Jack Straw in trouble...

[Gully]

I watched the 10pm news on the Beeb last night, at least the first 15 minutes was taken up with stories mainly involving Islam.

 

[NMH]

He only wants to be able to see their faces when HE meets with them in HIS office, like most other western people he probably finds speaking to someone with their face covered a little off putting, I doubt that he could really give a shit what they wear the rest of the time (so long as its not a semtex vest)

That's tough luck, it's HIS problem if he feels discomforted, and a politician should be responsible and not express his petty foibles to a sensitive person, who is the one who is already really trying to communicate with him in the first place.
It's one small step forward that just took two big steps back.

 

[NMH]

It's also his responsibility to get to know and have respect for the cultures within his political constituency or community, and if he cannot get over the fact that some abide by the facial scarf custom, he is the one who has not embraced cultural diversity.

 

[Biscuit]

Anyone else agree with Jack Straw? I do. Accusing him of racism is madness. Comparing what he's saying to what Germany was printing in the 1930s is even more so.

 

[Biscuit]

It's also his responsibility to get to know and have respect for the cultures within his political constituency or community, and if he cannot get over the fact that some abide by the facial scarf custom, he is the one who has not embraced cultural diversity.

He is all in favour of cultural diversity, and Im sure he has the upmost respect for his constituency. His point is quite a simple one. If you live in a community, you should adapt your life style to its customs.

You can't disagree with a muslim without being branded a racist now a days.

 

[the wanderbus]

That's tough luck, it's HIS problem if he feels discomforted, and a politician should be responsible and not express his petty foibles to a sensitive person, who is the one who is already really trying to communicate with him in the first place.
It's one small step forward that just took two big steps back.

what a load of old cock

 

[the wanderbus]

He is all in favour of cultural diversity, and Im sure he has the upmost respect for his constituency. His point is quite a simple one. If you live in a community, you should adapt your life style to its customs.

You can't disagree with a muslim without being branded a racist now a days.

how dare you make such a statement,you should know using some common sense isn't politically correct.

 

[the wanderbus]

It's also his responsibility to get to know and have respect for the cultures within his political constituency or community, and if he cannot get over the fact that some abide by the facial scarf custom, he is the one who has not embraced cultural diversity.

however should you ever venture to an islamic state you will find your customs & culture are irrellevant,which is excactly as it should be. When in Rome........

 

[Biscuit]

how dare you make such a statement,you should know using some common sense isn't politically correct.

May I offer a few more points then?!

Covering the face is completely unnecessary in Islam. The veil was absolutely not required by the Koran.

Straw said he would like visitors to his surgery to remove their veils because he feels uncomfortable talking to someone whose face he cannot see. Again hardly earth shattering is it? How many bikers have to remove their helmets when they enter shops for 'security reasons'.

Are Muslim woman allowed to wear their viels when they have their driving license photos taken?

This morning he said "You cannot force people where they live, that's a matter of choice and economics, but you can be concerned about the implications of separateness and I am." Basically, Muslims wearing viels are "bound to make better, positive relations between the two communities more difficult".

Well done Sir Jack I say. Not frighted of the PC namby pambies who have a heart attack at the mention of the word 'muslim'.

 

[Rougvie]

He has given his opinion, its fair enough but there are plenty of people who cannot WAIT to brand this sort of comment as racist, ironically people who would have probably not have had such a platform hadn't it not been for the New Labour project.

Anyway, doesnt really affect me, dont see many ragheads round my neck of the woods

 

[Bry Nylon]

Muslims! Oi - f***ing CHILL OUT

 

[The Large One]

I am actually struggling to work out what precisely the problem is here.

 

[NMH]

however should you ever venture to an islamic state you will find your customs & culture are irrellevant,which is excactly as it should be. When in Rome........

So? I don't care if their custom is to decapitate all infidels, it doesn't mean we respond in kind by doing the same to them.
Remember, these people are apparently the ones who have come here to integrate away from their own home culture into a country that supposedly invited them. If we allow them, no point in pushing them to reject something they have already made a step away from anyway.

 

[Biscuit]

So? I don't care if their custom is to decapitate all infidels, it doesn't mean we respond in kind by doing the same to them.
Remember, these people are apparently the ones who have come here to integrate away from their own home culture into a country that supposedly invited them. If we allow them, no point in pushing them to reject something they have already made a step away from anyway.

I don't understand your last point.

Pushing them to reject wearing viels, when they have already made a step away from wearing viels.. is that what your saying?

 

[NMH]

Oh well, he's only a politician - he's not expected to be an expert in....er...... er....... y'know, politics.

 

[clapham_gull]

I not usually one to agree with statements like this against a religion or culture, but I do think it is something that needs to be debated.

Biscuit is right and it seems to be more of a cultural belief rather than a religious one since most muslim women don't cover their faces.

Perhaps it is their "right" do such a thing, but you really need to ask yourself whether it is themselves who feel the need to do it rather than coming from pressure from the males within their community.

If I forget my sensitivities towards other cultures and religions for a second, deep down I have a problem with a women feeling or being expected to cover her faces incase somebody catches a glimpse.

That's indictative of a cultural belief that doesn't have much respect towards females.

I'm not sure that pschologically that has a positive effect on them. Perhaps I'm generalising, but lets just say that one particular women decides (as is her right)that isn't for her. What is the reaction of her peers ?

I think its also interesting to point out that young females are BANNED from wearing things in school in (of all places) Turkey.

This in inself has caused problems since many families keep their young girls away from school.

 

[Gilliver's Travels]

Be a whole lot easiier if all Muslim blokes had to wear blindfolds and be led around by guide dogs.

Now, that sounds like the makings of a good cartoon....

 

[shingle]

Anyone else agree with Jack Straw? I do. Accusing him of racism is madness. Comparing what he's saying to what Germany was printing in the 1930s is even more so.

I do too

 

[clapham_gull]

It wasn't a very badly timed statement, because he's not stupid to know how the tabloid press would react.

This is the single thing I hate most about modern Britain.

Politicians can't say what they think because of the press, and then choose to do so because of the press.

We are treated like idiots by the press and politicians.

That tory idiot in his speech as the conference - "I have one thing to say and that is optimism" - or whatever.

Yeah thanks...

I've now giving up voting completely (which I see as much a political act as much as voting itself).

 

[Blackadder]

Anyone else agree with Jack Straw? I do. Accusing him of racism is madness. Comparing what he's saying to what Germany was printing in the 1930s is even more so.

I wasn't comparing Jack Straw to Germany in the 1930's (I think, to a point he makes a fair comment). I was referring to the Tabloids' sensationlist daily headlines mentioned by H Block.