Comments for

Comment on Atatürk by Cenk Kutlu

Cenk Kutlu — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:30:06 +0000

Thanks for the superb article on Atatürk. I read it with pleasure as I took a quick glimpse of Atatürk’s picture. Living in the United States hasn’t diminished my respect for him one iota.

He is still the only great news that many of my American colleagues and friends know about, as I try to divert discussions usually stemming out of bad news people have read about Türkiye recently: “Did you hear about Turkey shutting down YouTube?” “What’s going on in Turkey about wearing scarfs?” “Is South Eastern Turkey really a shit hole?” “I would never go to that part [all of Middle East, and Türkiye is included rightly or wrongly] of the world! It’s too dangerous.”

So I try to change the subject a little to alleviate my sadness: “Have you heard about the time Atatürk told these couple of soldier running away from the Gallipoli front because they were out of ammunition to fight? He said:I AM NOT ORDERING YOU TO FIGHT, I AM ORDERING YOU TO DIE.”

Most Americans are kindred spirits to Turks. They understand sacrifice, courage, bravery, integrity, and hard work. So, after a quick anecdote about Atatürk the conversation changes to how great he was and everything he did. And I am happy.

Comment on Last Days in Egypt by Mauricio Lanzini

Mauricio Lanzini — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:41:56 +0000

Pode voltar pro Badminton a greve acabou estamos precisando de atletas…grande abraço!

Comment on Last Days in Egypt by Tassiana

Tassiana — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:15:31 +0000

John,

Congratulations…

Thanks for gorgeous informations…

Bye!

Comment on Last Days in Egypt by Evandro

Evandro — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:58:34 +0000

It is very nice!
Reading your blog, I could know a lot of informations about other places through your eyes.
Thank you, for giving me the opportunity to know your good work.

Comment on Last Days in Egypt by Ferinannnd

Ferinannnd — Mon, 25 May 2009 05:56:26 +0000

Интересно, я даже и недумала об этом…

Comment on Last Days in Egypt by Arden

Arden — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:53:18 +0000

First blog I read after wakeup from sleep today!

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Are you tension? panic?

Comment on Salonica and Istambul: Cities of Ghosts by Dimitra

Dimitra — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:23:49 +0000

Hi, I ‘m from Thessaloniki too. Seeing how observant you are about things like the Chinese near the harbour, I’m surprised you didn’t see the monument to the deportation of the Jews and to the holocaust. You walked right past it because it stands right on the promenade where you took a stroll between the first pier and the cafes.
Since you seem to have read Mark Mazower’s great book on the city I will point out that it was on that lot that the Jews were concentrated by the Germans before they were sent off to be killed. I do not take much offence to your depiction of the story, but, to set things straight, since you obviously quote from the book you should add that, yes, Greeks did not stand up to the Germans (as though anybody else did) but neither did they assist them. The man who assisted the Germans and betrayed the Jews was their own undescribable Rabbi.

Comment on Last Days in Egypt by Mario Bomfim

Mario Bomfim — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:07:35 +0000

Egypt is a dream yet to be fulfilled. Your mouth watering descriptions just make me more eager to go.

Comment on VIDEOS by Bi

Bi — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:39:39 +0000

Johnnnn!!!!
Seu blog está super multimídiaaaaa!!!!
Adorando!
Beijocas!

Comment on Last Days in Egypt by Teresa Seruya

Teresa Seruya — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:38:56 +0000

How is it still possible what you tell us about female circunsion? This has to stop. It doesn’t deserve our respect. Such difference only stress the fact that difference in itself is not necessarily good, in this case it is a crime against women. How can it be stopped?
Thank you, John, for telling us that in civilized Egypt such a horrible pratice still exists
Teresa