Protection

Freedom is on the march. In Saudi Arabia the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (this is where Dave Barry would write, "I am not making this up") is clamping down on shops that promote Valentine's Day. Each year shortly before Feb. 14, the country's religious police mobilize, heading out to hunt for—and confiscate—red roses, red wrapping paper, hearts, gift boxes, teddy bears and other scandalous items.

In one school last year, girls lining up for daily morning prayer were inspected head to toe by teachers looking for violations of rules that ban wearing or carrying any red item on Valentine's Day. Ribbons, shoes, clothing, bags and other items with a even hint of red or pink were confiscated and thrown on a pile.

But of course, you can't outlaw love. Florists are reported to be delivering bouquets under cover of darkness.

In a related story, the co-inventor of Scotchgard passed away this week. Patty Sherman went to work for 3M in 1952. Years earlier she had taken a high school aptitude test. It said she should be a housewife. In the 1940s girls and boys took different tests, so Sherman asked to take the boys' test. It said she should be a chemist.

Please let me know if you will or will not be playing hoops at St. John's this weekend. We tip off at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, as usual.