Many Muslim women living in non-Muslim countries have been quoted as saying they are doing so for modesty, not symbolic reasons. One has to wonder, though, if what is protecting their modesty is not covering up their hair with a simple scarf as much as it is wearing a very obvious and off-putting religious symbol on their heads. If the goal of observant Muslim women is modesty, and modesty is obtained by covering their hair (one would assume it would involve avoiding plunging necklines, bare midriffs and miniskirts), why don't they just wear big floppy hats? A big floppy hat would meet the need for modesty through hair coverage, but not identify the wearer as a Muslim and, by association, probable terrorist threat.

People make "political statements" with the clothing they wear, all the time. Wearing certain styles or articles of clothing is a passive method of communication, so when they are called on their attire, people usually claim their choices were innocent, the results unintentional. Like the Muslim women. The truth of the matter is that if it looks like a religious symbol and functions like a religious symbol, it IS a religious symbol.

Speaking of underwear, has anyone other than me noticed the increasing numbers of young women out in public pairing low rise pants and skirts with high rise thong underwear? The effect is not dissimilar to young male hip-hoppers and ganstas wearing their baggy jeans under their butts so their spiffy plaid boxer shorts will show. I'm old school (meaning I'm just old). I am still adjusting to women feeling they no longer have to hide their bra straps under their tops. But am I the only guy who feels under pants (thong or boxer) exposed in such a manner is an open invitation to a wedgie?