C'mon, Len!

Turkey has been an unwavering ally of the West (the US, NATO, et al) since the 50's. They are an example of what works. They are an example of how a nation can maintain an individual culture and still be a part of a larger community.

I got into an argument with a German guy the other night in which he claimed we were attacked because of our own foreign policy. Digging deeper, I found that he was one of those who marched in protest of the US during the 70's. This guy also talked about how Germany was efficiently coming together as a united country and that was because of restraint (!!) and government organization and civility.

He was quite upset when I turned him on his head. To wit: The protesters of the 70's and 80's were against the US but not against the USSR. Why? Because these folks didn't have the guts to protest against a state that could actually hurt them and was hurting their own people.

As an American, I have to accept the fact that someone always hates us and we're the easy target for weak pussies because they know we won't send out kill teams on them.

As to efficiency in government. Well, I think we all know how efficient they were in one endeavor in the 40's, don't we?

As to reunification: Only possible because of US pressure on the eastern bloc.

>>OTOH, they are forgetting or care not to acknowledge that we enjoy good relations with several predominately Muslim countries; not the least of which is Turkey - our staunch ally.
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>Another one of our problems, I will admit to not knowing anything about the US involvement in the new dam project, which we (Britain) are helping fund, leaving many people in Turkey homeless. It suits the Turkish government though, so currently they're on our side. Who's to tell next year, after they've got the funding ?