This story reflects one of the deepest issues that the West must deal with - to what extent do we demand that immigrants shed their traditional values to be fully incorporated into our societies. There's nothing troubling whatsoever about what this woman says, or how the article describes her. But it is troubling when people fail to assimilate at all, and instead seek to essentially import their traditional cultures wholesale in their new lands (e.g., not learning the language, failing to educate their children properly, fighting for special protections of traditional behaviors considered taboo in the new society, etc.). To be a bit provocative with the Muslim example, at one end of the spectrum, there's preventing female circumcision, at the other end, there's banning hijab. I imagine the line to be drawn is somewhere in the middle - the tough question is where to draw it.

Well, Abdol-Hamid should know that the headscarf, hijab, burqa - you name it - has been traditionally used to keep women in their place. The more power you give to the Abdol-Hamids the more difficult the world becomes for the Hassiba Boulmerkas.

Should the Danes outlaw headscarves? Definitely not!

But do I understand why they might be nervous? You bet!

BTW, did you find a quote that might shed some light on Abdol-Hamid's stance on free speech vis-s-vis the cartoon fiasco? Enquiring minds would love to know.

I support the candidate who allows political cartoonists to express their opinion in their work. Period.

The problem with a candidate like Asmaa is not her headscarf.

The problem is that she is a hardcore islamist.

She is "Talkinf with two tongues". Before before running as a parliement candiate she was one of the forces that wanted a nespaper punished for the famous muhammeddrawings, she has been a keynote speaker at hisbollah demonstrations. She wanted sharia as danishn law. She wanted death over homosexuals.

But now that she is running for office, with the former communist party, her public opinions have been changing.

I dont think she has any credibility.

Its funny theese days, how the islamists and and most radical left is united, the only thing they have in common are their hate towards US/western capitalism.