Euro-trash Tuesday (8/23)

Euro-trash Tuesday (8/23)


This week's Euro-trash Tuesday isn't really from Europe, but it combines the best of European and Islamic fascisim.

Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov has deemed recorded music a negative influence on society and banned it from public events, TV and weddings. Niyazov has already banned opera and ballet from the former Soviet state, saying they were unnecessary, the BBC reported.

"Unfortunately, one can see on television old voiceless singers lip-synching their old songs, Niyazov told his cabinet regarding music on TV. "Don't kill talents by using lip-synching ... create our new culture."

In 2001, Niyazov, the country's president for life, banned gold tooth caps, long hair and beards on young men. He has also banned car radios, closed all hospitals except those in the capital and renamed calendar months after his relatives, the BBC said.

So let me get this straight. He banned all hospitals except in one city? This country isn't Luxemberg. And he doesn't like lip synching (on that we can agree), so he makes a law? And his calendar is named after relatives? And while I agree that balet is unnecessary, KJita loves it. And he has ruined the gold tooth cap industry of his country.

It is a good thing he is President for life. That is no way to win the sick, pop star, minority, hippy, talk radio vote.

For more Euro-trash Tuesday, check out A Guide to Midwestern Culture.