A different message from a different religion, or different perception about Life and Death?
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
For the Ones we once Loved...
A different message from a different religion, or different perception about Life and Death?
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Since Turkey has intense relations....
...with Iran. I ask them politely to use their influence to stop the cruelty against their citizens. The photo above is about the stoning of Jafar Kiana on the 5th of July 2007. Not on the 4th of July, the National Holiday of their 'imaginary' Satan: the USA.
This is the top of a giant iceberg. As I see how both secularist Turkey (proud about the planned Nabucco pipeline) and the current Turkish government are selling themselves out for money to restore an 'Empire', believe me: this will never happen again.
As Turkey applied for the EU membership, the EU asked them to take human rights as their guideline. But that is interfering in Turkish internal affairs. Or not? A joke! Now one word pops up: hypocrites. Especially the AK party and CHP.
Explanation: While Russia proposed the Blue Stream pipeline (both the Nabucco project and Blue Stream pipeline are in interest of Turkey, with the difference that the first includes Turkish 'brothers' in notorious states as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran - please do not blog from there - you will be jailed and the guards will treat you like a flee, if you are still alive...) Turkey wants to get into this deal as soon as possible.
Right wing think tanks as USAK/ISRO, staunch secularists, want to open the trade with Iran without any conditions. Hypocrite or not?
Fighting against moderate liberal Muslim party as the AK party and at the same time dealing with maybe the most cruel and theocratic regime on earth, the Iranian Islam Republic, makes me sick.
Take a look at the picture above...this is sadistic torture. If this is not enough for you, please look at this.
The only Turkish 'body' who protested was Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But others are not like that.
Make up your mind. And if you cannot, take a deep breath and a look here.
This weekend dinner with Iranian friends. Who fled the country 30 years ago.
Caliphate and Patriarchate
I find the article by Dr. Angelos Syrigos, a lecturer of International Law and Diplomatic History at Paqnteion University in Athens and Director of the International Olympic Truce Centre, in yesterday's Turkish Daily news, a refreshing approach.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Showing maturity
Did I miss something? It is normal when a party wins an election the other party leaders send their congratulations to the leader of the winning party, or not? I didn't have seen such a move from neither Baykal nor Bahçeli. Showing respect for the winner? When I watched this evening a program a CHP guy simply said that the AKP didn't win the election. Maybe I can not count but 47% of the votes is a landslide victory. And, it looks like Deniz Baykal will stay. He looks like a gentleman but he doesn't behave accordingly.
Erdogan, yesterday evening, spoke words of reconciliation... thanking everybody.
Did Mr. Baykal thank his voters? No. What an arrogance. He is a shame for the Socialist Internationale.
Note: Today Deniz Baykal thanked his voters and congratulated his opponent (a little late in my opinion). But no resign or stepping back.
Stoning in Iran
Two and a half weeks ago Jafar Kiani is reported to have been executed by stoning outside the city of Takestan in Iran on 5th of July. Mr. Kiani was sentenced to death for having an extramarital affair with Mokarrameh Ebrahimi.
The EU is concerned that Mokarrameh Ebrahimi, the mother of the couple’s two children, will suffer the same fate. Women are buried until their breast in the ground before the killing can be started, as you can see in the picture. More info here. Or here.
In the meanwhile all kinds of business circles in Turkey and the government are making all kinds of business deals with the Mullahs in Tehran. Also, starting today, the 'religious police' will control more if women and men are dressed appropriately and if their hair is cut according to Islamic standards, whatever that means.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Turkish election Blues
It's interesting to see how Turkey voted.
It seems that there are two winners, AK party (rules the current one party government) and the Ultra Nationalists MHP. And one big loser, the CHP.
The 10% threshold, established by the secularist in the early eighties of the last century are now working against them. Cynical or not?
In my columns of March 1, 2007 and February 28, 2007, I wrote about three important issues regarding how a head of state, in the Netherlands our Queen Beatrix, has to deal with the constitution.
The first one is that in the Netherlands a one-party government can not rule the country. Second is that always one member of the Royal family is in fact in charge of the army, so a Coup d'etat is impossible. And third, our head of state must take care about minorities. All written down in our constitution. And all these important issues are not guaranteed in the Turkish Constitution.
Also, in the Netherlands we have a popular vote system. Which is neither in Turkey, nor in the USA and UK.
If only the last can be introduced in Turkey, in my opinion, the next generation of politicians will be able to solve and handle the current polarized Turkish political environment.
Anyway, I hope that the AK party will reach out for consensus and compromise politics.
It seems that there are two winners, AK party (rules the current one party government) and the Ultra Nationalists MHP. And one big loser, the CHP.
The 10% threshold, established by the secularist in the early eighties of the last century are now working against them. Cynical or not?
In my columns of March 1, 2007 and February 28, 2007, I wrote about three important issues regarding how a head of state, in the Netherlands our Queen Beatrix, has to deal with the constitution.
The first one is that in the Netherlands a one-party government can not rule the country. Second is that always one member of the Royal family is in fact in charge of the army, so a Coup d'etat is impossible. And third, our head of state must take care about minorities. All written down in our constitution. And all these important issues are not guaranteed in the Turkish Constitution.
Also, in the Netherlands we have a popular vote system. Which is neither in Turkey, nor in the USA and UK.
If only the last can be introduced in Turkey, in my opinion, the next generation of politicians will be able to solve and handle the current polarized Turkish political environment.
Anyway, I hope that the AK party will reach out for consensus and compromise politics.
Intolerance
As we are dealing the last years in the Netherlands still with more intolerance from all sides, yesterday night some lunatics threw a Molotov cocktail to a Mosque, in the city of Haarlem. In the end, no damage. At the same time when Jews, especially in Amsterdam, are more and more subjects of personal attacks by Moroccan Muslim immigrants, we can make the conclusion that all integration policies have failed so far.
And it doesn't matter who governs the country...
And a pity to read that today in Sason (East Turkey), Diyarbakir (South East Turkey) and in Antalya, people of different parties were fighting with each other on election day...
We definitely need more cross cultural communication knowledge.
Alcohol ban
Looks like there is an alcohol ban today, on Turkish election day. No alcohol served and sold in supermarkets. This changes completely my view about this current government: CHP is now my party..)
I tried to manipulate Idil this morning to vote for my man, Cem Uzan, but she didn't listen..)
Only if Cem promised free ice cream every Sunday during summertime...or free raki after Friday prayers...)
In West Europe you always see close to a Roman Catholic church, bars. So after Sunday mass, people go straight there to drink Jenever in the Good Old Days...
Anyway, the local shops here sell my favorite beer Efes Extra. So I will watch this evening with some nice cold beer the results of these important elections.
The weather
Looks like the UK gets more rain than needed. And we, here in South East Europe, are suffering. Since June the 10th it's at least 28 degrees. Today 32, later this week up to 38 in Istanbul.
Lived for 2 full years in Miami where it is summer from mid February until mid December (other two months are considered as 'spring'). In the mid of the Summer, June until October, the temperature was never higher than 32 degrees. But I had the ocean in front of me, and of course a huge swimming pool. (...)
Early Expansion of Christianity and Islam
This is a neutral point of view how both Islam and Christianity developed in the early centuries.
It's worth reading without making a point about today's situation.
Here is the link: hyperhistory.
It's worth reading without making a point about today's situation.
Here is the link: hyperhistory.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Once upon a time in München
Five years ago, when I moved to Turkey, I became International Communication and Relations manager of a Turkish company which wanted to expand their business services to West-Europe.
After 5 months of preparations, we planned a one week visit to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The first 4 days were fun in the Netherlands and we, the President of the company, the business developer and I, were treated well. All the companies and NGO's we visited, were really pleased with the thought of a possible cooperation in the near future.
On Saturday we left our base (Maastricht) for a tour to Dusseldorf, Eindhoven, Brussels and back to Maastricht, down in the south of the Netherlands. On Sunday we drove to München where meetings were planned for Monday. The first meeting was the most important one, with a German state-owned investment company. We, three men, in a meeting room with five German women. Wow! We handed over our business cards, and the game could begin. They looked surprised that three Turkish men from Istanbul, well-dressed, fluent in English, came over to Germany for investments. In particular, they looked at me (I am almost 2 meters tall, blond hair, blue eyes etc.) with curiosity: is he a Turk or not. Obviously, they were confused. While the meeting went on, sometimes they consulted each other in German, a language which I understand. So, one time I interrupted, and told them that I was Dutch and understand the German language (...). Anyway, during the break my two Turkish friends left the meeting room. Immediately the nice women (or girls, not one of them was older than 35) asked me: 'Are you Dutch, why are you living in Turkey?'. I replied to them: 'Why are you living in München?'. Now they were really astonished. They told me: 'But Turkey is a backwards country', 'Why on earth a person with your background would like to live there?'. I replied: 'Yesterday, we drove all the way from the Netherlands to München'.
'We arrived at 6 pm and after checking in, we want to have a nice dinner in your city, but everything was closed'. 'How come?', I asked them?. They were looking for an answer but could not find one. I told them that Turkey, and especially Istanbul was and is a developing country, and not that backwards as they thought. And that bars and nightclubs were open until pre-dawn. That there are a lot of interesting things going on in Turkey etc.
Then, I got a reply: 'These fine well-dressed colleagues of yours, are they representative for Turkey?'. I said: 'Yes, but the five of you are not representative for Germany'. They were shocked now. I told them an anecdote: the evening before, while looking for a decent restaurant, we finally ended up in some kind of 'GastHaus'.
Overcrowded restaurant with tons of beer and a lot of pork meat. Since I don't eat pork, from a hygienic point of view, I ordered a steak while my two Turkish colleagues wanted to eat pork. In the end, they switched it somehow, and I was eating pork, and one of my two colleagues was eating my steak.
During that meeting on Monday morning with this German investment company, my stomach became disturbed. The German pork in my stomach made me aware of how often people don't want to understand other cultures. And Love goes through the stomach, or not?
After 5 months of preparations, we planned a one week visit to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The first 4 days were fun in the Netherlands and we, the President of the company, the business developer and I, were treated well. All the companies and NGO's we visited, were really pleased with the thought of a possible cooperation in the near future.
On Saturday we left our base (Maastricht) for a tour to Dusseldorf, Eindhoven, Brussels and back to Maastricht, down in the south of the Netherlands. On Sunday we drove to München where meetings were planned for Monday. The first meeting was the most important one, with a German state-owned investment company. We, three men, in a meeting room with five German women. Wow! We handed over our business cards, and the game could begin. They looked surprised that three Turkish men from Istanbul, well-dressed, fluent in English, came over to Germany for investments. In particular, they looked at me (I am almost 2 meters tall, blond hair, blue eyes etc.) with curiosity: is he a Turk or not. Obviously, they were confused. While the meeting went on, sometimes they consulted each other in German, a language which I understand. So, one time I interrupted, and told them that I was Dutch and understand the German language (...). Anyway, during the break my two Turkish friends left the meeting room. Immediately the nice women (or girls, not one of them was older than 35) asked me: 'Are you Dutch, why are you living in Turkey?'. I replied to them: 'Why are you living in München?'. Now they were really astonished. They told me: 'But Turkey is a backwards country', 'Why on earth a person with your background would like to live there?'. I replied: 'Yesterday, we drove all the way from the Netherlands to München'.
'We arrived at 6 pm and after checking in, we want to have a nice dinner in your city, but everything was closed'. 'How come?', I asked them?. They were looking for an answer but could not find one. I told them that Turkey, and especially Istanbul was and is a developing country, and not that backwards as they thought. And that bars and nightclubs were open until pre-dawn. That there are a lot of interesting things going on in Turkey etc.
Then, I got a reply: 'These fine well-dressed colleagues of yours, are they representative for Turkey?'. I said: 'Yes, but the five of you are not representative for Germany'. They were shocked now. I told them an anecdote: the evening before, while looking for a decent restaurant, we finally ended up in some kind of 'GastHaus'.
Overcrowded restaurant with tons of beer and a lot of pork meat. Since I don't eat pork, from a hygienic point of view, I ordered a steak while my two Turkish colleagues wanted to eat pork. In the end, they switched it somehow, and I was eating pork, and one of my two colleagues was eating my steak.
During that meeting on Monday morning with this German investment company, my stomach became disturbed. The German pork in my stomach made me aware of how often people don't want to understand other cultures. And Love goes through the stomach, or not?
Friday, July 20, 2007
'Foreign votes'
Today's Turkish Daily News run a column of a Turkish-Finn, or Finnish-Turk; Reeta Cevik.
What she writes is interesting and can be said for most N.W. Europeans, as for other Europeans as well. Turkey is still a young and a fragile democracy but it is maturing quickly.
Emre already wrote about her on his blog. Here is the integral one:
Turkish elections through a Finnish lens
Friday, July 20, 2007
REETA ÇEVİK
Differences and similarities
Observing Turkish politics from a Finnish perspective is always an adventure. In Finland, consensus and compromise are the rules of the political game. Finnish politicians consider it inappropriate to blame their rivals or to focus on irreconcilable ideological differences. In Turkey, on the other hand, political parties tend to give prominence to negative criticism, sometimes at the expense of developing and explaining their own positive policies.
The second difference is the role of women in politics. In Turkey, women comprise a rather small minority in Parliament, despite having won full political rights before their sisters in many other European countries. In Finland, women hold 42 percent of the seats. The consequences are clear. Policies created by both genders find a deeper resonance in society as a whole, whereas policies created solely by one gender are often unsuccessful. Such policies simply lack the complementary wisdom and insight that only the female half of the population could contribute.
The third difference is in the use of rhetoric.Agitated and aggressive gestures are considered uncivilized in Finnish political etiquette. The shouting matches (and worse) that occasionally echo in the Turkish Parliament could not even be imagined in Finland.
However, despite all these differences, Turkey and Finland also share a wealth of common experiences and common values.
Continue reading here.
What she writes is interesting and can be said for most N.W. Europeans, as for other Europeans as well. Turkey is still a young and a fragile democracy but it is maturing quickly.
Emre already wrote about her on his blog. Here is the integral one:
Turkish elections through a Finnish lens
Friday, July 20, 2007
REETA ÇEVİK
Differences and similarities
Observing Turkish politics from a Finnish perspective is always an adventure. In Finland, consensus and compromise are the rules of the political game. Finnish politicians consider it inappropriate to blame their rivals or to focus on irreconcilable ideological differences. In Turkey, on the other hand, political parties tend to give prominence to negative criticism, sometimes at the expense of developing and explaining their own positive policies.
The second difference is the role of women in politics. In Turkey, women comprise a rather small minority in Parliament, despite having won full political rights before their sisters in many other European countries. In Finland, women hold 42 percent of the seats. The consequences are clear. Policies created by both genders find a deeper resonance in society as a whole, whereas policies created solely by one gender are often unsuccessful. Such policies simply lack the complementary wisdom and insight that only the female half of the population could contribute.
The third difference is in the use of rhetoric.Agitated and aggressive gestures are considered uncivilized in Finnish political etiquette. The shouting matches (and worse) that occasionally echo in the Turkish Parliament could not even be imagined in Finland.
However, despite all these differences, Turkey and Finland also share a wealth of common experiences and common values.
Continue reading here.
No Debate?
In a column of July 9, 2007, I stated that Turkish political communication atmosphere is top-down. No real discussion possible. Why is there no live-debate between the main party leaders? Are they afraid to lose their temper as some months ago...
The person down on the right, Deniz Baykal, celebrates today his birthday, for your information.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Election predictions II
My friend Erkan put on his blog an interesting poll.
Still, I am convinced that people will change their minds at the last moment and a lot of protest votes will come out: votes for anti-establishment parties.
And still I think that the CHP will do worse than the opinion polls show.
In the last weeks I spoke with many people who normally would vote for the CHP. Now they are looking at other parties. Some say: GP, some choose to vote for an independent candidate, some admit that - unlike AK party roots from political Islam - they will vote for them. Of the 15 people who used to vote for CHP, only one will vote for them again. And one of the other 14 will vote for MHP.
I am still pondering my head while the 'Turkish Diaspora' (6 million people) are only able to vote when they come over to Turkey as Yasemin stated in her post. Are the Turkish diplomats able to vote abroad?
There was a small poll in the Netherlands among the 500.000 Turkish people living there. Most of them support the AK party and only some would vote for independent candidates of the DTP if they were able to vote in the Netherlands. MHP was the third party. It was strange to see that there is almost no support for the CHP in Hollanda...
Still, I am convinced that people will change their minds at the last moment and a lot of protest votes will come out: votes for anti-establishment parties.
And still I think that the CHP will do worse than the opinion polls show.
In the last weeks I spoke with many people who normally would vote for the CHP. Now they are looking at other parties. Some say: GP, some choose to vote for an independent candidate, some admit that - unlike AK party roots from political Islam - they will vote for them. Of the 15 people who used to vote for CHP, only one will vote for them again. And one of the other 14 will vote for MHP.
I am still pondering my head while the 'Turkish Diaspora' (6 million people) are only able to vote when they come over to Turkey as Yasemin stated in her post. Are the Turkish diplomats able to vote abroad?
There was a small poll in the Netherlands among the 500.000 Turkish people living there. Most of them support the AK party and only some would vote for independent candidates of the DTP if they were able to vote in the Netherlands. MHP was the third party. It was strange to see that there is almost no support for the CHP in Hollanda...
First Dutch sweet shop opened in Istanbul
This month a shop opened in Bagdat Caddesi: a Dutch sweet shop. I don't think that many people know that the Dutch are famous for their cookies, candies, chocolates, cakes and licorice (see picture above). In fact, I got all kinds of funny jokes about the Dutch cuisine, but may I remind my Turkish, Italian and Greek friends that after the USA and France, the Netherlands is the third largest producer of food in the world..)) With only 600.000 people working in agriculture...
Here are some chocolate samples of Droste.
Although not sweets, below a picture of some of the hundreds of different cheeses the Netherlands produces. Dutch cheese, together with Indo-Dutch food and Mustard sauce, I miss the most since I left the Netherlands 8 years ago. Beer? In Czech republic you have pretty good beer, the USA is Heineken and Amstel minded, and Turkey has its Efes Extra, which beats even Belgian beer..)
Election time
Comparing the Dutch elections with the Turkish one is comparing like the Kentucky Derby, the 2 most exciting minutes in sports, with a turtle race.
Dutch elections are dull, and it's all about 'intellectual stuff', whilst the Turkish elections are overheated once in a while, but for sure full of surprises. And I have to admit: 'I love it'...
For a turtle race you can go to Costa Rica, where they organize such a race from there to the Galapagos Islands. Or to a restaurant in Key West, Florida. That is a nice place to stay for a week or so.
Turkey attacks Kurdish positions in N. Iraq
As I have witnessed over and over again, in general, Turkish media are slow.
When T. Erdogan made the statement that he will not return as the leader of Ak Party if he fails to establish a single party government, it was all over the news in Europe.
It took 36 hours for Turkish journalists to announce that what he said was true.
Yesterday a bomb attack in front of an AK office, and more interestingly:
'Turkish Army' bombed several cities in 'Northern Iraq'. I asked my Turkish wife to check all the news channels, but since there is censorship, they can not broadcast it. Only if there is some kind of 'victory'.
Read your newspapers on Friday, then you will read more...))
When T. Erdogan made the statement that he will not return as the leader of Ak Party if he fails to establish a single party government, it was all over the news in Europe.
It took 36 hours for Turkish journalists to announce that what he said was true.
Yesterday a bomb attack in front of an AK office, and more interestingly:
'Turkish Army' bombed several cities in 'Northern Iraq'. I asked my Turkish wife to check all the news channels, but since there is censorship, they can not broadcast it. Only if there is some kind of 'victory'.
Read your newspapers on Friday, then you will read more...))
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Paintings of Iman Maleki of Iran - Exhibition in Catalonia
Studying
Sunlight...
Omens-of-Hafez
Secret meeting: making music
Girl by the window
More information about Iman Maleki soon.
FIFA ranking by July the 18th 2007..
Where is Turkey..)) Where are England and Greece, the European Champions of Euro 2004?
But there is still the Netherlands..)
1. Brazil
2. Argentina
3. Italy
4. France
5. Germany
6. The Netherlands
7. Croatia
8. Portugal
9. Spain
10. Mexico
But there is still the Netherlands..)
1. Brazil
2. Argentina
3. Italy
4. France
5. Germany
6. The Netherlands
7. Croatia
8. Portugal
9. Spain
10. Mexico
The insignificant citizens of Turkey
Who are they? Of course us, the ones that live in other countries. We are many, I guess, but we cannot vote in the coming elections unless we travel to Turkey between 25th of June and 22nd of July. Many countries let their citizens vote by post or at their embassies/consulates, but we, the Turkish citizens, are not given this right. Why??
Al-Qaeda and the USA
According to the National Intelligence Estimate, the group of all 16 'intelligence' agencies such as the CIA, NSA, FBI, etc., Al-Qaeda-Iraq, established after the USA-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, became more and more a threat to their Homeland = USA.
So the second goal of the invasion is also a disaster...it took them 4 years to come to this conclusion. Is this a joke?
So the second goal of the invasion is also a disaster...it took them 4 years to come to this conclusion. Is this a joke?
First post from Florence
Hello all. Hans has been kind enough to introduce me. I should correct just one thing: I am not that fluent in German; although I have studied it for 6 years as my second foreign language I have never practiced it. I use it only in my occasional trips to Germany to talk to waiters at the cafes and restaurants, and for communicating with shop assistants. Yet, I should admit that it was great help in learning Norwegian since their grammars are alike and there are quite a few similar words.
I don't think I will be posting as often as Hans, I don't even manage posting to my own blog very often, but I will definitely continue editing his posts and helping him technically whenever he needs my help.
I don't think I will be posting as often as Hans, I don't even manage posting to my own blog very often, but I will definitely continue editing his posts and helping him technically whenever he needs my help.
An excellent polemic
Burak Bekdil wrote today an excellent column as a reply to Mustafa Akyol's column of last week. This is an excellent polemic, where the journalists are not insulting, not becoming personal but give their opinions from their points of view, and share them with their audience of TDN.
Now it's waiting on a reply of Mustafa. Excellent writing by the both of them.
Here is the column of Burak:
The sum of all secular fears – a reply
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Last week, my ‘column neighbor’ Mustafa Akyol drew a very realistic typology: The secular Turk. That typology is so real, but does not explain Turkey as a whole. Hoping to make the picture more complete, I shall draw my typology: The Islamist/pragmatist Turk.
My “column neighbor” Mustafa Akyol wrote an excellent article titled, “The sum of all secular fears,” (Turkish Daily News, July 12, 2007) that was witty yet realistic; perfectly describing, in one virtual character that was the “secular Turk” coming home from a trip to “the West” with his girlfriend with fake blond hair, the superficiality of the “white Turk.” Mr. Akyol's account of the “secular Turk” in stylish jeans and t-shirt could not possibly be more accurate.
Allow me to remind you of Mr. Akyol's hero, the secular Turk, who takes a vacation to visit some place in Europe or North America: He is the boyfriend of the elegant girl with fake blond hair; he gets offended when the “indigenous westerner” he chats with during the flight believes all Turks wear fez or turbans; he believes in the Kemalist revolution “which worked really hard to wipe off anything Oriental from Turkish society;” he comes across terribly unpleasant scenes at Istanbul's Ataturk airport upon his return from the days of pilgrimage to the temples of modernity: Men with beards who prefer mosques to nightclubs and women with headscarves who as their role model take Prophet Mohammed's daughters and not Britney Spears; he calls these devout Muslims “cockroaches.”
Continue reading here.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Update
Made same changes on my blog:
The most important one is that Yasemin Yalcinkaya will be a co-author of this blog.
She is Turkish and speaks several foreign languages fluently: English, Norwegian, German, Italian and of course her native language Turkish. No, she doesn't speak Dutch and French, I do...but together we can be a news wire..))
For the past 17 years she is studying, living and working abroad e.g. Norway and Italy. Married to an Italian, and now living happily ever after near Florence with her husband and two children.
She has a PhD. in computer science, and can talk and write about the interesting developments in both Turkey and Europe.
Hey, what do you want more: a really inter cultural multi-lingual blog?!
She is looking for a job now, in Italy, Italia, Firenze preferibile, signori, but she feels comfortable to be my unpaid editor for the time being...help her!
The most important one is that Yasemin Yalcinkaya will be a co-author of this blog.
She is Turkish and speaks several foreign languages fluently: English, Norwegian, German, Italian and of course her native language Turkish. No, she doesn't speak Dutch and French, I do...but together we can be a news wire..))
For the past 17 years she is studying, living and working abroad e.g. Norway and Italy. Married to an Italian, and now living happily ever after near Florence with her husband and two children.
She has a PhD. in computer science, and can talk and write about the interesting developments in both Turkey and Europe.
Hey, what do you want more: a really inter cultural multi-lingual blog?!
She is looking for a job now, in Italy, Italia, Firenze preferibile, signori, but she feels comfortable to be my unpaid editor for the time being...help her!
Carnaval in Fatih, Istanbul
As some of you already know, my favorite district of Istanbul is Fatih. Not because of the 'modern Islamistic dressed women' (...) but because it's the place where my friends of the Foreign police have their headquarters and where I can buy a residency. The trip is always exciting, especially when my wife drives me and she drives from Macka to Mecidiyekoy to Fatih...quite a longer way than direct from Macka to Taksim and so into Fatih. Enfin: it was again a freaky hot day, and when you wear a suite like me, you will not be unseen in this area.
But my mood became cheerful seeing all the flags. Even some in our Dutch national color Orange...thousands and thousands there in Fatih. Looks like they are ready for carnival a la Rio instead of elections. I think they how know to party, in a different way than I used to do, but a la, everybody has his or her taste. As you can see in the picture below, one girl made her (although completely unrecognized) entry and danced on the street as we do in Rio..)
The way back was an interesting tour as well. As my wife (Call her O. or I. but I think her surname is more important..)) still doesn't know the ways in Istanbul although born and raised here and lived here all her life (with the exception of wasting 6 years abroad...) this time - the shortest in her opinion - was first 20 km in the direction of Edirne, from there a turn around to Ataturk airport, and then finally back to Macka. Quite an interesting tour. If she was a taxi driver I was already with her in a police station..))
And do I have my papers now? No, one more trip to Fatih, this time by taxi tomorrow, which takes 10 minutes one way, instead of twice 1 hour...
Pictures I made out of a shaking car..))
You have to keep in mind, my O. or I. sometimes stops on the highway when she has to make an decision: shall I take this Exit or not? Even for the Turkish drivers she is a pain in the ass. For me, I don't know better: she is only not allowed to drive when we are on holiday...
For more info call the Hot line of Turkish suicide drivers..)) It starts with an 9...
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Turkish and Dutch politics..
...are for sure not compatible. First of all we don't have a threshold, and second the Dutch politics are all about consensus, compromise and negotiations: what the parties promised can only be realized if they are part of the government, and willing to negotiate about which promises they can fulfil and which not. It's an interesting game but the government in the end represents the majority of the voters. A minority cabinet with the support of individual members of other parties are a rarity in Dutch history.
In 1992, for the first time ever, the moderate right liberal party, the VVD, together with the moderate socialist of the PvdA - and as binding factor the social liberal D66 - formed a government without any of the Christian parties. This cabinet lasted for 8 years, surviving one election. And it was the first time that none of the Christian parties were represented in the government. It was called the Third Way, (I don't agree that Mussolini was a represent of the Third Way, but wikipedia is an open source) together with Blair's policies by then and Clinton's views about how the world can be governed. The 9/11 attacks destroyed the hope for another world, and the radicalisation within some Muslim communities until today, broke the last stray.
Today Turkey is making itself up for the next elections, and suddenly I found myself surrounded by information about Baskin Oran. Exactly one of the persons of this Third Way.
Read here an interesting overview about his pragmatic views. And here is his web site.
He can make the difference.
At least, his ideas are not radical comparing with contemporary Turkish political parties.
In 1992, for the first time ever, the moderate right liberal party, the VVD, together with the moderate socialist of the PvdA - and as binding factor the social liberal D66 - formed a government without any of the Christian parties. This cabinet lasted for 8 years, surviving one election. And it was the first time that none of the Christian parties were represented in the government. It was called the Third Way, (I don't agree that Mussolini was a represent of the Third Way, but wikipedia is an open source) together with Blair's policies by then and Clinton's views about how the world can be governed. The 9/11 attacks destroyed the hope for another world, and the radicalisation within some Muslim communities until today, broke the last stray.
Today Turkey is making itself up for the next elections, and suddenly I found myself surrounded by information about Baskin Oran. Exactly one of the persons of this Third Way.
Read here an interesting overview about his pragmatic views. And here is his web site.
He can make the difference.
At least, his ideas are not radical comparing with contemporary Turkish political parties.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
1977 and today...
In 1977, late French President Francois Mitterand, then opposition leader, told a French magazine: "One has to be careful not to turn the common market into a mere free trade zone. Neither Greece nor Spain is in a position to join the (European) Community. Accession is neither in their interest nor is it in our interest. Interim steps are desirable."
Four years later, Mitterand was elected president of France. By the time he left the presidency in 1995, Greece, Spain and Portugal had been EU members for more than a decade, negotiations were completed with Austria, Finland and Sweden, and the first steps had been taken towards the admission of post-communist Central and Eastern Europe.
It means that Turkey has a very long way to go and that the pace of reforms should not slow down. On the contrary, no matter what the political benefit, Ankara should give emphasis to political and economic reform and even the staunchest European political opponent to Turkey's membership would have to change their mind.
Turkey must change from a military republic into a democratic republic a Turkish professor told yesterday.
Four years later, Mitterand was elected president of France. By the time he left the presidency in 1995, Greece, Spain and Portugal had been EU members for more than a decade, negotiations were completed with Austria, Finland and Sweden, and the first steps had been taken towards the admission of post-communist Central and Eastern Europe.
It means that Turkey has a very long way to go and that the pace of reforms should not slow down. On the contrary, no matter what the political benefit, Ankara should give emphasis to political and economic reform and even the staunchest European political opponent to Turkey's membership would have to change their mind.
Turkey must change from a military republic into a democratic republic a Turkish professor told yesterday.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Today's post
Several Turkish newspapers are interesting to read.
Some of them I follow closely, for example TDN.
In today's TDN Elif Safak writes about 'the life of a Turk is so difficult'.
I disagree with her. Turks, knowing the European cultures, the Middle Eastern ones and having knowledge of Central Asia, have a Golden key in their hands, which card they don't show in their negotiations with the EU.
Some of them I follow closely, for example TDN.
In today's TDN Elif Safak writes about 'the life of a Turk is so difficult'.
I disagree with her. Turks, knowing the European cultures, the Middle Eastern ones and having knowledge of Central Asia, have a Golden key in their hands, which card they don't show in their negotiations with the EU.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Nationalism, a lost case.
Again, today, Orhan surprised me with his column. So right, so human, so on the target.
No sensational news, only facts.
For sure, a person with a heart on the right place! And we use that expression in the Netherlands, the heart on the right place for people who are opening their mind, without any fear.
Below the first part of the column of this brave person.
Orhan Kemal Cengiz
We have a phrase in Turkish, “felaket tellalı,” which can be translated literally into English as “scaremonger.” For the last three months I have been acting like a “felaket tellalı” about the situation in Turkey. Actually not only I but a lot of other columnists and intellectuals are behaving like this as well. Are we exaggerating situations, are we too negative, or are we suffering from the grip of collective neurosis? There might be many things, but I think we all focus on all these negative things to prevent the worst from happening. The other thing is that when the things happen, which we do not want to mention (for sake of not being stigmatized as paranoid or as conspiracy theorists), most of the time it is too late to react against them. For some, the Santoro, Dink and Malatya murders came as “big surprises,” but actually they were not! Before these incidents happened there had been many reactions towards what these victims represented in the Turkish society, but for most people these signs were invisible! We all have our own “selective perception,” and we tend to ignore the “signs” if they do not indicate an immediate danger for us.
There have been operations against some neo-fascist “civil society” organizations in Turkey for a while. We have known of these organizations and their connections for some time. They take oaths on guns, declare they know all “traitors,” and keep long lists of these people. In terms of their ideology and world view, these organizations are quite similar to the neo-fascist and skinhead movements in Europe. But have you ever heard of any of these neo-fascist organizations in Europe being set up and run by retired high-ranking army officers? This is happening in Turkey now. A retired captain was caught in a home with 27 hand grenades in his possession. And we continue our lives as if these things are not happening in Turkey. We can only see the tip of the iceberg.
Continue reading here.
A beautiful Mind
This is the real John Nash. Saw tonight maybe for the 6th time the movie 'A Beautiful Mind'. One of my favorite movies.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Foreign commentators
While Amnesty was not well known in Turkey several years ago, it's now widely seen as a independent human rights body. Without a political program. It criticize easily left wing, right wing or religious groups when using terror, torture, indoctrination etc. Regarding Turkey: I had lately a discussion with Emre about racism etc., who wrote that Turkey have a clear record. I share his optimism about Turkey but a report of AI about Turkey is still very critical. It is updated May of this year. Read it here.
Turkey is in a tense situation. You should think that foreign news agencies are watching the elections closely. But no real attention as far as read the European or USA press. Yes, IHT comes up with articles but the rest is marginal. Only through Turkish Digest I received the next article. By an organization founded by Trotsky. It's all about the CHP and its 'unarmed forces'.
More about the CHP in Turkish Daily news by the columnists M.A. Birand, Yusuf Kanli and Mustafa Aykol. You can read them here, here and here if you missed the opportunity to read before.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Risky Turkish election predictions
I am not going as a political junkie with my ears to the ground to predict the result of the upcoming election, riding by riding.
More, I will use my own evaluation process which is entirely subjective. I have a very different political background than most of my Turkish friends with whom I agree and disagree on several issues.
Predictions are undoubtedly influenced by specific insights, experiences, or biases about particular contests. However, I strive to come up with predictions that are most sensible as we see them. Let me clarify: I will use general and typical Turkish trends. And I listened to politically minded individuals who pay close attentions to news and issues. I also share polling information and gossips, which may influence my prediction.
Also, I take in consideration 'foreign influences'. Doesn't matter of these are from Islamistic countries, the EU or the Jointed States of America. What most of the people outside Turkey doesn't understand is that there is a 'silent Islamitization on local level' in Turkey going on. At the same time, the closer Turkey comes to adapting the Acquis communautaire, the more their rights are guaranteed.
Anyway, here we go:
I strongly believe that the AK party will gain around 35%-40% of the votes. Mainly from rural areas but also from the new middle class in urban areas. And from people who are saying that they are against the AK party but secretly support them. Also don't underestimate the Turkish people who are living abroad. They often see the big picture, and progress which has been made in Turkey. Next to these factors, people will understand that the first priority of a country in crisis is the macro-economy, the micro-economy will improve as well with more years of AK party in the government. Looking at the high unemployment, especially under young people, they will not vote for an MHP-CHP possible coalition. People want Pavlov: security, freedom, shelter. And it looks like that the AK party did a great job in this, but have still a long way to go. Stability is the magic word of the AK party.
CHP will get 13%-15% of the total of the votes. They have a strong stronghold in several parts of the society, but lacks charisma for new young voters. Their posters and campaign messages are of the last century. Turks are much smarter than what they are promising now for 80 years. I don't think they get a big share of the new young voters. Baykal is simple not the man who attracts new voters.
The GP, the Young Party is the underdog. And Turkish people (like the Dutch) love the underdog...I predict that they will get 11%-14% of the votes, maybe even more. Why? A lot of people will do a protest vote. And since the CHP, DP, and MHP didn't evolve with the time mind, and people don't want to vote for the traditional parties, I think Cem Uzan - with his charm - will do a good job. Especially under new young voters and people who don't know for which party must vote. And charisma can cover a lot. And since he is young and can act as a leader (which Turkish people like) the outcome of this election can be a surprise for the GP...and Turkey.
DP will not pass the threshold. As presented earlier as an good alternative for the current AK party and CHP, lost its attraction when both the DYP and ANAP failed to compromise on their candidate list. I think that for most people its not clear where they stand for and more important, what are they going to do after the elections. I will give them 5%-8% of the votes.
MHP will always appeal to certain people as the savior of Turkey with their warrior mentality. But more on sentiments than logical statements. A 5% hardcore of ultra-nationalist will always support them. But throwing a rope in the public, which the leader of the MHP did, to hang the imprisoned PKK gang leader, is damaging MHP its image. I don't think that the Turkish people like this a-social behaviour anymore. Also, the party leader, Devlet BAHÇELİ, is too old to lead the Turkish nation in a new area. I expect not more than 6%-8% of the Turkish population to vote for them.
Then there are still circa 15% of the voters left. Regarding the Kurdish-Turkish candidates, who will run as independent but in fact for the DTP, I expect that they will take 10% of the seats. And then we have i.g. Baskin Oran, one of the many independent candidates. I expect that they also will gain votes and seats.
In the end, an AK party with the Young Party coalition will be an interesting option.
More, I will use my own evaluation process which is entirely subjective. I have a very different political background than most of my Turkish friends with whom I agree and disagree on several issues.
Predictions are undoubtedly influenced by specific insights, experiences, or biases about particular contests. However, I strive to come up with predictions that are most sensible as we see them. Let me clarify: I will use general and typical Turkish trends. And I listened to politically minded individuals who pay close attentions to news and issues. I also share polling information and gossips, which may influence my prediction.
Also, I take in consideration 'foreign influences'. Doesn't matter of these are from Islamistic countries, the EU or the Jointed States of America. What most of the people outside Turkey doesn't understand is that there is a 'silent Islamitization on local level' in Turkey going on. At the same time, the closer Turkey comes to adapting the Acquis communautaire, the more their rights are guaranteed.
Anyway, here we go:
I strongly believe that the AK party will gain around 35%-40% of the votes. Mainly from rural areas but also from the new middle class in urban areas. And from people who are saying that they are against the AK party but secretly support them. Also don't underestimate the Turkish people who are living abroad. They often see the big picture, and progress which has been made in Turkey. Next to these factors, people will understand that the first priority of a country in crisis is the macro-economy, the micro-economy will improve as well with more years of AK party in the government. Looking at the high unemployment, especially under young people, they will not vote for an MHP-CHP possible coalition. People want Pavlov: security, freedom, shelter. And it looks like that the AK party did a great job in this, but have still a long way to go. Stability is the magic word of the AK party.
CHP will get 13%-15% of the total of the votes. They have a strong stronghold in several parts of the society, but lacks charisma for new young voters. Their posters and campaign messages are of the last century. Turks are much smarter than what they are promising now for 80 years. I don't think they get a big share of the new young voters. Baykal is simple not the man who attracts new voters.
The GP, the Young Party is the underdog. And Turkish people (like the Dutch) love the underdog...I predict that they will get 11%-14% of the votes, maybe even more. Why? A lot of people will do a protest vote. And since the CHP, DP, and MHP didn't evolve with the time mind, and people don't want to vote for the traditional parties, I think Cem Uzan - with his charm - will do a good job. Especially under new young voters and people who don't know for which party must vote. And charisma can cover a lot. And since he is young and can act as a leader (which Turkish people like) the outcome of this election can be a surprise for the GP...and Turkey.
DP will not pass the threshold. As presented earlier as an good alternative for the current AK party and CHP, lost its attraction when both the DYP and ANAP failed to compromise on their candidate list. I think that for most people its not clear where they stand for and more important, what are they going to do after the elections. I will give them 5%-8% of the votes.
MHP will always appeal to certain people as the savior of Turkey with their warrior mentality. But more on sentiments than logical statements. A 5% hardcore of ultra-nationalist will always support them. But throwing a rope in the public, which the leader of the MHP did, to hang the imprisoned PKK gang leader, is damaging MHP its image. I don't think that the Turkish people like this a-social behaviour anymore. Also, the party leader, Devlet BAHÇELİ, is too old to lead the Turkish nation in a new area. I expect not more than 6%-8% of the Turkish population to vote for them.
Then there are still circa 15% of the voters left. Regarding the Kurdish-Turkish candidates, who will run as independent but in fact for the DTP, I expect that they will take 10% of the seats. And then we have i.g. Baskin Oran, one of the many independent candidates. I expect that they also will gain votes and seats.
In the end, an AK party with the Young Party coalition will be an interesting option.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Forgiven by God 'himself'
David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican senator is linked to a prostitution ring in Washington DC. Now he claims that he received forgiveness from God himself. Looks like the Republicans have a direct line with God...probably they need that for all the crimes they are responsible for...
Read here the story.
Monday, July 09, 2007
You are in Turkish politics: Smile!
Monday, July 9, 2007 Turkish Daily News
Hans A.H.C. de Wit
Hardly any Turkish politician has the charisma, uses the appropriate language, or simply has the imagination to unite the Turkish nation. From right to left wing, from conservative to socialist, if only one of these present-day politicians had even 10 percent of the magnetism or the vision Mustafa Kemal Atatürk had, Turkey would be treated with more respect than it could ever dream of. And misanthropy would not flourish on Turkish soil. Atatürk started a new era for Turkey decades ago, and past and present politicians should complete in his spirit what he could not finish.
Turkish communication atmosphere
In recent weeks, I have witnessed some interesting developments in Turkey. For me, these have highlighted problems associated with the top-down flow of communication in Turkish politics, which lacks encouragement on meso-level and civil organization to be part of a communication platform. A platform that can have the layout of the physical infrastructure (communication and power distribution systems) especially on that of education, research and technology policy that is oriented toward improving the existing communication environment where the Turkish nation can be competitive, not only in business, but in politics as well.
The principles of the foundations of the republic of Turkey don't have to be violated; only the communication atmosphere will be improved. Whilst there are many issues in Turkish politics today, this article solely addresses those to do with communication.
Continue reading here.
Hans A.H.C. de Wit
Hardly any Turkish politician has the charisma, uses the appropriate language, or simply has the imagination to unite the Turkish nation. From right to left wing, from conservative to socialist, if only one of these present-day politicians had even 10 percent of the magnetism or the vision Mustafa Kemal Atatürk had, Turkey would be treated with more respect than it could ever dream of. And misanthropy would not flourish on Turkish soil. Atatürk started a new era for Turkey decades ago, and past and present politicians should complete in his spirit what he could not finish.
Turkish communication atmosphere
In recent weeks, I have witnessed some interesting developments in Turkey. For me, these have highlighted problems associated with the top-down flow of communication in Turkish politics, which lacks encouragement on meso-level and civil organization to be part of a communication platform. A platform that can have the layout of the physical infrastructure (communication and power distribution systems) especially on that of education, research and technology policy that is oriented toward improving the existing communication environment where the Turkish nation can be competitive, not only in business, but in politics as well.
The principles of the foundations of the republic of Turkey don't have to be violated; only the communication atmosphere will be improved. Whilst there are many issues in Turkish politics today, this article solely addresses those to do with communication.
Continue reading here.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
First impressions of Earth Live
Snoopy Dogg in Germany. He had fun. Obviously.
Linkedin Park, my favorite of the last year. A pity that they performed in Tokyo. Missed the show.
Shakira in Hamburg. Originally planned for Istanbul - which could not make it as host for this worldwide event. She was the opening act in Hamburg.
One of the Seven World wonders?
The Oosterscheldekering in the Netherlands (see picture, a mechanical 8 km dam) is sometimes referred to as the eighth Wonder of the World, and has been declared as one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
It's part of the Delta works, which embraced around 10.000 miles of dams, dikes, storm surge barriers, locks etc.
After the North Sea flood of 1953, a commission was installed which had to come up with a plan to research the causes and seek measures to prevent such disasters in future. They revised some of the old plans and came up with the so called "Deltaplan".
With the Chinese wall, the Delta works are the only two human made constructions in the world which can be seen from the Moon!
Athens in debate, Bodrum in action
While in Athens they are still debating what caused the forest fires around Athens 10 days ago, see the entries of Vassili of the end of June, Bodrum, a well known place to go for Sun, Sea and pleasure in the South West of Turkey is today surrounded by fire. But with the help of the volunteers and the locals, Bodrum is saved from a disaster.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Ultra Nationalism
The elections are coming. Nothing different from other countries, only the fact that Turkish parties are appealing to their ultra nationalist roots, and their background, making this kind of images:
The leader of the MHP, an ultra nationalist movement in Turkey, throwing a rope in the public 'who will hang ...no. 1 state enemy of Turkey?'
The question remains: is Islam in Turkey compatible with Democracy Western style and is Turkish style Democracy in style with Europe's demands? Or has it to face a modern Middle East country kind of Democracy in the near future, with ultra nationalist Islam as leaders?
The people of Turkey must decide, not foreigners.
The leader of the MHP, an ultra nationalist movement in Turkey, throwing a rope in the public 'who will hang ...no. 1 state enemy of Turkey?'
The question remains: is Islam in Turkey compatible with Democracy Western style and is Turkish style Democracy in style with Europe's demands? Or has it to face a modern Middle East country kind of Democracy in the near future, with ultra nationalist Islam as leaders?
The people of Turkey must decide, not foreigners.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Changes
Too many changes this week. Which caused too much stress.
And the weather is also not helpful: a nice breeze would be welcome.
No real plans for the summer yet, due to all the misery. But we will see, things can change quick here....
Later!
And the weather is also not helpful: a nice breeze would be welcome.
No real plans for the summer yet, due to all the misery. But we will see, things can change quick here....
Later!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Road trips, 9/11
What I miss about the USA are the road trips: driving in 5 days from downtown Miami to Kansas City for a wedding, and back.
September 2001. Wedding was on Saturday, September the 8th, so we left by car on September the 6th on Thursday, and arrived on the 7th after a 24 hrs. drive on Friday there. Exactly in 24 hrs: 1800 miles.
The weekend there, and some rest. Nice wedding.
On the 10th of September, Monday back. This time we decided to have a break in Atlanta.
We made it, in 12 hrs. Found ourselves a good hotel, and the next day on our way back to the South and the heath. Since Maria worked for CNN for 8 years we planned to visit friends at CNN. But we were late.
We drove our car on the road, turned the radio on, and..that was 9.18 it... 9/11.
The road from Atlanta to Miami was empty, 1.100 miles...we made it for the 8PM news.
I shall never forget that day. What a madness.
And it still lingers on.
September 2001. Wedding was on Saturday, September the 8th, so we left by car on September the 6th on Thursday, and arrived on the 7th after a 24 hrs. drive on Friday there. Exactly in 24 hrs: 1800 miles.
The weekend there, and some rest. Nice wedding.
On the 10th of September, Monday back. This time we decided to have a break in Atlanta.
We made it, in 12 hrs. Found ourselves a good hotel, and the next day on our way back to the South and the heath. Since Maria worked for CNN for 8 years we planned to visit friends at CNN. But we were late.
We drove our car on the road, turned the radio on, and..that was 9.18 it... 9/11.
The road from Atlanta to Miami was empty, 1.100 miles...we made it for the 8PM news.
I shall never forget that day. What a madness.
And it still lingers on.
Turkish and Turkishness 2
All of you:
Asked, especially the Turkish readers what now Turkishness means.
No, not one of you you came with an answer.
Tomorrow another person, Professor Aytal will be put on trial for 'insulting Ataturk'.
A good writer and friend of mine wrote a column about it. Read it here.
And out of the blue, a friendly person specialised in linguistics replied to my post of the 8th of June.
Here her responds to my questions.
Asked, especially the Turkish readers what now Turkishness means.
No, not one of you you came with an answer.
Tomorrow another person, Professor Aytal will be put on trial for 'insulting Ataturk'.
A good writer and friend of mine wrote a column about it. Read it here.
And out of the blue, a friendly person specialised in linguistics replied to my post of the 8th of June.
Here her responds to my questions.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Toyota is doing it again..
Toyota, a car for the proletarians in West Europe, is doing it again: disturbing wild life!
Ad populum argument, Ataturk and Aristoteles
I am not sure, but I guess that many of you never heard about the Ad Populum argument.
An argument often used in countries practising culture relativism (we did it like this for hundreds of years, so why change it?) or by indoctrination of the masses: everybody thinks like this, so, if you think different, you are wrong.
This argument pops up all the time in the Turkish polemics. Everybody knows exactly what Ataturk have said and would have implemented. They all use the Ad Populum argument, which simply makes any debate impossible. You face a militaristic attack of the Left or Right wing minded people while criticizing a simple thought or thing.
Maybe I must shut up, and stuck to Aristotle: after him 'nothing new' has ever been revealed, said or written...but he is a Greek...ha
An argument often used in countries practising culture relativism (we did it like this for hundreds of years, so why change it?) or by indoctrination of the masses: everybody thinks like this, so, if you think different, you are wrong.
This argument pops up all the time in the Turkish polemics. Everybody knows exactly what Ataturk have said and would have implemented. They all use the Ad Populum argument, which simply makes any debate impossible. You face a militaristic attack of the Left or Right wing minded people while criticizing a simple thought or thing.
Maybe I must shut up, and stuck to Aristotle: after him 'nothing new' has ever been revealed, said or written...but he is a Greek...ha
Isn't it a Shame?
That in a country which braga all the time about religious tolerance (while even the Ottomans were well known about their segregation policies) a country where Turkish people feel so threatened by a tiny small community - whose members try to act as discrete as possible - that they are attacking the tiny minorities? I am not talking only about the killings, but the threats, harassment etc.
A tiny population of less than 0.3% of the total Turkish population...is considered as a threat by some Turkish people? And the violence increased after January of this year, 2007.
And isn't it a shame that the Turkish government had to issue a decree about this. To protect them? But it looks like for the mainstream Turkish media it is fun to fuel the anger all the time.
Read Hurriyet.
A tiny population of less than 0.3% of the total Turkish population...is considered as a threat by some Turkish people? And the violence increased after January of this year, 2007.
And isn't it a shame that the Turkish government had to issue a decree about this. To protect them? But it looks like for the mainstream Turkish media it is fun to fuel the anger all the time.
Read Hurriyet.
Police of Openess...
You can say a lot about Sarkozy's stance against Turkey's EU membership, but the guy has a domestic and economical agenda as well. Of his 33-person cabinet, 11 are women, 20% are from the left. And Rachida Dati, Rama Yade and Fadela Amara have one thing in common: They're women, they're from minority backgrounds and they're feminists. So, a woman from the Maghreb region of North Africa is now in charge of the Justice Ministry on Place Vendôme, a woman born in Senegal is responsible for human rights issues in the Foreign Ministry on the Quai d'Orsay and a woman of Algerian descent is to henceforth devote herself to the socially disadvantaged in the banlieues.
France's newly appointed Justice Minister Rachida Dati, and Rama Yade, new junior minister for human rights.
And Socialist politician and human rights activist Bernard Kouchner is now Minister of Foreign Affairs!!
Imagine...AKP wins the absolute majority in the parliament and asks Baykal to become Foreign Minister...and asks 10 women from the CHP, DP and MHP to join his new cabinet...
Saturday, June 30, 2007
This can happen to you too...))
My first job as a copywriter was to make a campaign for Post-it memos for the Netherlands.
Click on the picture to enlarge it. As you see, this kind of memo is still doing well..))
A blog about the Netherlands
Today I came across an interesting blog of an American woman, who moved with husband and kids to the Netherlands. In fact only for 1 year, but decided at the end to stay longer.
It's good and funny to see your country through the eyes of a foreigner.
How she describes the Dutchies and the 'Dutch way', is worth reading.
It's good and funny to see your country through the eyes of a foreigner.
How she describes the Dutchies and the 'Dutch way', is worth reading.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Cross cultural communication
Can you deal with other business cultures without knowing their language(s)?
Yes, and no. Yes, if you have a language which both of you can speak, and no, when the business cultures are too different and both of you are too prejudiced.
But how to manage business people acting globally? Simple, adapting to the business culture in the country you want to do business with. And for the sake of mankind, leave all your prejudices at home.
Dutch people like me tend to be critical. Not to put someone else down, or to let someone to loose his face. No, I am critical because I want to learn and listen to others, and don't want to take everything for granted. So, being critical means, I am interested.
The Netherlands is a small but, business-wise, important country. We were invaded by the Scandinavians, the French, Italians, Spanish and the Germans. But we are still there. And know how to trade. In fact the first multinational was the VOC.
At the same time, the Dutch speaks 3.6 (average) foreign languages. Basically, always English, German and French. But you will find easily Dutch people speaking 5 or more languages.
About cross cultural communication, which has also to do with dealing with other cultures and habits, two Dutch people became famous about this subject. Fons Trompenaars, with his books: Riding the Waves of Culture, Seven Cultures of Capitalism, Building Cross-Cultural Competence and 21 Leaders for the 21st Century, and Geert Hofstede, check out his site: http://www.geerthofstede.nl/
Yes, and no. Yes, if you have a language which both of you can speak, and no, when the business cultures are too different and both of you are too prejudiced.
But how to manage business people acting globally? Simple, adapting to the business culture in the country you want to do business with. And for the sake of mankind, leave all your prejudices at home.
Dutch people like me tend to be critical. Not to put someone else down, or to let someone to loose his face. No, I am critical because I want to learn and listen to others, and don't want to take everything for granted. So, being critical means, I am interested.
The Netherlands is a small but, business-wise, important country. We were invaded by the Scandinavians, the French, Italians, Spanish and the Germans. But we are still there. And know how to trade. In fact the first multinational was the VOC.
At the same time, the Dutch speaks 3.6 (average) foreign languages. Basically, always English, German and French. But you will find easily Dutch people speaking 5 or more languages.
About cross cultural communication, which has also to do with dealing with other cultures and habits, two Dutch people became famous about this subject. Fons Trompenaars, with his books: Riding the Waves of Culture, Seven Cultures of Capitalism, Building Cross-Cultural Competence and 21 Leaders for the 21st Century, and Geert Hofstede, check out his site: http://www.geerthofstede.nl/
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