Is Democracy possible in a country where journalists write op-eds in NYT to support the army?

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Take the case of Aslı Aydıntaşbaş of Milliyet who had written an op-ed in NYT in defending Turkish military. She represents a more moderate secular breed of journalists who gave up in the end and began openly attacking a case that thrashes military tutelage in the country. She is yet another one to shed crocodile … Read more

28 February Coup heritage is dead, plotters are in jail but not all

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http://www.haksozhaber.net/images/other/16590.jpg

As a symbolic act, Çetin Doğan, one of the military leaders of 28 February coup was jailed just before the anniversary of the event. All civilian political leaders that became part of the post-coup coalition are gone except Devlet Bahçeli. All these happened in 13 years and this is a lesson for all, even for the then victims of the coup who became the governing bodies of Turkey, if you know I mean…

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A scene of anti-coup protest in the anniversary of 28 February coup.

For more protest photos see the Islamist Haksöz website here.

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Erkan?s field diary: Top posts of the week and month

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Top Posts for 7 days ending 2010-02-28 1- Today I was arrested (and then released?) 2- Recep İvedik 3 on February 2010 3- ?Ergenekon sees biggest raid today! 4- A roundup of aftermath of biggest raid against Ergenekon 5- Erkan on his way to Belgium 6- Recent anthro work on Love?. 7- Avatar, the movie … Read more

When CHP encounters EU…

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Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis (L) introduces ...

Turkey’s Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bagis (L) introduces Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins to Turkey’s delegation members in Riga February 26, 2010.REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

Here are a few accounts of what Onur Öymen, deputy chairman of a social democrat party, CHP,  experienced at EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting…

MEHMET KAMIŞ – CHP to face trouble when it goes abroad

As the deputy chairman of a social democrat party, Onur Öymen is trying to find support from Europe for the minority status quo in Turkey. According to reports in the press, Öymen spoke at the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting the other day.

Oymen at the European Parliament

from Turkish Politics in Action by Ragan Updegraff

EU Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruitjen
PHOTO from Today’s Zaman

CHP deputy chairman Onur Oymen, speaking to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee at the European Parliament this week, criticized European politicians for only reading one newspaper, namely Today’s Zaman (though the paper was not mentioned by name). The pro-government/moderate Islamist-oriented daily reports:

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EU roundup: Van Rompuy insulted and more…

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20 women who run the EU (blogosphere) by Julien Frisch In the German blogosphere, we have recently seen a controversial debate (started by annalist) about the question why only men were among the so-called “alpha bloggers” in a video series about important bloggers, a debate that has led to the inclusion of female bloggers in … Read more

“Anthropology Professor’s Book Inspires Oscar-Nominated Film/ A review essay on Anthropology blogging

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Anthropology Professor’s Book Inspires Oscar-Nominated Film Harvard Crimson Harvard Associate Professor of Anthropology Kimberly Theidon had no idea that her 2004 book of essays, ?Entre Prójimos,? inspired the Oscar-nominated Review Essay: Blogging Anthropology: Savage Minds, Zero Anthropology, and AAA Blogs AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST, Vol. 112, Issue 1, pp. 140?148, ISSN 0002-7294 online ISSN 1548-1433. c2010 by … Read more

Temporary peace at the top of the State

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Turkey's President Abdullah Gul (C), Prime Minister Tayyip ...

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul (C), Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Chief of Staff General Ilker Basbug (R) meet at the Presidential Palace in Ankara February 25, 2010. Turkey’s political and military leaders meet on Thursday as a storm gathers over a coup plot investigation against the armed forces which is threatening stability and investor confidence in the EU-candidate country. REUTERS/Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential Palace Press Office/Handout

Turkey?s Leaders Seek to Defuse Crisis

from NYT > Turkey by By SEBNEM ARSU and SABRINA TAVERNISE
Tensions were rising between the military and the government over the arrests of 20 former and current officers on charges of plotting a coup. Three of those officers were subsequently released.

Turkish leaders meet as coup plot storm gathers – washingtonpost.com

BBC News – Turkey’s religious-secular divide

Release of Turkey generals eases tensions for now – washingtonpost.com

Turkish voices

from BBC News | Europe | World Edition
‘Coup’ arrests spark fresh debate on army’s role

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Italy vs. Google

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Wired.com: Does Italy?s Google Conviction Portend More Censorship?

from CyberLaw Blog

Google Hit With Antitrust Investigation in Europe

from Mashable! by Adam Ostrow

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Today I was arrested (and then released…)

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at 7.30 after check-in, I went through the passport control and the policeman told me that there was an arrest warrant about me. He did not know what the reason was and I was taken to a detention room. Later there I learnt the reason. It was about a trial of evading military service. As … Read more

A roundup of aftermath of biggest raid against Ergenekon

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Power shift from BBC News | Europe | World Edition Turkish army coming under increasing pressure Largest Ergenekon probe touches all untouchables Today’s Zaman İbrahim Fırtına, who was interrogated earlier in January by prosecutors conducting the investigation into Ergenekon, was detained yesterday in addition to Turkish soldiers stand at the entrance of the War Academy … Read more

Erkan on his way to Belgium

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I wasn’t sure if I could make it to get my visa on time but that was resolved and tomorrow morning I fly to Brussels. I will then move to Ghent where EUPRERA’s spring symposium takes place. All details about the event can be found in their website. This year’s theme is “Social Media Go … Read more

AAA members declare their support for Honduras resistance against the Coup

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AAA Members Vote to Support Honduras Resolution from American Anthropological Association by Brian The following is a message from AAA Secretary Debra Martin: Dear AAA Member: As the Secretary of the American Anthropological Association, I am pleased to report to you the results of our latest ballot initiative. At the most recent annual meeting, a … Read more

Whom Americans like whom they don’t

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Turkey not in the list though.

Which country do Americans like the most?

from FP Passport by Annie Lowrey

Canada, the latest Gallup poll shows:

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RTÜK allows 14 languages and accents in media productions

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RTUK (Turkish Radio and Television High Council) allows 14 languages and accents to be used in media production.

News in Turkish here.
But of course there are still many human rights issues to be solved….

Torture Case of Killed Activist Çeber Postponed

from Bianet :: English
The prosecutor excused his absense in yesterday’s hearing of the trial regarding Engin Çeber who was killed by torture in custody. The case was postponed ot 12 April. The case launched against Çeber’s friends who were also exposed to torture continues today.

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“mutual friends” and a roundup

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found here: laundromat rock ?Mutual Friends? as Culture from Savage Minds: Notes and Queries in Anthropology ? A Group Blog by Adam Fish I ?friend? and ?follow? on Facebook and Twitter many of my informants working in the multidisciplinary world of social entrepreneurship. It can be helpful in a number of ways. Personal profile pages … Read more