Being a progressive means never having to say sorry for perverse consequences. Six months before the U.S. election, I had foreshadowed Donald Trump's victory in these pages by pointing to the popular backlash against the snobs (cultural, economic, political and intellectual elites) and scolds (political correctness warriors). Australian elites are yet to learn that lesson.
On Aug. 16 — by tragic coincidence, the day Islamic terrorists mowed down 13 pedestrians in Barcelona — Sen. Pauline Hanson, leader of the right-wing One Nation Party, swept into Senate wearing a burqa. Attorney-General George Brandis, to a standing ovation from opposition members, condemned her "appalling" stunt for insulting Islam by ridiculing and mocking religious garments.
He was factually wrong and muddle headed in his reasoning. His hysterical reaction proved Hanson's point: The burqa is a confronting garment in the Australian context that evokes strong emotions. Branding calls to ban the burqa as Islamophobic is an illiberal attempt to shut down legitimate public policy debate.