[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.