Originally a comment by Sastra on Once and for all.
If you’re going to make an argument which ought to rest on truth and principle, slipping in “it doesn’t happen a lot” is a fatal flaw. It tacitly admits that the truth and principles behind what you’re advocating are weak.
If we think the authorities in Iran should stop punishing women for not wearing a hijab, reassuring them that they can repeal the law because don’t worry, most of the women in Iran will dress properly and they’ll hardly even notice the ones who don’t undercuts women’s freedom from constraint. Now it’s a numbers game. How many women flaunting their uncovered heads should it take for the modesty laws … Read the rest
