Ontario Approves Witnesses in Burkas

[Jack Weber]

In general I detest the parade of xenophobic morons whining about the Burka these days. But in this case I have to agree.

I think there are a lot instances where this wouldnt matter, but I agree that in criminal trials witnesses should not be allowed to testify while wearing a face covering.

Agree completely....

[Jack Weber]

Because the very basis of the British Common Law judiciary is for the accused to be satisfied his trial is fair and impartial. Satisfaction of the court instead, at the expense of the defendant is a wholly new concept and one I wouldn't be too quick to endorse.

Gee...Now that would never be abused...

Albertan "sanity" at its finest...

[Shwa]

There might be exceptions to the rule, but being an adult woman in a burka is not one of those exceptions.

"But being an adult woman in a burka is not on of those exceptions" sounds like a rule to me, thus: "There might be exceptions to the rule"

[GostHacked]

"But being an adult woman in a burka is not on of those exceptions" sounds like a rule to me, thus: "There might be exceptions to the rule"

The amount of times you are actually going to get one of these so called ass backward repressed muslims in a burka to testify at a trial is rather humorous. That's if their husbands let them. And does that follow Sharia??

[Argus]

If the court is satisfied that the witness is indeed who they say they are, then why does face covering matter?

It's a lot easier to lie when you're hiding your face. The face is the shadow to the soul. People often involuntarily show signs of their dishonesty when they talk. Facial expressions also often help support a statement, or give evidence of uncertainty, confusion, guilt or absolute certainty. Much confusion can arise without seeing someone's face. We can see that on the internet, in fact, where people have sometimes resorted to smilies to try and indicate mood, emotion and meaning.

[Argus]

Pfft!

Any argument that can be made in favor of the absolute NECESSITY of an uncovered face can also be made to demand the uncovering of all other body parts,

Yes, I can often tell if a woman is telling the truth by examining her belly button. It tells me a lot about her mood and whether she's feeling uncertain or guilty about what she's saying.

yet no matter how xenophobic the bigot, none seem to think that witnesses should all, always, be naked in order to give valid evidence.

Maybe no matter how xenophobic the bigot they aren't as goofy as a zealous politically correct lefty.

[Molly]

Funny how, through fascist eyes, libertarianism becomes 'left'.