Posted on 02/15/2011 6:53:44 AM PST by nuconvert
In another sign of its ever more improvisational approach to governance, the Iranian regime has outlawed Valentine's Day. "Symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses, and any activities promoting this day are banned," announced state media last month. "Authorities will take legal action against those who ignore the ban."
Some 70% of Iran's population is said to be under the age of 30, so it seems natural that Valentine's Day has caught on in a country where the young keep trying to find non-state-mandated rituals to call their own. The state, for its part, continues to respond with a Whack-a-Mole approach to any social ripple not dreamt of in its philosophy.
Theocratic regimes invariably suffer from the same besetting sin: As the world evolves, they must either revise their antiquated doctrines or try to hold the world rigidly in stasis. Iran's ruling mullahs keep choosing the latter option. And with mosque and state firmly conjoined, there's no stray detail of daily life so arcane that the scriptures can't be mobilized to rein it in.
The Iranian state has pronounced against unauthorized mingling of the sexes, rap music, rock music, Western music, women playing in bands, too-bright nail polish, laughter in hospital corridors, ancient Persian rites-of-spring celebrations (Nowrooz), and even the mention of foreign food recipes in state media. This last may sound comically implausible, but it was officially announced by a state-run website on Feb. 6. So now the true nature of pasta as an instrument of Western subversion has been revealed.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Wow. Something I can actually get behind.
Bravo, Obama, world statesman!
Leni
I just don’t understand how a proud, bright, educated people like the citizens of Iran continue to allow themselves to be ruled over by a bunch of primitive, knuckle-dragging, 6th century Neanderthals like the mullahs. I don’t get it.
As the article mentions, 70% of them are under 30, meaning, they weren't around to be consulted when Jimmah threw the Shah under the bus.
This is Satan’s world.
islam is a cult of Satan.
That explains the demonstrations.
Big surprise here - that an Islamic theocracy would ban the celebration of a Catholic saint’s holy day - never mind the tacky retail holiday with all the attendant hype it has become.
If Hallmark has nukes, they’ll use them now.
Shi-ites Wildly Indignant about Nearly Everything (SWINE)
“its ever more improvisational approach to governance”
My nominee for “turn of a phrase of the day”. Nicely put!
Colonel, USAFR
effing Burger meister Meister Burger in charge over there. What a backward culture.
The Shah had guns, and used them. That didn’t stop them from overthrowing him.
You asked why the people of Iran are ruled by these thugs, I told you. Sorry if you don't like the answer. Don't expect anything to change as long as the army supports the mullahs.
If you have a better idea quickly inform the demonstrators. Even if you have to fly to Tehran to do it.
The Shah had guns, and used them. That didn’t stop them from overthrowing him..................................... They had a more powerful weapon called the “Jimmah”.
Inside every Persian, there is an American trying to get out.
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