Cyprus-Forum.com

by **Tim Drayton** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 6:56 pm

The latest proposal from the cabinet of village idiots presided over by a slum boy turned billionaire that global capital sees to fit to have preside over its assets in Turkey. I don’t think even in Saudi Arabia a child rapist can escape punishment if they marry the child they raped, but I could be wrong. Just a decade ago Turkey looked like joining the ranks of the civilised first world, too!

Scandalous proposal before parliament: Let the victims of sexual abuse marry the abuser

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/engl ... buser.html

by **Maximus** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 7:29 pm

They will bring back the death penalty next year and probably start killing themselves soon after that.

by **Tim Drayton** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 7:52 pm

This cheered me up a lot, anyway:

by **Maximus** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 8:00 pm

Yes, a picture speaks a thousand words.

by **repulsewarrior** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 6:11 am

...more the seventies; before Erdogan, (and before that).

...there, was, an Occidental push, for pluralism, if you will; that men (forty years ago) like Erdogan rose to power, from its Principals. Still a "Turk" though, with his extreme, ungrateful to thrive in the debate this effort spawned, for "this" Turkey, not "his" Turkey, the changes he seeks will take many more horrible twists as a result. But i am hopeful, because i have a greater faith in the Turkish People, those at least who are in effect his opposition, the other half who do not support his vision. Their Freedom is (and will be) earned in blood, with few words. I wish for Turkey the same wish i have for Greece, that they prosper, and that they are as a result of their turmoil, stronger from it.

There can be no Peace in Cyprus without Peace in the Eastern Med. There can be no Peace in Turkey, without Peace in Cyprus.

...Peace in Cyprus requires the same change in intentions, in Turkey.

...wish i knew what was so funny; couldn't translate the cartoon meaningfully.

by **Tim Drayton** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 7:30 am

I am sorry, but I disagree about the seventies. You would have to go back to the fourties and the time İnönü declared himself 'National Chief' to find a time in Turkey when the rule of law and press freedom had collapsed to the state of virtual non-existence that they find themselves in now under a civilian regime. The seventies were actually quite a liberal period in Turkey with a lot of press and academic freedom.

by **repulsewarrior** » Sun Nov 20, 2016 5:29 am

...you are quite correct. And your details, the historical facts, make my crude attempts more easily understood. Exactly, Erdogan got on "that train", (and at his stop his intention is (still) to get off of it at his choosing).

Without having paid the cost for Freedom personally, enjoying its fruits instead, with it, the emergence of such indulgences, a "New Turkey", a "new Constitution", a "Religion", Erdogan's his future, his destiny, he chooses. And yet, on the other hand, Providence, the unknown hand of chance guides him like us, that in the desasperation of things, things change and causes new thinking, new thoughts and what may be old thinking but ignored for (dogma) other reasons become apparent, too; then, it is (will be) a matter of choice. It is for Erdogan to choose, perhaps, but the choices are the same: his "glory" (what was, is) or a greater self as a Human being (a willingness to embrace what is an unknown future by learning). After he has gorged himself on amassing a wealth, he will turn toward his (read: this) legacy; i believe that we have arrived at this point, where he will use these forces for his total control (of his own fate), one way, or the other. It is still possible for him to be the Messiah he wants to be, of the Golden Rule, (but not only to his brand of the Muslim world). Thus, to the Turkish People, a respect and recognition of, and for, their diversity. To Cypriots the recognition that they exist without the need for further discrimination or distinction, as in Turkey, a Unity that goes beyond Nations, where there is the desire of Citizens to defend each other as Citizens because there exists a State where within there may exist self representation, as Persons, as well. A change, in the form of a BBF "they" (his Constituents) will accept that is a truly worthy political enterprise for the rest of the world (especially where there are similar divides) to emulate and to hold in high esteem, he can provide. A Hero to the Occidental World, shifting it, and the Middle East, with Grace, is possible, not just the crude (and cruel) intentions of the "Turks" who have put him in a position where they can be heard, he can be; something which demonstrates a change we can all make within ourselves, by changing himself and themselves, he can commit to: but this would take Erdogan to be the better man, that i would want him to be...

...the Eastern Med is crap, turning to another kind of shit. Always the optimist i look for its qualities as a fertilizer, once what is its corruption burns itself, out; more blah blah i guess, i can't even be bothered to read this post again.

by **Tim Drayton** » Fri Nov 25, 2016 8:58 am

Austrian parliament has voted to impose an arms embargo on Turkey. I can’t find it reported in any reliable source in English yet, but here is a report from an Austrian newspaper. Apparently,

Der Entschließungsantrag kritisiert das Vorgehen der türkischen Regierung gegen oppositionelle Politiker und Journalisten, gegen die kurdische Bevölkerung sowie die großtürkischen Allüren des Erdogan-Regimes.

My translation:
The motion for the resolution criticised the Turkish government’s actions against opposition politicians and journalists and against the Kurdish population as well as the the air of Turkish expansionism surrounding the Erdogan regime.

http://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/politik/ ... /259788852

I am not sure how much in the way of arms Austria exports, thought.

by **Tim Drayton** » Sun Nov 27, 2016 8:51 am

Cumhuriyet newspaper’s Executive Board Chair Akın Atalay has sent a defiant message from prison:

There is a stock reply on social media when faced with nonsensical, ludicrous comments whatever the subject: “What are you on?” Taking a look at the workings of the investigation against us as a whole, that is taking a look at the director, actors and supporting cast of the investigation and the charges and questions asked, the first reply to come to mind is: “What are you on?” By now, everybody has realised and seen that the basic aim of this operation is either to fully silence Cumhuriyet newspaper or else to hand it over to collaborators who will be good boys and girls. But they have not succeeded, and will not do so. Our remaining colleagues are bringing out the paper in a way that does it proud or even better than before. We follow them with pride from here. We know that the Cumhuriyet newspaper will forever continue to function as a newspaper. Nobody whatsoever, however powerful they consider themselves to be, can subdue this newspaper. We know that this ruse has come to naught. It will not be long before we are back among you and taking our paper to newer, better heights all together. Let there be no doubt that Cumhuriyet newspaper will not shirk its tasks in the construction of a democratic, secular, libertarian Turkish society. Looking forward to seeing you very soon. Goodbye.

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/engl ... ce_us.html