Another world 'leader' died recently

[hfojvt]

First I heard was just now when I read Ted Rall

http://www.uexpress.com/tedrall/

"Chances are that you heard more about Rosie O'Donnell's flame war with Donald Trump than the passing of Sapamurat "Turkmenbashi" Niyazov. As seems to occur with increasing frequency, America's media ignored the most important story of the year."

Apparently this despot was almost as bad as Ford

"Unless you were one of the five million desperately poor Turkmen forced to watch while your desert nation's gas wealth was systemically looted and squandered on such vanity projects as the gilt statue of Turkmenbashi that dominates the skyline of Ashkhabat and turns to face the sun (local wags say the sun turns to face it), it was easy to laugh at the ubiquitous trappings of unhinged egotism. Turkmenbashi's moon-eyed mug glared from banners hung from the façade of every government ministry and school, appeared on every denomination of currency, even on his own brands of vodka and cologne. Everything was named after him: the country's second-largest city, its airports, a large meteorite, the month of January. His not-so-little green book of aphorisms ("Time is a mace. Hit or be hit!"), the Rukhnama, became required reading for schoolchildren and motorists who sought to renew their driver's licenses."

Interesting and scary article. I apologize if there's already been a thread or two on it.

[Hardrada]

1. Thanks. I know someone who spent a year in Turkmenistan

as a teacher of English. She even read the Rukhnama! Women are quite repressed there as one could imagine but she adjusted to the situation. There are US bases in Turkmenistan.

[hfojvt]

3. She is very brave

Was she in the Peace Corps?
I am kinda surprised about the US bases there. Doubtless their dictator was 'a valuable ally in the war on Tara'. :puke:

[Hardrada]

5. No, not the Peace Corps.

Some kind of exchange program, I think.

[lukasahero]

2. I heard this on NPR.

But have seen nothing on DU. Thanks for bringing the info here.

[Solly Mack]

4. Thanks for posting!

Saw it on the news here (Germany) and there was a discussion on the "what ifs"...what happens now..

I can't remember it all but most agreed it was the spot to watch