Off Topic Political Debate

Seriously in the same way as nudist beaches can be segregated theres no reason not to have a segregated burkini beach too. I personally am offended by head scarves and full covered muslim dress in the western environment.

 

I dislike the Saudi policy of dictating what people should wear. I like our free society. I think we are better to stick to our values of freedom of expression and not allow another regime's repressive policies to influence ours.
On a practical matter - is there much difference between a burkini and a full wet suit - would we ban those?
Ban on face covering in banks etc - yes - makes sense security wise - elsewhere no. The French High Court has not upheld the ban thankfully

 

The crucial point for me is whether a person is identifiable or not. I do not want to see only the eyes when I am talking to somebody, it gives me the creeps, and, in interests of security, people should be identifiable. But something like a birkini, or normal headscarf, which covers only the hair, is no problem to me. If you are going to start removing all forms of religious dress in public places then surely you should be asking Jews to remove skull caps, Catholics to remove crucifixes from their necks, nuns to disrobe in public etc. etc. Segregation is not the answer - would you have a girl at school being segregated for swimming lessons ? The answer is acceptance on both sides, and mutual respect. The fact that this form of clothing is not really 'religious clothing' - because there is nothing about covering of the hair in the Koran, but is really a misunderstanding of their own religion, is not the point - they think it is religious. If you look at what women wore to go swimming in the 1920's it wasn't so very different to what the burkini looks like now - mores regarding modesty etc. were different then in the west as well.

 

Whatever floats your boat, no matter how silly looking...

 

Don't suppose they overheated

 

It all seems a bit of a storm in a teacup to most people here, although it probably is doing little to foster good relations. I don't particularly worry about what anyone wears on a beach, and do not find that one where some choose to wear nothing is disturbing. I like cologne do find that someone who only shows her eyes to be intimidating, but you will not see that here as it is banned by law, as is wearing religious symbols in a school.
Maybe though there is a darker side to this. If you look at where the bans have been imposed you will see areas that have stronger FN support. The lurch to the right as a reaction to the terrorist attacks is maybe understandable, but like politicians in many parts of the world, eg Trump, Farage, le Pen, they say things that are designed to appeal to people's fears. Ask them for a realistic answer about how to improve relationships and you get the same response, get them out of the country.

 

Back in the day.....

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An almost unbelievable gaffe from Owen Smith must surely have finished him. Social Media is awash with #CockGate jokes about his apparent claims of having a 29" penis...

 

Do you think that's not statesman-like enough? Not the sort of ice-breaker for Frau Merkel?
Fair enough.

 

No, but I must admit that I'd pay good money to see how Theresa May handles him if he beats Corbyn.

 

Your use of the word "handles" is a little too graphic for me. Particularly in relation to Theresa May. The idea of Smith "beating" Corbyn? Again too graphic. Now, Miss Southampton is different prospect...

 

Japan has done an assessment of what Brexit would mean to them, and published a document showing how their investment in the UK would not be forthcoming and possibly removed.

http://news.sky.com/story/japans-unprecedented-warning-to-uk-over-brexit-10564585

Why people should be surprised seems odd.

 

Agree - also am amused how Brexiters are crowing that Remain lied about the effects of Brexit as the economy is still OK - are they mad - we have not yet left - let's see the effects then

 

To change the subject. I see that Richard Neville has died. For those of you not old enough to remember, in the sixties he was an editor of a counter-culture magazine OZ, and was prosecuted for obscenity in the 'School kids' edition. They were trying to highlight the issue of sexual abuse of children by teachers, which was swept under the carpet in those days. Some years later I met members of his defence team. They said that he was both very bright and a lovely person.

 

I remember going in an Oz demo in London. Oz magazine was very risqué.

 

Oz was good - supported Gay News against the horrendous Mary Whitehouse in the blasphemy trial

 

The polling stations should have just about closed for the by-election of a Senator here. I'm guessing that the turnout island-wide will be less than 30%, and in St Helier less than 25%.

 

The major effects will take 2-4 years to filter though.

 

I can't see the turnout figure stated anywhere, but for an island with a population of about 100k, even if you take out those ineligible to vote, the numbers that voted were low: http://www.itv.com/news/channel/upd...ah-ferguson-back-into-jersey-senatorial-seat/

 

A serious question. If the SNP get their next referendum on independence and somehow create a result in their favor would it be possible for ardent unionists such as myself to return to England and claim political asylum, a 2 million pound house in London and compensation for my losses in Scotland as a result of the persecution of the English here?