The Communist Party had the power of life and death over Soviet citizens, but they were powerless to revise or repeal the laws of physics or the principles of engineering.

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Together the powerful spy on the powerless, and they're not going to give up their positions of power, despite what the people want.

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Puntland's administration claims it is powerless in the face of the growing power of the pirates, who are well-armed and employ a lot of people.

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