Yes, he did come across as saying that. I don't understand why that makes him a complete ass, myself; many people have subjects on which they're not entirely reasonable.

But his point was (I thought) "Look, here's something I think is stupid and hurts the people who choose to do it, but I'm not advocating banning it because people should be as free as possible, even when that means making asses of themselves."

The fact that you don't think tattoos are stupid, in my opinion makes it a better example.

The problem with making the burqua illegal is that then those women who are forced to wear it will be confined to their houses. Better they should have the freedom of the world outside their door, even with a burqua, than be imprisoned completely, I think.