July 30, 2001

2:06 PM

In some places on this planet, even 'Tolkienists' are being arrestedTolerance for alternative lifestyles is apparently non-existent in Almaty, Kazakstan. "Almaty's police are resorting to torture in their war against Kazakstan's burgeoning bohemian counter-culture. Their targets are a growing army of street musicians, alternative artists, a cult devoted to Tolkien, anarchists and gays, whose unconventional lifestyles infuriate them." Go here for more on the Tolkienists.
posted by Lynsey (10 comments total)

i swear they could put that article in the Onion and no one would bat an eyelash.

police cutting off the braids of hare krishnas as well...that is just so strange.

though...i guess i'm getting old, since i sometimes wish the cops around here would clean out the local Hot Topic so the fads of my youth can die and rest in peace.
posted by th3ph17 at 4:40 PM on July 30, 2001

I saw this. What exactly are they afraid of? I guess fearful fundamentals are the same the world over. When hobbits threaten your world-view. . .
posted by aflakete at 5:45 PM on July 30, 2001

maybe they dont like "...land of Mordor"
posted by clavdivs at 6:39 PM on July 30, 2001

Bring them over here and let Hobbitat for Humanity build houses for them.
posted by kindall at 7:15 PM on July 30, 2001

"They hate Tolkien followers for their conventions, where they dress up as their favourite Tolkien characters."

I can't really blame them. I hope they crack down on Star Trek fans, too.
posted by pracowity at 12:56 AM on July 31, 2001

Mr. I'm Different:
"Why do you persecute me?"

Mr. Fundamentalist:
"Because God told me to hate you!"

Mr. I'm Different:
"Doesn't your Holy words say to love all God's children?"

Mr. Fundamentalist:
"Silence fool, while I beat you with this Holy Book and hide behind another one! I have no time for reading and enlightment as long as infidels such as yourself exist!"
posted by nofundy at 5:30 AM on July 31, 2001

I can understand where they're coming from but personally I find Trekkies more annoying.
posted by lagado at 6:17 AM on July 31, 2001

Is there a meme for a story that should be in The Onion?

SBIO "should be in Onion" ..
posted by stbalbach at 10:24 AM on July 31, 2001

I dunno, I knew a few tolkienists back in high school I thought needed a good smack or two...
posted by DiplomaticImmunity at 10:33 AM on July 31, 2001

kindall, that was damn funny.
posted by th3ph17 at 2:48 PM on July 31, 2001