MEMRI: Turkish Islamic Daily: 'USA – the***Country'; 'Murdering is Genetically Ingrained"

MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute) ^ | February 2, 2005 | Dr. Husnu Mahalli

[Stoat]

Special Dispatch Series - No. 857
February 2, 2005	No.857
Columnist in Turkish Islamic Daily: 'USA – the God-Damned Country'; 'Murdering is Genetically Ingrained in American Culture'   In an article titled "Partners in Murder" in the Turkish Islamic daily Yeni Safak, known for its unofficial connections to the Turkish government, [1] columnist Dr. Husnu Mahalli, of Syrian origin, described in detail America's purported murderous activities as emanating from a genetically ingrained tendency to murder. The following is the article (ellipses in the original): [2] 'Murdering is Genetically Ingrained in American Culture' "During the [U.S.] invasion [of Iraq], when I said that the Iraqi people would resist, some said, 'You are wrong – see, no one resisted…' When the resistance did begin they said, 'They are only packs of murderers'… "It is obvious that in both cases, some want to blame the Iraqis, not America… "I wonder: If America had invaded Turkey … what would the Turks be doing? Would they prefer to kneel in front of Bush and his gang and surrender? Could proud patriots accept that? "If there is anyone who says 'yes' to all this, I have nothing to say to 'them'… And if there still remain any who look at the developments in Iraq through American lenses, I have nothing to say to them either… "Since 9/11 I have been saying…: "America invaded Iraq with 'packs of murderers'… America went to Iraq solely to satisfy its murderous instincts. "Murdering is genetically ingrained in American culture. "The second term of Bush's administration will prove this more clearly and concretely. A mere look at Fallujah will suffice: The American military is murdering thousands by destroying the city, on the pretext of eliminating the resistance in Fallujah. "The Americans say they killed 1200 insurgents… about 20 of them foreigners! Let's assume this is true… "If it is true, we should rejoice… It means people from other countries believe in the just struggle of the Iraqi people and are going there to fight alongside them… It means they are not tourists, or interested in making 'blood money'… "Let us not forget that some 40 countries have sent troops to Iraq in support of the American occupation… Why is it that becoming an accomplice to America's murders is 'good,' but supporting and participating in the resistance of the Iraqi people is 'bad?' Or do some still see the resistance fighters as 'packs of murderers' or extremist radical Islamists…?" 'The Americans are Lying, as They Always Do' "The Americans are lying, as they always do… Television [stations] around the world showed yesterday how American soldiers enter mosques and execute the unarmed civilian wounded. They say the American military will investigate … just like they investigated the Abu Ghraib prison tortures… Anyhow, the world has already forgotten those disgusting images [of Abu Ghraib]… "Soon they will also forget the destruction of the mosques, and the murder of unarmed wounded civilians who sought refuge in those mosques… "For heaven's sake, what's happening to us?… "We look at images of Fallujah as if watching American films – with no emotion or reaction, in undefined anger… "For God's sake, when will we see the realities?… When will we understand that this is a new Crusader war?… When will we realize that American aggression targets – and will continue to target – all Muslim countries and peoples?… When will we stop this admiration for America?… When will we [i.e. Turkish trucks] stop carrying fuel to the American airplanes that kill the Iraqi people?… When will we be ashamed of 'welcoming' the murderer soldiers of America when they reach the shores of Adana [a city in southern Turkey near U.S. military bases]?… "If our humanity does not hold us accountable for all this, certainly one day history will…" 'U.S.A. – the God-Damned Country' "Let's return to Fallujah… Mere words cannot describe the murders being committed there… A friend I spoke to yesterday told me that Americans are using Iraqi civilians as human shields to protect themselves against the insurgents. One can expect no less from the faithless, treacherous, murderous Americans…Despite their superiority of arms, both in the air and on the ground, American soldiers are scared of the resistance fighters. "After bombing the mosques of Fallujah, the American soldiers desecrate them by urinating on and soiling their walls. "After raiding homes, American soldiers strip the women and girls naked and molest them. "Fear not … soon these images too will be posted on American websites … just like the images of the Abu Ghraib prison tortures… "American soldiers are being helped by some Kurds and some Iranian militants too… Soon this too will be revealed… Americans are preventing Iraqi Red Crescent emergency convoys from entering the city [of Fallujah]… "For Heaven's sake, enough already!… [We] must all see reality… "Americans do not and will never intend to bring liberty, democracy or human rights to Iraq or any other place… "The Americans want to obliterate the human values of all peoples of the region.Just like Sharon, the Americans want to denigrate and humiliate us, and defile our honor. The Americans, together with Sharon,want to drag us into hopelessness and despair in order to enslave us. "The Americans gave this a name in the aftermath of 9/11… "The New Crusade … and this is why 59 million Americans voted for Bush… "In the words of our ninth president [Suleyman] Demirel: 'Americans are acting in Iraq by the principle of 'better you die than I' … This is the U.S.A. that some among us still love and admire… "In the words of[Turkish TV personality and actor] Levent Kirca: 'U.S.A. – the God-damned country'…" [3]     [1] The paper's owner and Turkey's prime minister have recently become related via their children's marriage. [2] Yeni Safak (Turkey), November 17, 2004. [3] A play on words. The writer gives the acronym for "U.S.A." in Turkish, "A.B.D" – which is also an acronym for the Turkish phrase meaning "God-damned country."

[fml]

Muhammed (Pork be Upon Him)

ROTFL...thanks for the laugh with my coffee

[JohnathanRGalt]

What, this paper is tied to the Turkish government, our great ally and friend? No, couldn't be! Yeah, right! :(
_____________

In an article titled "Partners in Murder" in the Turkish Islamic daily Yeni Safak, known for its unofficial connections to the Turkish government, [1] columnist Dr. Husnu Mahalli, of Syrian origin, ...
[1] The paper's owner and Turkey's prime minister have recently become related via their children's marriage.

Erdogan was seen as a friend of the USA when he was first elected:

Monday, March 10, 2003

Erdogan Set to Become Turkey's Prime Minister after Winning By-election

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the by-elections on Sunday, paving his way to become new prime minister of the country. ... Erdogan has advocated for allowing the US to deploy troops in his country against Iraq and his victory might be a good news for Washington. ... Analysts say that an Erdogan government will most probably again present a motion that will allow the United States to deploy troops in Turkey's territory to the parliament for a vote. ...
http://english.people.com.cn/200303/10/eng20030310_113031.shtml

He did recently try to make adultery illegal. This made the EU more than a little upset. More in-depth from the Economist: The enigmatic Mr Erdogan

[OXENinFLA]

WOW!!

I'm glad MEMRI started translating these guys...........

[cyborg]

TROP are the last ones that should be talking.

[eleni121]

Muslim Turks have nowhere to hide except in the big lie they promote through their agents like this madman.

Looking back they see genocides commited by them against the original owners of the land, Christians.

Looking forward they see their savagery and incompetence daily exposed and a parastate that could not survive a day without massive infusion of financial aid from the West mainly the US.

Looking within, an unfathomable darkness looms.

[infidel dog]

Ah yes, our Turkish allies...Turkey is truly an enigmatic state. A thin Western veneer, growing thinner the further one gets from Constantinople, overlaying a miserable slab of Mohammadism. Only the legacy of Ataturk keeps the government secular-well, more or less, anyway-but if you travel to the Anatolian heartland and points east, you have wretched mohos squatting in villages ruined when the original Christian inhabitants were slaughtered or enslaved. The Turks were the last great barbarian force to trouble the West, and although they digested some civilization from dying Byzantium, they didn't digest a whole helluva lot. You have to give them credit for crushing their communist subversives during the Cold War, and at least they had the sense to realize the Soviets weren't nice guys, but that was then. Turkey is emphatically NOT a Western society. It is a very islamic culture indeed, and when dealing with islamic allies one is wise to keep an eye on them. Or two, if you can spare 'em

[Kolokotronis]

Good boy! :)

[Turk2]

I see you are a huge 'expert' on Turkey. For how many years have you lived there?

[Turk2]

What ties with the Turksih governmet?!

[Stoat]

What ties with the Turksih governmet?!

From the article posted above:

[1] The paper's owner and Turkey's prime minister have recently become related via their children's marriage.

[Turk2]

So?

[Stoat]

So?

If you would like to discuss the substance of the article, that's great...that, after all, is what Free Republic is all about.

However, you will usually get a much more engaging and enthusiastic response from people if you offer up a bit more than a juvenile "So?", which says nothing.  Reading the article and then formulating a coherent response to it is a great place to start, if you would like to have an actual conversation instead of hurling monosyllables.

[Turk2]

The government and the prime minister or his relatives are completely different concepts. Turkey is a democracy not an Arab dictatorship or monarchy as the source of this comment (MEMRI) is accustomed to.

[Stoat]

The government and the prime minister or his relatives are completely different concepts.

I will believe that there is absolutely no connection whatsoever between the editorial slant of this newspaper and the goals and perspectives of the Turkish Government when

1.  This same newspaper directly criticizes policies and actions of the Turkish Government.

2.  Spokespeople from the Turkish Government publicly denounce statements such as those made in this article, and make concrete efforts to distance themselves from such views.

Without concrete evidence to the contrary, most people will naturally believe that a newspaper and a government that are joined by marriage is also joined by ideology.  In a case such as this, it is the responsibility of the newspaper as well as the government to take steps to distance itself from such perceptions.  Unless such efforts are made, it's a natural and logical connection for people to make.  A newspaper with good and honorable intentions toward honesty and independence would take great pains to publicly declare it's independence through word and deed.

 Turkey is a democracy not an Arab dictatorship or monarchy as the source of this comment (MEMRI) is accustomed to.

True, although democracy, like most other concepts, involves questions of degree. I would be surprised to hear someone make the claim that democracy in Turkey is equivalent in all respects  to democracy in the West.  Nobody is claiming that it has to be the same in order to be a valid democracy, but it would be helpful to everyone in the world, especially during these times of crises perpetrated by Islamofascism, if clear statements of neutrality were made in cases such as this newspaper's ties to the government.

Please don't be too quick to cast MEMRI as an organization that lumps all non-Western societies together.  They have only just now begun to translate Turkish media and so far they have accurately stated the connection between the Turkish government and this newspaper.  Just as MEMRI has done with other Arab media sources, they will, I'm sure, be happy to translate and publish positive articles as well as the negative ones.

[Turk2]

This same newspaper directly criticizes policies and actions of the Turkish Government.

Yes, this paper does criticize the government when it feels like it. Just like all the others in the country.

Spokespeople from the Turkish Government publicly denounce statements such as those made in this article, and make concrete efforts to distance themselves from such views.

This is the first time that I've heard this paper being claimed to have ties with the government and I live in Turkey.

I doubt anyone in government would have heard of such a claim so why should they bother to denounce every bad thing written in every newspaper in the country? There are hundreds of newspapers and this is not a particularly high selling one.

True, although democracy, like most other concepts, involves questions of degree. I would be surprised to hear someone make the claim that democracy in Turkey is equivalent in all respects to democracy in the West. Nobody is claiming that it has to be the same in order to be a valid democracy, but it would be helpful to everyone in the world, especially during these times of crises perpetrated by Islamofascism, if clear statements of neutrality were made in cases such as this newspaper's ties to the government.

Turkey does not have to prove to anyone that she is against these ragheaded psychopaths. She has been fighting these SoB's for decades, even centuries, and with absolutely no help from the "West". In fact most of these nutcases have thrived on "Western" assistance, direction and negligence. Wahhabism, for instance, is something the British pumped up to separate oil rich Arabia from the Ottoman Empire.

Just as MEMRI has done with other Arab media sources, they will, I'm ...

Turks are not, never have been and never will be Arabs.

[Stoat]

This same newspaper directly criticizes policies and actions of the Turkish Government.

Yes, this paper does criticize the government when it feels like it. Just like all the others in the country.

Good!  Then when they do so in a meaningful way I'm sure that MEMRI will cover it, as they do from other media sources in the region.  As I've stated, MEMRI has just now begun translating Turkish media to English.  This Turkish paper now has a convenient and willing portal to the English speaking world, and they can easily prove their independence.

Spokespeople from the Turkish Government publicly denounce statements such as those made in this article, and make concrete efforts to distance themselves from such views.

This is the first time that I've heard this paper being claimed to have ties with the government and I live in Turkey.

Well, we all learn new things occasionally don't we?  However, if you know of evidence that supports a contrary view, I'm sure that MEMRI would be happy to retract their statement in order to retain their reputation for accuracy and fairness.

I doubt anyone in government would have heard of such a claim so why should they bother to denounce every bad thing written in every newspaper in the country? There are hundreds of newspapers and this is not a particularly high selling one

Now that this paper's output has been translated to English and placed on the internet for worldwide distribution by a famous and influential media outlet, this paper has finally entered the big leagues.  Whether the Turkish government remains silent or not will speak volumes on this.  If they denounce it I hope that MEMRI will translate their statements and publish them, as they have published other positive stories.

True, although democracy, like most other concepts, involves questions of degree. I would be surprised to hear someone make the claim that democracy in Turkey is equivalent in all respects to democracy in the West. Nobody is claiming that it has to be the same in order to be a valid democracy, but it would be helpful to everyone in the world, especially during these times of crises perpetrated by Islamofascism, if clear statements of neutrality were made in cases such as this newspaper's ties to the government.

Turkey does not have to prove to anyone that she is against these ragheaded psychopaths.

It's unfortunate that you seem to be adopting the same attitude as CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) and are suggesting that occasional supportive statements against terrorism are unnecessary.  We are in a war against an ideology, something that is within people and usually cannot be seen from the outside.  The only way that any of us can know who is on the side of the terrorists and who is on the side of freedom is through our words and our deeds.  When a government remains silent on such issues, it raises questions and does not answer them, and so creates uncertainty.  This is a time in history when it's very important that we all know who are allies are, as our lives depend upon our ability to work together and fight this enemy.  We all need to clearly indicate our allegiances, so that there will be no confusion.

She has been fighting these SoB's for decades, even centuries, and with absolutely no help from the "West". In fact most of these nutcases have thrived on "Western" assistance, direction and negligence. Wahhabism, for instance, is something the British pumped up to separate oil rich Arabia from the Ottoman Empire.

I'm sorry to hear that, but if help and recognition is desired at all, is an occasional supportive statement for the war on terror too much to ask?  It costs nothing yet accomplishes a great deal.  Now that MEMRI has begun translating Turkish media sources, the Turkish government has an easy and convenient access to a worldwide English-speaking audience and they can set the record straight if errors have been made, and can also easily publish press releases to an enthusiastic and attentive readership.

Just as MEMRI has done with other Arab media sources, they will, I'm ...

Turks are not, never have been and never will be Arabs.

Please don't take offense where none was intended.  MEMRI's other work is exclusively in translating Arabic and Middle Eastern media sources.

 

This same newspaper directly criticizes policies and actions of the Turkish Government.

Yes, this paper does criticize the government when it feels like it. Just like all the others in the country.

Spokespeople from the Turkish Government publicly denounce statements such as those made in this article, and make concrete efforts to distance themselves from such views.

This is the first time that I've heard this paper being claimed to have ties with the government and I live in Turkey.

True, although democracy, like most other concepts, involves questions of degree. I would be surprised to hear someone make the claim that democracy in Turkey is equivalent in all respects to democracy in the West. Nobody is claiming that it has to be the same in order to be a valid democracy, but it would be helpful to everyone in the world, especially during these times of crises perpetrated by Islamofascism, if clear statements of neutrality were made in cases such as this newspaper's ties to the government.

Turkey does not have to prove to anyone that she is against these ragheaded psychopaths.

It's unfortunate that you seem to be adopting the same attitude as CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) and are suggesting that occasional supportive statements against terrorism are unnecessary.  We are in a war against an ideology, something that is within people and usually cannot be seen from the outside.  The only way that any of us can know who is on the side of the terrorists and who is on the side of freedom is through our words and our deeds.  When a government remains silent on such issues, it raises questions and does not answer them, and so creates uncertainty.  This is a time in history when it's very important that we all know who are allies are, as our lives depend upon our ability to work together and fight this enemy.  We all need to clearly indicate our allegiances, so that there will be no confusion.

She has been fighting these SoB's for decades, even centuries, and with absolutely no help from the "West". In fact most of these nutcases have thrived on "Western" assistance, direction and negligence. Wahhabism, for instance, is something the British pumped up to separate oil rich Arabia from the Ottoman Empire.

Just as MEMRI has done with other Arab media sources, they will, I'm ...

Turks are not, never have been and never will be Arabs.

[Turk2]

It's unfortunate that you seem to be adopting the same attitude as CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) and are suggesting that occasional supportive statements against terrorism are unnecessary. We are in a war against an ideology, something that is within people and usually cannot be seen from the outside. The only way that any of us can know who is on the side of the terrorists and who is on the side of freedom is through our words and our deeds. When a government remains silent on such issues, it raises questions and does not answer them, and so creates uncertainty. This is a time in history when it's very important that we all know who are allies are, as our lives depend upon our ability to work together and fight this enemy. We all need to clearly indicate our allegiances, so that there will be no confusion.

Turkey has supported the recent war against terrorism by not only speaking out against it (as she has done for decades while noone seemed to care) but also actively taking part in the struggle through intelligence sharing, cooperation and even two terms in command of ISAF. Turkey has lost more than 30,000 innocent souls in terrorist attacks perpetrated by the PKK(KADEK) based in now US controlled Iraq. I think its time the US took steps in supporting the Turkish war against terror too.

[Stoat]

Turkey has supported the recent war against terrorism by not only speaking out against it (as she has done for decades while noone seemed to care) but also actively taking part in the struggle through intelligence sharing, cooperation and even two terms in command of ISAF. Turkey has lost more than 30,000 innocent souls in terrorist attacks perpetrated by the PKK(KADEK) based in now US controlled Iraq

No one has suggested that Turkey has not suffered or that it is not working in the cause against terror, yet you seem eager to portray things in that light, which is unfortunate.

Equally unfortunate is your apparent interest in characterizing Turkey entirely as a victim in a completely heartless and uncaring world ("while noone seemed to care") This is a terrible insult to people of all nations, myself included, who have given from their own pockets to aid Turkey and other nations for decades, in an effort to help the people of Turkey despite high-level politics that average citizens have no control over. 

 Considering the proud heritage of antiterrorism in Turkey, there's no reason to adopt an indignant " Turkey does not have to prove to anyone that she is against these ragheaded psychopaths"attitude, is there, then?  Turkey and it's citizens should be proud to voice their support of their partnership in the war on terror at any time and any place, as Americans do, without the need for such posturing. 

You end with the ungracious "I think its time the US took steps in supporting the Turkish war against terror too."  You are apparently unaware of this as well, but we have indeed tried to do just that:

http://www.worldpress.org/article_model.cfm?article_id=1258&dont=yes

"Opening up Turkey's airspace fell far short of Washington's original request for the deployment of 62,000 U.S. soldiers in Turkey—a request that Ankara had flatly rejected on March 1. Turkish lawmakers tried to undo what they had gambled away—a substantial aid package, promised by the United States in return for Turkish assistance in the war. The debt-ridden country had been promised up to US$30 billion in cash and loan guarantees as compensation for letting U.S. soldiers deploy on its soil, but Turkish lawmakers could not be swayed.

Ankara's defiance had stunned the United States and opened up a deep rift between the longtime allies. Turkish politicians, in turn, were flabbergasted by the U.S. refusal to offer monetary aid in return for military assistance, as agreed upon on March 20. Sabah (March 21) quoted former Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis: "We thought that America was compelled to get our support. We never believed that America had a Plan B. We were badly mistaken."
 

Despite your unkind words, I will continue to donate to aid organizations that help those in need all over the world, including Turkey.  I know from the pictures I have seen of appreciative Turkish parents and children that your views are not shared by those who have actually seen and been touched by the generosity and benevolence of the United States and it's citizens.