I spent last weekend finishing reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. I can't say that it was a good book, but it was like a train wreck that you can't look away from. It is about 2 women in Afghanistan during the last 30 years, and how their lives came to intersect. The book deals well with how the lives of women have changed there as the country has gone from a socialist regime to an Islamic guerrilla warfare state. The list of the Taliban "do's and don'ts" is stunning. Here are just a few:

1. All citizens must pray five times a day. If it is prayer time and you are caught doing something other, you will be beaten.
2. All men will grow their beards. The correct length is at least one clenched fist beneath the chin. If you do not abide by this, you will be beaten.
3. Singing is forbidden.
4. Dancing is forbidden.
5. Playing cards, playing chess, gambling, and kite flying are forbidden.
6. Writing books, watching films, and painting pictures are forbidden.
7. If you keep parakeets you will be beaten. Your birds will be killed.
8. If you steal, your hand will be cut off at the wrist. If you steal again, your foot will be cut off.

Attention women: You will stay inside your homes at all times. It is not proper for women to wander aimlessly about the streets. If you go outside, you must be accompanied by a male relative. If you are caught alone on the street, you will be beaten and sent home.

You will not, under any circumstance, show your face. (In the story this included the doctor for the women...while she was doing surgery!) You will cover with burqa when outside. If you do not, you will be severely beaten.

You will not speak unless spoken to. You will not make eye contact with men. You will not laugh in public. If you do, you will be beaten. You will not paint your nails. If you do, you will lose a finger. If you are found guilty of adultery, you will be stoned to death.

I have nothing to say; it speaks for itself.