if anyone doubts what happens when rulers get too much power...

reporters in Turkmenistan can not mention the height of President Saparmurat Niyazov (thought to be 153 cms, just over 5 feet)

neither can they mention that he wears a toupee (men are forbidden to have long hair or beards in Turkmenistan)

President Niyazov renamed the calendar months after his family - what vanity!

all watches and clocks in Turkmenisatn must have a portrait of the President printed on the dial-face

Mr Niyazov thinks opera and ballet are unnecessary - so he banned them

Wikipedia page on Turkmenistan

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