Hidden faces 2

If there's anything that's not been said yet on the Jack Straw business, I haven't come across it. (That's just to keep you on your toes.) Something I'd like to add to my previous post, though, is this. I have no quarrel with those arguing in a general way the benefits to be derived from Muslim women not wearing the veil: whether in terms of open face-to-face communication, affirming a norm of social intercourse widely valued in Western societies, or promoting gender equality. This doesn't alter the point that, within the limits set by preventing harm to others and rules about public decency, any individual should be free to dress as she wishes. I'm aware that Jack Straw hasn't claimed otherwise. And there's nothing wrong, either, with his requesting politely of anyone visiting his office that she should uncover her face - provided he will accept a refusal. But when a man in Straw's position makes a public statement against wearing the veil, he opens himself to the construal that he is engaging in cultural bullying.