Category Archives: Turkey

Mind Your Own Terrorists

Posted on February 11, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan is very upset at the United States of America because the US ambassador to his nation raised questions as to why Turkish generals were in prison rather than fighting terrorists. Erdogan informed the American government that “Turkey is not anybody’s scapegoat” and  we don’t meddle into your terrorist activities so why are you pestering us about the fact we send to prison hundreds of Kurds and other terrorists. I have a hunch he did not get into issues of how terrorists are handled by either nation.

My problem with Ambassador Ricciandone’s comments is that he directed the wrong question as to who is in jail.  Dozens of Turkish journalists are in prison for expressing their views. Turkey is now among the leading nations of the world which denies freedom of the press to its own journalists.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, john kerry, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, Turkey, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Jorunalists Beware

Posted on February 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Turkey has always lingered on the outer limits of the Middle East, its people never considering themselves to be Arabs nor connected to  Persians in Iran. For most of the twentieth century, leaders of Turkey were guided by ideas first pushed by Ataturk, their great leader. He insisted on separation of religion from state, but the election of Recep Erdogan several years ago has initiated a regime that emphasizes the Muslim religion. The European Federation of Journalists is most concerned at the attitude and actions of Prime Minister Erdogan who has arrested dozens of journalists whose crime is reporting the news. Alas, what they write is not what Erdogan desires to be written.

The Turkish  Union of Journalists and European journalists visited imprisoned journalists in order to convey solidarity with those unjustly imprisoned. If a reporter reports activities of terrorists, this makes them a terrorist in the eyes of the Turkish government. At least 75 journalists currently await  trial for daring to write and report.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Education, Europe, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, john kerry, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Politics, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, World News

Another Suicide Bomber

Posted on February 2, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Another suicide bomber, another American killed in such an attack, and, I assume that Fox News will demand  that President Obama cease “appeasing terrorists” and launch an invasion of Turkey. Of course, the suicide bomber who killed two people at the American Embassy had no connection with the government of Turkey, but what the heck. The US invaded Iraq although Saddam Hussein had no connection with 9/11 bombing, but wha the heck, why not invade someone? The suicide bomber was a member of the DHKP/C, the outlawed Revolutionay People’s Liberation Party/Front. Perhaps, he was upset about Turkey opposing President Assad in Syria, perhaps he was angry at the government of Turkey or just did not like Americans.

The lesson of the Iraq war is that American presidents simply order troops to invade and really don’t  give a damn if they are invading a location from whence came a suicide bomber, the issue is to invade someone or somewhere in order to demonstrate one is “tough.”

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Posted in Barack Obama, Christianity, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, George Bush, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Turkey Clucks Innocence

Posted on January 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Someone or some men or a large group of folks entered the offices of three women who work for the interests of the Kurdish minority in Turkey. Within a few moments the three women were dead, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan wants the world to know-”it wasn’t me,  it was the other guys.” The women worked in Paris where they endeavored to gain the confidence and support of French officials. Naturally, French authorities want to know if the killers came from Turkey.

Throughout the 20th and now into the 21st century, the Turkish government has fought minorities in its own land. They participated in the massacre of Armenians  which is still denied, and now they refuse to offer autonomy to Kurds. Technically, the women were Turkish citizens so it is the responsibility of the Turkish government to seek our the killers.

Does anyone believe this will occur?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Silence Or No Sex

Posted on January 9, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Among the oldest professions among humans is that of prostitution. For centuries women have been engaged in business activities  centered around their sexual prowess. Some women sell their bodies, a lot of men sell their souls for money, but society is more concerned about female prostitution than businessmen prostitution. Sex workers employed at a brothel in Istanbul are protesting the closing of six business establishments in their neighborhood by authorities on ground that sex workers illegally advertised their wares and verbally called out to potential customers. Apparently verbal comments linked with display of bodies is not Kosher in the sex  business.

Women complain that sex is their business and shutting down brothels only results in unemployment and poverty. The also charge the government of Turkey ceased issuing new  certificates for prostitution which forces many women to work illegally.

We suggest to women they incorporate themselves, hire lobbyists and sell whatever they darn well please. McDonalds sells food that causes more  worry than  the sale of any body.

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Posted in Conservatives, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Liberals, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Turkey, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Jokes Not Sharia-Nor Kosher!

Posted on January 5, 2013 by | Leave a comment

A persistent theme during the Arab Spring is lack of a sense of humor among those involved in this process. Each time someone draws a cartoon or cracks a joke one or another cleric invokes Mohammed in order to prove laughing is a serious matter. A French magazine published a cartoon biography of the Prophet Mohammed. The object was to disseminate information, not to disparage the life and work of Mohammed. A Turkish deputy in Parliament declared to the world that “swearing, insulting and showing disrespect for people’s faith is not  freedom of expression.

There have been several comic book attempts to describe the Holocaust and those who designed these stories were not bent on insulting Jews or those who suffered. It was simply an attempt to convey serious ideas via a comic approach.  Actually, it was an educational  enterprise, not an attack upon the Muslim faith.

It is time to loosen up and allow other than serious attempts to explain the Muslim faith.

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

Turkey, A Jail For Reporters

Posted on December 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Several years ago the Justice and Development Party gained power in Turkey and worked to end rule by  the military in their land. This was an important step in establishing principles of democratic procedures in a land that for too long been under the regime of military officials. One would assume those who led this change would support ideas of free speech. Alas, this is not so. A new report from Reporters Without Borders(RSF) charged that Turkey had become the “world’s prison for journalists.” The government of Recep Erdogan continues it policies of sending to jail reporters who seek to speak their interpretation of what is the truth.

“With a total of 72 media personnel currently detained, of whom at least 42 journalists and four media assistants are  being held in connection with their media work, Turkey is now the world’s biggest prison for journalists, -a sad paradox for a country that portrays  itself a regional democratic model.”

Perhaps, the Israel  government can reach out to Turkey since its parliament just expelled a deputy for  sailing on a boat loaded with food supplies. Both governments share similar attitudes about democracy and free speech.

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

Turkish Advice To Iran

Posted on December 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Turkish government has endeavored to maintain solid relations with Iran and, in many cases, defended their government against western actions. However,when Turkey accepted NATO and US offers of Patriot missile defense systems,  certain people in Tehran became rather upset. President Ahmadinejad exploded with vitriolic claiming the installation of such systems was a “provocative act” against peace in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Davutogu responded with some advice to the Iranian government. “Our expectation from Iran is not for it to deliver statements on the arrival of defensive systems, but instead for it to give a very clear and sharp message to the Syrian regime. It should use its weight to help end the oppression in Syria.”

As the Turkish government made clear, it is not the West, it is not the US, and in this one case, not even Israel which is the culprit, it is a petty vicious tyrant named Bashar al-Assad. Statement by the Iranian military that such defensive systems are part of a plot to “create a world war” are simply nonsense.

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Posted in Asia, Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Iran, Islam, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, Turkey, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Israel Bully Quits

Posted on December 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Every nation has at least one  bully in a leadership position, unfortunately for Israel not only is their prime minister a petty minded liar and angry hating man, but its foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman must hold the record for incompetence and stupidity. At one point, he made certain that Turkey’s  ambassador sat in a low seat in order to have Israel diplomats tower over him. Fortunately for the people of Israel, Avigdor was charged with fraud and  breach of trust for actions that interfered with a criminal investigation. He was able to be cleared of the fraud charge, but   Avigdor decided to resign.

“Though I know i committed no crime… I have decided to resign my post as foreign minister.” He intends to fight for his name. Now, if only Bibi would resign the people of Israel might have a chance for peace in their lives.

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Posted in Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Education, Gender Issues, Hilary Clinton, Human Rights, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, Turkey, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Turkey Moves To Reduce Democracy

Posted on December 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The coming to power of the Justice and Development Party(AKP) in Turkey witnessed the decline in power of the military to decide who rules the nation. Many hoped a new era would dawn in Turkey in which forces of democracy led the nation. Alas, that has not born fruition. Prime Minister Recept Erdogan has gradually displayed authoritarian behavior which reduces the extent of democray. He has used the weapon of fear, the voice of terrorism in order to diminish rights of opposition political parties to express their ideas.

The AKP is now considering abolishing the immunity of Parliament deputies on issues related to terrorism and corruption. A new concept identifies “organic ties with terrorism” which simply means if deputies speak in favor of Kurds that automatically means they are supporting terrorism.

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