Posted on 08/23/2005 8:39:16 AM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan - He has outlawed opera and ballet and railed against long hair and gold teeth, but now Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov is determined to wipe out another perceived scourge: lip synching.
Niyazov has ordered a ban on lip synching performances across the tightly controlled Central Asian nation, citing "a negative effect on the development of singing and musical art," the president's office said Tuesday.
"Unfortunately, one can see on television old voiceless singers lip-synching their old songs," Niyazov told a Cabinet meeting in comments broadcast on state TV on Tuesday. "Don't kill talents by using lip synching... Create our new culture."
Under Niyazov's order, lip synching is now prohibited at all cultural events, concerts, on television — and at private celebrations such as weddings.
Niyazov has led the former Soviet republic for 20 years, creating a vast personality cult around himself and issuing decrees regulating behavior in all walks of life.
In 2001, Niyazov banned opera and ballet as not corresponding with the national mentality. Last year, he called for young people not to get gold tooth caps and urged authorities to crack down on young men wearing beards or long hair.
If we had a guy like this, maybe we could do something about ugly tattoos and low-riding pants on the obese.
This is why I would never let myself be king for a day.
Odd, but I agree with him on this.........Let's see the singers really sing, not do a Milli-Vanilli act.........
You forgot body piercing and weird hairdos. But his resume in baboonery is impressive.
If I were in his shoes, I would also require a license to wear sweatpants in public. No license, no sweatpants.
I've been traveling to the former Soviet Union since 1992, and I can never get over the gold teeth. Ugh!
Ashlee Simpson is performing in Turkmenistan?
"Hi! I'm Milli"
"And I'm Vanilli."
"And we're Milli-Vanilli!" </In Living Color>
I guess his heart's in the right place on this one. I'm just not convinced that this should be something the government should be concerned about. He reminds me of some of our fine aldermen who are always coming up with a ban on something that offends them.
this just in, Ashlee Simpson cancels Turkmenian '05 tour
There's more people in Chicago than in his whole country.........
You know, I think you've convinced me that this is not such a bad idea!
And Britney, too!.........
Obviously, our replies are a joke.
Much as we'd like to control the culture by fiat, we recognize that in a free society individuals have the right to do what they want, however distasteful some may consider their actions.
And next week, playing air guitar shall be punishable by 10 years in a work camp.
This guy is SUCH a wackaloon!
Got clichés?
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