[oneamericanvoice]

“”Many Turks are happy with the secular system and used to a lifestyle people have had for 100 years. They are worried that an Arabisation of society may take place,” Semih Idiz, a columnist at liberal daily Milliyet, told Reuters. “

They’re worried about Arabisation? No kidding. They’re happy with the secular system that has worked so well for 100 years? No kidding. Good for them. Too bad Nancy Pelosi and the Dems don’t get it.

[Bombard]

What really happened to Gul was that the miltary high command made it clear that they would not allow him to stand for president.

[oakcon]

“The AK party...islamists”

You can’t make this stuff up.

[rfp1234]

Gul Buddeen, Gul Buddeen, Gul Buddeen...

That’s all folks!

[Valin]

I Bow to them ALL... (Turkey’s secular demonstrators)
Middle East Transparent ^ | 5/5/07 | Abir Zaki

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1829166/posts

They want neither Sharia, nor a coup, but a fully democratic Turkey.

First they demonstrated in Ankara, then in Istanbul, and today’s protest is the third in one month to be organized by supporters of Turkey’s secular constitution in the west… in Manisa

Another rally was held in the town of Canakkale.

And it will continue to Izmir, Bursa, and Adana…etc….

It will cover Turkey!

What’s happening in Turkey is incredible…

I bow to those people with their red national flags showed to the world that they are Free. Never minding the disorder and the confusion within the country these days because the are aware that it will produce at least one POSITIVE result and that’s abroad Turkey will be recognized as pluralist secular democracy! That they are Free!
(snip)

[George W. Bush]

Former Islamist Abdullah Gul withdrew his candidacy for Turkey's presidency on Sunday after pressure from the military and demonstrators who accuse his ruling party of subverting the nation's secular order.

Personally, I would have preferred for him to run, be elected and then either executed by the military (along with his inner circle) or just made to disappear suddenly with no one asking any questions why in public.

As Turkey's military has learned, Islam is fundamentally incompatible with democracy. It's a shame really and a truth that does not bode well for Iraq. Even the Kurds will revert to pattern if the triple threat of Turkey/Iran/Iraq were to subside for a number of years. They would then murder their Christian minority and implement sharia law.

Still, it's worth noting that this worm, Gul, was instrumental in blocking our use of the northern route into Iraq and caused our most modern equipment to be delayed waiting at sea and ultimately be rerouted to the southern invasion route, arriving too late to lead the charge. Coming on the heels of Segolene Royal's defeat in France, this news is not unwelcome.

[George W. Bush]

The military, which along with the judiciary and universities make up the core of the secular elite, has issued a public reminder it is the ultimate defender of the secular state. The army has removed four civilian governments in 50 years in a nation which now hopes for European Union membership.

This is the most hopeful and enduring record of Islamic democracy.

Not encouraging.

[PGalt]

BTTT!