Once Again.... If You Don't Like France...

[Mudhammam]

It's a criticism of their thinking, which seems pertinent, to me. If someone's being hypocritical, then that necessarily undermines their point, don't you agree?

The fundamental flaw in your reasoning is your assumption that "their" refers to some monolithic group for which this law primarily applies. In reality, however, this law limits the free expression of individuals who are undoubtedly as equally outraged at barbarism committed in the name of their religion as you are. I suspect this applies to the majority of those who choose to wear the niqab. You're basically saying in equivalence that since there are a few crazy right-wingers who advocate violent action in the US, the government is justified in imposing law that specifically limits the liberties of all citizens with right-wing views. This is what governments do to expand their power over individuals all the time, targeting minorities first. The measure of freedom that exists in a society is noted by how minorities are treated, and in this situation, I think it is a step in the wrong direction for any liberal democracy.

As for our "double standard" you're alleging here, I'd be interested in reading what exactly you think that is, because so far as I've read, no Western democracy promises absolute freedom; all freedoms are tempered according to the social good (ideally).

I only meant that their standards, hypocritical or not, are irrelevant to ours.