masterblaster72

Hmm. Do you honestly believe these women are forced to stay at home on account of the French laws? Or do you think it is their (or their family's) reactions to those laws? If the latter, then whose problem is this really? In France, the law says you can't wear a niqab. In SA, you are not allowed to drive if you are a woman. Which country do you prefer to live in? Are you really sure that France is no different from SA? Of course it is a democracy -- it just has some laws that are particular to its culture. One law deems the niqab incompatible with its tradition and values. That's for the sovereign state of France to decide, full stop. Just like Switzerland decided in 2010 that minarets are incompatible with its traditions. And just like Saudi Arabia decided miniskirts in public are incompatible with its values. This goes back to my point earlier. Being that France is 90% non-Muslim, discrimination is far less likely if a woman *at minimum* shows her face. In other words, be like us, be part of our society, we want you to assimilate and have a chance just like everyone else. Win/win. Hiding behind cloth and showing only your eyes neither gives people in such a society a favorable impression, nor does it give you a fair chance in making a prosperous life in such a society. Or is it that you expect that 90% non-Muslim population to change their negative perception of the niqab? If so, I don't think that's realistic. Yes, I agree that is pretty cool :-) Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

To quote from your article: Why would the women be forced to stay at home? If they do, I see very rigid religious beliefs as a possible problem -- not the laws of France. How about this as an interpretation of France's law: the country wants all of its citizens to have a fair chance. Do you think someone who goes for a job interview in France (Muslim population - 5-10%) in a niqab will successfully compete against someone with the same qualifications as her, sans niqab? Example: if you owned a French bakery, would you want someone who deals with customers showing her face or wearing a niqab? What do you think would be better for the success of your business in a place like France? Perhaps in this context the purpose of the law becomes clearer to you, keeping in mind that France has a vastly different culture than countries that enforce Sharia law? Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Okay, so with that in mind, do you apply the same standard to Saudi Arabia or Iran? Think of a non-Muslim woman living in those countries. Do you think she should have the right to wear a miniskirt without government intrusion? Nice. However, some members of societies where people normally show their faces and don't hide their identities find the niqab or burqa offensive. In a way it represents a rejection of the freedom of that society, which is one of the reasons why a country like France outlaws such garb. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

I find it difficult to understand why a woman would choose to dress in black formless clothing head to toe on a hot summer day, so thanks for your perspective on this. What are your thoughts on full-face coverings like the Afghan burqa or the niqab? I struggle with this because in my view it dehumanizes a person by hiding her identity. It is also difficult to talk with someone whose facial expression you cannot read. Regarding the right to dress this way -- do you think a country has the right to legislate against full-face coverings if said country feels it is inconsistent with its culture? France comes to mind in this case. Cheers Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

My sentiments exactly. I don't see why we can't all be proponents of better care of the world we live in -- no matter what our political motivations may be. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Hi Suslique, Thanks for your refreshing and (for this forum), unique and rare perspective. I've been posting in SC for a while and I don't recall reading a post from Muslim woman. I see you quote "oppressed" in jest above -- but, living in a free society and seeing Muslim women wearing clothing from top to bottom on warm and sunny spring days while most other people (including the men accompanying women in said clothing) are wearing whatever they feel is most suitable to the weather -- can you kindly share your personal take on this dress code that your religion requires? Genuinely curious to hear your views on this. Thanks, Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Gotta get the papers, get the papers. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Enormous number of Armenian owned oriental rug stores on the north side of Chicago. I was fortunate to grow up in a very diverse neighborhood, which included some Armenians. Many of them didn't have grandparents or great-grandparents. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

43 states have recognized the genocide too. Unfortunately Obama isn't the first to bait and switch the Armenian community on this important issue -- it's political pragmatism (or cynicism in my view) at its worst. Israel wants to recognize it as well -- in previous years they didn't because of their alliance with Turkey, now it is for fear of pissing off the Azeris, who they have become close strategic allies with. Same scenario as above. Everyone knows this was a genocide, including most Turks. If we don't call it what it is and lear from it, we are doomed to repeat it. The past 100 years show exactly that. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Thank you for showing us what's here, and for confirming the core eschatological hopes of your belief system. As long as you continue to post about your hope for your "tribulations" here, you should expect continued ridicule. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Yeah, and you believe it just like Ron did the story about the sombrero-wearing ISIS fighters. What Ron posted there is exactly the type of despicable "end times" bullshit born-again Christians wish for. As he said, "bring it on" -- "tongue-in-cheek" my arse. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

I fully realize that and you'll notice I called it out in my response to your post in that thread. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Please provide a source for I have never seen hoping and praying for death and destruction of the world by Ron. Thanks ahead of time for finding that for me. Here you go, from #55 in that thread if the shortcut doesn't work. If you're asking for exact wording for a prayer of death and destruction then you don't know the mentality of born-again Christians, or you're just looking for a cheap cop-out. You're welcome. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Desperately hoping and praying for the world to be consumed in death and destruction deserves belittling, and that has nothing to do with being a bully. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

He needs the paranoia to justify his grim view of the world. Though the Mexican ISIS story is a bullshit story from a known source of bullshit stories, he's grasping at any bullshit on the internets that can justify his "under siege," "armed-to-the-teeth n ready to go," good Christian country folk mentality. He wants to believe it's true. Not only that, he and his "brethren" pray for the second coming frequently, which when broken down to its essence means praying for mayhem, disease and destruction for 99% of the people in the world. But we unsaved souls just don't understand -- this is actually god's "love" at work here. These threads are like a dark comedy -- hilarious to read, unsettling to know there are people who think and live like this. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Guns don't kill people, uh-uh. I kill people...with guns (pow). Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Look, I think it's pretty obvious. The officer, who is an absolute teddy bear according to his mother, tried to peacefully subdue the driver for questioning. The driver then took the officer's taser, used it on the officer, dropped it, and ran away. The officer, having been shocked severely by the taser, had the involuntary reflex of drawing his pistol and emptying it. It was simply an unfortunate accident that the driver happened to be in the direction that the officer was firing, since the officer had no control of his actions at that point. Still disoriented by the taser, the very polite officer then picked up the taser and gave it back to the driver "Here, you dropped this back there." It was only when the officer came to his senses that he realized that the driver was not simply taking a nap, and was very traumatized by the realization. It is all a big misunderstanding, and it will be cleared up on court. BSBD, Winsor LOL. Will be cleared up by a grand jury, to be more precise. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

I'm beginning to like him as well. Calling the Armenian genocide exactly that in light of anticipated backlash from Turkey is the right thing to do. Long overdue but never too late -- bravo Francis. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Don't necessarily disagree. Unfortunately it seems she's still the best of a bad bunch on both sides of the aisle. She probably is the best of the bunch, as scary as that may seem. However I think the email issue damaged her chances to the point that she is a long shot now. Frightening field we have -- Bush3, Paul, Cruz, Clinton2 and possibly Biden. [shudder] Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Original! But not as original as.... ....ADOLF HITLER!!!! Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

awesome. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

It's unfortunate that what you said actually has some truth to it. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

I wonder of the other officer will be subpoenaed for testimony. Considering he was there when cop A planted the taser on the scene and said nothing. Any exposure on that officers side for not reporting the tampering of the scene? The other officer will surely be subpoenaed for testimony. If he's smart he is going to watch that video many many times before he comes up with a remotely credible and defensible excuse for his fellow man in blue. And I can just imagine the cops making excuses soon enough: "Walter Scott put himself in danger by fleeing a cop and resisting arrest. He played a big part in his own death and had it comin'" Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

Yeah -- let's not jump to any conclusions now. I'm sure that once the smoke of the cop-hating liberal media's lies clears out the courts will find this valiant and heroic officer was protecting himself and the community from a highly dangerous fleeing back. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

When I discarded Christianity this was a fundamental problem I had with the religion -- reducing "actions" to "acts" and discounting the importance of what one does, instead placing all importance on "faith" and a few trivial words of "accepting him as my Lord and Savior." Actions are what define us; the rest -- "intention," "faith," "what's in one's heart," "being born again" yada yada...is all bullshit. We define who we are by what we do -- full stop. Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.