Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
I published this piece yesterday in City Journal about the Turkish elections. Someone left this comment for me:
I have never seen such a biased article. Ms. Berlinski, is that all you could say? I am appalled! I live in the U.S. and followed the elections in Turkey mostly from the US and European media. Somehow I got a different impression as unlike the previous elections, this time the media coverage in the West was actually pretty extensive and informative. You sound exactly like those antidemocratic nationalist/militarist and ultra elitist section of the Turkish society. I am very happy to see them removed from power forever. They have sucked that nation's blood for decades. Finally the nation is getting on its feet and realizing its potential.
It is an eerie feeling to look at the words "Two plus two equals six" and realize that either someone believes them or is seriously proposing that I should. I live in the US and followed the elections in Turkey mostly from the US and European media. Therefore what I know is true.
Well, I live in Turkey and followed it in reality.
Something about this annoyed me. It shouldn't--imbeciles are part of life; God must love them because He made so many of them--but since seeing that I've been thinking "The lamps really are going out."
I know I can be moody and that my feeling of impending doom is not a rational argument. Hoping for a less emotional perspective, I dropped a note to a Turkish friend here in Istanbul. I said it looked to me as if the world was about to be torn apart by thugs and imbeciles while America simply checked out.
"The Mighty Mouse will appear," he wrote back. "Don't worry. These situations are made for the Mighty Mouse to appear."
I don't think it will. I hope so, but it looks unlikely to me at this point. The people who think two plus two equals six really seem to be in control.
But for those of you seeking comfort in the idea that no matter what, two plus two equals four, my father has a new book out. It's called One, Two, Three: Absolutely Elementary Mathematics.
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Nov '10
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
This is the line:
"Given that this region is not known for its gift for democracy, the world applauded a bit too loudly that an election was held at all. Turkey won the Democracy Special Olympics! It occurred to few foreign observers that going into rapture over the mere fact of an election in the Islamic world was deeply patronizing, the clear unspoken message being, 'You’re a credit to your kind.'"
Dec '10
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
"Well, the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
Ronald Wilson Reagan, October 27, 1964.
May '10
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
I, too, have been filled with a new level and intensity of worry for the world. The decay has gone so far and deep in virtually all our institutions. Those in power are working fast and furiously and on every front to secure their power at all costs. The good guys are too far behind and too disorganized to mount an adequate resistance. Most of us are also too naive to recognize the evil in front of our eyes.
We have two hopes left, as I see it. Paul Ryan, or a like figure of rare greatness, runs and wins the 2012 election. Or God acts in a mighty and unexpected way.
Otherwise, I fear we're looking the end of the American experiment and a new Dark Ages for the world.
May '11
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
Boy do I hear you on this point Claire, I live in Japan, and I had so many people in the US and Canada telling me I had to leave because they saw something on CNN!!
I certainly take your up close and personal view of what is happening there in Turkey seriously, especially compared to some journalist who is calling it in from the foreign desk in DC, or almost worse the journalist who went to Istanbul, checked into a Western Hotel and then talked to the bell hop or waiter in said hotel to get the real scoop....
Keep the reporting coming Claire, I certainly read all of it and am learning a whole bunch, thank you!
Domo!
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
katievs: I, too, have been filled with a new level and intensity of worry for the world. The decay has gone so far and deep in virtually all our institutions. Those in power are working fast and furiously and on every front to secure their power at all costs. The good guys are too far behind and too disorganized to mount an adequate resistance. Most of us are also too naive to recognize the evil in front of our eyes.
We have two hopes left, as I see it. Paul Ryan, or a like figure of rare greatness, runs and wins the 2012 election. Or God acts in a mighty and unexpected way.
Otherwise, I fear we're looking the end of the American experiment and a new Dark Ages for the world. · Jun 23 at 6:35am
That's exactly the feeling I have, but I can't tell whether it's true or just me having a bad day. I want to be careful not to project my mood on to the entire world.
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
Cast your mind back to 1979, Claire. I think that doing so will raise your spirits. There is a depth of darkness before the dawn. Disaster should always be viewed as opportunity. In the US, thanks to Barack Obama, we are in the midst of a great awakening. If the Republicans do not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory or produce defeat in the guise of victory by nominating someone not up to the task at hand or perhaps even aware of the seriousness of the crisis, your fears will be proven right. But if, with our help, they find their way to someone who genuinely understands whither we are tending, then we will see a new birth of freedom. Like katievs (above), I am still hopeful that Paul Ryan will rise to the occasion.
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
" You sound exactly like those antidemocratic nationalist/militarist and ultra elitist section of the Turkish society."
Is that actually a section? Do they have a website?
Nov '10
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
I'd take Ryan at his word. Look to Perry instead!
Jan '11
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
That was just like a non-audio version of a Ricochet podcast segue/book plug!
Edited on Jun 23, 2011 at 7:17amSep '10
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
Paul Rahe is absolutely right. We look back on the time of Reagan knowing what happened but I remember the Carter years. USSR encroachment in Africa, Latin America etc. Canceled Olympics, gas lines and the malaise. I heard many conservatives say things like, "now we have to vote for this...this movie actor." Of course we can always screw up more, we are screwing up more than I ever thought possible and the world is no less dangerous but I don't think it is more dangerous either.
May '11
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
Paul, I know you were referring to the time before Reagan, but your first sentence reminded me of Charles Hill's recent post at Defining Ideas entitled "The Year That Changed the World". 1979 was not the beginning of the potential doom Claire despairs of but it was when it was first revealed to those who were paying attention.
Edited on Jun 23, 2011 at 8:50amApr '11
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
If it's any consolation to you, I was reading the coverage of the Turkish election in The Economist and other European and American sources and was actually paying attention, which I might not have done had I not been reading your remarks on Ricochet. Using your insights I had some idea of what to look for as the election unfolded, what the various parties stood for, and what were the implications as the votes were tallied - something I would not have known otherwise since that part of the world is mostly obscure to me.
Sep '10
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
I think he was actually aiming at your Facebook friend but hit the messenger's foot instead.
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
It is a consolation to me, actually.
Jan '11
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
Well, Ms. Berlinsky, obviously, the error is yours. Until you're able to see what isn't there and simultaneously not see what is there, you'll never understand what has happened, and why, in any circumstance. That's an unconditional, general rule for reflexive thinkers.
You have lost the argument, and I congratulate you.
Feb '11
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
I smell professional agitprop of the Gulenista sort.
There are cyber hords of them roaming the internet in packs. Given the speed with which they acquire targets, hard not to wonder if Gulen doesn't also own a piece of Google.
They're probably monitoring us right this second.
Say something bad about the old man, and I betcha get a dozen new members in ten minutes.
Put a Gulen tag on every story, and you've got a winning business model.
Feb '11
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
Anon: Well, Ms. Berlinsky, obviously, the error is yours. Until you're able to see what isn't there and simultaneously not see what is there, you'll never understand what has happened, and why, in any circumstance. That's an unconditional, general rule for reflexive thinkers.
You have lost the argument, and I congratulate you.
· Jun 23 at 10:16am
They're a tricky bunch, these hords.
They might even pretend to be someone center-right pretending to be a Gulenist.
Like Cretans pretending to be liars....
Jun '10
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
As I have written before, democracy is a close run thing, especially on the important issues. I suppose the question to ask in the case of Turkey is, does the AKP's victory represent a the high watermark? In my experience—not in Turkish politics, I grant—it does represent a high from which the AKP's plurality will recede. This is not to say that the AKP will refrain from doing much mischief, but when a political party gains near absolute power there is only one way to go and that is to descend into arrogance, scandal, and misrule. Not much comfort, but inevitable nonetheless.
Apr '11
Re: Two Plus Two Still Equals Four
I read and enjoyed your article. The quote about 'getting the government we deserve' comes to mind. I think that one has been attributed to everyone from Superman to Ben Franklin. To me, it seems, your narrative is part of the remedy for those who still make the tragic assumption that all they need to do is watch CNN and read the Economist and they'll be well-informed on current events.