Category Archives: Turkey

Egyptians Want God, Not Jobs

Posted on May 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

There are people in this world who believe that God is on their side and spends his time worrying about their lives rather than wandering the universe seeking to prevent it from blowing itself up. In a recent poll, 60% of Egyptians wanted their nation to emulate the world of Saudi Arabia rather than that of Turkey. Saudi Arabia is a society controlled by a few thousand very wealthy people while Turkey has a vibrant economy and millions are moving into an economic status worthy of a modern society. Most Egyptians want religion in government as is so prevalent in Saudi Arabia rather than the Turkish model which respects religion but does not allow it to dominate government.

Yes, Egyptians actually believe Sharia law will result in a more prosperous nation. Of course, 10% of Egyptians are Coptic Christians, but, what the heck, they also should follow the Muslim religion if they want to be saved. Egypt contains millions of young people who cannot find jobs that match educational levels. However, if fellow Egptians have their way, no job,  but plenty of time in a mosque will lead to happiness.

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Posted in Conservatives, Education, Egypt, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, World News

Can A Muslim State Respect Religions?

Posted on April 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Arab Spring has spread through the Middle East leaving in its wake newly strong Islamic political parties which  are ready to  assume control of their nations. Turkey historically in the 20th century displayed respect for all religions since secular groups led the country. However, since the triumph of the government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, Turkey has been witnessing growing intolerance toward its Christian minority. Pastor Semih Serlek recounts the forced entry into his church by a group of Muslim youth who demanded that he recite Muslim prayers. Many pastors report harrassment of Christians by militants and failure of the government to protect non-Muslims.

Turkey is at a crossroads and its Muslim government must decide whether or not to respect those who are not Muslim. Denying the righ to build new churches, allowing militants to  attack non-Muslims and displaying a lack of support for Christians will only exacerbate religious  violence. It will also doom any chance to enter the European Union.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Education, Egypt, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iran, Iraq, Islam, Judaism, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, World News

Is Iran Telling The Truth?

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan just returned from a trip to Iran where he discussed the current nuclear dispute with Iranian leaders. He was told that “the supreme leader(Ayatollah Khamenei) viewed weapons of mass destruction as religiously prohibited and against Islam.” US Seccretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Erdogan and then issued a statement urging Iranian leaders to translate those words “into a plan of action.”

Clinton is working to avoid an armed conflict with Iran  despite a push from Israel for war, war, war.  She urged Iran to understand that “the international community now wants to see actions associated with that statement of belief.” She understands one must engage  in “jaw, jaw, rather than war, war.” There is a basis for compromise, work for that goal.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iran, Islam, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Muslims, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, Turkey, United States, US Foreign Policy, World News

Let Turkey Lead With Iran

Posted on March 29, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Turkey has a government which is led by Muslim moderates who  seek to integrate their religion with the model of a democratic society. Turkey does not always follow the precepts of democracy and there are numerous violations of human rights. However, Turkey seeks to work for peace in the region and has supported the rights of Syrians in rebellion against the tyranny of President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan is in Iran urging its government to cooperate with western nations such as the US, Rusisa, UK, France, Germany and China in an effor to resolve the nuclear issue of atomic weapons. It would make sense to hold the scheduled meeting in Istanbul since Iranians have a solid relationship with Turkey.

This is one time the US should take a back seat and allow  Turkey to lead.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Europe, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iran, Islam, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Republicans, Ron Paul, Russia, Social Justice, Turkey, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Journalists Freed In Turkey

Posted on March 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Turkey has been led by a moderate Muslim party for several years and expectations about their ability to maintain democractic values remain up in the air. During the past few years dozens of journalists have been arrested and charged with being involved in plots to overthrow the government. Many have been linked to the Ergenekon plot, or the claim that Turkish military officers were planning to overthrow the government.

Two journalists were freed by a court. Ahmet Sid and Nedim Sener were set free and all charges of being involved in plots were dropped.  Prime Minister Recep Erdogan would restore faith in his desires to foster democracy by freeing all imprisoned journalists. Trust the people of Turkey and democracy will flourish. Imprison journalists and your claim to be a Muslim democracy is tainted.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Ron Paul, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Sing A Song Of Freedom

Posted on March 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Hatice Sahin resides in the “democratic” nation of Turkey. He happens to be a Kurd and is proud of this heritage. Ms. Sahin aslo enjoys singing songs.  Alas, in the democratic nation of Turkey is someone of Kurdish background sings a song it raises questions as to the patriotism of the singer. “I have been in jail for nearly seven years. My sentence ran out on February 23, 2012, and I was supposed to be released. The prison administration, however, open an investigation about me due to a song I  sang in my native Kurdish language.”

I gather the issue is whether singing a song constitutes violation of “good conduct” on the part of the prisoner. I had better not go to Turkey. As a child they placed me in the “listeners” section of the auditorium due to my lousy singing.

Anyway, how about a God bless Turkey to make things sound better?

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Posted in Education, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, World News

“Just A Bunch Of Kids”

Posted on March 5, 2012 by | Leave a comment

In many respects, the nation of Turkey stands apart from so many Muslim countries in the Middle East. It has a tradition of religious tolerance, democratic principles, and a desire to become modern. On the other hand, it was in the Ottoman Empire that genocide proceeded against Armenians. It is is Turkey that Kurds fight for their rights. And, in Turkey resides millions of Alevis whose interpretation of the Muslim religion differs dramatically from fundamentalists.

Alevi residents in Karakpinar awoke to discover someone had marked every home in which a member of their religion lived. Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin dismissed concerns as simply the work of “a couple of kids.” The response of Alevi leader Huseyin Guzelgu was rather different. “They called the suspects who bombed Umut bookstore in Sirnmak, ‘good kids.’ They called Hrant Dink’s murderer a ‘kid.’ They said those who marked the homes were kids. We need to find out who those kids are and those who made them mark the homes.”

Behind those “kids” are “adults.” Let’s get their names.

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Posted in Conservatives, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Military, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, World News

KILL THE BRATS SAYS PRINCIPAL

Posted on March 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

There is a school principal in Turkey who has come up with an imaginative idea to handle overcrowded schools and children lacking discipline. Mustafa Adyin is as creative thinker and will undoubtedly anger those lacking his perceptive grasp of how to economically handle children who will not learn. At a meeting called to discuss violence among children, Mr. Adyin offered a wonderful suggestion. Please in reading his ideas do not rush to judgment, this is a man who is wiling to express divergent thoughts.

“Children should be analyzed immediately after birth. If they are to become harmful to this country, to this nation, they should be eliminated before they can walk.” He argues that kids are no better than their parents. “Most children in my neighborhood are thieves”which simply reflects coming from parents who are thieves and lazy.

For some strange reason, Mr. Aydin was removed as principal by school authorities. Goes to show what happens to creative thinkers these days.

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Posted in Conservatives, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, Multicultural, Muslims, Politics, Republicans, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, World News

Beat A Woman In Jail Means No Jail!

Posted on February 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Fevziye Cengiz, a woman in Turkey got into a dispute with some civil servants and used words that he did not enjoy being directed at him. He had her arrested and taken to a jail. I assume since a member of the civil service claims a citizen insulted him there is no doubt a citizen insulted him. When she arrived at the jail, the Turkish woman was then beaten by members of the local constabulary who undoubtedly were carrying out their responsibilities to maintain law and order.

Ms. Cengiz appealed to a judge concerning being beat by local police, but the judge ruled that his court did not have jurisdiction as to what happens in a jail. I assume the jurisdiction belongs to local police since who better than them knows when it is OK to beat the hell out of a woman.

Let us all remember that courts are for criminals to be judged, not for police to be judged. They are the “good guys.”

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Posted in Conservatives, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Muslims, Politics, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, World News

Turkey-In Or Out?

Posted on February 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Turkey is among the largest Muslim nations in the world and has a dynamic modern economy that is rapidly expanding. It has been governed for the past decade by the Justice an Development Party which can be classified as a moderate Muslim entity. Turkey has petitioned the European Union for entry, but the application has been stalled as EU leaders ponder the question of allowing entry to a new group of Muslims.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe fears a new nation whose size raises new issues. “The fiscal crisis proves again that our political project for the union cannot handle the membership of a country of Turkey’s size.” German President Christian Wulff has a different view. He believes the EU made a promise to allow Turkey to seek membership and the application should be honored.

Of course, the unstated issue is whether European Union nations want to allow millions of Muslim possible entry into their lands since once in, all citizens of the EU can travel to other countries. We suspect it is the “Muslim issue” which most concerns EU members.

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Posted in Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, France, Gender Issues, Germany, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Politics, Republicans, Social Justice, Turkey, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News