My Pa and the Presidency

Sent: Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Subject: Turkey politics

Wow, Jack. Lots of news coming out of Turkey about the secular-Islam conflict for the presidency. This can be a crucial time for Turkey's future..........and, you are there. Up close and personal. Could make for an interesting blog entry.
Dad

Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2007
Subject: Re: Turkey politics

It's true, but the fact is I don't really feel it too much. I feel it when trying to change money or whatever and perhaps Bursa will feel it depending on the outcome... but I want my blog to be about things I personally see or feel because there are enough headlines telling the news. If I was in Istanbul, say, the other day, that would definitely be up close and personal... Here everything keeps moving. A story I thought about telling was about girls who have tea together and are friends, one wears a headscarf or a veil and one looks like an ordinary western girl. Today I saw one wearing a full black burka and one looking like an American teenager and they were just busy walking down the street chatting. The news talks about the polarization -- the fact is I see more people simply getting along on the streets than politics or the media or demonstrations suggest. Perhaps that's the up, close and personal I should put in the blog. I need a translator to help me stop and talk to a random couple on the street. Until then I don't really have a story. I'd love to post that one though.

It also looks like they're set to decide whether everyone should be able to vote for president. Keep in mind, a president's power is pretty limited, but if one party holds all the cards (like the Republicans in Bush's first term) and if they have pro-Islamic leanings, people here get uneasy. And perhaps we may witness for the first time in modern Turkish history, the military getting marginalized. But don't hold your breath. This is a contest between a rising devout muslim middle class and a muslim secularist elite. In the end I think most on both sides don't want it to be like Iran, but there is some mistrust on the latter side and some on the former side tired of feeling less entitled. Anyway, all is well, I'll keep you updated.. love, J