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| Parliament building of Hungary in Budapest |
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Justice or Insulting Kerincsizness? By Sean.
Our dear friend, Sean, post often about Turkey. Last night he send me an email with the link of his last post. Besides the fact that he is a great guy, interested in Turkey and its worries, he has, like many of Internation writers, some critical notes about Turkey. Hopefully this will make Turkey stronger. Below his post and link to his blog.
Smiling like a Cheshire cat from one ear to the other, today Tetrapilotomos asked me to read the following: Turkish police arrested 33 persons who were actively involved in ultranationalist activities. Some of them are quite high profile. Retired general Veli Küçük, who has been in the news since the Susurluk case, some mafia leaders, the notarious lawyer Mr. Kerincsiz, Aksam columnist Güler Kömürcü, Sevgi Erenerol, spokeswoman for the Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate - one opposed to the Fener Greek Patriarchate- are among the arrested ones...
I did and said: Interesting. And what's the amusing part about?
Spake Tetrapilotomos:
"I cannot remember that - and if so when - it happened in past decades that by reading a news I thought I were dreaming.Therefore, I have been visiting this entry of Erkan's blog, at least twice every day, since.
Not that I wouldn't rely on Erkan who is the best journalistic source one can find in Turkey; no, it's just that I was anxious the good news could emerge as one of my daydreams, that I had become victim of my wishful thinking. Now, after seven days I have decided to believe my eyes.
The infamous Kemal Kerinçsiz arrested. What a pleasure, what a delight! Once again, filled with joy my heart is rising like a falcon up to the sky!
The neurotic who would fill complaints against dozens of Turkish journalists and authors inculpating them of insulting Turkishness, the pettifogging moron who'd sue the moon if only he could, whenever this planet's celestial neighbour dares to not appear exactly in the shape as is determinated in the Turkish flag, facing a trial himself!
Ah, I wish him good health so that he may be able to enjoy the rest of his life behind bars.
Aside from that I remember that once you wished him to lose all his teeth except one for permanent toothache, as an admirer of Mr Kerinçsiz you will be aware of that the honourable gentleman heads the Büyük Hukukçular Birliği (Great Union of Jurists), which is responsible for most article 301-trials.
One if not all of his approximately 700 dear colleagues and brothers in mind will do their best to turn the table and file a complaint against the prosecutors for insulting Kerinçsizness.
By the way, my dear Tetrapilotomos, I do start to understand why you would never write what you are thinking."
Continue reading.
Smiling like a Cheshire cat from one ear to the other, today Tetrapilotomos asked me to read the following: Turkish police arrested 33 persons who were actively involved in ultranationalist activities. Some of them are quite high profile. Retired general Veli Küçük, who has been in the news since the Susurluk case, some mafia leaders, the notarious lawyer Mr. Kerincsiz, Aksam columnist Güler Kömürcü, Sevgi Erenerol, spokeswoman for the Turkish Orthodox Patriarchate - one opposed to the Fener Greek Patriarchate- are among the arrested ones...
I did and said: Interesting. And what's the amusing part about?
Spake Tetrapilotomos:
"I cannot remember that - and if so when - it happened in past decades that by reading a news I thought I were dreaming.Therefore, I have been visiting this entry of Erkan's blog, at least twice every day, since.
Not that I wouldn't rely on Erkan who is the best journalistic source one can find in Turkey; no, it's just that I was anxious the good news could emerge as one of my daydreams, that I had become victim of my wishful thinking. Now, after seven days I have decided to believe my eyes.
The infamous Kemal Kerinçsiz arrested. What a pleasure, what a delight! Once again, filled with joy my heart is rising like a falcon up to the sky!
The neurotic who would fill complaints against dozens of Turkish journalists and authors inculpating them of insulting Turkishness, the pettifogging moron who'd sue the moon if only he could, whenever this planet's celestial neighbour dares to not appear exactly in the shape as is determinated in the Turkish flag, facing a trial himself!
Ah, I wish him good health so that he may be able to enjoy the rest of his life behind bars.
Aside from that I remember that once you wished him to lose all his teeth except one for permanent toothache, as an admirer of Mr Kerinçsiz you will be aware of that the honourable gentleman heads the Büyük Hukukçular Birliği (Great Union of Jurists), which is responsible for most article 301-trials.
One if not all of his approximately 700 dear colleagues and brothers in mind will do their best to turn the table and file a complaint against the prosecutors for insulting Kerinçsizness.
By the way, my dear Tetrapilotomos, I do start to understand why you would never write what you are thinking."
Continue reading.
Is God a Turk...
A couple of weeks ago, a Turkish professor, Ahmet Arslan, claimed that the Belgium people are of Turkish descent. I shall not write here how the Belgium press reacted, if they reacted since this claim was too absurd to believe.
Also, in the past, some Turkish scholars claimed that Hungarian and Finnish people were of Turkish origin. Based upon similarities in their languages.
Its time that they are going to discover Noam Chomsky, the world famous American linguist, philosopher, political activist, author, and lecturer. He is an Institute Professor and professor emeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. You can not claim someones heritage on coincidence of similarities in languages!
Now there are claims that the native Americans are of Turkish descent.
I really don't understand this usurpationistic way of thinking. Who is next?
I will label this entry as 'fun stuff': obvious or not?
Also, in the past, some Turkish scholars claimed that Hungarian and Finnish people were of Turkish origin. Based upon similarities in their languages.
Its time that they are going to discover Noam Chomsky, the world famous American linguist, philosopher, political activist, author, and lecturer. He is an Institute Professor and professor emeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. You can not claim someones heritage on coincidence of similarities in languages!
Now there are claims that the native Americans are of Turkish descent.
I really don't understand this usurpationistic way of thinking. Who is next?
I will label this entry as 'fun stuff': obvious or not?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Historic visit to Turkey by Greek PM - a behind the scenes look
Hello one and all, i know its a bit tardy of me, but i believe that i should just quickly comment on my favourite blog about the Greek PMs recent visit to Turkey.
I could say how talking is good, leaders hashing out important topics etc, unfortunately its none of that. Since last December, Greece has been rocked with its own SEX and VIDEO scandal. Mr Zahopoulos, a close friend of the Prime Minister and his wife - whom he made Head of the Ministry of Culture and Sport and who has held that position since the PM took office - has been caught on tape engaging in sexual relations with a female member of his staff (not his wife). The government has been desperately trying to spin this into a Sex story but the more this story drags out, the more it becomes clear that it is about abuse of power, misspent monies and cronyism at the highest level.
Since the spin is wearing off, the Greek PM who is well known for his dislike of international travel (he slept in and forgot to go to Davos in his first year of PM and has not turned up since) is suddenly making trips. He has gone to India to... visit apparently, upon his return to Greece he made a speech against corruption which was roundly ignored and now he has gone to Turkey to discuss.... nothing in particular. Now that he is back in Greece he is keeping a low profile. Who knows, maybe he may start doing some work, but i sincerely doubt it.
I could say how talking is good, leaders hashing out important topics etc, unfortunately its none of that. Since last December, Greece has been rocked with its own SEX and VIDEO scandal. Mr Zahopoulos, a close friend of the Prime Minister and his wife - whom he made Head of the Ministry of Culture and Sport and who has held that position since the PM took office - has been caught on tape engaging in sexual relations with a female member of his staff (not his wife). The government has been desperately trying to spin this into a Sex story but the more this story drags out, the more it becomes clear that it is about abuse of power, misspent monies and cronyism at the highest level.
Since the spin is wearing off, the Greek PM who is well known for his dislike of international travel (he slept in and forgot to go to Davos in his first year of PM and has not turned up since) is suddenly making trips. He has gone to India to... visit apparently, upon his return to Greece he made a speech against corruption which was roundly ignored and now he has gone to Turkey to discuss.... nothing in particular. Now that he is back in Greece he is keeping a low profile. Who knows, maybe he may start doing some work, but i sincerely doubt it.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The terrible Dutch
Yes, they vetoed the new proposed European Constitution away, together with the French. And now they want to put a hold on EU negotiations with Serbia. They only would sign a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) "when Serbia hands over the people who stand indicted for the Yugoslavia tribunal".
All members, included the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, wanted to sign this agreement, but today they agreed that only this pact will be signed when Serbia handed over war crimes suspects to The Hague tribunal. The Netherlands was backed by Belgium.
The Serbian general Ratko Mladic is among those indicted on genocide charges.
Why do I write this down on this blog? Because I read so often in Turkish newspapers and on Turkish blogs that there are British-French or French-German 'alliances' conspiracies against the Turkish state. Nonsenses. Today proves again that even small countries can block what they want.
I recommend Turkish journalists, before making bold statements, to read my dear friend Erkan his blog. He will get his PhD. on Turkish journalism and the EU.
At the same time, its sad to read that a Turkish academic is handed down and sentenced him to a 15 month suspended jail term.
After the YouTube ban, the ongoing investigation in the 'deep state' of Turkey and the totally out of proportion debate of the head scarf, it will be in Turkish benefit if their government and the MP's knows what crisis management means instead of walking around with guns in their parliament!
Yes, I admit that I am a terrible Dutch, criticizing Turkey...as reaction on the biased, hateful and reactionary Turkish bourgeois press. The difference between them and me? I can write what I want, and they are not...)
All members, included the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, wanted to sign this agreement, but today they agreed that only this pact will be signed when Serbia handed over war crimes suspects to The Hague tribunal. The Netherlands was backed by Belgium.
The Serbian general Ratko Mladic is among those indicted on genocide charges.
Why do I write this down on this blog? Because I read so often in Turkish newspapers and on Turkish blogs that there are British-French or French-German 'alliances' conspiracies against the Turkish state. Nonsenses. Today proves again that even small countries can block what they want.
I recommend Turkish journalists, before making bold statements, to read my dear friend Erkan his blog. He will get his PhD. on Turkish journalism and the EU.
At the same time, its sad to read that a Turkish academic is handed down and sentenced him to a 15 month suspended jail term.
After the YouTube ban, the ongoing investigation in the 'deep state' of Turkey and the totally out of proportion debate of the head scarf, it will be in Turkish benefit if their government and the MP's knows what crisis management means instead of walking around with guns in their parliament!
Yes, I admit that I am a terrible Dutch, criticizing Turkey...as reaction on the biased, hateful and reactionary Turkish bourgeois press. The difference between them and me? I can write what I want, and they are not...)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
La Turquie est bourlinguer!
Or...Turkey is drifting, looking for the best place to rest and then, move forwards.
After 3 years being a candidate EU member state, and ample discussions it didn't do anything than distorting the whole process of negotiations. Turkey is for example the biggest offender of Human rights within the EU and its candidate member countries, and complains and violates the rules of the the Court the most, just before Russia, more often than any other country.
After 3 years being a candidate EU member state, and ample discussions it didn't do anything than distorting the whole process of negotiations. Turkey is for example the biggest offender of Human rights within the EU and its candidate member countries, and complains and violates the rules of the the Court the most, just before Russia, more often than any other country.
Neo-Communism In Central Asia Mirror
Two weeks ago I read a column of Ali Kubeli wherein he glorified the developments in Uzbekistan. And were he called his co-observers of the OESO and other countries (more than 200) partial and imperialist. In fact he is so biased, that I could not believe my eyes.
As everybody knows, Turkish 'sister republics' like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan etc. are important for several reasons; its strategically locations, energy resources, and much more. That he supports the dictatorial regimes of these countries shows that he is still dreaming of a neo-communistic/anti-democratic Central Asia mirror. Including Turkey, and of course as the Big Brother for these countries.
That he, Ali Kubeli, is a notorious reactionair, becomes obvious. And part of Turkish establishment as well: always putting the finger towards others to blame for.
Or is it envy?
As everybody knows, Turkish 'sister republics' like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan etc. are important for several reasons; its strategically locations, energy resources, and much more. That he supports the dictatorial regimes of these countries shows that he is still dreaming of a neo-communistic/anti-democratic Central Asia mirror. Including Turkey, and of course as the Big Brother for these countries.
That he, Ali Kubeli, is a notorious reactionair, becomes obvious. And part of Turkish establishment as well: always putting the finger towards others to blame for.
Or is it envy?
Heading towards what?
Since last year, Turkey went from issue to issue. Or better said: from crisis to crisis. And it looks that neither Turkey nor their allies really knows what the upshot will be. And, in which direction? Still.
Turkey is on a breaking point: is it real democratic and religious or anti-democratic and religious intolerant? That’s at stake. The image of a honest broker between the different cultural and dutiful groups in Turkey are puzzled; is Turkey a multi-cultural society like where the Turkish communities in West Europe are living in? Or how the 'Americans' are living together, or the Brazilians, the Australians?
Yes, there are quite some ‘Turkish watchers’ these days. Deliberations about Turkey during dinners, cocktails and other inter cultural merrymaking is a fact. But are perceptions changing and is the nation state of Turkey vulnerable for external pressure. Can it be a country which is not a secular one, nor religious one, but a third way, where the EU institutions can be a security factor? For all of you: if you join the EU, you can join but never leave.
Facts are that the country is changing swiftly, and it looks like that no one can really follow what’s going on, even some well educated Turks. . .
Turkey is on a breaking point: is it real democratic and religious or anti-democratic and religious intolerant? That’s at stake. The image of a honest broker between the different cultural and dutiful groups in Turkey are puzzled; is Turkey a multi-cultural society like where the Turkish communities in West Europe are living in? Or how the 'Americans' are living together, or the Brazilians, the Australians?
Yes, there are quite some ‘Turkish watchers’ these days. Deliberations about Turkey during dinners, cocktails and other inter cultural merrymaking is a fact. But are perceptions changing and is the nation state of Turkey vulnerable for external pressure. Can it be a country which is not a secular one, nor religious one, but a third way, where the EU institutions can be a security factor? For all of you: if you join the EU, you can join but never leave.
Facts are that the country is changing swiftly, and it looks like that no one can really follow what’s going on, even some well educated Turks. . .
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Angel of Death, Day opening - January 26
Crowds of people have congregated as if in anticipation of experiencing a miraculous religious vision - but instead a grotesque dead chicken lies slumped across the cliff-top in front of them. The crowd's inability to recognize the inanity of the object they are venerating, emphasized the futility of their mission."Chihuahua" by David Alfaro Siqueiros 1947, Museo de Arte Alvar y Carmen T de Carillo, Mexico City.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The Dutch, however, cannot take responsibility for inventing the fry.
Neither can the French. That honor goes to the Belgians, where fries are cherished even more than they are in Holland.
The fry culture in Belgium is similar to that of Holland—fries are everywhere, the thick slabs of potatoes are freshly fried and served in paper cones, and they are offered with a variety of toppings, the most popular being mayonnaise—but the Belgians have also developed a wide variety of specialized fries shops, called, in Belgium "frietkots" or "fritures". These range from small stands, to sheds, busses and caravans, to shacks or quaint chalets.
It is only in the United States that the nomenclature of fried potatoes insinuates a French connection. In England they are called "chips," in France "pommes frites" (which means, literally, "fried apples"), and in Belgium and Holland "patat" (not the word for potato, which is "aardappel").
The French fry has little to do with France other than the fact that it's popularity spread to that country as quickly as it did to others. In fact, the French, like most of Europe, eyed the potato with suspicion until the last century or two.
While living in the USA, I have been known to go out of my way to obtain fries similar to my beloved Dutch "patat," and have found in the past a few places in America where they are served.
In Santa Monica, on the Third Street Promenade, there is a fast food joint called "Benita's Frites" where geniuine Belgian fries are served, along with all the appropriate toppings.
Also, I once travelled to the outskirts of Boston just to sample the promised Belgian fries with sate sauce at a small restaurant, but was deeply disappointed when the fries I was served were clearly of the frozen variety, and the peanut sauce was nothing like what I was used to.
As luck would have it, just as I was in the middle of researching this article, I noticed a new shop being redone in New York City which promises to serve nothing but Belgian fries. Called "Pomme Frites," the shop is opening on Second Avenue, between 7th Street and St. Mark's Place.
If it is all that it promises to be, I will no longer have to travel to the Pacific coast when I want to spend some time in the USA, or cross the Atlantic, to get a taste of my favorite greasy snack.
Soon, a Dutch snackbar will be open its doors here in Istanbul.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Acupuncture
After I left the Netherlands definitely behind me as 'home country' some 9 years ago, there was one thing I really missed. And that was not Dutch beer, Dutch cheese, or cozy life in Amsterdam, the vivid art and or the international business circles. Neither I missed the tolerance where people could have discussion all night long, nor the multi- national and multi cultural atmosphere of Amsterdam (172 different nationalities on a population of 800.000, Turks are one of the 172, he, only one). I also didn't missed the interesting and divers business culture. No, I missed my acupuncturist! While in Czech in the USA I travelled more to Amsterdam than since living in Turkey. So, I could visit him at least several times a year.
I am fond about my acupuncturist since I consider acupuncture and auriculo therapy as one of the best medical treatments available. And it prevents!
Although I found an acupuncturist in Turkey in 2003, I didn't go there that often. I relied on my many business trips (often unpredictable and very irregular) to visit my Dutch acupuncturist. But last weekend, after a terrible week of being sick, up, sick etc., I decided to go back to him. And yes, now the connection was made.
The relation between a doctor and a patient/client is vital. As I am being treated in several Turkish hospitasl like an ATM machine, I found my docter who also can direct me to the right people for other issues.
Not with doctors and who are more in love with my kind of credit card than my health. And yes, that's what I miss in Turkey; a social health care system. Its all about the head scarf, still.
And yes!! I miss Dutch Haring, Kroketten, Hutspot, Pindakaas, Kaas...
But not enough to migrate back..!!
I am fond about my acupuncturist since I consider acupuncture and auriculo therapy as one of the best medical treatments available. And it prevents!
Although I found an acupuncturist in Turkey in 2003, I didn't go there that often. I relied on my many business trips (often unpredictable and very irregular) to visit my Dutch acupuncturist. But last weekend, after a terrible week of being sick, up, sick etc., I decided to go back to him. And yes, now the connection was made.
The relation between a doctor and a patient/client is vital. As I am being treated in several Turkish hospitasl like an ATM machine, I found my docter who also can direct me to the right people for other issues.
Not with doctors and who are more in love with my kind of credit card than my health. And yes, that's what I miss in Turkey; a social health care system. Its all about the head scarf, still.
And yes!! I miss Dutch Haring, Kroketten, Hutspot, Pindakaas, Kaas...
But not enough to migrate back..!!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Some news of the last week
Fruit stall owner, Giuseppe Scirrocco, stopped paying taxes two years ago because he couldn't afford them. Officials in Milan, Italy recently landed him with a 5-billion Euro (app. US$7 million) tax bill.
Anton Wladich's snoring has become so loud since breaking his nose, that most of his street's residents in Warsaw, Poland, have moved house to escape the noise.
Furious girls in Lodz, Poland, are demanding a refund after paying US$800 to join a dating agency which had 300 women - but just seven men.
Trucker Boris Kalusch drowned after trying to drink from the beer tanker he was driving. Police in Siberia found his legs sticking from the inspection cover.
Six people taken to hospital from a reception in Moscow were injured by flying champagne corks.
A man dubbed by police in Athens, Greece as The Cigarette Saboteur has taken to attacking people he sees smoking and forcing them to eat their remaining cigarettes. The oddball has claimed seven victims in six months.
A pervert who exposed himself on the Paris Metro [subway] in France fled in horror when his victim - a transvestite - flashed back.
A zookeeper was pinned to the ground and had his trousers torn off - by a lovesick lady orangutan! Ken Alrand had cared for Anna ever since her natural mother rejected her in infancy. But he never realized that she had developed a crush on him. As Alrand was cleaning Anna's enclosure in Aalborg, Denmark, she pounced on him and ripped his pants off. "She's obviously fallen in love with me," says Alrand. "So I'll keep my distance from now on."
While motorcycling through the Hungarian countryside, Cristo Falatti came up to a railway line just as the crossing gates were coming down. While he sat idling, a farmer with a goat, which the farmer tethered to the crossing gate, joined him. A few moments later a horse and cart drew up behind Falatti, followed in short order by a man in a sports car. When the train roared through the crossing, the horse startled and bit Falatti on the arm. Not a man to be trifled with, Falatti responded by punching the horse in the head. In consequence the horse's owner jumped down from his cart and began scuffling with the motorcyclist. The horse, which was not up to this sort of excitement, backed away briskly, smashing the cart into the sports car. At this, the sports-car driver leaped out of his car and joined the fray. The farmer came forward to try to pacify the three flailing men. As he did so, the crossing gates rose and his goat was strangled. At last report the insurance companies were still trying to sort out the claims.
Anton Wladich's snoring has become so loud since breaking his nose, that most of his street's residents in Warsaw, Poland, have moved house to escape the noise.
Furious girls in Lodz, Poland, are demanding a refund after paying US$800 to join a dating agency which had 300 women - but just seven men.
Trucker Boris Kalusch drowned after trying to drink from the beer tanker he was driving. Police in Siberia found his legs sticking from the inspection cover.
Six people taken to hospital from a reception in Moscow were injured by flying champagne corks.
A man dubbed by police in Athens, Greece as The Cigarette Saboteur has taken to attacking people he sees smoking and forcing them to eat their remaining cigarettes. The oddball has claimed seven victims in six months.
A pervert who exposed himself on the Paris Metro [subway] in France fled in horror when his victim - a transvestite - flashed back.
A zookeeper was pinned to the ground and had his trousers torn off - by a lovesick lady orangutan! Ken Alrand had cared for Anna ever since her natural mother rejected her in infancy. But he never realized that she had developed a crush on him. As Alrand was cleaning Anna's enclosure in Aalborg, Denmark, she pounced on him and ripped his pants off. "She's obviously fallen in love with me," says Alrand. "So I'll keep my distance from now on."
While motorcycling through the Hungarian countryside, Cristo Falatti came up to a railway line just as the crossing gates were coming down. While he sat idling, a farmer with a goat, which the farmer tethered to the crossing gate, joined him. A few moments later a horse and cart drew up behind Falatti, followed in short order by a man in a sports car. When the train roared through the crossing, the horse startled and bit Falatti on the arm. Not a man to be trifled with, Falatti responded by punching the horse in the head. In consequence the horse's owner jumped down from his cart and began scuffling with the motorcyclist. The horse, which was not up to this sort of excitement, backed away briskly, smashing the cart into the sports car. At this, the sports-car driver leaped out of his car and joined the fray. The farmer came forward to try to pacify the three flailing men. As he did so, the crossing gates rose and his goat was strangled. At last report the insurance companies were still trying to sort out the claims.
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