tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28087126617435165592024-03-13T08:58:55.495+03:00Faux PolicyIn the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-61909869448303983052016-08-16T15:27:00.000+03:002016-08-16T15:27:03.277+03:00Frightened Cat in a Bag<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHc-NoKY-9aAJCCX-ErIDbWUmnMu0ToTBz6jLSddWQJJo42W3URbG6g4XnaV_vG_we4I8CYe7NQeITD1_EENZogsW9mrC0oe6SZFfjRsS3Sxasr0rCtvqrAeG6bMbyUTlfjUZsSQOZPLW/s1600/hephaestus-aphrodite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHc-NoKY-9aAJCCX-ErIDbWUmnMu0ToTBz6jLSddWQJJo42W3URbG6g4XnaV_vG_we4I8CYe7NQeITD1_EENZogsW9mrC0oe6SZFfjRsS3Sxasr0rCtvqrAeG6bMbyUTlfjUZsSQOZPLW/s320/hephaestus-aphrodite.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aphrodite and Hephaestus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Only one phrase can accurately describe the <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/06/why-you-cant-understand-turkish-leaders.html">delusional leader</a> of the world, the aspiring caliph and the rightful heir to the Ottoman throne Mr. Erdogan: a frightened cat in a bag.<br />
<br />
Cornered all around, above and below, inside and out, he tries to get over the traumatizing effects of the recent failed coup by sacking close to 100,000 state officials while more than 10,000 people including academics, soldiers, policemen, businessmen have been jailed for maintaining ties to a terrorist group/cult (FETO) which Erdogan believes is the plotter of the <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/07/unsuccessful-coup-attempt-in-turkey.html">unsuccessful coup attempt</a>.<br />
<br />
Despite the fact that he is probably right, it is extremely difficult for an outsider to come to terms with his allegations:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>He has been ruling Turkey for the last 14 years in a row.</li>
<li>It was he who appointed these FETO people in the first place.</li>
<li>He and his government almost shamelessly promoted them abroad, provided credibility to their charities, schools, etc through all these years.</li>
<li>They were getting along just fine until he and four other ministers were charged for theft, embezzlement, fraud and money laundering in 2013.</li>
<li>He wants us to believe thousands of professors, doctors, teachers and business people tried to overthrow his government by force.</li>
<li>He brought the same accusation against the <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/01/turkey-erdogan-authoritarian-intellectuals/">peaceful Gezi protesters</a>.</li>
<li>His prime minister (Binali Yildirim) claims <a href="https://www.armenpress.am/eng/news/857001/80-of-turkish-officers-have-links-with-gulenE28099s-organization-E28093-says-turkish-pm.html">60-80% of Turkish armed forces</a> are members of this group. Why didn't they join the coup then?</li>
</ul>
<div>
Yet, he blindly scratches anyone who comes close to question his authority and begs for sympathy. All this proves he cannot empathize at all.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-35049119869751316572016-07-30T23:33:00.000+03:002016-07-30T23:33:07.003+03:00Pick a Syndrome<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4O7XdthYhV9Sh3DDsZ2Uh0BsdRq4AInh6klh-NV__Xrhu9HHGCJrU3qbJFl3mVW-2dvCDSTAte-7Enqersv59KP5OCKSBhOYBX_Ay7_Bn65wMP4P4__gJq1czGRmmZtTFLeo4VH3_HNj/s1600/diana_acteon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4O7XdthYhV9Sh3DDsZ2Uh0BsdRq4AInh6klh-NV__Xrhu9HHGCJrU3qbJFl3mVW-2dvCDSTAte-7Enqersv59KP5OCKSBhOYBX_Ay7_Bn65wMP4P4__gJq1czGRmmZtTFLeo4VH3_HNj/s320/diana_acteon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana and Actaeon by Titian</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Latest <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/07/unsuccessful-coup-attempt-in-turkey.html">unsuccessful coup attempt</a> in Turkey has proven that Erdogan was/is considered a ticking time bomb by many if nothing else. <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/06/why-you-cant-understand-turkish-leaders.html">His delusional leadership</a> not only contributed to a <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/06/angry-boys-and-moderate-murderers.html">destabilized Syria and Iraq</a> but the resulting stream of immigrants threatened to shake the European Union at its core plus helped augment Islamophobia to an unprecedented level in the far corners of the world (USA). When you add the final icing that is his <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/06/sultans-uniformed-dervishes.html">homophobia</a> on the cake, it is not so far fetched to assume many would want him gone.<br />
<br />
Apparently two possible endings have been planned (or wished) for him:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>The Ceausescu or the Milosevic syndrome.</b></blockquote>
<br />
The failed coup is an indication that an immediate end a la Ceausescu will be tried first. Therefore, it is not so unreasonable to expect another try, though not via a military coup, that will lead to his demise. If that fails, cases of money laundering (Iranian) and being accessory to mass murder in Syria are two candidates to pave the way to Milosevic syndrome.<br />
<br />Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-40839556228356462322016-07-20T12:47:00.000+03:002016-07-20T12:51:43.355+03:00Unsuccessful Coup Attempt in Turkey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabM9i1QlF-lY41Q_U75JiiP4AeFqw1NB_ZNlMuqHJDgSQAaBd7311hyxz-_C8J05VKF-AorUBYSUnKRv5tvbpIvxV4tOBBwmiuJtWv8UbJdBmS1zKZZzBQ8NIK2mWZbhoeF-feyXkjJ91/s1600/mars_strikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabM9i1QlF-lY41Q_U75JiiP4AeFqw1NB_ZNlMuqHJDgSQAaBd7311hyxz-_C8J05VKF-AorUBYSUnKRv5tvbpIvxV4tOBBwmiuJtWv8UbJdBmS1zKZZzBQ8NIK2mWZbhoeF-feyXkjJ91/s320/mars_strikes.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
This time, I am <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2016/06/angry-boys-and-moderate-murderers.html">really really outpaced</a>. The thriller we call history rolls with an unprecedented speed. Last week, some elements of Turkish armed forces headed by members of a cult (Fetullahcilar) tried to overthrow the government. By all measures, the coup attempt seems premature and without a solid plan as if it was rushed and executed ahead of schedule. Although some analysts would undoubtedly say the rush was due to a pending legal operation to the cult members of Fetullah or FETO, Fetullah Terror Organization according to Turkish government, we should not forget they were not alone in this endeavor and these additional groups had no reason to rush.<br />
<br />
Typically, a successful coup requires<br />
<ol>
<li>local support or a considerable number of people without an objection to it</li>
<li>rank and file support in especially the army</li>
<li>international support</li>
</ol>
<div>
It was obvious that putchists did not have the first two so I have to assume they had some sort of international support, implied or otherwise. Rather than implicating any group or state, let us write down what we know:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The political leadership in Turkey <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/06/why-you-cant-understand-turkish-leaders.html">is delusional</a>.</li>
<li>They can shift their domestic and <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2016/06/why-did-we-eat-it.html">international policy abruptly</a> and not necessarily rationally.</li>
<li>They might intend to carry out <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2016/07/what-are-they-faking-and-why.html">hostile plans</a> towards an ethnic minority and they are extremely sectarian.</li>
<li>NATO members <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stanley-weiss/its-time-to-kick-erdogans_b_9300670.html">are beginning</a> to <a href="https://www.worthynews.com/23967-nato-member-turkey-sells-putin">consider Turkey</a> as <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/10/time-to-kick-turkey-out-of-nato-111734">a burden</a> (links are given to show the sentiment only, nothing else is implied).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Based on above, it is not difficult to see that a sudden policy shift favoring Russia might have created panic in some circles. This, combined with coming crackdown on the FETO group probably led to the unfortunate chain of events. </div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>What happens now?</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is not hard to guess that the delusional sectarian leadership of Turkey will use this as an excuse to crush all political dissent while clearing those who were involved with the coup.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-42309421648516559702016-07-11T18:41:00.000+03:002016-07-11T22:44:22.670+03:00What are They Faking and Why?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRssvfIxB1PbzURKy43UXDJXakF3ra6XoWW_mY39HkVfP01WUWPtdthEM6B8GRbkd3xR28EB6NMve6qX15hiHDpVOFze5lhZmDb4yli3Czg10UyiMA9J8NDpOdAR8pgWRmGpWNtEIb90M/s320/ottoman_campaign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRssvfIxB1PbzURKy43UXDJXakF3ra6XoWW_mY39HkVfP01WUWPtdthEM6B8GRbkd3xR28EB6NMve6qX15hiHDpVOFze5lhZmDb4yli3Czg10UyiMA9J8NDpOdAR8pgWRmGpWNtEIb90M/s320/ottoman_campaign.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature depicting Ottoman military campaign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One can find numerous examples here and elsewhere claiming Turkish president Erdogan and company are deluded and that is why it is not easy to <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/06/why-you-cant-understand-turkish-leaders.html">make sense of their policy changes</a>. As a matter of fact, it is not that difficult to grasp; their policy, or cause as they would say, has always been the same. It zigs and zags and zigs again; but the destination is always the land of love and peace where Islamic orgies bloom in its palaces. So, the sudden shift in <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/06/why-did-we-eat-it.html">relations with Israel and Russia</a> looks absurd.<br />
<br />
It is important to differentiate between someone who makes peace because he believes in peace, and someone who does it because he somehow needs it. Erdogan and his Islamists fall into the second category. Hence, they are faking peace.<br />
<br />
One can always argue that Russian embargo hurts Turkish economy (it really does and costs Islamists precious votes especially in coastal cities, votes that they will presumably need to tailor a constitution that suits their delusions in the not so distant future) but it is really difficult to explain their change of heart with Israel, the terrorist state as they would say, many many times on and off the record. So, for what purpose did they require a peaceful relationship with Israel (and to a lesser extent with Russia)?<br />
<br />
Hint: <a href="http://www.wptz.com/national/erdogan-syrian-refugees-could-become-turkish-citizens/40335148">Erdogan said Syrian refugees could become Turkish citizens</a>.<br />
Hint: It is wildly speculative.<br />
<br />Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-40419766704283388402016-06-30T19:34:00.000+03:002016-06-30T20:03:47.829+03:00Angry Boys and Moderate MurderersThe events outpace us. Before we can deliberate on <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2016/06/why-did-we-eat-it.html">Turkish-Israeli deal</a>, Erdogan (HL) caved in under economic pressure and apologized to Russia's Putin which opened the door to restoration of all relations while 3 suicide bombers wreaked havoc in Istanbul Ataturk Airport, killing 44, wounding hundreds. <br />
<br />
Amidst all this chaos, many cities that thrive on tourism, especially Antalya, have been eagerly waiting for the return of the Russian tourists. That, however, may not be possible soon as <a href="http://sputniknews.com/business/20160630/1042213847/russia-turkey-restrictions.html">Russian PM Medvedev pointed out</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"At the height of the tourist season, a relevant topic is the lifting of bans on charter flights and recommendations for Russian tourists not to travel [to Turkey]. Here, it is very important to obtain additional guarantees from the Turkish authorities that effective measures are being taken to ensure the safety of our travelers, especially in light of the recent tragic events in Istanbul."</blockquote>
<br />
But is it possible to create a reasonably safe environment for Russians in Turkey any more? The problem is two-fold:<br />
<ol>
<li>Turkey's ruling Islamists have never seen ISIS for what they are and this myopic look has resulted in thousands of sleeping terrorist cells of <i>angry boys</i>. This is ex Foreign Minister Davutoglu, in an interview on news channel NTV in August, 2014:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The structure called ISIL [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the previous name of the IS], at its core, could be viewed as a terrorist radical group, but people have joined it ... and there are significant numbers of Turkmens, Sunni Arabs, Kurds... we should understand it like this. Previous discontent, anger, discrimination and insults gave birth to a broad reaction."</blockquote>
<br />He blamed the violent behavior of Islamic State (IS) militants on those who excluded Sunni Arabs from society, saying that the marginalization had led to an accumulation of anger.</li>
<li>Then, we have the so-called moderate jihadis, who were groomed to fight Syria's Esad. Thousands of young people, Turkish and foreign, have been passively pushed to joining the ranks of these <i>moderate murderers</i> by Erdogan (HL) and company while the national intelligence agency (MIT) illegaly providing logistics services for them including all kinds of weapons and ammunition. <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2016/06/why-you-cant-understand-turkish-leaders.html">In their delusional state</a>, the Islamist elite <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/premier-vows-to-pray-in-damascus-mosque-soon.aspx?pageID=238&nID=29505&NewsCatID=338">dreamed of praying</a> with their Sunni brethren in Umayyad Mosque within a couple of months:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
"But we will go there in the shortest possible time, if Allah wills it; and embrace our brothers. That day is close. We will pray near the grave of Salahaddin Ayyubi and pray in the Umayyad Mosque. We will pray for our brotherhood freely in Hejaz Railway Station."</blockquote>
<br />Once said ex PM Erdogan, speaking at an extended group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), held at the party's headquarters in September, 2012. </li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe_-fHSExB8hlAq1EJY1snD-Cre3n1Ggz-mSKkhhlq4ad5J27Sz3BLdYqSt6m-eC1ThvoRHnS_BvrMtKg3JHHohGvme2P5Fa8Dg9OwAv9V5-mu_AcvMljGSFekQn_b-0N0pazkLDosHFD/s1600/alperenler-ceremony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe_-fHSExB8hlAq1EJY1snD-Cre3n1Ggz-mSKkhhlq4ad5J27Sz3BLdYqSt6m-eC1ThvoRHnS_BvrMtKg3JHHohGvme2P5Fa8Dg9OwAv9V5-mu_AcvMljGSFekQn_b-0N0pazkLDosHFD/s320/alperenler-ceremony.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alperenler drafting ceremony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, one can never be certain that effective measures will be taken against the angry boys. To make matters worse, no measures can be taken against the moderate murderers at all, they are the local brew of the pub. And both of these groups have been engaging Russians in Syria. Hence, even if the Russian jet had not been shot down, providing safety for Russian tourists day in day out would have been a risky proposition. It certainly is a huge challenge now.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-27514896688399625332016-06-28T09:18:00.002+03:002016-06-28T09:20:33.211+03:00Why did We Eat It?Turkey and Israel have <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36639834">decided to normalize relations</a>, ending a 6-year dispute with 10 Turkish activists dead. In summary:<br />
<ul>
<li>Turkey gains a privileged role in Gaza's economic development and a lessening of its isolation in a deeply troubled region.</li>
<li>Israel sees an end to its practical difficulties with Turkey and gets assurances about future Hamas activity on Turkish soil.</li>
<li>There could also be important economic benefits to both countries in terms of the energy sector and tourism.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSRiQJVJb5PPdeRde8rc3h4JICP16jWC3HLLcfG1Ox4nsDbIUcgAzIOGC9fJzLqHn8Tza4auW28JFoCg7Z8rjCpKHQxI8vEm1_0r-Zuoy7p2UBKDL-6N7ZCW5n9PeEeeNEYw0_R3-FHmm/s1600/winter-of-distaste.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSRiQJVJb5PPdeRde8rc3h4JICP16jWC3HLLcfG1Ox4nsDbIUcgAzIOGC9fJzLqHn8Tza4auW28JFoCg7Z8rjCpKHQxI8vEm1_0r-Zuoy7p2UBKDL-6N7ZCW5n9PeEeeNEYw0_R3-FHmm/s1600/winter-of-distaste.jpeg" /></a></div>
This all means they are exactly where they were 6 years ago. Since it is next to impossible to understand <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2016/06/why-you-cant-understand-turkish-leaders.html">how Turkish leaders make policy</a> (I do have an explanation for this particular one but need more data to draft a beautiful conspiracy theory of my own), it is best to describe the final agreement with a short story:<br />
<br />
One day, a rich farmer was going to downtown with his servant. He sit on his comfortable carriage rode by a beautiful horse and the servant on foot, they hit the road early to run a few errands. They saw a pile of fresh shit on the road and the wicked master decided to make fun of his poor servant:<br />
<br />
"If you eat that shit, the carriage and the horse will be yours and I'm going to walk instead of you."<br />
<br />
The poor servant looked at the carriage and the horse and then the pile of shit. He always hated this man. So, he decided to accept the challenge and despite the smell and disgusting taste, he managed to eat it. And on they went, roles reversed.<br />
<br />
Soon, the poor servant was angry with himself. He could not look after a horse nor maintain a carriage. The farmer, on the other hand, could buy a new horse and a carriage anytime he wanted. "I ate that shit for nothing," he thought. <br />
The farmer was also upset. "I lost a horse and carriage for a piece of shit," he contemplated.<br />
<br />
On the way back, noticing another pile of recently produced shit gave them both the opportunity they sought. "Master," said the servant,<br />
<br />
"Eat that shit and you can have your carriage and horse back."<br />
<br />
The farmer jumped to the occasion, swallowed it quickly and got on his carriage again. <br />
<br />
Approaching their village, the poor servant asked his master,<br />
<br />
"On the way to town, you owned the carriage and the horse and I was on foot. Now, here we are, back where we started, you still own them and I'm still on foot. So, tell me master of mine, why did we eat that shit?"Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-66055940414825058882016-06-27T17:05:00.000+03:002016-06-27T17:05:01.147+03:00Sultan's Uniformed DervishesThe sultan dislikes many things. He dislikes education, free-thinkers, people of other religions but his, women, you name it. It was certainly not unexpected he disliked LGBTI, too. So, his governor, a humble servant of the public, despite the previous marches had been uneventful, banned the Pride march to be held 19-26 June, citing following excuse(s):<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The organization of a meeting and demonstration march on the mentioned dates will not be allowed by our governorate for the safety of our citizens, first and foremost the participants’ and for public order. The venues for such events have previously been announced by law. We ask our valuable Istanbul residents to not heed such calls and to help the Security Forces by following their warnings and announce it to the public with respect.</blockquote>
<br />
To make a long story short, the march was canceled but LGBTI members decided to issue a press release. They really should not have done that. It upset the sultan and made his empty stomach sour. "All they need is discipline," he thought and sent his uniformed dervishes. Below, you see those thugs spreading their gaseous love while shaking their sticks for peace; alternately, you can view the videos of those disgraceful attacks including but not limited to firing rubber bullets, i.e. the <a href="https://www.rt.com/news/347446-istanbul-tear-gas-lgbt/">whole shebang here</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3CsJybNYq4oHRb6Z_ex-9T7AFw95syHtr4l9UzEFuYxOZlKShVnhl6T2zOccll2FhPaYsb9fgjiJJ3CMpz_Dn_Gwt7sxjv-d9aCYIoXVl915mcWXVleBlA0lB8_fL4x9wHmSVwS_PPb_/s1600/love-is-in-the-air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3CsJybNYq4oHRb6Z_ex-9T7AFw95syHtr4l9UzEFuYxOZlKShVnhl6T2zOccll2FhPaYsb9fgjiJJ3CMpz_Dn_Gwt7sxjv-d9aCYIoXVl915mcWXVleBlA0lB8_fL4x9wHmSVwS_PPb_/s320/love-is-in-the-air.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: https://twitter.com/gaystarnews</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is an excerpt from <a href="http://www.kaosgl.com/page.php?id=21911">press release of Trans Pride March</a> which I wholeheartedly agree:<br /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This argument that began with the excuse of disrespect for the month of Ramadan shows us where those who are not Turkish, Muslim, Sunni and male will stand in this nonsensical New Turkey. This sensibility that imposes their own norm on the totality of society and target those who do not abide by this norm will bring nothing but a massacre for the Kurds, Alevis (Alewites)*, Armenians, Greeks, Roma, LGBTIs, women, laborers and workers.</blockquote>
<br />* Addition mine; as Alewite is the more common name used.<br />
Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-50757975978921993362016-06-23T10:33:00.001+03:002016-06-23T10:33:26.174+03:00Decline of Academic Freedom in TurkeyThe number of incidents involving academics resulting in imprisonment, loss of position, prosecution, travel restrictions, violence and other types of threats are increasing at an alarming rate in Turkey.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGJzRzlfFPjGbx9ToWcEvqpD2Df-uATzN-XV3Mb27iN363AUdYDhic6B-Gb8k3yY-XfSzRrptj4TLCqQ4PcF7u-g0vly2hdShOxaz1CW1CpwJyhiOO9jC0PlAPnbkz9ISDQX_z6bHTVCL/s1600/erdogan-caricature-nyt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGJzRzlfFPjGbx9ToWcEvqpD2Df-uATzN-XV3Mb27iN363AUdYDhic6B-Gb8k3yY-XfSzRrptj4TLCqQ4PcF7u-g0vly2hdShOxaz1CW1CpwJyhiOO9jC0PlAPnbkz9ISDQX_z6bHTVCL/s1600/erdogan-caricature-nyt.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erdogan depicted by NYT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lately, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Sayin Balikcioglu was <a href="http://monitoring.academicfreedom.info/reports/2016-06-16-bilgi-university">dismissed from her position</a> at Bilgi University for criticising Turkey's <i>over-sensitive</i> (Thousands of people have been charged for insulting him) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a lecture. She argued about the increasing rudeness and vulgarity and Pres. Erdogan was at the center of this trend. Tragically, a student secretly recorded these remarks and made a complaint to rector's office. Even more tragically, she was immediately dismissed by the management on June 16, with the following public statement:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We want to inform the public about Prof. Dr. Zeynep Sayin Balikcioglu, who insulted our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a lecture on June 15, 2016, which was also mentioned on social media. … She was dismissed immediately after our rector’s office found out about the incident. Our rector’s office also immediately gave instructions to analyze the incident and launch the necessary legal investigations about it.</blockquote>
<br />It is really sad to see these kind of people who cave in against corrupt power so easily manage universities (if you can call such an institution a university). Prof. Christoph K. Neumann apparently agrees with me as <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/professor-resigns-after-colleague-dismissed-for-insulting-erdogan-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100685&NewsCatID=339">he resigned right away</a> from his post:<br /><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It does not comply with the existence of academic freedoms to dismiss Professor Zeynep for expressing her ideas during lectures with no questions asked.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
An institution without those freedoms cannot be called a university. It is your responsibility to find an appropriate name for that institution, but Bilgi is no longer a university. In this sense, Bilgi University does not exist anymore.</blockquote>
<br />I cannot agree more. I invite everyone to re-align their relations with Bilgi University accordingly.<br /><br />Just before I post this, I have learned another academic, Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanci was <a href="http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/arrested-turkish-campaigners-face-up-to-14-years-in-jail.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100784&NewsCatID=339">placed in detention</a>, standing accused of making terrorist propaganda.<br /><br />You can find all incidents involving scholars so far <a href="http://monitoring.academicfreedom.info/region/374">here</a>.<br />
<br />Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-72013022028568669232016-06-22T12:15:00.000+03:002016-06-22T12:20:03.083+03:00America Confused After Orlando LGBT AttackThe barbaric attack to LGBT community at a bar in Orlando was probably the saddest news of the month. Yet, I resisted the temptation to write about it soon after the incident; later, we often regret what we say in the heat of the moment.<br />
<br />
The mass shooting by a so called Muslim lone wolf dazed and confused everybody including the candidates for the president in the USA. <i>Great</i> ideas follow one another from not allowing Muslims into the country to beliefs (religions) should not be judged. As your fellow atheist living in a Muslim country, maybe I can shed some light into this mess.<br />
<br />
<b>Is Islam the root of this evil act?</b><br />
<br />
Yes, there is no doubt about it. And it should be criticized and shamed at all platforms, non-stop. Islam should change and it <i>can</i> change.<br />
<br />
<b>Should you blame American Muslim communities/immigrants?</b><br />
<br />
Absolutely, no! For two reasons if nothing less:<br />
<ol>
<li>More often than not, they were once victims, as well. They had probably left their home country because of bigotry and oppression. They knew what America was before they arrived and they have been <i>genuinely</i> trying to make peace with American and liberal (if I may say so) values.</li>
<li>They are a minority and like all minorities, if they want to exist, they will stretch their values unlike their brothers and sisters living in predominantly Muslim countries. </li>
</ol>
So, you have Muslims, mostly immigrants who had witnessed bigotry and oppression first hand and are open to change. Otherwise, how can you explain this photo?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_r5WWUVt3s2XZxvPHb3rHbaIJhXZGkD1qZt1F3w6YhFtgpe3mKKun_cmWTHrxSqK0nShpJDQa5MvnErJRtXiFuSt0F-lftvyrrfLD7frHuuvQj-z6l8F_Se4od5j8MYTSVuet4o3VXyV/s1600/gay-imam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_r5WWUVt3s2XZxvPHb3rHbaIJhXZGkD1qZt1F3w6YhFtgpe3mKKun_cmWTHrxSqK0nShpJDQa5MvnErJRtXiFuSt0F-lftvyrrfLD7frHuuvQj-z6l8F_Se4od5j8MYTSVuet4o3VXyV/s320/gay-imam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jadeafrican.com/americas-first-openly-gay-imam-performs-sex-marriages-gay-Muslims/">Gay imam performs same-sex marriages</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where else but USA can you see it, especially in Muslim countries? Don't lose it as <i>this</i> is the heart and soul of America.<br />
<br />
My deepest feelings for the LGBT communities who suffered more than enough.<br />
<br />Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-57938667968657444552016-06-21T18:08:00.000+03:002016-06-21T18:08:05.649+03:00Why You Can't Understand Turkish leaders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE3_SZG9XWUGNnW7CYLQnoxHox3Y_Qbp2xWciPwxJDM5jRMVf1GY5p7hSRZ98JdtEShohDWEm8PXwsC-dCpFrMldWCdz30PkR_2MCAlJBXnSDf5p1IYYGrxvI7-Fls-WiO-T1M6Ik6nHW/s1600/erdogan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="erdogan, leader in fashion" border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE3_SZG9XWUGNnW7CYLQnoxHox3Y_Qbp2xWciPwxJDM5jRMVf1GY5p7hSRZ98JdtEShohDWEm8PXwsC-dCpFrMldWCdz30PkR_2MCAlJBXnSDf5p1IYYGrxvI7-Fls-WiO-T1M6Ik6nHW/s200/erdogan.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Many political analysts, journalists, academics and other interested parties generally in international politics, in particular Turkish politics are having difficulty to make sense of Turkish leaders (Erdogan and company) and their policies. If we exclude their domestic plunders for the moment and focus only on Turkey's relations with her neighbors, it is actually very easy to explain. It gives me great pain not having mentioned it here as part of my predictions, so I can only console myself that I wrote about it on another blog, sadly not in English. <br />
<br />
Erdogan and Davutoğlu (he served as foreign and prime minister) share a mental disorder very common in Islamists: They are delusional! They live in a fantasy world where Ottoman Empire will be reborn and connect to its eagerly waiting old members that were once torn apart by heathens (read imperial powers). With the help of <i>the religion of love and peace</i> (sic), this will pave the way to an ultimate Islamic orgy of sorts.<br />
<br />
You may think that I am exaggerating. Fine! You can read adventures of HH (his highness) in his <a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/03/turkey-erdogan-conquest-of-africa.html">conquest of Africa</a> from this perspective or if you would consider it TL/DR, too long, don't read, <a href="http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/fa/contents/articles/originals/2016/06/turkey-africa-erdogan-soft-power-binge.html">here is Yigit Bulut</a>, advisor to the president, speaking:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
People in the Balkans, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East are asking how they, too, can be governed from Istanbul. People in Greece, Romania and Bulgaria are saying, "Never mind the European Union. What new scenario can develop with Turkey?"</blockquote>
<br />
Mr Bulut may not be delusional, though. People like Erdogan is surrounded by two groups of people: <b>True believers</b> and <b>con-men</b>. He probably belongs to the latter, enjoying the benefits freshly squeezed from an easy mark. Yes, delusional people make easy marks but with a side effect: They are also dangerous.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-39939148653227155952016-06-20T08:19:00.000+03:002016-06-21T18:28:11.803+03:00I'm back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltNaJ8SukJIKSfGIJLhaMHABP9m65StrQqsVLjp8_72WbG3BdUVN0r7B_pKhWPPkcJe4s3DYd4EspFOASJ6uzzJsUcSQCNNKyfXSv-QcXQP5Ou4UcU3sD1UvI2pv6F6Pi45rUbYsW-GTy/s1600/Terminator.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltNaJ8SukJIKSfGIJLhaMHABP9m65StrQqsVLjp8_72WbG3BdUVN0r7B_pKhWPPkcJe4s3DYd4EspFOASJ6uzzJsUcSQCNNKyfXSv-QcXQP5Ou4UcU3sD1UvI2pv6F6Pi45rUbYsW-GTy/s200/Terminator.png" width="125" /></a></div>
I am finally back from a long hiatus equipped with an exoskeleton, a computer-enhanced brain and a shiny new augmented personality with a couple of not so uncommon disorders. Yet, I find it even more depressing to discover that I had been right on so many issues. Let us take stock to remember and reminisce for the duration of this post:<br />
<br />
In <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2011/01/fat-lady-muslim-brotherhood.html">Fat Lady: Muslim Brotherhood</a> I had boldly written the following,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
If Mubarak is overthrown, I predict an authoritarian government in medium term; i.e. an interim government enhancing liberties until elections and Brotherhood rule after the second if not the first election. In any case, I will be glad to see Mubarak go. One less one-man, game has to be played regardless of the cards held. </blockquote>
<br />
In <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2011/02/oil-rich-vs-poor-countries-in-middle.html">Oil-rich vs Poor Countries in Middle East</a> I had posited that,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As far as pure liberties are concerned, like freedom of expression, women's rights and suffrage, criminal and justice system, the oil-rich countries are as bad as the poor ones. The press is under control, communication is troublesome and often censored (plus monitored), individuals are severely restricted from what they eat and drink to what they wear. In most, one-man rule has been and still is the common denominator.<br />
<br />
Taking into account their common cultural heritage, the acid test for me is if there will be any demand for enhancing liberties in the richer states. Any sign of disturbance there, though not necessarily similar in size and progress, will imply that a consensus for a more liberal and free society is growing. </blockquote>
<br />
No shake in rich countries, hence oppression goes on.<br />
<br />
In <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2011/01/tunisia-intifada-or-revolution.html">Tunisia: Intifada or Revolution</a>, I had humbly suggested,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Not satisfying the essential first two properties, The Tunisian Jasmine movement runs the risk of being labeled as disturbance by the very same people. Failing to accomplish anything, it might be seen as a nuisance, something that only makes things worse. </blockquote>
<br />
A lot happened since that post and after 2014 election, the Islamists caved in and a real hope for peace emerged. So, I consider this prediction a fail but I should remind you: never trust Islamists as <a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com.tr/2011/01/passage-to-tunisia.html">the problem of absolutes</a> persists:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The geography in question is a land of absolutes. There is an absolutely appropriate dress code, an absolutely perfect religion, an absolutely correct way of relationship; an abundance of absolute truths. So many absolutes rarely produce democracy. </blockquote>
<br />
Let us hope that I will be absolutely wronged!Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-61809996439007112552011-02-04T19:16:00.000+02:002011-02-04T19:16:08.601+02:00Challenging Moral DilemmasI suggest you read <a href="http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/morality10/morality.greene.html">The New Science of Morality</a> by Joshua D. Greene for the weekend:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>[...] a lot of our problems, moral dilemmas, are the result of modern technology. For example, we have the ability to bomb people on the other side of the world. Or we have the ability to help people on the other side of the world. We have the ability to safely terminate the life of a fetus. We have the ability to do a lot of things that our ancestors were never able to do, and that our cultures may not have had a lot of trial-and-error experience with. How many cultures have had trial-and-error experience with saving the world from global warming? None. Because we're on trial number one, and we're not even through it yet.</blockquote>Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-85871617406811706692011-02-03T13:29:00.002+02:002011-02-03T13:29:41.316+02:00Concepts and ExpectationsThere is a lot of confusion as disturbances and unrest spread across the Middle East. Often, concepts and ideas are bended and twisted to cater to the events. One such concept is freedom, living your life the way you like it, expressing your thoughts without fear of discrimination and unfair and/or occasional violent reaction. The recent events in Tunisia and Egypt have reminded me this once again.<br />
<br />
I am an atheist. Carelessly disclosing this fact would cost me a head in Afghanistan, in Saudi Arabia I would probably rot in a prison, it would get me some number of kicks and stones in Iran, I would be cast out in Egypt and I'd manage in Turkey but there will be a price to pay. When people say and hope for freedom if and when those dictators flee, I beg to differ. I do not expect freedom. True, life will be much better, less restrictions, a popular government but that is all. Is it bad? Of course not! Should we call it a democracy? No!<br />
<br />
Do not get me wrong. I do not have the slightest intention to despise those revolutions. It is a big step towards the right direction. And unlike many, I do not have a baseless fear that religious zealots will take over and nuke the world. Yes, Islam will be a dominant factor shaping the society and politics, and we shall have to wait and see if those countries will evolve to free and democratic nations in the not so near future.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-76749601394697528212011-02-01T19:36:00.001+02:002011-02-01T19:40:35.744+02:00Oil-rich vs. Poor Countries in Middle EastCorruption and inequality are shaking the relatively poor (read not oil-rich) countries of the region. Unlike many, I do not see the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt and who knows next as revolts against oppression directly. Rather, they are the result of oppression being used as a <i>tool for exploitation</i> by the few who got richer while the masses stuck in poverty and unemployment. The driving force for the revolutions (<a href="http://fauxpolicy.blogspot.com/2011/01/tunisia-intifada-or-revolution.html">I do not favor that term either</a>) is hatred towards those people occupying governmental positions and businesses aligned with them.<br />
<br />
As far as pure liberties are concerned, like freedom of expression, women's rights and suffrage, criminal and justice system, the oil-rich countries are as bad as the poor ones. The press is under control, communication is troublesome and often censored (plus monitored), individuals are severely restricted from what they eat and drink to what they wear. In most, one-man rule has been and still is the common denominator.<br />
<br />
Taking into account their common cultural heritage, the acid test for me is if there will be any demand for enhancing liberties in the richer states. Any sign of disturbance there, though not necesarily similar in size and progress, will imply that a consensus for a more liberal and free society is growing.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-67642407370480535632011-01-30T01:35:00.003+02:002011-02-01T11:24:31.923+02:00Fat Lady: Muslim BrotherhoodHaving read some number analyses if the Mubarak regime will hold or what will happen next so and so forth, I can not help but notice most have ignored a key actor in the Egyptian political arena, the Muslim Brotherhood. Opera does not end until fat lady sings and the Brotherhood is Egypt's fat lady despite its activities have been banned for a long time.<br />
<br />
Although most on-line figures celebrate joyfully in the name of freedom, I consider them as naively romantic. One should not forget that Brotherhood's ideology is at least partly appealing to a considerable portion of Egyptians as previous Pew research found out, and that ideology is as remote as the South Pole to democracy, human rights and freedom in general.<br />
<br />
If Mubarak is overthrown, I predict an authoritarian government in medium term; i.e. an interim government enhancing liberties until elections and Brotherhood rule after the second if not the first election. In any case, I will be glad to see Mubarak go. One less one-man, game has to be played regardless of the cards held.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-76017025340755409562011-01-28T23:12:00.002+02:002011-02-01T11:27:15.046+02:00Word of Mouth or TwitterWord of mouth or Twitter? Which do you think is worse during a commotion and unrest? Apparently Egyptian government is for the latter, as in order to block access to many social networks they have shut down <a href="http://opennet.net/blog/2011/01/egypt%E2%80%99s-internet-blackout-extreme-example-just-time-blocking">entire Internet connectivity</a>. I humbly disagree with them and their Internet blackout strategy.<br />
<br />
Once being an involuntary element in a few riots, protests etc when I wore a younger man's shoes, I can definitely certify that word of mouth is a terrible thing. Several times, I witnessed a phrase reaching to the tail of a convoy (if I may say so) from its head and the change was beyond recognition. A simple sentence like "Police detained X and released an hour later" turned into a "Police has taken in X and been torturing him for hours." It led to unexpected events.<br />
<br />
So, I stand firm. Spoken words vaporize, are taken out of context, are modified and reshaped to no end while the written, in whichever form, even a retweet retain its original value. Mubarak is very likely to regret his decision but unfortunately he does not read my blog. Pity!Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-78349464281801399352011-01-25T00:03:00.001+02:002011-02-01T11:29:56.770+02:00Year of the Rabbit<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rnw5BvxSDmM" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
We'll see. Read the full story <a href="http://chinageeks.org/2011/01/little-rabbit-be-good-a-subversive-new-years-video-card/">here</a>.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-68426344897417891142011-01-22T22:24:00.001+02:002011-01-22T22:25:01.593+02:00In Anticipation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGX8pVhyphenhyphensUW7-K5BXdV8g6C4zgj10DEWGyAYHBbEJ10ZvOq-tSFLraTE7n9YskozsCngx82ATVbMgvJyo-yLFoMU7N3XRTx_fep0AtnG8DKZKoBRFGtBVBQLt3dCulIvrWmaqYhoxZs3Y/s1600/kadikoy-sahil-yolu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bird at sahil road, kadikoy istanbul" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGX8pVhyphenhyphensUW7-K5BXdV8g6C4zgj10DEWGyAYHBbEJ10ZvOq-tSFLraTE7n9YskozsCngx82ATVbMgvJyo-yLFoMU7N3XRTx_fep0AtnG8DKZKoBRFGtBVBQLt3dCulIvrWmaqYhoxZs3Y/s320/kadikoy-sahil-yolu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
How often do we forget the sun rises everyday?<br />
<br />
Image by CS. Used with permission.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-40316659417963166722011-01-20T12:28:00.008+02:002011-02-01T11:43:05.880+02:00Tunisia: Intifada or RevolutionI disagree naming the events in Tunisia as a revolution, though I am happy with the word Jasmine, it is my favorite flower. History tells us successful revolutions have two important elements:<br />
<ol><li>leader(s)</li>
<li>program</li>
</ol>The French had Robespierre, the Chinese had Mao and the Russian had Lenin as the prominent figures leading the way. More importantly they all had a program, a clear message, an agenda to replace, a power structure to change and an ideology to effect that change. Tunisian uprisings seem to lack these elements.<br />
<br />
True, Tunisian people grew tired of oppression, poor economic conditions, high rate of unemployment, etc and put up a courageous fight but where will it take them? Despite the tyrant Ben Ali fled the country, it seems all the underlying causes that created the current conditions remain. Although we see some progress on the liberty side, please remember that poverty and inequality was the dominant factor that triggered the uprisings and riots. The existing power elites (both politically and economically) are still in place and they try to control the situation by letting people blow their steam --they allow more freedom, and by making small sacrifices --Ben Ali gone, a blogger is now a minister.<br />
<br />
The third but often overlooked property of revolutions is they have a duration. The <i>spark</i> does not go on forever. If Jasmine fails to change anything substantial, it will lose momentum; this is true for successful ones, too. And this brings us to the fourth property: counter revolution. Every action creates a reaction and here lies the danger.<br />
<br />
Not satisfying the essential first two properties, The Tunisian Jasmine movement runs the risk of being labeled as disturbance by the very same people. Failing to accomplish anything, it might be seen as a <i>nuisance</i>, something that only makes things worse. Suppose you are a shop owner and everyday there is a demonstration, a protest or a march in your street.. And <i>no sales</i> plus occasional damage where you have to foot the bill. You are not better off and you will grow tired of those mobsters looting around. You get the picture. This will provide extra leverage for the ruling classes to suppress them.<br />
<br />
Hence, I favor neither intifada --it can not be sustained, nor revolution --it lacks direction. And I sincerely hope I will be proven wrong.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-61632761380150162142011-01-19T16:49:00.001+02:002011-02-01T11:47:25.099+02:00Italy Joins Iran, Bans BooksHorrified? You should be. According to Wu Ming Foundation, Venice province has <a href="http://www.wumingfoundation.com/english/wumingblog/?p=1661">approved a proposal</a> ordering all Venetian libraries to<br />
<ol><li>remove from shelves all the books written by any author who signed a 2004 petition asking for Cesare Battisti’s release from jail,</li>
<li>abstain from organizing events featuring such writers (they must be declared "undesirable persons").</li>
</ol>Any librarian who will not follow this order will be held <i>responsible</i>.<br />
<br />
I do not know who Battisti is; maybe he is a serial killer or a terrorist. Nor do I have any idea what the 2004 petition was about and which writers signed it. Pushing a legislation to ban books is simply disgusting. It is an act of insolence that dynamites the very foundation of the Enlightenment. Shame!Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-85722637283972152822011-01-18T12:43:00.002+02:002011-02-01T11:49:54.444+02:00A Passage to Tunisia2011 has come with its disturbances all around the world. Revolutions and uprisings have cropped up in all shapes, colors and flowers, so have the analyses.<br />
<br />
I skimmed through quite a number of those about the so-called Twitter triggered Jasmine revolution of Tunisia. I do not want to discredit them all because most were written by real experts when it comes to social networks but from where I stand, they fail to fulfill two important requirements:<br />
<ol><li><b>Location:</b> For any meaningful political analysis, one has to live in the subject country for a year or two. No, weekend visits, holidays, short term stays do not count. A 5-star hotel can create miracles in the middle of nowhere; with its clockwork perfection, it is no different than living in your <i>insert-your-favorite-city-here</i>. On the other hand, a simple task of shopping so that you can cook your dinner home gives you a completely different perspective. Nothing is more insightful as spending some time in the country of your analysis.</li>
<li><b>Language:</b> In order to know a (any) culture closer, you have to know the language, period. A lot of subtle clues are lost during the translation, or worse, you get the picture totally wrong. Let me give you an example from my native language. Take, for instance, a simple verb like <i>to love</i>. When conjugated in present continuous tense, it is what it seems, you love someone. Conjugation in (simple) present, however, complicates things; most often than not, it is a warning, sometimes a threat but it rarely means liking (not loving) someone. Without knowing the context the phrase "I love you" used, it is impossible to derive anything meaningful out of it (that is why I call it the <i>political tense,</i> the politicians love it; it is the best aid for plausible future denial).</li>
</ol>Satisfying neither condition, let me throw in a regional analysis so that your visit here and reading so far will not be a complete waste of time. The geography in question is a land of <i>absolutes</i>. There is an absolutely appropriate dress code, an absolutely perfect religion, an absolutely correct way of relationship; an abundance of absolute truths. So many absolutes rarely produce democracy.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-2627173568507785592011-01-17T19:05:00.001+02:002011-02-01T11:52:00.097+02:00Rushdie Strikes BackIranian government has finally banned all books of Salman Rushdie, the author of Satanic Verses, the notorious book which caused quite a turmoil in the lands of the never setting holy crescent. Letting books of a writer one was determined to kill at sight circulate freely was absurd to say the least and this anomaly has been corrected by this long awaited law.<br />
<br />
Rushdie, however, was quick to respond: he decided to offer his novels (in Persian) free in downloadable format. This presents a golden opportunity for those who seek his head. They now have a chance to know their enemy first hand without resorting to hearsay. Getting to learn something about your target's crimes before killing him should be a moral obligation for every candidate wishing to accomplish this honorable task.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808712661743516559.post-79578395528312522312011-01-16T14:57:00.004+02:002011-02-01T11:52:40.742+02:00Limit of Sexual AttractionFrom psychologists to physicists, many scientists have tried to understand how sexual attraction works. What is the mechanism behind it? Is it sight, smell or something else that is the dominant factor which drives people toward one another? A headmaster in Adana, Turkey might have found the answer.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://haber.sol.org.tr/liseliler/nevit-kodalli-lisesi-ogrencilerinden-sola-degerlendirmeler-haberi-37934">According to the headmaster</a> (tur.) of Nevid Kodalli School of Fine Arts, the sole determinant in affairs of the heart is distance. He posits that the maximum distance sexual attraction can work is 45 centimeters; at that point he claims, the force of the pull is effectively zero. So, he prohibited students of the opposite sex getting closer than 45 cm to each other.<br />
<br />
For the mathematically inclined like myself, we can summarise this hypothesis by revisiting the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limit_%28mathematics%29">limit concept</a> where,<br />
<ul><li>f denotes the force of sexual attraction,</li>
<li>x is the distance in centimeters.</li>
</ul>And from this genius policy we can deduce that:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWco8JdaBgVPXk-Cm-rGK_E4MTb3-wO3wpNMJocW4B0oLK0gPMJeMyZ4JcpjIBPiTNYBGdo0WrkWoBJU4E7QjcjrmfQ3hk__N0jQ-jHEbpaxtjiRnXF2X1pnmWqbaEqI4_QzGuMVbOSZ1/s1600/limit-attraction.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="\lim_{x \to 45}f(x) = 0" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWco8JdaBgVPXk-Cm-rGK_E4MTb3-wO3wpNMJocW4B0oLK0gPMJeMyZ4JcpjIBPiTNYBGdo0WrkWoBJU4E7QjcjrmfQ3hk__N0jQ-jHEbpaxtjiRnXF2X1pnmWqbaEqI4_QzGuMVbOSZ1/s1600/limit-attraction.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Hence, the limit of sexual attraction as distance approaches to 45 cm is 0</b>.<br />
<br />
This revolutionary discovery, however, has been later denied by both the school master and the Ministery of Education which proves it is right.Archiverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13012879998426203674noreply@blogger.com0