Opinions on this?

[mercury]

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-freefall-into-the-abyss.aspx?pageID=449&nID=105857&NewsCatID=412

[JohnF]

She's telling it as it is from a pretty personal perspective, unfortunately.

Here's another journalist (Cengiz Çandar) who has always talked a lot of sense, but then again he can - he is based in Stockholm.

He is asking the question "Is Turkey on the fast track to fascism?", also from a personal perspective.

Mustafa Akyol, who also writes for the HDN, published this yesterday in Al Monitor and it is definitely worth a read: Turkish universities latest domino in Erdogan's path

JF

[Stopfordian]

 Hmm. All three articles could have been penned in the early 40s. Ideology at its worst.

[JohnF]

You're almost correct, the parallels between what's happening in Turkey now and what happened in Germany during the thirties are scary.

The 15th July coup was, for the wee fella, the exact same gift a certain Mr Hitler got in 1933 when a "communist" allegedly started the Reichstag fire.

JF

[Stopfordian]

 Yes, thanks for the correction John F. Hit 4 and posted but couldn't find a modify button.
  It is scary to see the similarities and does not bode well for the future of Turkey I fear. Still, it is what it is at present, and as we know, things can and do change.   

 Ahh, just found modify at side of quote 

[mercury]

Just read that they are also ready to draft the new constitution making Erdogan as President in charge... I didn't know it was so far on..

[Stopfordian]

 Maybe I'm wrong but he IS in charge and will change any constitution to suit his purpose.
 The independent quoted him yesterday as saying he does not care if Europe call him a dictator because
  they are aiding and abetting terrorism. This does not sound like a president waiting for approval, more like one who will be pretty ruthless with dissent.

[JohnF]

Just read that they are also ready to draft the new constitution making Erdogan as President in charge... I didn't know it was so far on..

Its not that far on, but its a good way there.

The AKP are 14 deputies short from being able to push through a new constitution.  They could push it through under emergency powers, but it looks like they wont have to resort to that.

It kinda looks like the MHP are siding with then (40 deputies) but dont want to come right out with it.  So, the MHP say lets ask the people and have a referendum.  The AKP say wow, that's a good idea.

Once the referendum says yes (which it will), we want a new constitution, the MHP can vote with the AKP and simply say "its the will of the people".

Politics, eh?

JF

[kevin3]

   And today NATO member Turkey are saying they are prepared to purchase their new missile

   defence systems from-------------------------Russia.!!