Round-up

1. A good article about "liberal racism"...read it for more details of exactly what this is, as there's more to it than it sounds.

2. The decision to yank a teen soccer player from a match because she was wearing a religious head scarf has outraged a Calgary Muslim leader. Syed Soharwardy, president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, said Safaa Menhem should be permitted on the field wearing a hijab.

"I don't buy it because a person could also pull a shirt and choke a person. This is not a safety issue. It is just a racist and discriminatory decision against Muslims," Soharwardy said. "Her rights should be respected -- this is her free choice."

Firstly, it is beyond repetition now that Islam is not a race. And secondly...them's da rules. I'm sure the girl was well aware of them before she played the game. It has nothing to do with Muslims; it has to do with health and safety and was not conceived specifically with headscarves in mind. It may be her "free choice" to wear one while playing football - but it is also the free choice of the authorities to then enforce the rules they have set up and ban her from playing.

There is a great quote attributed to the 19th century British General Sir Charles James Napier. When questioned about his tough stance towards the Hindu custom of burning widows at the stake during the funerals of their husbands, Napier said: "You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: when men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours."

Amen.