I Condemn the Threat to Mustafa Akyol
I know this is probably the worst day possible to try to draw attention to what would on the best of days be a minor news item from Turkey. But I have to use whatever platform I have to speak up about this.
In the past few years, I have had some very profound disagreements with the Turkish columnist Mustafa Akyol. I think he's very wrong, painfully wrong, dangerously wrong, about many things. I've argued with him privately and criticized his columns publicly. It has become, sadly, rare for me to agree with him.
And we are also friends, all the same.
Today, I read that a group of protesters hurled a noose at him at a speaking engagement.
I don't care what those protesters claim to stand for or stand against: This is disgusting. This is shameful. Everyone in Turkey should condemn this with every revolted fiber of his being. And I do.
CIvilized people do not express their disagreements with journalists by means of death threats. Those who do are by definition on the wrong side.
Mustafa, I'm with you today. And I will keep working to try to change your mind--the civilized way.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: I Condemn the Threat to Mustafa Akyol
Good for you, Claire! Disgusting behavior needs to be called out even when we don't agree with the victims.
Sep '10
Re: I Condemn the Threat to Mustafa Akyol
I agree. What a juxtaposition of democracies on display.
Jul '10
Re: I Condemn the Threat to Mustafa Akyol
It was surely sick behavior and a sad moment for Turkey.
Re: I Condemn the Threat to Mustafa Akyol
That country is lucky to have someone like you to speak up for civil disagreement. Thanks Claire.
Re: I Condemn the Threat to Mustafa Akyol
Amen, Claire. I've had some incidental discussions with Mustafa Bey as well, and he's never been other than unfailingly polite and kind. Whatever one's disagreements (and I think Mustafa Bey has certainly opened himself up to some legitimate ones), death threats should be beyond the pale. I would hope (though not hold my breath until) the police look into it.