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Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix
They say things happen in threes,* and this holiday season was no different. While the passings of former President Gerald Ford and deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein stole the spotlight, a third world leader quietly joined them in the great beyond.
Saparmurat Niyazov, Turkmenistan’s “President-for-Life,” was laid to rest on December 24th. By all accounts he was a toxic leader. But he sure was a showman. Here were some of his most outlandish hits:
- In the capital city of Ashgabat, a golden statue of Niyazov rotates so the face is always toward the sun (as reported right here by Mary last July).
- His image appears on all the currency.
- The Ruhnama, a book Niyazov wrote in 2004, is the foundation of the educational system. That’s bold.
- Even more bold, you must pass a test on the Ruhnama to get your driver’s license.
- An enormous mechanical replica of the book is located in the capital; every night at 8:00PM it opens and passages are recited with accompanying video.
- Deemed “unnecessary,” ballet and opera were banned. So were video games, car radios and facial hair.
- He renamed April for his mother and January for himself.
- Bread was also renamed, again for his mother.
*In this sentence, “they” actually refers to me. Things probably happen in other numbers, too.
“In the capital city of Ashgabat, a golden statue of Niyazov rotates so the face is always toward the sun (as reported right here by Mary last July).
His image appears on all the currency.
The Ruhnama, a book Niyazov wrote in 2004, is the foundation of the educational system. That’s bold.
Even more bold, you must pass a test on the Ruhnama to get your driver’s license.
An enormous mechanical replica of the book is located in the capital; every night at 8:00PM it opens and passages are recited with accompanying video.
Deemed “unnecessary,” ballet and opera were banned. So were video games, car radios and facial hair.
He renamed April for his mother and January for himself.
Bread was also renamed, again for his mother.”
All this sounds like an episode of “The Simpsons”.
posted by Sheldon Siegel on 1-2-2007 at 10:18 am
Don’t forget James Brown! He died recently. So does that mean things happen in fours?
posted by Lily on 1-2-2007 at 5:09 pm
You know why things happen in threes? Because that’s when people stop counting.
posted by Lucres on 1-2-2007 at 9:26 pm
Even comments on this post happen in threes.
(This comment doesn’t count.)
posted by Jason on 1-2-2007 at 10:22 pm
Turkmenistan is a Country that is predominately desert. It has Iran on its boarder and was left at a distance from Russia, the central state of the former Soviet Union. Saparmurat Niyazov was an educated man who realized that his country was in danger from Islamic fundamentalism, poverty and upcoming tyrants. The statue that was built is something that appears to be something built to honor him more than develop some sort of tyranny.
He exiled dissidents. Taliban is thrown about like America is the Savior of nations — oh just look at South Korea. Toxic is arming young men and invading another Country. Toxic is ripping apart religious foundation in the partisan name of Country and disowning moral values in the phallic name of supporting the troops. Toxic is building a Nation on racism and greed. Toxic is the fumes that come out of your automobile. You forgot the Governor.
posted by vampares on 1-3-2007 at 6:14 pm
He also banned male t.v. reporters from wearing make-up, as “not to confuse them with the women.”
posted by Amanda Collier on 1-3-2007 at 10:01 pm
I seem to have angered Turkmenistan’s Minister of Information.
posted by Jason on 1-4-2007 at 6:43 am
I was just curious…Since the January/February issue, in your “Where Are They Now” article, lists Gerald Ford as still being alive, and he actually passed away on December 26th, does that mean that you have to print a retraction? Thanks.
posted by Lara on 1-29-2007 at 11:05 pm