bridge too far

polo mints into coca-cola

Weather forecast for the UK is good next week

I know you addressed the first part of your post to AnotherSaint but I'll chuck in my 5 pence worth. A number of threads ago I said that I thought people should be able to wear what they liked as long as it didn't offend public decency. There could be an argument that the two instances you suggested WOULD offend public decency. Some of the items I listed as up for banning could be construed as being in conflict with the way we live in the UK. For example, Sikhs don't have to wear crash helmets / uniform hats. The main point is that, being a free country, we embrace all cultures. Some of those cultures require the wearing of certain items. I don't see that the burkha is any different to a kilt, turban etc. etc. in that respect. I believe the choice should be for the individual to make. I don't for one moment condone the fact that some muslim women are oppressed, even in this country. But I have worked with highly educated muslim women employed in quite senior positions who CHOOSE to wear the burkha because, ironically, of the freedom it gives them.

Indeed, where would we draw the line? Here's a few suggestions: Ban turbans Ban crucifixes Ban yarmulkes Ban kilts (since it'd be UK law) Ban nun and monk habits, vicars' robes, university gowns get my drift?

No - because they'd be breaking the law It's not against the law to wear a veil over your face (think of brides walking up the aisle).

Hope you feel better soon Colin. It's the noise that's the worst bit, isn't it

dyeing [deliberate spelling ]

Fluffing

I think the received wisdom is that you shouldn't need to see a chiropractor for more than 6 sessions.

61% now

Well that's the corollary to the point I was making. However, since it's not illegal to wear the burkha in the UK, then people shouldn't criticise women who choose to wear it. If it were to be made illegal, then your argument (and mine by implication) is that either those concerned voice their opposition or put up and shut up. Fortunately, in this country, we are able to campaign against laws that we don't like.

No, you miss my point Daren. I was making the point that people are expected to abide by the laws of the country they're living in or visiting. And it isn't, yet, against the law to cover the face in our country. If I felt strongly that I should, for example, be allowed to kiss my husand in public whilst in Dubai, then it's for me to challenge the law. Similarly, if a law banning the burkha or any other form of concealment was introduced, it would be for those who want to wear it to challenge that law too. But I hope it doesn't come to that

Sounds like sciatica or a trapped nerve. Have you thought about seeing a physio or an osteopath? I've never been to a chiropractor but my sister-in-law got ripped off big style by one

Mr TF has a similar problem. His company decided it was not cost effective to move a laboratory with fume cupboards and multi-million pound spectrometers to our back garden

Jeez TDD! Have you got OCD? If it's not laptops then it's crash helmets. St Landrew already answered your point earlier.

I said 'DRESSED AS' TDD - do read postings correctly. In any event, the topic was the concealment of weapons under voluminous clothing.

swill

One of my daughters reckons she can get more done wfh because there's not the distraction of office gossip!

You could level the same charge at someone dressed as a nun or a monk!

Did anyone hear on the news today about the new CEO of Marks & Spencer earning a total package of £15m? How the hell is that justified?

gale

I used to work from home a lot and it suited us very well. I'd work when Mr TF was on shift (even if it was a Saturday or Sunday) and then not feel guilty about not working when he was off shift on a weekday. As long as I got the work done, the boss didn't mind how and when I worked.

It only became law in Belgium at the end of April so a bit soon for any challenge. A very interesting take on the matter from a Belgian woman: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/apr/22/belgium-niqab-ban-women

Absolutely agree with that. And it doesn't have a place in OUR society and we're talking about women wearing face veils in OUR society. There is absolutely no way that Shariah law will supercede our laws in the UK. The vast majority of people in the UK would not tolerate it or, indeed, allow it. A parallel would be British people living in, say, Dubai trying to overturn their laws on kissing in public places for example. It ain't going to happen.

block