and "Adam...
(10 hours, 33 minutes ago)
'Glee' Cast Talks About Music's Role on the Show
(11 hours, 24 minutes ago)

Judge sentences killer to two life sentences plus 498 years...
(20 minutes ago)
Dundee girlfriend does what any Scotswoman would do in her...
(1 hour, 32 minutes ago)
Atheist group asks to put up sign honoring war veterans...
(2 hours, 48 minutes ago)
Scientists have now created a baby bottle that heats itself...
(3 hours, 3 minutes ago)

Fantasy Thanksgiving: Guess What Wolverine's Bringing To Dinner?
(2 hours, 0 minutes ago)
First Hobbit Script Completed, Making the Rounds
(4 hours, 43 minutes ago)
Not Amazing Norwegian Avatar Poster
(4 hours, 48 minutes ago)
Invictus Writer Will Dive Into Deep Sea Cowboys
(5 hours, 10 minutes ago)

Associated Press

French President Nicolas Sarkozy makes Clint Eastwood Legion of Honor commander
(Nov 13, 09 2:50 PM CST)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy makes Clint Eastwood Legion of Honor commander
(Nov 13, 09 12:32 PM CST)
Despite FBI raids, Islam's message of equality and discipline resonates with...
(Oct 31, 09 12:17 AM CDT)
Despite FBI raids, Islam's message of equality and discipline resonates with...
(Oct 30, 09 1:22 PM CDT)

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most important stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Burka Is 'Not Welcome' in France: Sarkozy

Prez says religious covering a sign of female 'subservience'

France Considers Burka Ban

MORE ABOUT:
Nicolas Sarkozy • France • French Parliament • Islamic dress code • niqab • Muslim women • burka • President Obama • French Muslims

Assembly Votes Surprise Non on French Web Piracy Law

MORE ABOUT:
Internet • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • online privacy • piracy • French Parliament • Internet service providers • illegal downloading • 3 strikes

French Muslims Find Freedom in Catholic Schools

Students get better education, and allowed to wear headscarf

MORE ABOUT:
Islam • Catholic Church • France • religion • Islamic veil • secularism • Catholicism • Muslim women • Marseille

Islam • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • French Parliament • Islamic Sharia law • niqab • ban • clothing • Muslim women • burka

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

from our news partners

Associated Press

About

Help

Tools

Site Maps

What is Newser?

Burka Is 'Not Welcome' in France: Sarkozy

Prez says religious covering a sign of female 'subservience'

Related Newser Stories

France Considers Burka Ban

MORE ABOUT: Nicolas Sarkozy • France • French Parliament • Islamic dress code • niqab • Muslim women • burka • President Obama • French Muslims

Assembly Votes Surprise Non on French Web Piracy Law

MORE ABOUT: Internet • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • online privacy • piracy • French Parliament • Internet service providers • illegal downloading • 3 strikes

French Muslims Find Freedom in Catholic Schools

Students get better education, and allowed to wear headscarf

MORE ABOUT: Islam • Catholic Church • France • religion • Islamic veil • secularism • Catholicism • Muslim women • Marseille

Islam • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • French Parliament • Islamic Sharia law • niqab • ban • clothing • Muslim women • burka

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

from our news partners

Associated Press

About

Help

Tools

Site Maps

What is Newser?

MORE ABOUT:
Nicolas Sarkozy • France • French Parliament • Islamic dress code • niqab • Muslim women • burka • President Obama • French Muslims

MORE ABOUT:
Internet • Nicolas Sarkozy • France • online privacy • piracy • French Parliament • Internet service providers • illegal downloading • 3 strikes

MORE ABOUT:
Islam • Catholic Church • France • religion • Islamic veil • secularism • Catholicism • Muslim women • Marseille