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What is Happening in Istanbul?

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61–70 of 519 posts

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#61

One of the most challenging aspects of learning about important, under-reported events is correcting for the biases of individuals who are reporting on it For example, while there are no doubt many shopping malls in Istanbul, I doubt there is "at least one in every neighborhood!" (unless that word is better translated as something more like a suburb) This makes it harder to trust all of the details of the more seriou…

> One of the most challenging aspects of learning about important, under-reported events is correcting for the biases of individuals who are reporting on it. This is true for well-reported or over-reported events too. It's always an individual who reporting things, and thus the process of reporting itself involuntarily bakes in the opinion or ideology of the agent reporting the issue. It's up to us to take whatever w…

Not crushed, he limps off to the right side. Not to say that this isn't serious, but he looked OK.

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#62

> Two young people were run over by the tanks and were killed. That is extremely serious. My condolences with those who lost their lives, and best wishes for your friend to recover from her injury. While we all discuss and throw ourselves around when a dying industry (read Hollywood) misbehaves and tries to screw with our Internet freedoms, free speech etc. I wonder what would when happen when the same fate, and it i…

[deleted]

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It didn't start that way. It started peacefully. The government escalated the situation when they tear-gassed peaceful protestors. Once the government starts attacking its people, all bets are off... emotion will trump reason and bad shit happens, often to innocent bystanders or property in the vicinity.

No, this is a coward's excuse. The police "attacking" is NOT a free pass to turn cars, throw stones or loot shops. You are always ultimately responsible for you own actions, and you're also responsible for being associated with bad actions if you stand by quietly when they are going on.

> No..

What are you disagreeing with? I didn't state a position on the matter, or at least didn't intend to.

> The police "attacking" is NOT a free pass to turn cars, throw stones or loot shops.

Yes of course; I never stated that it was.

That behavior however, is a predictable occurrence when there is enough anger in a mob and herd mentality kicks in.

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#64
post #37

Many local shops are looted by the protestors. Cars turned, stones thrown etc... So much for peaceful a protest. Mayoral election is less than a year away. Protest with your votes, not your fists.

I still don't know what to make out of this but there are pictures of what you talk about, just in case people don't believe it: http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/galeridetay.aspx?cid=69652...

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#65
The tearing down of trees for commercial and residential areas is happening here too. It's called urban sprawl. Land developers wipe out natural habitats like forests and leave sterile, artificial suburbs and plazas in its stead.

Most citizens never hear about it until it's too late because it's not easy to find out about the latest zonings. Trying to have a say in the process? Well, that's a whole new level of obfuscation.

The process is confusing for a reason: to keep concerned citizens like you and me out.

What is happening in Istanbul is happening here too.

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#66
post #17

I recommend - http://occupygezipics.tumblr.com/ What puzzle me the most, is the voluntary cooperation of the media with the government. Even if the media does not support this event, how they not cover it at all? sad, I always thought of Turkey as the most successful example of a Muslim democratic state.

> Muslim democratic state. There are very, very few religious democracies, and if you only consider those both officially and effectively religious, I won’t be able to name a single one.

> I won’t be able to name a single one.

UK?

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#67
post #37

Many local shops are looted by the protestors. Cars turned, stones thrown etc... So much for peaceful a protest. Mayoral election is less than a year away. Protest with your votes, not your fists.

I am a strong proponent of gun control, but I often hear opponents say that the lawful possession of guns to a certain extent ensures freedom of government oppression. Probably it would be a lot messier if citizens in a situation like this would draw guns against their government, but at moments like these I do see the value of such a argument.

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#68
main cause: block the destruction of a historical park

Thousands of people of all ages gathered without any formal notice, just by friend to friend, neighbour to neighbour; didn't allow provocation; resisted days of assault; assured the security of the park; almost all of the other big cities supported by protesting; protesters cleaned up their own mass, junks collected;

I guess this is a simple description without political adds.

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#69
post #5
post #2

Another sponsored revolution.

That comment merits an explanation.

It's a protest against a govt that is seen to be strongly pro-islam and authoritarian.

The automatic reaction from some muslims will be that it is US-sponsored. Given the US's long track record of sponsoring coups and pro-western/secular movements, you can't really blame them.

Re: What is Happening in Istanbul?

#70
Hürriyet, a left-leaning English-language daily, is covering the protests (and Erdoğan's response, the resulting politicking, and so on): http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/

I should note that Hürriyet is historically quite unfriendly to Erdoğan; in particular (IIRC) it raised quite a bit of noise when Doğan Holdings, which owns Hürriyet, underwent tax fraud investigations that may have been politically motivated.

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