Word: draconianism
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...integrity of his nation, a colonial creation that lashes together some 200 tribes across a region the size of Western Europe, is already at risk. Only Mobutu's will and wizardry have held the place together for so long. His style of rule combines charisma with a flair for draconian repression. (As part of an "authenticity campaign" in the '70s to divest Zaire of its European taint, he outlawed bow ties, public kissing and Christmas.) But he also successfully marketed his country to the West as a bulwark against Soviet expansion in Africa, until the collapse of the Soviet Union...
Consulting our Dartboard staff attorney, the possible penalties seem draconian indeed. If the students are charged by the Ad Board with "B&E" i.e. breaking and exiting, they could be sentenced to three months of light yard work at President Rudenstine's house. On the other hand, if the dread charge of "behavior unbecoming a Harvard student" is raised, they could all receive a spanking from every member of the Harvard Corporation, and the registrar will be instructed to dip their transcripts in tuna oil before mailing them to potential employers...
Despite the efforts of many conservative state and national politicians, however, California is the first and only state so far to have repealed its affirmative action policies. Prop. 209 is yet another example of California's strident but not ideologically inflexible conservatism. Two years ago, Californians voted the draconian and notoriously anti-immigrant Proposition 187 into law, but this year they also approved Proposition 215; this measure legalizes the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. California's governor, Pete Wilson, has a law and order reputation but also favors gay rights. However, despite some of the Golden State's seemingly...
...devout Muslim and former engineering student, Zahid says he signed up for combat duty with a Pakistani intelligence officer and was given 40 days of training. He eventually reached Charikar, where Afghan civilians, who initially welcomed the Taliban, revolted after just 11 days of repressive rule, outraged by a draconian regime that bars women from working outside the home. Also outlawed are movies, music and chess. Captured, he now says he regrets his role. "I heard and saw how the Taliban treated people. If I get home again, I will tell people that the Taliban are not true Islam...
...action, and Clinton eventually abandoned the idea. But five days after that, the White House sent a secret note warning Havana that the U.S. would react militarily if more planes were shot down. The following week a belligerent U.S. Congress passed the conservative Helms-Burton bill, imposing even more draconian sanctions than the 34-year-old U.S. embargo. Foreign-policy aides opposed the bill, which punishes foreign companies that trade with Cuba. But the President could taste victory in Florida and signed the bill on March...