Most controversies about bathing suits involve ones that cover up too little. So the controversy in the news from France about the swimming suit that covered up too much is surprising.

You may have heard about the Muslim woman who was turned away for swimming in a “burquini,” a full-body swimsuit that would allow her to swim without showing too much, in violation of her religious beliefs.

A photo of the woman in the suit in question showed her wearing a hood that covered her neck and hair and what would otherwise look like a jogging suit with wind pants.

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French officials say the issue isn’t her religious beliefs but is perceived health issues. French health requirements say swimmers must have figure-hugging swimsuits, for both men and women, and caps to cover their hair.

Baggy clothing, like surfer-style shorts, is not allowed.

A pool official says, “These clothes are used in public, so they can contain molecules, viruses, et cetera, which will go into the water and could be transmitted to other bathers.”

Indeed, more fabric could hold more molecules, but I’d be more concerned about viruses and molecules on someone’s body rather than from clothing.

The French already require a pre-swim shower, so couldn’t those with baggy suits just take extra care to make sure they are thoroughly washed?

This is an issue not only for Muslim women but for anyone who might not be comfortable with a figure-hugging suit, perhaps due to being shy about too little covering for too much body, or perhaps having scars or other physical issues they don’t want to reveal.

I say the French’s argument against full-figure swimming suits just doesn’t hold water, pun intended.

Don’t forget to get your tickets to this year’s Sugar Cane Jamboree Luncheon, set for Aug. 25 at the Ramada Inn (formerly Holiday Inn), sponsored by Community First Bank and The Daily Iberian.

This is always a fun event, where there’s plenty of good-natured ribbing between fans of local high school football teams, and where the coaches get up and tell tall tales about their football team and their opponents.

The coach with the best talk wins the coveted NotSoSweet award.

Tickets are $16 at Community First Bank or The Daily Iberian, in advance only. The deadline is noon Friday.

Call 365-6773 ext. 3013 with questions.

 

It’s almost like serving Coca-Cola at a party for Pepsi employees.

That was my reaction when I got a Federal Express envelope last week containing some sort of overnighted item, and found inside an invitation to a press event the U.S. Census Bureau is holding in New Orleans today.

While I’m all for the government outsourcing work to private companies, and for sure don’t have anything against Fed Ex, shouldn’t one branch of the government be supporting another?

We read how the U.S. Postal Service is facing revenue problems, is cutting back on the number of post offices it operates, cutting back on other services and may even be eliminating Saturday or some other delivery days.

The Postal Service could clearly use the business, but the Census Bureau went with another provider.

Does that count as fair?

WILL CHAPMAN is publisher of The Daily Iberian.