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(Rate Your Students)
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except that Maureen Dowd is kind of a wrecking ball of a writer,
and Soltan isn't. For the life of me, I can't figure out her
politics, but she's pretty fabulous, so who gives a damn?"
(Tenured Radical)

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Land of the Dictator,
Land of the Free



"The president of Turkmenistan ordered construction of a university to be named after his book "Rukhnama," which is held as a sacred text in this ex-Soviet republic, state television reported Tuesday.





























"This will have a positive impact on the development of Turkmen society and people's well-being," he said in remarks broadcast Tuesday.

[In] "Rukhnama," or "The Book of the Soul," the autocratic leader dispenses moral guidance for citizens of the Central Asian nation. It is mandatory reading for every Turkmen at schools and work. Convicts must take an oath involving the book upon release from prison.

Parliament declared 2005 the year of "Rukhnama."

Niyazov, who has developed a sprawling personality cult, has banned all opposition and controls all branches of government and the media. Golden statues and busts of him are scattered across the country, and his portrait is on every banknote and coin."







"Aspyr Media today announced that the Mac version of The Sims 2 University, an expansion pack to EA's popular The Sims 2, has been declared Gold Master and is expected to begin shipping tomorrow, December 14th.







The Sims 2 University, the first expansion pack available for the The Sims, allows players to explore a whole new stage of life as young adults and introduces college-related wants and fears that are ultimately tied to their Sims’ social life and academic goals. It introduces influence gameplay allowing players to earn influence points to have other Sims do certain tasks for them such as homework, term papers, cleaning up the fraternity house or even pulling pranks on other Sims. Players will be able to choose from one of 11 majors and open up 4 new career paths as they make their way through University. It requires the full version of The Sims 2 ($45) to play and is available for pre-order for $35."