The line that caught my attention the most was the first paragraph "ASHGABAT (Reuters) - Turkmenistan's president has told his people to shun traditional false gold teeth in favor of white ones, the latest eccentric command after moves to ban beards, ballet and circuses."
It's not enough that you have to be a fascist. I know I have blogged about cultures where "anything fun, merry or remotely enjoyable must go." It bothers me so fucking much though. "Is that a smile I see? NO SMILING! Smiling makes you attractive, and being attractive makes you a jezebel!" "Is that dancing? DANCING? What is this dancing? Stop it immediately. You look like jezebels. Stop right now!" "A spectacle? Is that a HARMLESS SPECTACLE? Stop it immediately. You are entertaining people. If they are entertained, they will smile. And if they smile, they will be attractive. And if they are attractive, they are PROMISCUOUS."
So now President Saparmurat Niyazov is expressing his dislike for gold teeth. Granted, he seems to have a way of suggesting that he doesn't like something and before you know it, a ban is in place. But what really bothers me is the thought that anyone should have this much control over free-will. Of course, as we know, not everyone demands the right to free-will the way we do in America...
Okay. Sorry. Just had to vent that one out.
Posted by Maria at April 7, 2004 12:53 PMI remember seeing so many older black men while growing up that had the gold teeth..hell even alot of black women had that. Wow..I can't imagine them w/out honestly...hmmmm.interesting article though! I can always count on you to give me a good read Ria :)
Posted by: sandy at April 7, 2004 05:13 PM