Let us take a moment to rub the noses of the French in it. The IHT is listed by Google News as being from France:

• International Herald Tribune. "U.S. takes opposite tack from France in head scarf debate." April 2, 2004. See http://www.iht.com/articles/513140.html
• The Hindu. "US Justice Dept. to intervene in head scarf case." April 1, 2004. See http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/003200404011225.htm
• CNN.com. "U.S. to defend Muslim girl wearing scarf in school." March 30, 2004. See http://edition.cnn.com/2004/LAW/03/30/us.school.headscarves/
• CBS News. "Oklahoma: Head Scarf Battleground." March 31, 2004. See http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/31/national/main609526.shtm
• Reuters. "Justice Dept. Supports Muslim Girl's Headscarf." March 30, 2004. See http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4705024

"No student should be forced to choose between following her faith and enjoying the benefits of a public education."
-U.S. Assistant Attorney General R. Alexander Acosta-

The United States Department of Justice has announced that it will intervene in the ongoing controversy in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where school officials suspended 11 year-old Nashala Hearn for the crime of wearing the hijab.

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Alex Acosta said last week that the government would support Hearn's effort against the Muskogee Public School District. The Justice Department has filed a complaint against the school district, and also a motion to intervene in private litigation between the family and the school board. Quotes from around the news:• D.D. Hayes, a lawyer for the school district, said Muskogee was trying to follow the law as laid out by U.S. Department of Education guidelines. Hayes said the guidelines state a person does not have the right to wear religious attire to school.

"We don't have an ax to grind. If the judge tells us we are wrong, we will comply. But I think we will prevail," he said in an interview. (Reuters)

• The Council on American-Islamic Relations -- which has often been critical of the Bush administration's policies -- praised the government's support in the case.

"This moves comes in a time when the Muslim community feels like they are being singled out and their civil rights threatened," a statement from the group said.

"The news also sends out a message to the international community, especially some European countries where the wearing of the head scarf is being banned, that America will defend its citizens' religious freedoms." (CNN)

• "It's also good for other religious minorities -- for the Jewish community and the Sikh community . . . On the international level, it sends messages to European countries such as the French who have banned hijabs in schools that our laws and interpretation of religious freedom are protected here." (IHT)

• The complaint seeks to force the school to change its dress code policy to "ensure there is no discrimination on the basis of religion" . . . .

. . . . "We believe we're interpreting it right and apparently the federal government says different," Muskogee schools Superintendent Eldon Gleichman said. "I guess we'll let a judge determine it."

The complaint alleges the school district violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution by applying dress codes in an inconsistent and discriminatory manner. (CBS)

• "We certainly respect local school systems' authority to set dress standards, and otherwise regulate their students, but such rules cannot come at the cost of constitutional liberties. Religious discrimination has no place in American schools," [Acosta] said. (The Hindu)Commentary: I caught this going by first in the ticker and then as a passing headline report on the cable news, smoked a bowl to celebrate, and then promptly forgot about it.

While there's no real mystery about that, it did strike me that there's not much talk going on about it. After all, this is America, and France be damned! Actually, Socialists, war opposition, hijab ban--two out of three ain't bad, but I'm not Meatloaf.

By any interpretation of the First Amendment that leaves it remotely intact, the US government is obliged to its position in general, and we should not doubt that the Bush Administration needs a little bit of good PR. Would they have gotten involved at this point or simply waited for it to become a federal case? That's all beside the point now, since should anyone have asked--and some did in press conferences--the US government has only one route to go in this case, and that is the route they have chosen.

So yes, I'll give a nod to fed for getting into this one at this stage, but we should remember that this isn't a uniquely courageous stand for the Bush administration, but merely part of the job.

These are the United States of America. This is the way it goes. People are free to learn other ideas, but we can't force them at the stake of their consciences.

Raise a glass ... this is Freedom in the 21st century.

what a funny predicament

the Surrender Cheese Monkeys are banning the hijab, while the Great Satan is preserving the hijab

what kind of crusade is USA leading anyway? i don't get it

what kind of crusade is USA leading anyway?In the United States we're spoon-fed, almost as thickly as religion, a certain brand of shining patriotism that instills all sorts of noble virtues in our national identity. This occasion is one when those virtues press irresistably to the surface.

The Great Satan is about money and dominion. The United States v. Muskogee Public School District will be about everything we call great in this country.

It is this sort of action that wins America the hearts and minds of the Muslims all over the world.

It is this action which confirms to the muslim world that America really stands for religious freedom and human rights.

It is this action which exposes the Islamic fanatics' big lie in which they use to recruite more jihadis ( America is NOT waging war on Islam ).

This little girl is an American, Black and MUSLIM, preserving her rights is preserving the rights of every american.

Raise a glass ... this is Freedom in the 21st century.

SAUDI ARABIA

When Islam gained control of Saudi Arabia 1,300 years ago, all Christians were expelled. The situation today has not improved. Anyone who does mission work or converts a Muslim faces jail, expulsion, or execution.

Even foreign Christians visiting Saudi Arabia are not allowed to meet together and worship. Since 1992, 360 cases have been documented in which Christian expatriates were arrested for taking part in private worship. It has been reported that Christians have been arrested on false charges, imprisoned, and even beheaded because of their faith.

Saudi Arabia has signed many agreements over the years regarding religious freedom, such as UN and international human rights conventions, but this is only "window dressing." U.S. officials have approached the Saudi government about their pledges to practice religious tolerance to everyone, including Americans.

Raise a glass?.......this is Freedom in the 21st century?

Here is another hater called vienna trying to bash Islam and Muslims !! out of 57 MUSLIM STATES he picked only saudi arabia because it suits his bigoted agenda !!!

RAISE A STICK TO THE HATERS !! :D

Irrelevant, Vienna. We speak of America, not Saudi Arabia. Considering how much better human rights are in American than Saudi Arabia, it doesn't make sense to hold the two countries to the SAME standards. One must put a sort of 'handicap' on, you see. :rolleyes:

-- Long live the Female Messiah!

Vienna: "When Islam gained control of Saudi Arabia 1,300 years ago, all Christians were expelled.

That's untrue, at least in the sense of inferring systematic and not sporadic expulsions. Many Christians live and worship as they are accustomed in Saudi Arabia today, although US foreign policy is precipitating a drastic decline. I attended Christian religious services along with thousands in Saudi Arabia, when my father was their Protestant "special teacher". Considerable care was taken to avoid inviting problems from Arabian zealots, but the activities of group Christian worship were not clandestine, and were routinely conducted with the tactful consent of Saudi authority. We were monitored, and the strictly-observed agreement was that Christian Fellowships would refrain from proselytizing to Muslims.

The issue of "infidels" within the "holy land" becomes most controversial in the context of military campaigns, which always have incited religious rabble-rousing in this part of the world. The Prophet Muhammed tolerated other faiths after his military victories, so long as they respected his regime's authority. Predictably and to this day in the Mideast, whenever political tempers rise, religious intolerance immediately rises as well.

While religious friction is clearly intense in the mideast, your statements exaggerate the reality.

tiassa, i don't get why you're so upset. isn't what they're doing good?

what a funny predicament

the Surrender Cheese Monkeys are banning the hijab, while the Great Satan is preserving the hijab

what kind of crusade is USA leading anyway? i don't get it

The same fucking crusade that is being led in the UK.

Give the muslims their Islamic freedom in your country, and the oil deals will continue.

Except the tide has turned in the UK, the multiculturalism policy is ready to be scrapped, and a big divide in the muslim population of UK exists on the war on terrorism.

The bastards come here to the UK, plan the fucking terrorist activities here, they are anti-west, anti UK, anti USA. They preach against this country and America while they live here, and the government does nothing. Then I see posts on here from certain people preaching how fucking great muslims are.

Pissed off with them? - You bet I am.

Give the muslims their Islamic freedom in your country, and the oil deals will continue.

Here we go again! Really? The French don't need oil to? Is that why their doing it? Or could it be that France is a democracy to, so they have their choice in what happens to the hijab?

Let's remember that all oil companies employee nothing but evil Muslims that hate the U.S.:rolleyes:

Personally, I find this a good thing. I support the wearing of the hijab, just as I would the wearing of that Jewish hat thingy, or a crucifix.

The bastards come here to the UK, plan the fucking terrorist activities here, they are anti-west, anti UK, anti USA. They preach against this country and America while they live here, and the government does nothing. Then I see posts on here from certain people preaching how fucking great muslims are.

I can understand this. But remember, not all Muslims are terrorists. Especially young girls that go to school in the United States.

You see a muslim in UK, who knows what he does. Now, if it hasn't been noted yet, but ALL of the worlds terrorism today is Islamic. So excuse me if I can't identify if a particular muslim isn't a terrorist.

This is exactly the attitude the government is considering, because it HAS TO. In this day and age we cannot let the freedom of the British people be threatened by an organisation like Islam.

It has taken the muslims THREE YEARS to come round to the War on Terror. The Imams in the UK have been asked by the Council of British Muslims to be vigilant and fight against terrorism in the UK. Why the fuck has it taken THREE YEARS. On 9/11 I saw muslims cheering and dancing that the USA had been hit.

I'll tell you why the sudden turn. Its because the muslims are shit scared that their cosy little existance in the UK is under threat. When the UK is attacked (by Al Queda or other Islamic group) they know that fingers will be pointing. Hell, the troubles and riots were bad enough. Christ knows what will happen when the UK gets hit.

There are already Islamic Clerics preaching in the UK that it is against Islam to work with the infidels against terrorism, and that Bush and Blair must pay the price.

SEE THREAD

British Muslims divided in fight against terrorism (http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=34550)

tiassa, i don't get why you're so upset. isn't what they're doing good?What ever are you talking about?

oh never mind... PM wrote it.

ok then, PM, what do you think about this?

]It is this sort of action that wins America the hearts and minds of the Muslims all over the world.

It is this action which confirms to the muslim world that America really stands for religious freedom and human rights.

It is this action which exposes the Islamic fanatics' big lie in which they use to recruite more jihadis ( America is NOT waging war on Islam ).

This little girl is an American, Black and MUSLIM, preserving her rights is preserving the rights of every american.


you obviously quoted someone.
are you being sarcastic here, or do you agree with it?

Pothead
you damn jews are never satisfy. Always complaining.

And yes Two Sticks for Vienna in his white birtish Arse!!!! :D :D

British Muslims divided in fight against terrorism (http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=34550)


Muslims are coming vienna..........they are coming to get you..... Did you buy your duck tape and gas mask yet? oh and don't forget you got 2 million of them in you country.............. u can't change jack shit now.... admit your frustration and accept the fact that YOU are Screwed in your Own Country. :D :D

Muslims are coming vienna..........they are coming to get you..... Did you buy your duck tape and gas mask yet? oh and don't forget you got 2 million of them in you country.............. u can't change jack shit now.... admit your frustration and accept the fact that YOU are Screwed in your Own Country. :D :D

Yes, there 2 million muslims. That leaves 58 million who are going to be pissed off with them when the UK gets attacked. You do the math. The UK is only a very small island, there's no hiding place here. So who's gonna be screwed? And it'll be all down to Islamic terrorism.

Screwed in my own country?

Ha, I don't think so

That leaves 58 million who are going to be pissed off with them when the UK gets attacked.
that reminds me.
after that Chechen hijacking of the theatre in Moscow last year, Kavkazi (from Caucasus region) Moscovites were being beaten up on the streets of Moscow all over the city for weeks

you damn jews
holy war yo
this is what you want, you damn muslims?

Yes, there 2 million muslims. That leaves 58 million who are going to be pissed off with them when the UK gets attacked. You do the math. The UK is only a very small island, there's no hiding place here. So who's gonna be screwed? And it'll be all down to Islamic terrorism.

Screwed in my own country?

Ha, I don't think so

But they are not coming for rest of them, they are only coming for you...........and no you still can't do jack shit. You are really are screwed in your own country. Why would 58 million be pissed of they are coming for you? hah. You are not important at all...............if you only work half a day you wouldn't be needing all those foreigners............they will take your jobs and your benefits........................... and I wasn't even thinking about terrorism I was simply pointing out the immigration part of it........lol You are still an idiot when it comes to anything sane.

But they are not coming for rest of them, they are only coming for you...........and no you still can't do jack shit. You are really are screwed in your own country. Why would 58 million be pissed of they are coming for you? hah. You are not important at all...............if you only work half a day you wouldn't be needing all those foreigners............they will take your jobs and your benefits........................... and I wasn't even thinking about terrorism I was simply pointing out the immigration part of it........lol You are still an idiot when it comes to anything sane.

Is that a conclusion or simply the place where you got tired of thinking?

That post is written by something that is so stupid, if I took its tiny brain and rolled it down the edge of a razor blade, it would be like a lone car going down a six lane highway.

Clearly, you spend way too much time in darkened rooms in front of your seven-year-old computer turning a whiter shade of pale. Go outside once in a while and breathe, before your brain starts to rot from all that festering stagnation and cognitive dysfunction.

.

Stop burning Taxpayers money and get a life mate. Find yourself a Job. Talking about going out? didn't you lock ur self in ur home because foreigners and muslims took over your land or something? ;)