News Update

Last Friday, Israel publicized photos of scud missiles in Syria, found via Google Earth. After spotting the missiles on Google Earth's satellite imaging, experts confirmed the make and model of the missiles using Google Map's Street View function.

French Ban on Islamic Veils

When I first heard about this issue a couple months ago it really grabbed my attention. I was surprised when I read today that the bill to ban burqas and niqabs passed in France's senate yesterday. Now the bill awaits President Sarkozy's signature, who stated in 2009 that the veils were "not welcome" in France.

Estimates report that a slim minority, only about 2,000 women, will be affected by this newest ban. While some have speculated that the ban is just another example of Western mistrust towards the Muslim community, the "burqa ban" is by no means an isolated incident.

This ban is just another step on France's path to complete secularization. Similar bans have also outlawed crucifixes, yarmulkes, and turbans. Despite outcry from religious groups the bans continue.

Since no religion is being favored over another and all religions are being equally restricted, this bill is anything but unfair. Of course, I don't agree with France restricting its citizens' rights but if France wants to be a secular nation, that's their prerogative.

However, the justification for this latest ban is that burqas and niqabs are oppressive to Muslim woman because their religion (and by extension the men involved with their religion) force them to wear those garments. While this may certainly be the case for traditional and fundamentalist practitioners, one shouldn't assume that none of the women are wearing burqas by their own volition.

So, when Sarkozy said the new law "is to protect women from being forced to cover their faces and to uphold France's secular values" he means the new law is to uphold France's secular values. There's no reason to adopt the guise of protecting women's rights because that's not what this ban is truly about.

To France's credit, however, the new law does attempt to address the issue of fundamentalist abuse towards women. Though there's a €150 fine for women who violate the law (including foreign tourists) but there's a penalty of a €30,000 fine and one year in jail for anyone who requires another person to wear a veil.

So, it's not all political posturing.

News Update

Sarah Palin Excited by Apparent Abundance of Oil

Nature to Man: "This is what you get when you mess with us"

News Update

Oil Spill Accuses Environmentalists of Racism When They Ask it to Leave Ocean

Obama Invites Oil Spill to Beer Summit

In related news: Brown Pelicans, once endangered, now looking forward to being known as Black Pelicans after the oil spill reaches their habitats.

In unrelated news: Mountain man invites goat to Beer Summit

News Update

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, has died at the age of 50. His title will be passed to Prince, who is to be crowned at a cornation ceremony this weekend.

News Update

According to Wikipedia, North Korea has declared that it will "weaponize all plutonium" following the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874 (which overturns Denmark's decision to grant Iceland home rule). U.S. military leaders have released a statement in which they predict North Korea's next step will be to try and design a slingshot big enough to propel a nuclear warhead across the Pacific Ocean.

LOVES

News Update

This week actor David Carradine died in Thailand. Investigators believe he died performing a risky sexual act in his Hangkok hotel room.

News Update

According to AOL.com, the last survivor from the RMS Titanic died last night. The legendary ship snuck into the woman's room last night while she was sleeping and finished what is started 97 years ago. There are no survivors. This will be the last Titanic joke that is "too soon".

News Update

According to Wikipedia, a 4,000 year-old skeleton showing the earliest known evidence of leprosy was found in India. The skeleton was rushed to a hospital in Rajasthan to be treated for the debilitating disease but was pronounced dead upon arriving at the hospital.

News Update

According to Wikipedia, the Sri Lankan government declared victory today against the Tamil Tigers, a local pee wee soccer team. The government credited their victory to good hustle and a vitamin C boost recieved from orange slices that were passed out in the second half. Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa celebrated the victory by taking everyone to McDonald's for Happy Meals. The Tamil Tigers were killed.