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a Turkish national

I have spent a lot of time over the years in Turkey. While I am not a fan of their retreat from Attaturk's reforms, it was a very civilized and orderly country, with clean streets and good food. I can appreciate why the Germans liked them as Gastarbeiter.

I can well imagine a Turkish immigrant astounded at what we are allowing and encouraging.

I enjoyed my trip to Turkey in 1991. Izmir was pleasant. Lots of shops on the streets. Depending on the shop I would have to choose English, German or Turkish as the preferred language. The food was excellent. I purchased a nice leather coat for myself and one for my wife. I was reminded by headlines in Stars and Stripes that the legal system is very different. On arrival, 5 members of the "parliament" had made statements offensive to the other members. Overnight, their words were legislated into a capital offense. Before I departed, all 5 were executed. Given that level of legal volatility, most Turks are VERY reserved about stepping out of bounds for any reason.

The German connection became apparent when I was sent to work in Frankfurt. Lots of street vendors with "Doner kebabs". Good food. Similar to Greek gyros. I was surprised at the McDonald's in Frankfurt. The McD's serves beer and it costs less than iced tea.