Fazıl Say and Other Things Happening in Turkey

This is a follow up to the entry from the other day "Things I've Learned..."

In case you haven't noticed, politics has recently been an interest of mine.  Which surprises me just as much as I'm sure it surprises you given my decidedly un-politic past in Canada...

I guess one reason for this could be that politics in Canada is boring to me.  I didn't realize just how easy we have it at home.  While we argue about budgets and who said what, the Turkish people are fighting for equality and basic human rights.  While we sit in our comfortable home watching on our big screens about acts of terrorism around the world, the people in Eastern Turkey are living with it and fighting against it on a daily basis.  I have been sucked in to watching this struggle unfold - it is better than any soap opera or book...I guess it also helps that U is very interested in politics.  His personal interest has helped to fuel my own and open my eyes to the injustices happening around me - here and in other parts of the world.  As he reminds me every day, I was very fortunate to be raised in a real democratic country.


From yesterday's English language Turkish newspaper...so much for Freedom of Expression...
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-281534-turkish-pianist-who-insulted-islam-on-twitter-faces-jail-time.html

I also found this article about an interesting new law...
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-281165-mr-ocalan.html

CONGRATULATIONS Turkey!  Addressing controversial people as "Mister" is no longer a crime!  I guess this is one step in the right direction...

A quick overview of the Turkish Human Rights situation from the Amnesty International Report
http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-281402-turkey-through-amnesty-internationals-eyes.html