Battle for Babi Yar | 76 comments (76 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Erdogan: Remedial Whataboutism (none / 1)

Convergence with (what's left of) European core values under the capable stewardship of Mr Erdogan : let's call it divergence. (press freedoms, separation of powers, repression of minorities, I could go on all day)

And it was his call, and his objective.

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue
- Queen Elizabeth II}

by eurogreen on Thu Mar 3rd, 2022 at 04:29:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Erdogan: Remedial Whataboutism (none / 0)

Covered Erdoğan in many, many diaries @BooMan for many years ... bloggers thought I was too harsh on the ruler ... I covered many of the protests and troublesome reaction by police or National Guard. Gas canisters to suppress crowds and armored vehicles -- Made in USA and Israel

Erdogan: A New Hitler Stands Up | by Oui - Nov 28, 2015 |

○ Moscow decree putting economic sanctions in place and mobilizing armed forces in Black Sea region

Quite irritating, former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker [later of Ukraine fame - 😖] arguing in support of Turkey in a panel discussion/debate on France24. Had to see with what other purpose this useful idiot was putting forth this view from the US. Apparently, Volker has found a new purpose in life outside of NATO as leader of a John McCain "think-tank".

A transport of 800 guns intercepted in Trieste (Italy) originating from Turkey, headed for Belgium -

○ Carico di armi da guerra sequestrato a Trieste | La Stampa |

Have a peaceful cultural summer

by Oui (Oui) on Thu Mar 3rd, 2022 at 04:48:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Erdogan: Remedial Whataboutism (none / 1)

OK, so you admit that you were joking talking about Turkey joining the EU.

I was strongly in favour 20 years ago, by the way. Blocked by racism and Christianism. But [thought experiment] it would have been problematic giving Turkey candidate status, once Erdogan was in control.

It has been argued that Erdogan took the authoritarian trajectory once Europe rejected Turkey... I think that the perspective of the EU would have caused Turkish electors to ditch Erdogan fairly quickly.

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue
- Queen Elizabeth II}

by eurogreen on Thu Mar 3rd, 2022 at 05:34:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Erdogan: Remedial Whataboutism (none / 0)

Erdoğan is a useful idiot for Mark Rutte to secure a general election victory ... he switches electorate votes with Geert Wilders and greatest idiot Thierry Baudet. So now and then sweet Mark throws the hard working, low wages Turkish population under the election bus.

Rutte gets firm with Turkey days before election | Irish Times - Mar 12, 2017 | ... perpetuating his political career as PM above a decade or so ...

The large population especially in Germany from Turkish descent are discriminated and victim of racism and racial profiling. Recall the string of murders that didn't meet the threshold for a full blown forensics and police investigation.

The vast majority of Turks vote for the Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi (AKP) ... very satisfying for Erdogan, so he commands his Turks living in Western Europe. Grey Wolves in both The Netherlands and Germany. Thank goodness France rejected Turkey for EU membership ... it could have been a path for stability in Near Asia, acceptance of Kurdish people, Israel/Palestine issue and perhaps human rights insofar the EU bothers with economic trade and partners.

Too long new EU members got a free pass on governance and corruption. Sometimes a country needs to exit to duck regulations (environment), labor laws, and financial corruption.

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