VD Day

Mmm, Valentine's Day.  At least it doesn't fall on a school day, because for the past few years, kids have fancied it an ACTUAL holiday and didn't want to do work.  There's a bit of tension here in India over VD Day, nowadays.  A few weeks ago, a mob of men "protecting Indian culture" dragged women out of pubs in Mangalore and beat them up.  Apparently beating women is part of Indian culture... There have been similar threats for today, that similar mobs will forcefully marry off any couple found canoodling.  In response, there's been a movement to send lacy pink panties to the headquarters of the group.  It's generally equally concerning and entertaining as an outsider.  But, it makes me see just how different America and India generally are.  In America, American culture dominates.  If there's another cultural influence, more often than not, we embrace it (or persecute it, then later embrace it).  Here, they kind of do have to worry about protecting their culture and traditon from the West (there are better ways to do it than basically being a Hindu Taliban, of course).  I think tonight I'll just keep my head down and get some free food at the high school dance.  Free entertainment, too.  Oh, so awkward.  Also, here's some VD humour for you:  http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/i_wish_id_spent_valentines_day?utm_source=b-section