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Subscribe to RSSTurkey's Foreign Ministry released a scathing statement condemning comments by U.S. Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry as "baseless and inappropriate" and said that the United States has no time to waste with candidates "who do not even know their allies."
Perry, the Texas governor, said Turkey was ruled by "what many would perceive to be Islamic terrorists" and questioned the country's NATO membership.
In a debate ahead of the South Carolina primaries, he said Turkey was moving "far away from the country that I lived in back in the 1970s as a pilot in the United States Air Force that was our ally, that worked with us."
He also said that the United States should eliminate all aid to its longtime ally. Perry's candidacy briefly soared when he entered the presidential race in August, but his shine faded after a series of weak debate performances.
U.S. 'absolutely and fundamentally' disagrees that Turkey is run by 'Islamic terrorists'
Turkey, which has assisted NATO in Afghanistan and other missions said it has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. It said it was "strongly condemning" Perry's words.
"Turkey joined NATO while the governor was still 2 years old," the statement said. "It is a member that has made important contributions to the trans-Atlantic alliance's conflict-full history. It is among countries that are at the front lines in the fight against terrorism."
Turkey has been ruled by a government led by pious Muslims since 2002. Although its ties with Israel have deteriorated, the government has maintained a close relationship with the West while seeking to represent the views of the Muslim world.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Obama administration fundamentally disagrees with the assertion that Turkey is run by Islamic terrorists.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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Time for another nutjob to exit the GOP primary circus! get him out of there!
I was stationed in Turkey for several years and they are one of our staunches allies in the region.
This idiot needs to go back to Texas and stay there!
Shhhhhhh.... no no.... let him keep talking..... let the greasy, used-car-salesman-looking guy talk....
Get him out of there??? Hell, no. Leave him in there to make more of an @** of himself.
There are three things that I think about Turkey.
One. They are ruled by Islamic terrorists.
Two. They are not really NATO members.
Three. Uh, what was that third thing again?
Dont worry Turkey, we're already ignoring him. Feel free to join the trend.
"He also said that the United States should eliminate all aid to its longtime ally.'
What I want to know is why are we still giving aid to Turkey or other countries around the world when some of these countries are doing much better than the US financially. When is our government going to realize that we are BROKE.
What a retard.
'Save a pretzel for the gas jets!'
Turkey, we agree with you. Unfortunately we have to put up with these type of ignorant people like Perry during our election process.
Just ignore these people until we get down to actual party candidates.
.
About time this turkey dropped out of the race....it's becoming more and more embarrasing to even hardened middle east turkeys...
I have spent a lot of time in Turkey over the past four years.
The people are friendly and sophisticated. I encountered absolutely no animosity towards the U.S., the food is great, the shopping is wonderful and Istanbul is one of the most incredible cities in the world.
But you go ahead Governor with your half-baked opinions. If and when we have a problem with Iran, Turkey might be a VERY useful friend - as long as you are nowhere near the White House!
Dear Turkey
Please ignore our "village idiot", if we had a national drinking game where we all had to have a drink eveytime he said something stupid, we will all be "fall down" drunk.
The Normal People of the US
BTW, What the heck is in the water in Texas? This kind of stupid cannot be a random phenomena.
'taint the water...it's the pool...the gene pool. Very wide but very shallow & fetid.
The only thing he knows about Turkey is that he eats it at Thanksgiving. What an embarrassment to our country.
Dubya's shoes are tough to fill but it looks like Ricky boy is up to the task.
Just as fair to say that Texas is run by terrorists - equally religious anti-science fundamentalists (whose heads are up their fundament).
Don't make the mistake and assume that any Islamic country is our friend. Turkey has been quickly sliding from a democracy to an Islamic Republic. While not terrible it is only a short step into anarchy if the fundamentalists try to take over. Iran was once our best friend too.
BTW, I agree with most of you... Perry is a nut.
Last I was in Dallas the water had a mold smell and taste. Just like me after a shower in it.
While the government of Turkey has gone from a staunchly secular one to a more Islamic one, they have still been one of our most dependable allies in the war on terror. We use bases in Turkey on a regular basis to support operations in Iraq. The only gripe I have with Turkey is some of the actions they have taken against the Kurds. Most of these were in retaliation for attacks by the PKK but unfortunately Turkey's response often hurt peaceful Kurdish civilians and not just the PKK. I am also somewhat concerned about there support for Hamas in Gaza and their increasingly antagonistic stance towards Israel, but at least so far this has not led to any open conflict. Turkey has continued to maintain a fairly open and free society at home, despite the government drifting more towards a religious rather than a secular one. Istanbul is a very international, cosmopolitan city that still has a lot of old world charm. I hope that the government's drift more towards Islam and away from it's secular roots does not translate into a reduction in the freedoms the people Turkey currently enjoy.
Good Lord. And here I thought that Michelle Bachmann was the village idiot in this group. Blew that one, didn't I?
By their definition Israel is a terrorist country for going into Gaza and killing Palestinians yet they constantly go into Iraq to chase the PKK and kill innocent people. This would make them terrorists by the guidelines they set.
Perry lacks hindsight in foreign relation, inability to graspand understand world affairs. He needs alot of growing up to do and reading what the world is all about Perry still lives in a cocoon and isolated by aides who lacks knowledgeand have no idea of world affairs. He may be a good Gov of Texas that does not require alot of foreign country relation, granted is Mexico next door to Texas, but his skill is limited to dealing with Mexico only. Time to jump, drop out Perry you ain't going to win you only be good for running as a Governor of Texas.
Yikes Perry... you just can't stop digging yourself in a hole can you...... stay in the Presidential Race though.. the longer you do, the less time you have to hurt Texas even more.
Palin must have briefed him on her last-year trip.
Turkey has no moral, they killed more Armenians than Hitler kill Jews.
This guy led a group who's goal was to enable Texas to succeed from the US... Now he wants to be President??? Not the most patriotic thing I have ever seen from a GOP candidate... Not the least either though. Sounds like he may have a terrorist objective. I know let's make him President of Gitmo...
Dear Turkey,
Please ignore the idiots... you know who they are.
Sincerely,
The Rest of Us.
It's bad enough showing the world the quality of the Republican line-up; now we need to have friends recently regained from the fiasco of the Bush Era turned against us again?
Where I agree that their actions of late can be considered borderline in their support of us, it is absolutely foolish for One who would be the "Leader of the Free World" to so show little knowledge of the ways of Diplomacy.
As I've said before, some of these Candidates walk to their podiums and fill the Room with an air of Ignorance and Arrogance; neither quality is desirable for the President of the United States.
Well yes, Perry, as usual, was not quite correct. But, he was not all wrong either. Turkey is one of those Muslim infested bastions of Islam idiots. That is a fact.
So, what is your point?
Turke is a democracy wiith tis leaders elected by its citizens. The country's citizens are mostly Muslim. Why do you expect them to elect non Muslims? Turkey is a fellow member of NATO and soon will be part of the European Union. Turkey allows the US to keep a missle system on its territory which we can use to fire on Iran if need be. The US does not provide Turkey with any foreign aid. Turkey has a thriving economy and welcomes tourists from all over the world every year.
The metamorphosis Mustafa Ataturk ( founder of the Republic of Turkey ) wrought in Turkey by transforming it into a modern , secular nation-state after WW1 has been slowly eroding for the past few years as devout Muslims have been taking control of the government. They have limited freedom of the press and speech over what existed previously. Their goal is to restore the hegemony of Islam and this conflict is ongoing between the Islamists and the Secularists. It appears likely that , to a large extent, Turkey will return to its Muslim roots with the only question being the extent of this regression. For more on this issue, see the Middle East Quarterly , September 1996 , Vol. 3 , Number 3 , Turkey's Islamist Challenge and Winter 2009 , Vol. XVI , Number 1 , Turkey's Islamist Danger.
mike--I don't know what news you have been reading, but I don't think that Turkey is anywhere near joining the EU. Both Greece and Cyprus oppose Turkish entrance into the EU, and Germany is going to hide behind them. The Germans, French and English don't want the Turks to enter the EU. Never say never, but I don't foresee this in the near future.
Christina -- Exactly. One of the major concerns is that Turkey is in the process of restricting basic human rights like freedom of speech and press and rolling back the many secularist changes made after Ataturk. And, importantly, if Turkey were admitted then by law they would be allowed to freely move into any countries in the EU. This would potentially allow a mass movement of Muslims into all the EU countries with the destabilizing effect to those societies that would ensue.
Turkey is one of the most liberal Islamic states , however is still living in the middle ages about human rights where the Kurdish population is second class citizen. Turkey is far from be part of the EU
gary--the Germans, especially, oppose the Turks joining the EU. They have enough foreign Turkish workers as it is, and don't want any more. If the Turks could dispense w/ visas and just decide to move to Germany, many would. The French have their own problems with their Muslim minorities, and don't want any more. I don't know if it is more of a religious vs. labor issue. The industrialized countries of the EU don't need or want any more people looking for work, but this includes Eastern Europeans, Turks, Greeks, etc.
Modern Turkey does not promote rights for religious or ethnic minorities, and the Kurds are just the latest example of this. I don't see EU membership for Turkey except for in the far future.
Christina is a Zionist and opposes Islamic countries having any say in world affairs.
Christina, its mainly a labor problem. Poor muslim immigrated to EU for low skill jobs and have never really integrated. The EU cultures really dont "facilitate" integration so its not entirely the muslims' fault. Turkey did have recent history of being secular but with the Islamist parties winning elections, they've been backsliding lately. I dont see EU membership either. Fortunately, the muslims that came to the US are generally the better educated ones and I read somewhere that they're actually doing slightly above the US average.
Gee Perry,
Haven't you figured out the best thing you can do for your campaign is keep your mouth shut?
RalphH--actually, I am not a Zionist, but, as a Greek person, I can see Turkey for what it is, not the propaganda it spews about itself. I laugh when I remember a full-page ad sponsored by a Turkish business group taken out in a magazine in the 80s. This ad said that the Turks had never abused minorities' religious rights. Ha. As for the right of Muslim nations to guide world affairs, they already are. The Saudis say jump, and we ask how high.
As for the issue of integration into the EU, the Europeans are partly to blame for this. The German "guest workers" will never get German citizenship, but they are not "guests" when they have lived in your country for 40 years and their children are, for all practical intents and purposes, German. I have an uncle who emigrated to work in Germany in the 70s. He is still there, and his daughters grew up in Germany and went to German schools. For all of those who think that this is how we should treat the Latinos who come here illegally w/ their children, take note. The US is already spending money educating their children--it can offer a sense of community or tell these children that they are unwanted, but either way, those children are here to stay. You might as well get a return on your money and make them feel welcome.
The other issue that the Europeans have, especially the Germans, is that they must be and must publicly seem to be extremely facilitating to minorities. There can be no hint of racism, so Muslim immigrants feel absolutely no pressure to assimilate into European society.
This is why Germany, et al, will hide behind Greece and Cyprus and let them veto Turkey's entrance into the EU.
Never see biggerr idiots than Perry
Why is Perry even still in the race? Noone is voting for that fool. This race is a two person event, Romney the flip-flopping Obama/Bush clone, or Ron Paul, for bringing the troops home, ending these absurd foreign wars, ending big government spending and waste, and for restoring America!!!
Ron Paul 2012!
Ron Paul is opposed to letting women decide for themselves if they want to abort a pregnancy and he favors letting states outlaw abortions and sending women back to the bad old days of dangerous, illegal medical "care". He may have some ideas I like, but I can't imagine voting for an anti-choice candidate. Sorry. Next?
Ron Paul is probably just that way because he's a medical doctor. I seriously doubt abortion could be made illegal anyway...
I agree with him about bringing all our troops home but as far as the rest of Ron Pauls ideas maybe they would have worked in the 19th century but someone needs to remind Ron 'Father Time' Paul, that we're now living in the 21st century.
Just me, I think women should decide if they want children or not, but why can't they decide before they become pregnant. There is sex ed in school, free birth control at the clinic, please be responsible and prevent becoming pregnant if you don't want children. There is prevention available for all.
Ron Paul?
He brings a unique perspective to the issues however his solutions are not even close to the times we live in. I do think he has an important voice to be heard.
As for abortion i don't think females should be allowed to decide if males are allowed legally to have vasectomies.
I am nor republican or democrat there isn't a republican in this race.
We need Republicans but I think they suffered the humpty dumpty fall. Anti Democrat is not a Republican.
Darren says: Ron Paul is probably just that way because he's a medical doctor. I seriously doubt abortion could be made illegal anyway...
Reality: Being a doctor does not make a person anti-choice; there are lots of liberal doctors. And Roe v Wade is one vote from being overturned, and several states, where the GOP has legislative majorities, would quickly outlaw it; some have already tried.
American says: Just me, I think women should decide if they want children or not, but why can't they decide before they become pregnant. There is sex ed in school, free birth control at the clinic, please be responsible and prevent becoming pregnant if you don't want children. There is prevention available for all.
Reality: In many parts of our nation, conservatives have mandated that public school sex ed consists of telling horny teens to never have any sex until they are married. Millions of women do not have easy access to contraceptives. And accidents do happen.
Not sure where you get your disinformation, but Dr. Paul was an OB/Gyn before he started in politics. He saw a late-term abortion performed early in his career, and so, personally, he is opposed to abortion, yes. But, his political stance, is in STRONG support of the Constitution, which trumps his personal feelings, and he says the government has NO RIGHT TO DECIDE who can or can't recieve an abortion. His voting record in congress proves that every time a vote on whether to allow abortion or not comes up, he votes to allow it, DESPITE his personal feelings.
But, in reality, is whether a candidate is pro-life or not really going to be your big decision for this election? Because there are alot more pressing issues to deal with in our political spectrum, such as the only candidate that opposes the wars and wants to bring the troops home immediately. The only candidate that wants to slash the federal budget and cut $1billion from it during his first year in office. And, finally, my #1 reason for voting for him above all others: The ONLY candidate with a proven track record of 30+ years in office, that lobbyists CANNOT buy his votes, he stands By the Constitution, With the Constitution EVERY TIME!!!
That shows a level of honesty and consistency that should be everyone's first priority in choosing a candidate. What's the point in choosing someone that might say something on the campaign trail, then do the exact opposite in office?
WHAT???!!! Perry said something less than brilliant? I'm shocked, shocked I tell you!!
Lord, at first I saw the words, "Turkey" "Condom" and "Terrorists" in the headline.
Dangerous imbecilic arrogant moron ideologue.
And those are his strong points!
that, was hilarious, mhemjay!
Dear People of Turkey,
We in the USA do recognize that Perry has no idea what he is talking about. He just tries to guess what inane statements will get him the most votes. Pay no attention to this guy, he does not speak for the majority. We are all wondering why the people of Texas elected him governor. (We also wondered why they elected George Bush their governor, but we do know that they were so eager to get him out of Texas that they somehow managed to get him elected President!)
I cannot explain how anyone can support Perry for any office. I would really appreciate any help to try to explain this to the rest of the world........ But rest assured, World, that he will not be the next president of the United States. Please, all sane voters, back me up on this one.
This post is great. And very accurate
Dear Mary, you should read or listen to the unbiased news more often. The current government in Turkey has repeatedly come down on the side of Pakistan and the Taliban. They have instituted more and more Shiria laws and have become more aggressive against Israel. Hell even this very article refers to them as being "governed by "PIOUS" Muslims". Pious? RADICAL is more like it. Funny, you don't like radical Christians but seem to be okay with radical anti-Christians and anti-semites.
I'm with ya Mary. He reminds me of that guy from the Diehard movies with Bruce Willis, the one who keeps spewing spew, smiling, saying what he thinks everyone wants him to say and then gets shot by the bad guys, do you know who I'm talking about? Perry is a puppet and I secretly hope he keeps on talkin!
Mary, unless you are a Texan, it's none of your business who the people of Texas elect as governor, so quit harping on it.
For the record, I'm not a Perry supporter (I think he is a terrible governor).
Well, ap, perry IS running for gop presidential candidate, making him fair game for ALL American's opinions, NOT just TEXANS!
Perry is an idiot!
Mary, I AM a Texan, and I can assure you that I NEVER voted for that fool. It is just embarrassing that it only took the rest of the country a couple of months what these knot heads here in Texas have never figured out. I apologize to the Turkish people.
Y'all would laugh at the ripping Perry is getting at home...
Technically, he WASN'T "elected" to be governor of Texas. He was the Number 2 (in more than one way, but I digress) when Dubya was selected (not "elected," mind you) to be President. Just slid over into the job. And since Texas doesn't have any term-limit laws on their officials, he's been there ever since. And been sweeping all kinds of stuff under the rug, which, as we see, is now starting to come to light during his campaign.
@chipferd, no term limits? I would think that a state as conservative as Texas (I lived there for 4 lonnnng years), would have fixed that a long time ago. Isn't that one of the top issues that conservatives (and me, too, actually) want for Congress -- term limits? Although, when you think about it, how long has Ron Paul been a Rep. for Texas? So, it seems they just want term limits for SOME people and not others(?)
Hey Mary if you're not a Texan you have nothing to say about who we elect to any office from dog catcher to senator. You are perfectly welcome to stay home we don't need you.
But when the majority of voters in a State do elect someone as dumb as ol' Rick, outsiders do have the right to express an opinion - just as I am sure you have made your opinions heard about a certain Senator from Illinois, or doesn't that count?
Loner,
All Mary said was a lot of people, including me, were "wondering" why Perry was elected governor. I have some news that might come as a surprise to someone of such dim awareness. Myself, and anyone are allowed to "wonder" about any damn thing we want. But thank you for enlightening the rest of us as to how a state could elect such an idiot as Rick Perry.
Oh, the irony of that statement coming from A MOM. It seems that everything you know about Turkey you learned from Fox and Friends.
Loner
Easy explanation. It's called crony capitalism. Once you get into office, you milk it by remembering your friends. They remember you by making BIG contributions (no limits on donations to statewide candidates). You spend the money on ferocious attack adds and gauzy feel good set pieces (posed in your Brokeback Mountain barn coat). Keep your mouth shut, don't debate and only give softball interviews.
Worked for Cowboy in Texas but doesn't translate well to the national stage.
Perry just continues to show how dumb he is. Why is anyone still listening?
There goes another Republican politician destroying America's relationship with a vital ally. Is the only thing Republicans know how to make war at any cost.
Now wait, HMS, Obama is certainly not a Republican, but he's managed to destroy America's relationship with Israel....perhaps our most vital ally. But that's ok; I fully understand your uncontrollable compulsion to attack anyone or anything conservative.
Yo- 'spidy'- Defending this embarrassing clown fraud 'perry' is a task of futility, i.e., a "fools errand" that only the hopelessly benighted would partake.
Spider,
First of all, it is ludicrous to say our relationship with Israel is "destroyed". They may be a bit peeved because we are now actually questioning some of their behavior in the area as opposed to just blindly shoving 10 million a year in aid without ANY questions asked. But more to the point, show me ANY quote from Obama WRT Israel with anywhere near the blatant dis-respectability (and frankly, ignorant stupidity) as the comments made by Perry regarding Turkey.
I'm just spit balling here, but isn't this article about a Republican candidate?
I am sure your off topic deflective attack on Obama was a mistake, correct?
Hey-ya Spider, I'm just a dumb cracker from Bug Tussle. Please explain why Israel is our most vital ally. This don't have nothing to do with the Rapture do it?
Our relationship with Isreal was destroyed?.....musta missed it.
He's just an old Texas BS slinger. Toss it against the wall, see if it sticks. This passes for intellectual thinking in the land of Steers and Beers.
In other words, a George Bush clone.
Both born again Christians. So let's kill some Muslims!!!
I guess the Midwest is the Mensa capital of the world? Give me a break. Don't throw all Texans in the same bucket with Perry.
I live in Texas,.. yet unfortunately we'll never escape negative labels as long as Texans keep electing embarrassing, anti-intellectual imbeciles to public office. Like it or not the people we elect reflect on ourselves and our culture.
Yo 'spidy'- I challenge you to provide any objective credible documentation that Obama has destroyed the US's relations with Israel. More proof that "faux-news" disciples are less informed than people who don't even watch the news. LOL
And Israel is the US's most "vital" ally??? WTF?? Vital for what? For doomsday xtians who are looking for the end times?? If Israel would stop building illegal settlements, flouting UN resolutions and in many cases behaving as badly as the Nazis, then they might have a legitimate reason to be called an ally. And remember, when the jews were seeking refugee just before WW2, the US was among the many countries who turned the ships back resulting in the deaths in concentration camps.
SOP for the GOP. Especially for the religious whacknuts in the GOP. "You're either taking orders from us, or you are evil and must be eliminated." Yeah, I've had enough of that.
Perry: You friggin' punk.... America and it's entire armed forces should take a p!ss on you. Idiot! Why do most of these politicians like to further incite other countries to violence? Answer: Because most/ if not all of them have never served their country including their worthless offspring.....
Fed Up,
First; why do you always type in bold? Just curious.
Second; I think Perry is just a dumb *ss, but he was a USAF officer and C130 pilot.
Fed Up, What did you say your IQ is. What branch of service did Obammy serve in? Your are a sad person to talk about someon's offsprings. You Know nothing about his children, you are just a sad liberal.
Mike: I type in bold so some of the older folks can read it.... kind of a courtesy. As regards to Perry serving in the armed forces........ USAF officer for others is commendable, but for Perry..... just another photo op.! My opinion. I know it's harsh, but I also remember young Bush Jr. (soft touches). Maybe I shouldn't type in bold.... some say it's rude.
American: sorry to hurt your little feelers... not. Have a day. :D)
P.S. Dummy, I am against all Three Branches of oligarchy. So how does that figure in your little girl rant "...What branch of service did Obammy serve in..." what a goof. Your reading comprehension is staggering "You Know nothing about his children, you are just a sad liberal" I wasn't aware I directly named Perry's offspring.
Fed up, I am 63 years old and have probably seen more of this world than you have. But am old enough and wise enough not to drop to calling you names. As far a my reading comprenension, it has served me well through my life and work as a Naval Engineering Tech. This post is about Perry, who were you talking about then. It is easy to call somone names when they can't reach you, and you can hide behind your computer. You are about as brave with name calling on the computer as a drive by shooter. As long as you can call people names and not have to back it up, you are quit brave.
Perry is still a punk. Not everyone who served is a hero, just as not everyone who refused to serve is a coward. There are all kinds in all walks of life. Except in Texas. They are all punks.
American: sorry for the insult. I didn't realize once again I was talking to a good American.... We just have different views. The IQ remark was what started it.
respectfully this time, Fed Up
Let's see, Perry wants to send troops in to invade Mexico, start the war back up in Iraq, bomb Iran, destroy relations with our allies by calling them terrorists, and congratulate our soldiers for urinating on the dead.
And the evangelicals love him
Someone send this guy a collage education voucher. Wait, send him back to grade school where they teach this stuff. Rick Perry is not and never was a contender for president !
But he is a Texas A&M graduate!! LOL
Gobble, gobble..... 2012 - 5,600,000 in foreign greasing of the palms..... no problem, we'll just keep our $$$
http://www.usaid.gov/performance/cbj/158269.pdf
Perry is an IDIOT!
He has NO clue, I can't believe he is still in the race! It's because a bunch of Texas money thought he had some charm, so they overlooked his empty head! I thought he was in early stages of Alzhiemers, but, alas, he is just a friggin idiot!
Jo-An, I don't see where you listed your IQ and education level. Instead of calling someone that you don't agree with an idiot, maybe you could realize that many people have many opinions. Because they have their own opinion and it is not the same as yours why are they an idiot and not you. I am sure that you are not so smart that everyone has to agree with you are else be a idiot.
Jo-An
Texas oil (and pipeline and nuclear waste) money got behind Cowboy Ricky precisely because of his empty head. It would not be of any use to them to put their money on someone who might be able to think for himself.
So, american, why don't you jump on LoyalTexan, or some of the other guys trashing Perry in their posts -- or do you just pick on girls?
American you are quite right...but...Perry IS an idiot! And what he did with that statement was damaging to our country's reputation and probably even national security.
American,
I base MY OPINION on Rick Perry's performance, he should have dropped out AFTER Iowa, but obviously he STILL has plenty of money to keep embarrassing himself!
His ignorant statement reflects poorly on the rest of us Americans.
And I have every right as an American to call Rick Perry an IDIOT!
I did NOT call you an idiot OR anyone else that disagrees with me an idiot?? I stand by my statement,
Perry is an IDIOT!
This guy makes George W. Bush look like Sir Isaac Newton.
Most everything Mr. Perry says is "baseless and inappropriate." He is such an embarrassment to Texas. The only good thing about him being on the campaign trail is that he's not in Austin muckin things up more here.
It's nice of the Turkish press to come right out and be honest about who this man is. When will our press do the same thing? They seem to be stuck in place and only worry about being accused of "liberal" simply from stating facts....when you have a large chunk of the electorate blindly following a bunch of nut jobs as saviors, it is dishonest to try to create "balanced reporting" when it means you have to be less than truthful...
Seriously, Perry, you have the IQ of a balloon.
Please stop insulting balloons.
If we really want to support Turkey and keep it secular, we should let it into the EU..this would tied up it's economy and keep the more extreme sect of the government at bay. Unlike it's rival; the lazy and tax cheat Greeks, Turkey has one of the fastest growing economy in the Med. Sea. Funny how the EU opposes Turkey's admission yet it make the biggest mistake by leting Greece fleece them!
I think Perry forgets that Constinople was once the long established seats of Christendom! To the people of Turkey, Texas replace one village idiot with another..and therein lies the delusion of grandeur. This idiot thinks he's smarter than the last one from Crawford, TX! They sure raise them big and dumb in Texas!
Who is the 'we' in 'we should let it into the EU?
I hate to say this, but Perry is half-right. It isn't that Turkey is a terrorist state, but that it supports us because we pay them to support us. Turkey has been getting millions of dollars a year since the cold war because it was on the border w/ the USSR, which is why Perry was stationed there. Now it is getting millions of dollars because it is on the border w/ Iraq and Iran. Turkey is, at best, a fair weather friend. It did not let US forces invade Iraq from Turkish soil, but is all about waging war against the Kurds once we invaded.
It's time to cut the foreign aid and see how much of a friend Turkey really is.
Cutting foreign aid to Turkey is a simplistic solution to a complex situation. Only the credulous believe world politics is all black and white. Faux cow-"boy" 'perry's ' comments on Turkey were rank stupidity from a pathetic ignoramus. God help us all if someone like this p.o.s. is elected POTUS.
What is your point Christina? We still give money to China, Pakistan,Yemen, Somalia......much worse countries than Turkey. They helped us in the gulf wars, allowing us to use their bases and overfly their country. Have drawn the line against Iran. Standing up to them even though they are neighbors. I can stand friends like that!
Quite interesting how many ignoranimuses are around here about the situation in Turkey. Dont take my word for it though.
Yes I agree Perry is a retard but he is quite close to reality on this. Where do you think a republitard like him would come up with something like this hmm? By himself? Not quite. Can you say Israel?
The Israelis have you in their pockets buffoons. Turkey is getting transformed to an antiWestern, radical Muslim anti-Christian anti-Jewish force slowly but surely. And dreaming of their Ottoman past. Dream on losers. As a country it has been populated by thugs since its beginning. When you see their real colors you will know. Ask some Kurds, Armenians, Greeks etc. Remember Midnight Express.
Those of you turkeys that you dont know any better read on...
http://www.aei.org/article/foreign-and-defense-policy/defense/the-trouble-with-turkey/
You are exactly right Thinkbit - thanks.
I would rather have one Turkish warrior guard my back than any ten of your abused buddies, Thinkbit.
Midnight Express? Midnight Expess was a movie about a person who tried to smuggle DRUGS --- not a reference for history. By the way, a drug smuggler gets what he deserves.
Christina -Regardless of what type of government Turkey has - we need their bases more than they need our money - just remember the American Military Mission with Mao Tse-tung in WW2. Sometimes you gotta work with what's there.
I am not advocating that we cut foreign aid to Turkey--just that if we want to see what kind of friend Turkey really is to the US, cut the aid and see what happens. Foreign aid buys temporary allies, which is why we give money to Pakistan, et al. This is the point I am trying to make. Turkey is no friend to the US beyond the money we give them.
As for Turkey dreaming of its Ottoman past, this has been going on for awhile. When the former Yugoslavia was breaking up, Turkey was all about advocating for the Muslims in that region (which they helped create) and Turkey lately has been involved with this whole Israel flotilla stuff.
Unfortunately, the Ottoman empire was built on ethnic and religious diversity and Kemal pretty much ended that. For the Turks to have a fraction of their imperial past they must own up to the genocide of Armenians, Greeks, Kurds, etc., pull out of Cyprus, stop persecuting ethnic and religious minorities, and this is just for starters.
Katheryn, I think that we are currently in a symbiotic relationship with Turkey. The militarily run government needs the military support in the form of weapons systems and training, and we need their bases, at least for a little while longer. England no longer needed the Suez canal once it lost India. When our empire collapses and we finally stop meddling in other people's affairs we won't need bases in the Middle East. The US is currently trying to promote an oil pipeline that runs through Turkey so that oil doesn't have to be routed through the Persian Gulf, but the Russians are also running a natural gas pipeline under the Black Sea, so we will see how that goes. Greece wins because both pipelines must run through Greece, and the US is pressuring Greece to reject the Russian pipeline. After the Cyprus debacle, I think not. Maybe when Greece gets a piece of the petroleum industry the US will start paying attention to it again, since that is mostly what US foreign policy is about.
Roger: The sad part is that there are people in Texas who are rewriting the text books to remove or put in the information they want in them rather than the real facts. So sending Perry back to school will not fix the problem. Who knows what they teach in Texas. It is a scary world we live in today!
Turkey produces some really good olive oil.
Gov. "good-hair" 'perry' continues to embarrass the US with his colossal ignorance and stupidity. This corporate shill, hypocrite, lying fraud has further degraded the Republican primary race with his stunning ineptitude. A scary example of what extremist wealthy elites can bring to power.
If I lived in Texas; I'd be embarrassed that this @!$%# was the governor of my state.
sharky, maybe he is embarrassed by you.
Perry reminds me of Rifki in *Midnight Express* ... LOL.