the prime minister of the UK said the following today:
“Let’s properly judge these organisations: Do they believe in universal human rights – including for women and people of other faiths? Do they believe in equality of all before the law? Do they believe in democracy and the right of people to elect their own government? Do they encourage integration or separatism?

“These are the sorts of questions we need to ask. Fail these tests and the presumption should be not to engage with organisations,” he added. – State multiculturalism has failed, says David Cameron

at first i thought, what an ass. and then i thought, what is wrong with this? the problem is, what if you have a subset of society that wants to live their lives another way? what if there are a group of people who agree that men will make the decision? is that ok? should we force equality on them? i guess, as long as those involved are involved out of choice, then it is ok. but would they be? if you are raised like that? if that is all you know? if you have no support outside this group? do you really have a choice? it is like women born into polygamist sects. everyone in their community lives the life, so where would you go if you wanted out? how would you support yourself? i remember when i was in college, CA had some cases of mong marrying their daughters off at 13. some people didn’t think this was far, where the mong community thought it was their right to live life their way. problem is, what about the kid? i don’t know how that was settled. and can cameron really say that british society treats all faiths equally? and is that even possible? isn’t it likely that some tenants of the faith will conflict with these philosophies of “muscular liberalism”, as mr cameron puts it? where is the line? or where does the gray turn either white or black and a decision can be made. i find this an fantastic starting point for a discussion.