Next Time You Say “Bush Sucks,” Remember Saparmurat Niyazov

R.I.P. Saparmurat Niyazov (1940-2006). Niyazov ruled Turkmenistan as the head of state/cult of personality from 1985 until his death in December 2006. The circumstances of Niyazov’s passing has been surrounded by some media speculation, including that Niyazov had been the victim of poisoning. Some Turkmen opposition sources also claim that Niyazov died several days before the officially announced date of December 21st. According to the Atlantic Monthly:

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Romney, Michigan and the Globe

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Though the timing and location were released earlier, Mitt Romney's choice of Michigan --- and specifically the Henry Ford Museum --- to start his Presidential campaign made some news yesterday on the internets. This morning, the Globe's Scott Helman has an article about the announcement and the history of the Romney name in politics.

Romney had nothing to gain by announcing in Massachusetts, other than grabbing some free New Hampshire media time, so it's understandable that he'd fly the coop on this one. The two logical choices remaining would be Michigan, where his father was governer and his last name carries cachet, or Utah, where he can appeal to that state's Mormon population and remind the country that he "saved" the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.


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