Tag Archives: social manipulators

Issues: The Great Niqab Debate

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee
©by Raymond Alexander Kukkee   [caption id="attachment_3233" align="aligncenter" width="332"]The Niquab The Niqab--A Traditional Face Covering[/caption]

The Great Niqab Debate is Upon Us, Like it or Not.

Whether it is a mild social debate,  a tempest in a teapot, an opportunistic politician's wet dream in an election year, a growing phobia, a racist argument; or an issue of women's rights, religious beliefs, a genuine, growing concern for public safety, or Islamophobia, the great niqab debate is upon Canadians, like it or not.  One may choose to participate or not. One may express opinions, or not. Here at Incoming Bytes we encourage comments, as long as they are polite,  civilized, constructive, and offer reason.

*First, a disclaimer:   I am male, senior, born Canadian, and here at Incoming Bytes I demand honesty first from myself.   I have NO  intention of mincing words or using cute lies  feel-good euphemisms  to please  devious "politically-correct" , factions, social manipulators with an agenda, devious religious zealots, homesick immigrants,   devious, lying politically-motivated opportunists,  or the whining variety of any of the above.  Opinions expressed in the niquab debate may not agree with mine, but  I will defend your right to express an opinion in a civilized manner.

As for me? I am not 'racist' —If I were racist, I would have been  censured or killed off as  a child by my kind and gentle folks, who accepted everybody, no matter what their origin, race, color, age, occupation, or gender. As a published author and writer,  to maintain integrity, I make every effort to continue with that tradition;  Christian values, life lessons, honesty, and above all, common sense, a trait too often overlooked in hot-button debates such as these.

Let us consider the great niqab debate. 

A niqab is a traditional head covering that covers the face but exposes the eyes.  It is not to be confused with the 'hijab'  which is a head-scarf covering for the head and hair,  or the 'burqua'  which is a complete covering including the head,  eyes and body of the woman wearing it.

So— Do Canadians Prefer to see the Faces of Others?

I'll go first.  IHMO, yes.  Most certainly  I prefer to see the faces of other people around me,  and here's why.  An open, exposed face is an instant first-impression evaluation and confirmation of identity with a simple glance. Instinctively, as a matter of human self-preservation, faces covered are construed  naturally as a potential danger, as someone who may have something to hide,  or be someone with less than honest intent. First impressions--rightly or wrongly.

You can decide for yourself, but fact is, it is a natural human instinct to be wary of the unknown entity, the unexpected, the covered face, the stranger, regardless of the type of mask. Does your natural instinct upset you?  Does that offend ?  "Feel-good " social manipulators take advantage of that fact.  Contrary to popular opinion,  politicians insist it is "non-inclusive, " "being intolerant" 'Un-Canadian"  and "racist";  apparently they are certain they know the natural instincts of Canadian human beings better than Mother Nature herself.

*Polls suggest the majority of Canadians know better. The majority of Canadians want the niqab and burqua banned in public places; particularly in traditional Canadian ceremonies such as the swearing of an oath for Canadian citizenship and courts of law (1). 

Is Human Distrust of the Niqab-Covered Face  instant "Islamophobia"?

Liberal politicians would have you believe the distrust of the niqab is Islamophobia, but NO, it is not.   In western culture, the covered face has always been associated with evil  intent.  Murderers, thieves, bank robbers, break-in artists and burglars, stage-coach robbers and horse thieves  in the old west all wore face masks. Rapists, looters and and rioters inciting trouble in modern, peaceful demonstrations invariably choose to wear face masks. Evil spirits favour the dark, which is simply another form of mask. Racists, the KKK.  Masked rabble-rousers invade peaceful demonstrations and less than stellar characters committing home invasions all prefer to wear masks or hoods to hide both their identities and their agendas. The common petty thief holding up the Mac's Milk on the street corner near you —will wear a balaclava, hood, or mask. The Western world is  conditioned to be wary of the covered face, regardless how innocent it may actually be.

Strangely enough, 'super-heroes' in North American culture, individuals  like Batman and Robin, Zorro, and Spiderman wear masks too, but it must be pointed out that we, the omniscient comic-book observers and movie-goers--are allowed to see their super-hero faces unmasked in the super-hero's  own, safe environment.  We know who THEY are.

The Niqab Wearer --What does SHE Think of the Covered Face?

We cannot be so foolish as to pretend we know what is in the mind of the woman (or person) wearing the Niqab or any other face covering,  but dear readers, in the interest of fairness,  let us try.  Perhaps the niqab-wearer feels more confident in her own undercover world, assured that she is not identifiable. The value of anonymity. Being allowed to do anything she pleases. Really? That might be a stretch...but  would not be surprising considering the human penchant for role-playing, the characteristic human female desire to be "mysterious".  Fine.  Perhaps everyone should try it sometime.  Masks can be naughty. You get the idea. Perhaps, instead,  though, closer to reality, we should be asking, "what does the Niqab-wearer think—if a fully-masked 'person'  approaches her on a vacant street, in the late evening, or in the dark?" Or just outside of the bank as she's making a deposit?  Is she afraid? What is her natural instinct? To run? To escape?  To hide?  Is she wary, or afraid, like any average person, male or female, adult,  senior, or child might be?  Would she be wary, and be looking for potential help?  If she is followed by a masked person, would she be preparing to escape or defend herself?  Flight or flight.  Of course. To pretend otherwise is completely illogical and unnatural. So we must assume correct answer is yes, she would at least be wary, if not afraid for her very life, seek help, or get out the cell-phone and pepper-spray.... How then, can the same  niqab-wearer expect Canadians to appreciate a double standard?  We anticipate the fascinating answer to that question. 

The Niqab Debate and Religion

Although the mandatory wearing of the niqab because of religious beliefs has been offered by some niqab-wearers who infer the niqab is required by Islam, conflicting information suggests the niqab  is not a requirement of the Quran at all. Perhaps it is more realistic to recognize that social pressure from a controlling ancient culture, zealous males in her family  should not be confused with strict religious edicts. In observation, is it logical that " women free to dress as they wish" would be voluntarily and happily wearing stifling, black full-face coverings in 45C Middle East heat? No.   Our brilliant readers may offer alternative suitable answers to this dilemma. Here at Incoming Bytes we neither offer or  pretend to know all of the "politically-correct" answers expected in the contentious niquab debate.

Does the Niqab remind us of ISIS and a new world threat?

Are we leery of the niqab and the covered face because ISIS (ISIL) is inciting fear with mindless murder, terrorist activities,  threats, and ISIS images invariably show all faces covered? ISIS is inciting fear of Islam, in spite of the fact that mainstream Islam has issued a fatwah against ISIS, insisting "they" are not Islamic.  Have the scenes of murder, beheading, ethnic cleansing and genocide reduced Western tolerance for anything Islamic, including the niquab which is perceived to be 'Islamic' ? What  do YOU think instantly when YOU see someone wearing a niquab? It reminds one of  war,  ISIS and terrorism, again, rightly or wrongly.The suggestion that ISIS women also wear suicidal explosive belts is not helpful either. Neither is the image that suggests lunatic terrorist males could be hidden under flowing robes and niqab or burqua. Likely? No. Possible? Yes. 

Niqab and the Law in Canada

A recent Federal Court ruling struck down a ban on the niqab and other face coverings during citizenship oaths. The logical question must be asked: Why would Canada allow any unidentifiable person to disrespect our citizenship oaths? Does that mean anyone can now take a citizenship oath with a fully-masked face? Not on your life; —it involves 'special treatment' for the niqab-wearer. Based on the concept of 'equal treatment of persons' required under the Canada Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the niqab-wearer also has advantage over all other Canadians in that she(?) can see the faces of Canadians, but they are not allowed to see HER face. It seems logical that is not equal treatment under Canadian law either.... What do YOU think?  

Does Society in Canada have a right to dictate how women dress?

No. Of course not. To politicize the issue and  turn the niqab into a 'dress code' issue and 'repression of women's rights'  is ludicrous.

The best Part:  The Niqab debate and Common Sense

It seems totally logical that Canadians, politicians and feel-good social manipulators must eventually come to understand it is NOT necessary to alter our laws, traditions, ceremonies or change, diminish, modify our culture and customs to please newcomers of any ethnicity  who CHOSE to come to Canada as a better place to live. In  fact, changing OUR culture and laws is a complete disservice to newcomers who, although perhaps homesick for their homelands and culture,  DID choose to come to Canada for something BETTER--a better life, kinder laws, you name it.  SO, why would "leaders" freely and so easily modify Canada  to "accomodate" ? Changing Canadian values, law,  and customs for ANY other culture is NOT necessary to respect people of other ethnicities, even if they insist on wearing a niqab. "Those who flee oppression oft' flee to oppression of their own" comes to mind. Let us not change Canada to mimic their homelands, whatever they may be, niquab or not. Time to grow up, Canada. #   Is that Incoming I hear?  

* A recent  Leger poll taken for the Association for Canadian Studies, indicates some 70% of Canadians agreed with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's controversial statements regarding face coverings, and fully 60% of respondents feel the niqab should be banned in public spaces, for example, while taking the oath to become Canadian, or at the proceedings in Canadian courts of law.

Posted in Civilization, Humanity, Major Issues, Reflections, The Human Mind | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Issues: Destruction of Traditions

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee
© 2014 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee   [caption id="attachment_201" align="aligncenter" width="584"]Christmas ©2012 by r.a.kukkee Christmas                                                         ©2012 by r.a.kukkee[/caption]    

A Sense of  Unease comes with the Destruction of Traditions

Do you feel it?  The kid at the electronics store says "Happy 'Holidays', Sir"   I reply quite seriously,  "Merry Christmas to you too."  He looks at me with the strangest look, like I am wrong, somehow. Do you feel it? With Christmas just around the corner once again, It is no small feat to accept the fact that our traditions  as we know them — as WE know them —are  being surreptitiously nibbled away, altered and challenged, perhaps even permanently damaged in ways unacceptable to our culture, faith, our very sense of identity, and perhaps even our very existence as an established society.  A sense of unease comes with the destruction of traditions. Our traditions. North American traditions. Christian traditions. Christmas traditions. Our culture. Let's face it, smiling  'politically-correct' hypocrites, political activists, social manipulators all, — including the uninformed,  would have Canada appeasing, and sucking up  kow-towing,  —yes, even actively destroying our culture and requiring  all people in North America to say  "Happy Holidays" to everyone because they somehow imagine it 'insults' visible minorities from all other cultures to say "Merry Christmas" in the Christian tradition. —Tradition we have come to know and love. Traditions that rightfully belong to us. These "feel good" social manipulators  attempt to appease dissatisfied, arrogant whiners and complainers people who, yes, may be immigrants, and yes, may be sorely missing their homelands and their  own culture —regardless of their country of origin, colour, religion, and traditions. The 'manipulators' coyly  suggest and infer that the  complainants and  'whiners', all visible minorites, of course are somehow "insulted" by our Christmas traditions practiced for hundreds of years,   and imply that  it is the duty of Canadians  to accept change and mollify hurt  feelings. The truth IS, the "insult" itself is a half-truth at best,  a delusion fabricated  by social manipulators with an agenda of their own. Let us not  misconstrue or  misunderstand;  some  individuals who might "be insulted" by our wishing them a "Merry Christmas"   are certainly NOT  typical or the majority.  Why?  The majority of immigrants are very happy to be in a new country offering better economic opportunities and lives free of fear and being free to practice their own religion and tradition as they see fit. They are not cut from the same cloth typified by  bitter, archaic delusion. The specific individuals from "other countries " quite happily take  advantage of the freedom and benefits of the North American way of life, use the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms against Canadians themselves. They also wish, and in some cases, deviously and fully plan, even with violence, —to change Canada and all of  North America to their own interpretation of laws, religion, faith, beliefs, culture and traditions. Make no mistake about it.  Those individuals do exist, but they are few and far between. Worth repeating,  trouble-makers DO  exist, and that is the typical complainant, but let us NOT stereotype and tar and feather all immigrants. Please. How about applying common sense? Some individuals do come to Canada from other lands to angrily USE Canada's passports, legal system, generous refugee and social support systems, and reputation of global trust—with seeds of hate and treason planted in their minds, and  with destruction of traditions and other belief systems  in their hearts and souls. Their intention is to destroy all other traditions, including their own, at any cost.  Make sense? Of course not. How can that be?

What's the problem?

Just as 'lone wolves' in recent terrorist attacks in Canada  arbitrarily converted to their own interpretation of  Islam,  they equally decided Canada and it's structure, civilization and Christian values were no longer acceptable, and  no longer "suited" them.   Let us be clear on that point and emphasize the fact that Canadian values DO NOT suit them.  Does that mean those individuals could go live happily exiled in some Mid-Eastern country? Not necessarily. Should Canada or the USA or other civilized nations tolerate these individuals as a clear and present danger to innocent lives everywhere?  Clearly not. Will the same individuals  be accepted by brutal, self-aggrandizing organizations like ISIL, the murderous Taliban or Boko Haram?  Of course, because those organizations, too, are not restrained by civilized values.  But...wait....what, you ask, does this all have to do with the destruction of traditions?

Catering to Lunatics

Think, dear readers. If you do not respect and protect your OWN  culture, faith, values, and  belief system  enough to keep and protect it, how can you expect others to respect your values, tradition and culture?  Our "politically-correct" element is happily denigrating, reducing, and destroying our culture in an attempt to cater to lunatics, who  we have already demonstrated, are satisfied with NOTHING.  Surprised?  Really surprised?  The politically-correct are catering endlessly to whiners and lunatics at a cost too great to quantify.

What's the fix?

Hypocrites, social manipulators and the politically asleep in their naivety and by their own hands,  are virtually begging  that your faith, religion, your beliefs,  your culture, your celebrations, your education, and your traditional way of life, your very country— be ignored, flouted, and taken advantage of, even destroyed entirely by fringe elements.  All under the pretense of  "generating respect and 'promoting inclusive social policy' and 'tolerance' .

Think, people. You ARE entitled to your own traditions; and you do not have to change Canadian laws or reduce, change or denigrate Canadian values—to avoid "insulting" dissatisfied, unhappy people from other countries. Canadians  do NOT have to give away OUR culture —to be respectful  of OTHER cultures.  Get it? What's the fix? It's plain as day isn't it?   Smarten up, and think... Say "Merry Christmas" to the kid at the electronics shop...  That ought to be a good start. Tell haughty, self-righteous politically-correct manipulators  to get stuffed. That's even better. Merry Christmas, everyone.  Happy New Year and all the best for 2015 too.     Is that Incoming I hear?      
Posted in Civilization, Life, Major Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments