Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2008 2:38 AM
So the Netherlands have this great new party: the party for freedom (PVV). Which in the great tradition of newspeak actually means party
against freedom. Fleur Agema, MP for the PVV, uses the apparently copious time of the Dutch parliament and secretary of state of Sports for questions about a "new" threat to our society and its precious values:
The Burqini.
This swimming attire for women covers the whole body, much like a wetsuit does, so allowing Muslim women to, for example, go to the beach and swim in the sea.
What is Agema's problem with the burqini? Well, she thinks it is unhygienic
and unsafe
and unwanted.
Unhygienic - the mind boggles. why would a burqini be more or less hygienic than a thong, a speedo or this;
wholesome wear? This "argument" in particular speaks volumes on the level the PVV thinks of Muslims. And unsafe? Whose safety is she worried about, the Muslim women dragged down by the weight of their clothes? Ha, I doubt she could care less... Unwanted? Meh. I don't agree with the secretary of state that the Burqini will contribute to integration necessarily, as it will emphasise differences rather than overcome them, but at least it will reduce segregation in some respects, no?
Hey, at least the Burqini offers the best protection against sun burn, and perhaps jellyfish, and it could be a fab solution for those that do not feel at all comfortable in a regular swimsuit or bikini. Ideally everybody should make up their own mind about how much skin to show. But I guess we are far from that perfect world where patriarchy, religion, sexism and bigotry are non-entities.
Oh, as for parliament, please don't waste my dear tax money on more of this piffle, it's not like there aren't any real problems left to solve mmmmmkay?