A Taliban in Istanbul

Milliyet ^ | 11/18/2001 | Ahmet Dumanli

[a_Turk]

ping

[WRhine]

Very interesting story Turk. Seems that life is tranquil in Turkey.

[a_Turk]

Seems that life is tranquil in Turkey.

Other than the occasional terror attack, we're fine :)

[PoorMuttly]

Thanks for the ping.

[No Truce With Kings]

What I find a little disconcerting is the acceptance of the "Taliban." They found him amusing, not alarming. I'm glad he is not being chaired through the Galatasaray Lyceum, but I find the snickers make me a little uneasy.

OTOH, the fishermen's reaction did not surprise me. He would have got the same lack of reaction at the docks in Gloucester, MA, Kemah, TX, or even Greece. Fishermen's indifference to Anything Not Fish is legendary, and virtually a universal constant.

[a_Turk]

What I find a little disconcerting is the acceptance of the "Taliban." They found him amusing, not alarming.

One Taliban is amusing, maybe even "kinda cute." 10,000 Taliban are alarming. Anyway, we Turks don't lose our composure too easily. We like to stay cool, calm, and collected. That's what happens when you live your life with random acts of terror an integral part thereof..

Anyway, just because someone is dressed like a Taliban does not mean they are one. The guy was being teased pretty good...

[Captain Shady]

I like the Turkish attitude .It seems that the Turkish people were trying to tell this chap'" We can tolerate, but won't participate."

[a_Turk]

We can tolerate, but won't participate

That's right. You know this man is a modern man who was actually a journalist in disguise and infiltrated the Taliban in Afghanistan right?

[Captain Shady]

You know this man is a modern man who was actually a journalist in disguise and infiltrated the Taliban in Afghanistan right?

Right ,but there are places even in the U.S. that he'd fit right in with full Taliban regalia .For example, Applalachia.

[RummyChick]

I can't believe no one stopped him. I am an American who must look like a Rumanian because I got stopped on quite a few occasions asking for my identification all throughout Istanbul. I think they thought I was a hooker.

One time, I was in a taxi that was DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD and they pulled the taxi over and asked for my identification. I was with a Turk and I couldn't believe it.

How can this person, who they think is Taliban, just go through the streets unaccosted when an American gets harassed repeatedly.
Ahhhhh, fun times in Istanbul

[Captain Shady]

I am an American who must look like a Rumanian because I got stopped on quite a few occasions asking for my identification all throughout Istanbul.

I guess its always a problem getting stopped by cops worldwide,if you're female. Thats especially true if you're attractive.

[a_Turk]

Hi. Hope you were able to enjoy some of our hospitality, despite the string of (coincidental?) id checks you underwent. They can be unpleasant to most, but I rather enjoy them. It gives me a chance to shoot the breeze with my brothers who are in effect putting their lives on the line to safeguard my right to live...

One time, I was in a taxi that was DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD and they pulled the taxi over and asked for my identification. I was with a Turk and I couldn't believe it.

That's normal. Cops in the US ought to do that. You'd be surprised how many illegals you'd collect off the streets, let alone wanted criminals.

How can this person, who they think is Taliban, just go through the streets unaccosted when an American gets harassed repeatedly.

Did you not read, private security wouldn't let him enter the mall. The real cops and the public saw him as an idiot. Terrorists don't dress Pashtun, they dress normal so they won't get detected. But they should never have harassed an American, now that was WAY outa line :)

[TomSmedley]

thanks for the ping

[RummyChick]

I had a great time traveling in Turkey. Everyone thought I was nuts, as a female, to go alone..but I came home unscathed except for constant bombardment from the cops and the rug sellers :-)

[Ol' Sox]

Off topic but - who pays for the upkeep of Mecca and Medina?

Well, for a month each year, everyone pitches in and sweeps and dusts.

[a_Turk]

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[a_Turk]

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[Patria One]

Love it. bump.

[a_Turk]

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