Sunday, August 28, 2005
Sounds About The Right Place For It...
The Bonkers-in-Chief president of Turkmenistan has blasted his wacky-ass book into space, according to the BBC:
In the meantime, the article notes, "Mr Niyazov signed a decree banning the playing of recorded music at public events, weddings and on TV." I can only presume that the audiobook version of his Ruhnama is now the required listening at these events.
Part One of the Ruhnama was blasted off on a Russian Dnepr booster rocket from Kazakhstan's Baykonur launch site on Wednesday, local media said. People are obliged to read Mr [Sapamurat] Niyazov's book, an interpretation of Turkmen history, for moral guidance. Known as Turkmenbashi, or Turkmen father, he has ruled from Soviet times. He has created a vast personality cult around himself, issuing decrees regulating behaviour in all walks of life. He has been named president-for-life, his portrait hangs everywhere in Turkmenistan, and streets and towns have been named in his honour....
"The book that conquered the hearts of millions on Earth is now conquering space," said an article in the official Neitralny Turkmenistan newspaper. The container is being described as an "artificial satellite". Turkmen TV said it was expected to orbit the Earth for the next 150 years.
In the meantime, the article notes, "Mr Niyazov signed a decree banning the playing of recorded music at public events, weddings and on TV." I can only presume that the audiobook version of his Ruhnama is now the required listening at these events.
