A coup in Turkey last night. From what I understand, and I could be wrong, the current government is repressing free speech and tolerating more Islamist activity than Ataturk would have allowed. Under the constitution, "the military" has the right to step in when the Government over reaches its bounds and becomes less than secular and open. This has been happening -- jailing of journalists, shooting of protesters, allowing more Islamic activities to occur and take root. The coup involved the gendarmerie, not the higher ups in the military. I hate to think of the fate of these men in Turkish prisons.
I remember being in Turkey in the late 90's and seeing a woman in full Arab garb spitting at a nude Greek sculpture. Religious schools were popping up all over Istanbul. There were signs. Despite this, I remember the city as being highly tolerant and Western in nature. Everyone mingled in Istanbul. And the coast was loaded with tourists in bikinis, dancing on boats, broadcast on television. Definitely not an Islamic state. The thought of that changing literally makes me physically ill.
Even though I am not Turkish, or even affiliated with a Turkish family now, a piece of my heart is owned by that place. The memories of the streets, the sounds, the smells, the people (and the cats!) are permanently engraved on my soul. Turkey is both a bridge between West and East, and a time capsule of history. A gem to the world that should be protected, supported, and treasured by all Western people. Ben Türküm.
Ataturk would be proud of the instigators of this coup.
As I watched this unfold on CNN, I was happy to see that the American viewer was taken care of with a sidebar that read "What is a coup?" God help us. I think American might be in need of a coup of its own, starting with less egocentric behavior and more education.
Orlando. Dallas. Nice. Istanbul. What can an individual do to make all of this better? I think if I could, I'd be plucking like Hapi. Cheers.