Why Saudi Men Don't Want Democracy

Because if the country went Democratic, they might have to start spending money on Valentines Day.

She had made the plans for February 12, thinking that was the day the rest of the world marked Valentine's.

Her confusion was not a surprise in a country where Valentine's Day is prohibited and religious authorities confiscate red items from gift stores and call the occasion a Christian celebration true Muslims should shun.

Apparently the government takes this pretty seriously.

The muttawa, or religious police, mobilize a few days before February 14, making the rounds of gift and flower shops. As February 14 approaches, the flush of red fades.

Every heart, every rose and every item that's red or that suggests love and romance descends underground, to the black market, where its price triples and quadruples. Red flowers are hidden in back rooms.

Sheik Ibrahim al-Ghaith, chief of the 5,000-man religious police, told Al-Hayat newspaper his men were "acting upon instructions to confiscate manifestations" of Valentine's Day, birthdays and other celebrations.

"The feast of love is based on love and passion and things that are not proper for a Muslim to respond to," he told the paper.

Salesmen and waiters avoid wearing red; entrepreneurs whose stores maintain a red hue risk days in jail.

That's pretty harsh. I don't see this particular holiday as the be all and end all, but arresting people for giving chocolates to your sweetie is a bit over the top.

It is NOT, however, a reason to invade. (Hint Hint, Dubya.)