By the way, even if you had served in the US Army (as my brother did to pay for his college education), there are no agreements between the two countries to relieve the Turkish obligation. Germany and other EU countries have such an arrangement of exemption.

Good Luck!

Anti-military and anti-war are two distinctive topics, but one includes the other and not necessarily vice-versa. Turkey would not exist without military strength.

But remember the issue that was raised by ‘Devin’ is not about not wanting to serve in the military or even because of individual lack of respect. It is supposedly about whether or not a compulsory military presence equals makes it easier for the government to give the green light for war!

Supposedly . . .

I also do not see the obvious connection between anti-war and anti-militarism. Furthermore, if other states are declaring war on us, do we lay down our arms and have them walk all over us? Is there such a thing as a defensive military?

What about people that consider military as profession and the ones who may want to join the military only if they are paid to do so. What about their right to do so?

Is this group against their wishes as well. It’s one thing to be against something, but another to want everyone else to agree with their opinion. That, I believe, is called ‘fundamentalism.’

I hope someone clarifies this. Personally I would fight for the rights of individuals who wish to not serve in the military, but not at the expense of banning the military. However, so long as there are laws against not serving in the Turkish military, I would also discourage the breaking of the law.

You can’t argue with the judge about the speed limit law because of your desire to go faster than the speed limit and reasoning that the car manufacturers continue to produce cars that can exceed the speed limit at least by twofold. Nothing wrong with changing or revising the law though.

ECHR (European Court of Human Rights) have fined Turkey to 11.000€ for the maltreatment of conscicencous objector Osman Murat Ülke, more details you can find at http://www.savaskarsitlari.org

Additional info: Mehmet Tarhan, an anti-militarist, gay, consciencous objector was detained in April 2005 and is still being kept in prison for the reason of “insubordination before the unit” and “refraining people from military service”

more info about him on
http://www.mehmettarhan.net

By the way, the ‘USE’ acronym and its underlying suggestion was a cleverly disguised (I thought so anyway) attempt to warn about the Americanization of all things we hold dear, including our nationalistic desires being overcome by materialistic self interests.

With the US in Iraq currently, and might as well in Saudi and UAE, as well as Qatar and Kuwait, and soon Iran (laying the groundwork), it is not too far fetched to imagine a US controlled MidEast or NearEast America.

I am sure many in Turkey would not object? They might not realize it but it might already be too late.

I don’t believe all of this erosion of privacy and individual liberties under the disguise of ‘Homeland Security’ and ‘Patriot Act’ themes do not only extend solely to ‘Americans’ in America . . . At least for some here in this country, Globalization=Americanization.

Most think tanks and foreign policy ‘developers’ would also agree that 50 or so years is not a long time to continue to plant the seeds as part of the ‘Greater Plan,’ whatever it may be.

Their front page reads as follows. Pay particular attention to the overall population of this “Re-born Empire”

Türkçü Toplumcu Turancilarin Otagina Hos Geldiniz, Sav Keligiz, Hos Geldingiz, Hus Keldingiz, Kos Keldingiz, Hus Kildigiz ! WELCOME! Birlesik Turk Cumhuriyeleri: Turkiye Cumhuriyeti, Kuzey Kibris Turk Cumhuriyeti, Altay, Kazakistan Cumhuriyeti,Ozbekistan Cumhuriyeti, Kirgizistan Cumhuriyeti, Cuvasistan Ozerk Cumhuriyeti,Tataristan Ozerk Cumhuriyeti,Azerbaycan, Guney Azerbaycan, Turkmenistan Cumhuriyeti, Baskurtistan, Karakalpakistan, Baskortostan Ozerk Cumhuriyeti, Mogolistan da yasayan Turkler, bagimsizligina kavusamiyan Dogu Turkistan Cumhuriyeti,ve Ahiska Turklerini unutmayalim. Toplam olarak 208,059,687 milyonun ustunde ve daha sayamadigimiz dis ulkelerde yasayan milyonlarca gurbetcilerimiz var. Butun cumhuriyetlerimizi ayrim yapmadan birlestirelim, bir olalim. Dunyanin en kuvetli ulkesi olup Dunyaya United Turk Republics diye tanitalim. Ulkelerimizin, tasi ve topragi ile kalkinalim. “Ne Mutlu Turkum Diyene” – Buyuk isler, muhim tesebbusler,ancak musterek mesai ile mumkundur – Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

OK, I’ll start. We are so wrapped up sometimes in an independent Kurdistan phobia or cause, depending on which side you happen to be on, we sometimes forget the bigger plan or danger, again depending on your take.

What do I mean? Well . . . I hate to self-promote, but not really :) . . . I recently posted on my blog (www.talkturkey.us) about the creation of US of E (The United States of Eurasia) by the good old US of A that eliminates all thoughts of independence and nationalism but reawakens federalism with the advent of capitalism and materialism, and most important, Americanism. It’s fashionable to do so I guess.

For more, please visit USE by TalkTurkey.