Word: formality
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...country has an intricate court system, and much attention is paid to what is called "socialist legality," but this is not to be confused with the Western concept of the rule of law. As the founder of Stalin's legal system, Andrei Vyshinsky, wrote in 1937: "The formal law is subordinate to the law of the Revolution." This helpful dictum enables the party to interfere selectively with the legal process, but what occurs is not called martial law. Thus, while the Soviet constitution enshrines most basic human rights, reality is quite another matter. "I was in Prague when...
That evening the three leaders dined separately. Afterward Begin walked to Aspen Lodge for the summit's first formal session. With no aides present, Begin and Carter conferred for two hours in the small private study, with the President taking notes. All that is known about their discussion is that Carter suggested and Begin agreed that the three leaders issue a joint prayer for the success of the talks...
...this extraordinary interview in his private office at Saadabad Palace, the Shah was plainly an immensely saddened man. It showed in his face, which was grim and gaunt, and in his eyes, which were tired and melancholy. Even his dress, so often elegant, was somber. He wore a dark, formal suit, an unadorned white shirt and a narrow, conservative tie. There was little life and much caution in his voice. He answered questions after long and painful pauses. A few paces behind him stood a security man. Outside, there were tanks around the grounds-the first time in 25 years...
...tooth for a tooth") was actually a kind of early legal reform that placed precise limitations upon the extent of permissible revenge. When medieval kings began establishing strong central authority, and various offenses were perceived as crimes against the king's peace and his formal vanity, the older one-to-one system of compensation was abstracted into a legal machine of great brutality. After centuries of racks, gougings, hangmen and unspeakably inventive tortures, much of mankind adopted the lockup as its principal instrument of punishment, with occasional resort to the noose, guillotine and electric chair...
America's No. 1 mouse and Japan's No. 1 man are old friends. Ever since his tour of Disneyland in 1975, Emperor Hirohito has treasured a memento of his trip: a Mickey Mouse wristwatch. Even on the most formal occasions, His Majesty has been observed wearing his Mickey Mouse. Thus there was dismay in the royal household when the trusty watch stopped ticking, and concerned palace chamberlains rushed it to Tokyo experts specializing in American timepieces. The diagnosis? A new battery was needed. Last week, his hands moving again, Mickey was reunited with Hirohito...