Comments: Burqas are `not welcome' in France

Sat, 06/27/2009 11:13 AM  |  Reader's Forum

President Nicolas Sarkozy has declared that the Islamic burqa is not welcome in France, branding the face-covering, body-length gown as a symbol of subservience that suppresses women's identities and turns them into "prisoners behind a screen."

Your comments:
Obama is certainly correct that in the United States there isn't any law covering a public dress code. Freedom of expression is here to stay. The laicet* (secularism) clause in France, in which religious symbols of any kind displayed in public would tarnish the principles and values of the nation, is enforced in public schools. Perhaps the need to redefine what is cultural garb and what is religious attire would probably be more beneficial than a general ban.

Muslim women wearing headscarves or covering all of their body except their eyes is only a cultural interpretation, not a religious one. To be humble and wear modest clothing, that's it. How many women wearing headscarves behave improperly? They claim by covering their heads they feel self-righteous. So what if, day-to-day, Christian women decided to wear nun's clothing or Christian men wear priests' or pastors' clothing. These religious dress codes redefine the separation among religious beliefs.

I strongly believe that it is one's own choice to wear what feels comfortable and not be dictated to by a religion or a law. If Middle Eastern cultural values require women to wear such attire to protect them from the stares from men in general, then that is a social problem, not a religious one.

Andre D.

The presidential debate is historic--June 19, p. 2

The three presidential candidates made some points in the television debate last night, but viewers waited in vain for the excitement of claims and rebuttals, which are the norm in day-to-day campaigning. Instead, the three candidates did their best to agree and when it came to areas where the three had differences, they did their best to gloss over them with banalities.

Your comments:
Why would you expect a debate with lots of claims and rebuttals? What we really need is concrete action for people's future prosperity. There is no need for pompous speeches; specific evidence of results would explain it better. After all, the three candidates did have one thing in common; they all pledged to put people's welfare above all.

Antoni T. Saputra

In one decade, Indonesia has achieved huge progress in democracy. Indonesians have exercised their right to vote orderly and peacefully. The Indonesian people have proved to be more mature in accepting democracy than their "elite" politicians. In Indonesia, politicians, high-ranking officers, public servants suffer from inferiority complexes (minderheit complexes) as they do not dare openly criticize their bosses i.e. their common slogan is "as long as the boss is happy" (ABS or Asal Bapak Senang).

Indonesians need a drastic change in their mindset to face the 21st century. In the next decade, Indonesia should achieve a healthier democracy with Indonesians without an inferiority complex, who criticize their bosses and the bosses openly accept that criticism. Indonesia with good governance, no corruption and a transparent and efficient administration will bring prosperity and full freedom to the people and it will become one of the richest countries in the world. God bless Indonesia!

Jimmy

East Timor hopes for decision on pipeline--June 25, Online

East Timor's president said Wednesday that venture partners in a vast underwater oil and gas field would be better served if they choose to lay a deep sea pipeline to his country instead of Australia. President Jose Ramos-Horta said he hopes agreement on where to pump oil and gas from the Greater Sunrise field will be reached by the end of the year.

Your comments:
The East Timorese government does not really govern their own country; it is run by the Australian and European governments with all their so-called aid programs. Go to Dili and see what is happening!

Timor Leste has a split economic, legal and social sector: One for the Timorese and one for the thousands of foreign aid workers, NGO staff and the various UN and foreign government agencies.

Look at the offices of the European Commission; they are housed in one of East Timor's most historic landmarks.

However, instead of making the building an East Timor government office or cultural center, no, the European Commission restored it and took it over as their offices. Can you imagine something like that happening in Brussels?

No decision is really made by the Timorese. It is dictated from abroad. That is why it is unlikely East Timor will benefit from a pipeline and refinery on Timor Leste soil.

It is high time the government of East Timor woke up and took its destiny into its own hands, rather than let it be hijacked by so-called experts from abroad!

Henry Manoe

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