A parliamentary commission has approved a proposal allowing Turkey to block Web sites that are deemed insulting to the founder of modern Turkey. Parliament plans to vote on the proposal, which indicates the discomfort that many Turks feel about Western-style freedom of expression, though a date has not been announced. Lawmakers in the commission also debated whether the proposal should be widened to allow the Turkish Telecommunications Board to block access to any sites that question the principles of the Turkish secular system or the unity of the Turkish state – a reference to Web sites with information on Kurdish rebels in Turkey. It is illegal in Turkey to talk of breaking up the state or to insult Ataturk, the revered founder of modern Turkey whose image graces every denomination of currency and whose portrait hangs in nearly all government offices. Ataturk is held to be responsible for creating a secular republic from the crumbling, Islamic Ottoman Empire.
This decision clashes with Turkey’s implementation of widespread reforms in its bid to join the European Union. European calls for free speech have angered some nationalist Turks, who view the recommendations as interference in their internal affairs.
Link: Forum Discussion (Thanks Hum)
News source: CNN
This decision clashes with Turkey’s implementation of widespread reforms in its bid to join the European Union. European calls for free speech have angered some nationalist Turks, who view the recommendations as interference in their internal affairs.
Link: Forum Discussion (Thanks Hum) News source: CNN
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http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=39247
Halfassed ego is more like it.
But yeah its quite pathetic really. Individuals should have the say as to what offends them or not and avoid anything that does. I dont think the government needs to overprotect everyone and tell them whats offensive to them or not.
In the end of the day people should be able to take these insults on the chest and read them for what they are, the oppinions on someone that shouldnt be concerned with. I'd care less if some random on the other side of the globe was mocking my country, beliefs or hell even me. I might argue back but in the end of the day what they said doesnt hurt you if your able to look on their "insults" for the stupidity they are.
The funny thing is, when Ataturk was alive there was a book written, which talked about Ataturk as a drunken man, giving serious decisions about his country while feasting. The cabinet back then wanted to forbid bringing this book to Turkey. Ironically, it was Ataturk himself who wanted the book to be translated to Turkish!
And when Ataturk was alive, it was not 'forbidden' to critisise him, so you cannot compare Turkey to Thailand. Actually Ataturk was sometimes harshly critisied by the parliament, and had his bad days too while he was trying to have the westerinsation legislations passed.
Any way... you can still critisize Ataturk in Turkey today too, you can say that you don't agree with him, or what so ever, but you may not insult him... Then again, prison is a little bit of a too harsh punnishment for this.
April is the election month for the president of Turkey. In Turkey the parliament elects the president, and the current prime minister, who has 2/3 of parliament's support wants to be the new president.
There is only one drawback.
The current prime minister is a 'soft islamist', who by nature is not really a 'sample' Ataturk supporter.
Most probably, by making such supportive laws for Ataturk, he's just trying to show the whole world, how much he actually 'loves' Ataturk.
Turkey will never get full e.u. status with things like this going on.
In Turkey, the reason why public became distant to EU is not because 'they have to change too many things', because they made a lot of laws already to fit in the EU, but because EU wants things from Turkey, which they didn't want when they accepted the Eastern European countries. So Turkish people see this as double standard, and they also see every request from the EU just another excuse not to accept Turkey.
Turkey has been a part of Europe's history in the last few centries, and in 1920s decided its destination and that was towards the Western World. In 1960s did its first attemp to join the EU, in 1995 signed the Customs Union agreement with the EU. Joining the EU is just another step of 'the Westernisation' on which Turkey was founded.
Maybe 20 years ago it could be financially very advantagous to join the EU but today I am affraid not. There are too many new countries, and Turkey would get a little bit of a piece from that cake...
So please don't blame "people", because of the actions taken by "governments". I don't do that.
You want mp's that are up-to-date on science, then quit voting for people that put their religion first and politics second.
It's upto the Turkish electorate to vote with their minds, less being dictated to by religion.
I have grown up with a lot of (origin) Turkish people and the reason they left Turkey was for exactly what you wrote.
Look at America..... Their education level must be much higher than Turkey, and at the end of the day majority voted for Bush.
In democracy people must take full responsibility for actions of their government because in democracy people elect government and government represents will of citizens. A lot of people who gave oath to their country and vote stupid people into government due own stupidity don’t recognize this responsibility. Also, if you don’t vote then you don’t have moral right to complain. Of course, people who don’t have right to vote are not responsible for government actions (like children).
I too, am quite irritated about the "middle east status" whatever that is. I suppose there is border around this geography to seperate us from "the wise west". Gee I almost thought we were europeans but well...
I too, am quite irritated about the "middle east status" whatever that is. I suppose there is border around this geography to seperate us from "the wise west". Gee I almost thought we were europeans but well...
Yeah that was what i was trying to say, but i was so weary, i let it go
I won't rely on a king to be wise
I won't give in to the majority's choice
Because I don't think that the majority's right
As you can see, i am still weary
That'll go well.
OMG!!! I CANST SAY BAD WURDS!!!!
Who cares. I think the world needs more respect and other countries need to realize that each country has their own system.
Sadly certain countries feel that THEIR way is the only way of life...
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