Don't tell me what to wear!

Okay, I'm convinced Rationella.
I still do not like the idea of some these women being forced into this, but if they are so sad as wanting to cover up, so be it, they will join the 21st century sometime voluntarily I suppose.
I am not convinced that these pieces of clothing are religious in nature, or are they just offshoot bizarre interpretations of their faith, like the christians have dumbass snake handlers.
Legislation of clothing, you are right, is just a bad idea. A burqua in a bank is something I probably will never see, I've never seen one except in print or TV. But if a lady really wants to get
shot by some twitchy bank guard, this I still think would be as effective way to get shot as wearing a balaclava in a bank, January blizzard or not. You can't govern stupidity or bad taste.

This idea that someone's identity should be forcibly revealed in public denies someone's right to privacy as well

You don't have a right to an infinite amount of privacy in public.

So the question becomes more, "where do we draw the line?".

If you really think you should be allowed to wear whatever bullshit fashion statement or concocted protective gear you want, I dare you to wear a flack jacket with flares strapped around it like a pack of hotdogs and call that fashionable.

I'll laugh if you get shot because you'll deserve every single bullet for being so stupid.

In open public places, perhaps it should be permitted, but when going to a government office or where there is a requirement for photo identification, I don't think anybody should be permitted to cover their face.

Also, chosenfrozen, it's very dangerous to think and hope that they will just 'join' the 21st century. J.S. Mill wrote about this, he says that we can't always count on the good prevailing because quite often it does not. We can't count on the Muslim world to just 'wake up' and rid themselves of their fairy tale beliefs. The threat of Muslim domination is real, Muslim nations are constantly advocating for Sharia law in the UN and special sanctions for their countries. Although we have a human rights framework, with a muslim political majority, it can be changed. Although banning head dresses isn't the right approach, something needs to be done.

I think the media and television need to get rid of this idea that anything against islam is islamiphobic. They should start airing tv shows and documentaries about the historicity of islam and the quran from a scholarly perspective, show the evidence of their beliefs (or lack there of). Our education system needs to start producing mandatory courses that give a fair and balanced education of religious history, such as what Daniel Dennett has proposed.

You are correct in the desire for sharia law, they have tried in England, and I am sure they will try elsewhere, I initally disagreed with Rationella, I see her point, banning the clothing is a slippery slope, but I do agree that we have to
do something. The only hope I see is just as you suggested. A education program that would enlighten these poor women , at least over here. And yes they would have realize for themselves that their religion is nothing more that a series of dark ages superstitions, many of which seem designed to accomplish nothing more than making muslim women chattel.

And as for the winter and the clothing, the more I think about it, No, it does not fit nor is it comparible to burquas.

I live north of 60, we get cold long dark winters, people do wear face masks and winter covers, but not inside, not when the weather isn't bitter.