So, should the burka be banned?Luckily, he answers this one for us.
It’s anathema for a free country like Canada to tell citizens how to dress.
The same liberty that allows the rest of us to dress as we like is the liberty that allows a woman to hide her face.
But what about in a bank? Should masked women, Muslim or not, be allowed into a bank?I would say yes. However, as private businesses, I would allow banks to make that decision themselves.
If that’s okay, how about a man in a ski mask?Again, I would say yes. Does Levant seriously think that a policy against ski masks in banks would cause an increase in bank robberies?
How about testifying in court?Yes.
Who else can hide their eyes and facial expressions while condemning an accused or swearing to their own innocence?Apparently, in New Hampshire this is allowed.
And why stop at witnesses — what about judges or police officers in a burka?
I don't mind judges in burkas. However, a burka would clearly impede a police officer from performing her duty, so I would not allow it.
What about ID cards like a driver’s licence?Obviously not. This seems like a massive red herring to me. It doesn't surprise me that some random Muslim thinks she should be allowed to wear a burqa for her driver's license photo. However, considering the rules for passport photos, I don't think that any Canadian government is going to allow burqas in photo identification.
What point is an ID card if it doesn’t actually ID you?There is none. That is why ID cards have to show your face.
Can you vote with a mask on?
Yes, provided you slip it off for a moment to allow the poll worker to verify your identity.
Board a plane?
Yes, provided you slip the mask off for a moment to allow the security official to verify your identity.
If a burka is okay, how about a Ku Klux Klan mask?Yup. However, I would advise against it, as wearing a Ku Klux Klan mask tends to reflect poorly on the wearer.
But more than all that, is wearing a burka truly an act of individual liberty?It depends. And this is what Levant then admits:
For some it is. But for others, it is a manifestation of tyranny — a brutal husband demanding submission; a radical imam threatening frightened immigrant women.This is a far cry from the Ezra Levant who rallies for liberty and freedom from kangaroo human rights commissions (incidentally, this is a position on which Levant and I agree). Speaking of Section 13, Levant writes, "Ignatieff’s comment from 2006 is more heartening – it shows a respect for freedom of speech, even offensive speech, even offensive speech targeting him." In the case of burqas, Levant's lack of respect for freedom of religion is concerning. In the matter of freedom of speech, he believes that offensive speech must be protected. When it comes to freedom of religion, however, he believes in a hard boundary.
We know from the case of Aqsa Parvez — killed by her father and brother for dressing in western fashion rather than in traditional Islamic clothing — that defying these orders can lead to murder.I agree that this is a problem. However, it is laughable to believe that banning the burqa would solve this problem. Imagine that you are a man who would be willing to kill his sister or daughter for not wearing a burqa. Now, imagine that the government prevents her from wearing a burqa. Would you allow her to leave the house without a burqa, or would you force her to stay in the house so no one can see her?
In Afghanistan, uncovered women have acid thrown in their faces.I do not feel that Canadian law should be pro-actively limiting freedoms because of stuff that happens in Afghanistan.
Only 54% of us want a ban?I hope that the wording of the question (Canada should follow France. Nobody should be able to cover their faces. It is a matter of public safety and business transparency.) is what caused this number to be so high. I hope.
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