Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Movie / Sinema)

This is the movie that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie started their relationship which ends Brad Pitt’s marriage with Jennifer Aniston. That’s why everybody wants to see it immediately. That was great advertisement for the movie. I went to see it at the first week. I did not like it. It is a classical summer blockbuster movie. Lots of fun actions and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. If you are a man it is worth to go to movie to see her (I am a Angelina Jolie fan too, you must see the movie “GIA”) and if you are a female also it is worth to go to movie to see Brad Pitt. The story is simple; they met each other at Columbia 5 or 6 years ago and got married. But they do not know each other very well. Because, both of them are secret deathly assassinates and hide their identities from each other. One day they faced each other. If you are looking for fun and decent movie, this is the one.

Bu filmin cekimleri sirasinda Brad Pitt ile Angelina Jolie arasindaki iliski ortaya cikti ve bu iliskinin sonunda Brad Pitt’in Jennifer Aniston ile olan evliligide sona erdi. Bu haber yuzunden herkes filmi merakla bekliyordu. Ben de basindan da etkilenerek filme ilk haftasinda gittim. Cok guzel bir film degil, ama eglenceli, hos bir film. Bir suru hareketli ve komik sahne var. Eger erkekseniz, Angelina Jolie’yi gormek icin seyretmeye deger bir film. Ben de bir Angelina Jolie hayrani olarak filma gittim. Sizlere onun GIA isimli filmini kesinlikle tavsiye ederim. Eger bayansaniz, ayni sekilde film Brad Pitt icin gitmeye deger. Fimin konusuna gelince, Mr. and Mrs. Smith 5 veya 6 yil once Kolombia’da karsilasirlar ve evlenirler. Ancak ikisde gizli ajan oldugu icin gercek kimliklerini birbirlerinden saklamaktadirlar. Ancak bir gun ayni gorev yuzunden karsi karsiya gelirler. Eger eglenceli bir film ariyorsaniz, gitmeye deger bir film.

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Why I am a Bush hater? (Discussion)

The answer is very simple. Due to his stupid, meaningless foreign policy. Especially, He did horrible job on Iraq policy. War on Terror was life saver for his political life. Because, nobody concentrated on his internal policies and economic developments. Public support was historical high after September 11 and during Afghanistan war. Also foreign mainstream media and public were with the US during this time and so did I. Even there were civilian casualties in Afghanistan the war necessary to get rid of Taliban regime and El-Qaeda. I strongly believe that Osama Bın-Ladın is a terrorist and must be punished. That’s why you can see all NATO forces in Afghanistan including Germans, French, and Turks.

Until the Iraq war, I just did not like Mr. Bush. But when Iraq was coming to headlines, I start to question his abilities and him seriously. First, he claimed that Weapon of mass destruction threat. It was the biggest argument of his Iraq policy. World took it very seriously, but UN inspection team revealed that first gulf war destroyed Iraq WMD ability. But, Bush administration produced fake documents to proved this lie. But, due to Saddam image, given for years by the US media, everybody was sure about WMD. This dictator was hiding them in the desert. After the attack, even US committee admitted that There was no WMD in Iraq. Nobody is talking about WMD today. What else to say?

Secondly, this was the war on terror and terrorist attacked to US at 9/11. Terrorists must be punished and that is why US should attack to Iraq. But there is no any connection between 9/11 and Iraq. Due to misinformation given by the US government and media, %70 of the US public believes that Iraq attacked to Twin Towers. But here is fact, Twin towers destroyed by Saudi terrorists known by years. If you want to retaliate the 9/11, the right places to attack are Afghanistan (I mentioned above) and Saudi Arabia. Can Mr. Bush attack to Saudi Arabia? Of course not!!! King of Saudis is best friend of his father. He has lots of oil interest in Saudi Arabia. USA is selling billions of dollars worth weapon systems. Did you hear anything about 9/11 and Iraq connections lately? What else to say?

After these facts come to public, What Mr. Bush said? Saddam is a very bad man and US will free the Iraqi people and Democracy will rise in the Middle East. Yes!!! Saddam is a very bad man. I agree that. But Mr. Bush never talked about democracy and freedom before the attack. This was the new argument for him. Because, he could not say the two arguments I mentioned anymore. But, this is also a very big lie. If you are striving for democracy, why did you save Kuwait which is absolute monarchy? Why do you have strong relationships with the Saudi family? Women can not drive and con not vote in Saudi Arabia. Why did you lift the sanctions against to Pakistan non-democratic government which has nuclear ability? All these show that democracy is not in Bush agenda.

According to latest number almost 2,000 US solders and 30,000 Iraqi died in Iraq war. What was the reason for these lives taken? WMD? 9/11 connections? Democracy? I can not find the answer. That’s why I am a Bush hater. If you know the answers please let me know and I will stop hate this guy. I promise.

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Israel-China Weapon Sales (Discussion)

This is the Article from Washington Post.

Israel tries to defuse arms sale dispute with U.S.

By Megan GoldinReutersTuesday, June 14, 2005; 5:50 AM

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel is trying to defuse a festering dispute over longstanding U.S. opposition to its arms sales to China and faces new U.S. demands for closer oversight of weapons deals with India, Israeli officials said on Tuesday.
The affair has strained security ties between Israel and the United States, its main ally and provider of about $2 billion in annual defense aid, at a time when it seeks U.S. assistance to help implement its planned withdrawal from Gaza this August.
"There is a crisis that has been going on for almost a year," Yuval Steinitz, head of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, told Israel Radio.
Israel's Haaretz daily reported the United States recently suspended several weapons and technology projects with Israel, moves which the newspaper said deepened the dispute that erupted last year over Israeli-supplied Harpy attack drones to China.
Israeli defense officials denied the report but said that Washington, seeking better supervision of Israeli arms sales to countries the United States deems problematic, now wants Israel to obtain advance approval for any weapons deals with India.
Washington has for months refused to talk with the Israeli team trying to negotiate a resolution to the dispute, prompting Israel recently to appoint a new official to head the discussions.
The official, Zvi Stauber, was in Washington last week where he began to draw up a memorandum of understandings over future Israeli arms sales.
BALANCE OF POWER
The Pentagon fears the Harpy and other advanced Israeli technology sold to China could tilt the balance of power and make it more difficult to defend Taiwan, which Beijing deems a renegade province.
The dispute played a role in the U.S. decision in April to suspend Israel from involvement in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) project.
Stauber takes over the negotiations from Defense Ministry Director-General Amos Yaron. Pentagon officials have for months refused to hold talks with Yaron who they accuse of misleading them over arms sales to China, an Israeli source said.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Yaron might be forced to end his term due to the U.S. backlash. Washington torpedoed Israel's multi-billion dollar sale of Phalcon strategic airborne radar systems to China in 2000, citing concerns it could upset the regional balance of power.
The United States now has similar concerns with regard to weapons sales to India.
Steinitz said Israel should take into consideration U.S. sensitivities on arms sales to China but not to India, which he said could never be considered a potential U.S. enemy.
He said that in return for Israel curtailing weapons sales, Washington should also cut back on weapons transfers to Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
"Relations with the U.S. are important and critical to Israel ... but at the same time Israel must uphold its independence and there should be some type of reciprocity in (defense) relations," he said.
Steinitz said some Israeli officials believe U.S. attempts to limit Israeli arms sales stemmed from a desire to ensure U.S. defense contractors competing with Israeli firms won lucrative international contracts.

Scarf / Basortusu (Discussion)

This was the hot topic when I left the Turkey, and as far as I follow it is still one of the hottest topic at Turkish media and public. It is still problem because Turkey have not solve the problem yet. There is an application now that anybody wants to wear scarf can wear it freely except governmental offices and universities.

Why not it can not be worn at governmental offices and universities? Because, Turkey is secular country and there is separation state and Mosque. If scarf goes inside the state, it means Serıat is coming to Turkey and we will back to us middle ages. It sounds so funny to me; even scarf is a very strong symbolic meaning to the extreme Islamic groups that can not happen to Turkish Republic.

Lets go back to our university years. What happens if you seat next to the covered girl at Math152 in U3 classroom. You can not learn your Math152 because she believes Islam different than you or she is not able to understand Math152 because she has different political opinion than you. Of course none of these could make sense.

It is personnel freedom to wear scarf or have different type of beard style. This is democracy. In this case, Turkey will be only secular and democratic country in the Islamic world. I can hear the objections, they not believe in democracy, they will destroy it and get the Serıat to Turkey. Yes, this is the crime to punish. That’s why we have laws and courts. But wearing scarf is not a crime even in the Math152 class in Middle East Technical University. It is personal freedom.

I can write pages on this subject and I will. But that’s all for today.

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Red Dragon Rising (Book)

I bought this book to see China's potential growth in every respect. I am very disappointed after reading the book. At the introduction of the book author gives his solution as “Double the military and double again if needed be. Build more B-2 ,F-22 , F/A 18 airplanes. Mobilize the industry for munitions production. Go forward for ballistic missile systems”. Also he curses Clinton Administration countless times for its foreign policy and promotes Bush presidency. He claims that Clinton got campaign money from China and favors them. What about Bush-Saudı-9/11 connections? Not even a word.

He also trying to show Chinese Regime brutality like selling weapons to both sides at Iraq-Iran war (no word from Senior Bush, and Oliver North), Selling guns to 3rd world countries and make money (No Saudi-US gun Trade mentioned), no respect to UN decisions (What Mr. Bush did in Iraq?) Selling missile systems to Pakistan while US forcing sanctions (Mr. Bush lifted the sanctions after 9/11 to non-Democratic Pakistan regime).

He insists that’s why US must declare war against China, not strategic partnership like Clinton did. Strategic partnership gives China open ıtself to the world and influenced by democratic system. On the long run, Chinese people will select democracy and bury the old communist regime like East Europe did.

There are many right points in the book like Tıananmen Square Massacre, but the these accurate points fades due to being Clinton hater.

If you want to learn something about China, this one sided, extreme rightist book is not the one. Do NOT buy it and do NOT read it.

Cinderella Man (Movie)

Another Russell Crowes movie, another Oscar nomination. That’s why I went to this movie, also some insistence from my ex-friends was another factor. It is based on true story from1930's at New Jersey. Unemployed ex-boxer needs money desperately and gets the second chance by his agent. This time he starts to win and gets lower social class support all over the country. He beats the strong and upper social class champion and then they live happily ever after.

This is another classical Rocky movie from different time era. If you have time to kill with your friend, you go. This is not a Oscar winning movie.

The Eagle's Shadow (Book)

Average American citizen do not have much contact with the outside of the United States. Even he or she watches 4 hours TV every night, it is very difficult to hear from outsiders about America (Except Middle East Hatred) Mr.Hertsgaard looks for likes/dislike of other people about America. His interviews are very enlightening and interesting. Sometimes it is very bothering but reality bites, that is what people think and they have their reason. Every American should read this book and criticize the book (some parts I do not agree) and themselves honestly. Every nation has some flaws, but the cure start with true findings. That makes America real superpower.

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Who is the next Superpower after USA?(Discussion)

Thıs is the questıon we should ask ourselves today. Probably, it does not make sense to most of you. Because, US is the sole superpower today without any doubt and has the dominat military power aganist the other countries as a whole. But, that was also true for the Alexander The Great, Romans, Ottomans, and English Empire whıch they all collapse when their tıme came.
The question of When also could be asked but I like to concentrate on Who will be. Before start to name candidates, we should define the requirements of being superpower in todays world. First requirement is being a democratic and secular government. Secondly, advanced military power that enable to use technological advancement. Rich natural resources and arable lands are the another must for being a superpower.
Under these requirements, we can start to name our candıdates against to Unıted States. Most popular and well known canditate is China. Secondly, even after referandum in France and Holland, is Europe wıth their background. Also, Indıa is the emerging power of Asia lately gets lots of attention. Suprisingly, many people still sees a Rusia for next superpower which is also likely. I have another candidate that most of the people laughs at me and that is Turkey. I will explaın later why Turkey is another possıble candidate.
Today, I am goıng to stop here. I try to define requirements and possible candidates. I do not want to create one huge entry for this issue. This is the tip of the iceberg. Every little thing needs lot of research and information whıch I do not have but I like share my opinions wıth other people. I will write later separate posts for each requirements and candidates later. Please feel free to submıt your ideas, it will be necesaary and will be appreciated.

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The World is Flat (Book)

This is another must read book for Globalization. Mr.Friedman make it easy to understand today's world. Everything in this book is already said before but he is doing it very organized and clear vay. The only thing is missing in the book is "The role of the USA for unflatting world by supporting nondemocrative regime like Saudis and other" This subject deserves at least a chapter in this book

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House of Bush, Hous of Saud (Book)

As a free world citizen, We hate to see Non-Democratic regimes like Saudis. King and his family (around 1000's princes according to this book)live in faboulous life. But the regular citizens get no job no education (Except religious education) Women can not vote and even can not drive. Which country or democratic leader wants to have very close relationship with that kind of country. I guess nobody!!! But USA has strong relationship with this non democratic regime, during Clinton Administration it was little bit shaky, but with elder and junior Bush make this relation higher not only for US interest also for their personnel interest too. The most important claim of the book (According to me), captured Al-Qaide leader gave 3 names of the Saudi Royal family to help him and these three royals have got killed by Saudi Royal family. These are the people Bush's making business and getting closer personell relationship. US Army is in the Iraq to give Freedom and Democracy for the Middle East. Are they really on the right spot?

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Team America (Movie)

This is the movie that you should see as soon as possible. It is hilarious. Movie makes fun with average, cheap Hollywood movies. Characters are from action movie adapted to Team America with %100 fit. Of course terrorist are Arabic (From Derka Derkastan) and they have WMD. Great American heroes destroy N.Korea and stop terrorist. There are some self-evaluation of this American behavior and it works in funny way. Please see it immediately and post your comment here.

Bu filmi sakin kacirmayin. Ucuz Amerikan kahramanlari ile cok iyi dalga gecmisler. Tabiki Arab teroristler var. Derka Derkastan dan gelen teroristlerin Kitle Imha Silahlari bile var. Amerikan Kahramanlar Kuzey Kore'ye gidip Kitle Imha silahlarini ve teroristleri yok ediyorlar. Amerikan dusunce tarzina getirilen elestiriler dozunda ve komik. Filmi gorduyseniz yorumlarinizi gonderin.

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Hello / Merhaba

Hello all,
I am going to post my thoughts and ideas about everything here. Please feel free to comment any posting!! See you soon.

Merhaba,
Bundan sonra burada her konuda fikir ve dusuncelerimi yazacagim. Lutfen yorumlarinizi gonderin. Gorusmek uzere!!

Cenk SUMBAS