Turkmenistan’s President-for-life Saparmurat Niyazov, who died last Thursday, imposed a bizarre style of rule on his nation for more than two decades.

The following are a few of his quirkiest measures:

Banned ballet, opera and circus as indecent. Also banned Turkmen singers from performing to recorded music and Turkmen newscasters from wearing make-up.

Banned gold teeth, beards and long hair in young people.

Set up a Ministry of Justice which can punish amoral behaviour.

Wrote a book entitled “Rukhnama” (“Book of the Spirit”), which is a collection of moral advice and history and a bestseller in Ashgabat.

Banned the import of foreign language books.

Remind you of any politicians in our neck of the woods? Niyazov just had the clout to get away with it.



  1. jtoso says:

    So it is a good thing that he is dead.

  2. ryan says:

    [edited: see comments guide]

  3. Major Jizz says:

    In Turkmenistan we say man who has never killed a man is like man with no khram.

  4. Bob says:

    How come I don’t see anything here about Sandy “Burglar” hiding secret documents under a trailer or in his underwear????

  5. Mike Voice says:

    4 How come I don’t see anything here about Sandy “Burglar” hiding secret documents under a trailer or in his underwear????

    Because it is more interesting to joke about Lewis “scooter-trash” Libby’s upcoming trial, with special guest star Richard “Dick” Cheney.
    http://www.scooterlibby.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=199

    And don’t miss:
    http://www.scooterlibby.com/


    September 8, 2006
    I am pleased to announce the addition of three new Advisory Committee Members to the Libby Legal Defense Trust:

    · Marty Peretz, Editor-in-Chief of The New Republic

    · Ron Silver, Tony-Award winning Actor, Director and Producer

    · Nina Rosenwald

    Good to know that this made-for-TV drama will have some professional direction.

    What’s Nina’s claim to fame?? [note that I don’t care enough to Google her, myself…]

  6. James Hill says:

    Not about politicans here, just the kooks on the left that can’t judge things in scale.

    #1 – Yes, as long as some Islamos don’t take the place over.

  7. KB says:

    [edit: comments guide]

  8. JoaoPT says:

    Hmmmm… A lot more edited out posts recently… is this political correctness or are you trying to get back to UAE?

    …just curious…

  9. Eideard says:

    We’re already back to UAE. It may have been my Liverpool post. 🙂


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