Muslims Sue Illinois over Swimming Attire

By Douglas V. Gibbs

A swimming pool available to the public in Illinois, probably for reasons of safety to the swimmers, and the pool equipment, have a dress code for jumping in the water. Both private and public entities share having dress codes. Golf Courses generally don't allow blue jeans, cut-off shorts, and collarless shirts. Schools in California generally disallow spaghetti straps on girl's blouses, or any attire that could stir up gang related trouble - including bandannas, gang associated emblems or writing on shirts or jackets, and pro football jerseys and caps. Some restaurants require a tie and a jacket, and some nightclubs don't allow open toe attire for men.

The great thing about a free society like the one we enjoy in America is that if a group has a problem with the policy of a business, or public facility, they are free to get together and open a business of their own that will accommodate their preferences. They can then set their own rules for that establishment.

Instead, because somehow members of our society think every little disagreement is some form of discrimination, we keep seeing these offended groups take it to the courts.

People choose to be offended. It's a choice. I wish these people would stop whining, and use the free market system to fit their preferences. Go into business and open a swimming pool facility that allows hijabs, turbans, grenades, and whatever else these people want to wear into the water.

When discussing the issue of the Muslims suing over the policy regarding proper swimming attire at a swimming pool, a person hoping to defend the Muslim's claim of discrimination reminded me of the old swimming pool rules in Corona, California long ago when she was just a kid. Back then, Mexicans were only allowed to swim in the public pool on Wednesdays. . . because the city cleaned the pool on Thursdays.

The two cases, however, are very different. The Corona pool scenario targeted a specific group, and was obviously discriminatory. But the Illinois pool dress code applies uniformly to all persons, in accordance with the 14th Amendment. The Muslims received equal treatment under the law. Anybody not wearing the proper swim attire would not be allowed to swim in that pool, regardless of who they are, what they are wearing, or what religion they are.

The lawsuit by the Muslims is only designed to serve one purpose: to convince America to give Islam yet another concession.

In America, we should not have to adjust our society to the needs of the foreign immigrants. It is up to the immigrants to adjust to our society.

It's called assimilation.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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