Cenk SUMBAS

Kite Runner (Book / Kitap)

2005-09-13T16:49:00.000-05:00

I am very impressed with the performance of Khaled Hosseini at his first novel. It is a very rich story with Afghan culture and near history of Afghanistan; also the story itself is loaded with social and human issues that every modern person faces at their lifetime.

Amir is the son of a wealthy family in Kabul and raised by his father. He grow up with servant’s son. There are social class and racial differences with them but they handle it very well until unfortunate event occur at kite running tournament. They won the tournament but lose the relationship due to Amir’s choice at that day.

Due to Soviet invasion, father and son moved to America to find a new life. But the Amir’s guilt grew by the time. His faith took Amir back to Afghanistan and search for the son of his servants started. This journey brought him lots of facts and unknowns about his family and his life in Afghanistan.

Amir’s struggles and emotions are at every page at the book. I strongly suggest this book to enjoy your reading time.

Bu postingin turkcesini yarin hazirlamaya calisacagim...

Cenk Sumbas

Crash (Movie / Sinema)

2005-09-07T09:44:00.000-05:00

This is the movie of the year. I am amazed with the stories, characters, and players’ performance. Usually, I give the summary of the movie and my thoughts. This time, I am not going to do it this time. Because I want you see the movie and enjoy it 100%.

Kesinlikle bu yilin en guzel filmi. Harika bir senaryo ve anlatim. Oyuncularin performansi en ust seviyede. Genellikle konunun kisa bir ozetini verip kendi dusuncemi aciklarim. Ancak bu sefer bunlari yapmayacagim. Cunku sizin bu filmi seyretmenizi ve 100% olarak zevkini cikarmanizi istiyorum.

The Case for Democracy (Book / Kitap)

2005-09-06T17:50:00.000-05:00

This is the coming book for review.

Yorumlayacagim bir sonraki kitap.

1453 (Book / Kitap)

2005-08-30T17:25:00.000-05:00

1453 is one of the turning points of history. Mr.Crowley did excellent job to describe events, person, and facts related to capture of Istanbul. Two main characters Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Constantine XI are well biographied in the book. Especially Fatih’s desire to take city and his preparations are very well given to the reader. Also the other characters like Zaganos Pasha, Halil Pasha, and Giovanni are given with enough detail with their contributions to the historical event.

Book starts with Arab siege in 7th century and Muhammad desire of Istanbul. But the walls of Istanbul and successive defense strategies gave Byzantium a victory against them. After that Turks started to hit walls of Istanbul at the beginning of Ottoman Empire but they failed as well.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet’s obsession with the city starts with his early age and grows by the time. His successive use of technology, superior logistic planning, and strategy were the biggest advantages of Ottoman side. On the other hand, very charismatic and successful soldier Constantine XI was dealing with the problems of the Christianity like unity of the Church and Pope. There was big hesitation of help to Byzantium by Vatican.

Mehmet’s use of biggest cannon of their time and landslide of his war ship to Golden Horn were the most important points of the war and helped the Ottomans capture the city. Cannons were designed by Hungarian cannon founder Orban who offered defense of the city to Constantine XI but he got refused to due his high price. Mehmet accepted this Christian Scientist offer and paid him very well. Also Zagonos Pasha from Ottoman army was also another Christian who helped Mehmet with his aggressive offense mind.

That’s why I do not agree Crowley’s definition to this event as Clash of Civilizations. During that time era Ottoman was also war with other Turkish and Arabic neighbors and Vatican did not make enough effort to save Istanbul due to his own interest. Istanbul was the biggest prize of their time for every commander regardless of religion.

As Crowley mentioned after the fall of Istanbul there was flow of people from west to Istanbul due to free practice of religion and wealth of the city. Churches and synagogues were free to operate. Because, Mehmet’s goal was not to create Islamic Empire but global empire like his idol hero Alexander the Great.

In short, very well written, informative, and emotional book for the year of 1453. Everybody must read who live in Istanbul and who will visit Istanbul.

1453 yili bir devrin kapanip yeni bir devrin acildigi tarihi acidan cok onemli bir yil. Crowley, Istanbul’un fethi ile ilgili kisileri, olaylari ve gercekleri cok akici ve tarafsiz olarak kaleme almis. Olayin iki onemli kahramani Fatih Sultan Mehmet ve Constantine XI ile Zaganos Pasa, Halil Pasa ve Giovanni gibi diger onemli karakterlerde kitapda cok guzel bicimde yerlerini almislar.

Kitap 7. yuzyildaki Arap kusatmasi ile basliyor ve Hz.Muhammed’in Istanbul ile baglantisi bu kisimda aciklaniyor. Bu kusatmaya karsi Bizans’in basarili savunmasi sayesinde kusatma dusuyor ve daha sonra Turkler, Osmanli’nin ilk yillarinda tekrar Istanbul surlarina dayaniyorlar. Fakat Osmanlilarda bu kusatmalarda Araplar gibi ilk basta hezimete ugruyorlar.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet’in sehire olan ilgisi kucuk yaslarda basliyor ve zamanla daha da buyuyor. Fatih’in teknolojik gelismelere ilgisi, logistic planlamadaki becerisi ve akilli stratejileri Osmanlilarin bu savastaki en buyuk avantajlari. Obur tarafdan, Bizans Krali Constantin Hristiyan dunyasindaki bolunmeler yuzunden Papa ile catismaktadir ve yardim umudu gun gectikce azalmaktadir.

Fatih’in zamanin en buyuk toplarini kullanmasi ve gemilerini karadan Halic’e indirmasi kusatmanin en onemli donum noktalari. Toplarin tasarimcisi Orban, ilk once Bizans’a giderek sehrin savunmasi icin yardim onerir ancak istedigi ucret yuzunden Bizanslilar onu reddetmek zorunda kalir. Bu durum karsisinda, Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Hiristiyan Orban’in teklifini kabul ederek bu tarihi gelismeye ortak olur. Ayrica, kusatmanin diger bir onemli karakteri Yunan yeniceri Zaganos Pasadir. Zaganos Pasa her zaman saldirgan yapisi ile Fatih Sultan Mehmet’e sehrin kusatmasinda yardimci olmaktadir.

Yazar kitabin kapaginda bu kusatmayi medeniyetlerin catismasi olarak niteliyor. Bence yukaridaki gercekler bu tanimlamayi yalanlamaya yeter. Ayrica, o donemde Osmanlilar diger Turk boylari ve Araplar ile de catisma halindedirler. Kusatma sirasinda Hiristiyan dunyasindanki ic sorunlar yuzunden yardim konusunda buyuk sorunlar yasandiginida unutmamak gerek. 15 yuzyilda Istanbul musluman veya hiristiyan her konutanin ruyasinda olan bir sehir idi.

Crowley’da belirtigi gibi sehrin dusmesinden sonra Batidan Istanbul’a dogru goc akimi basladi. Bu gocun ana sebeplerinden bazilari, Osmanlilarin Istanbul’daki diger dinlere gosterdigi hosgoru ve sehrin ekonomik rehafi idi. Fatih Sultan Mehmet, uygulamalarindan anlasilacagi uzere, buyuk bir Islam imparatorlugu yerine buyuk bir global imparatorluk hayali pesinde idi. Bu konuda kendisine her zaman hayranlik duydugu Buyuk Iskenderi ornek almisti.

Kisaca, 1453 yili icin cok iyi yazilmis, bilgi dolu, tarafsiz, ve duygu yuklu bir kitap. Istanbul’da yasayan ve ziyaret edecek herkesin okumasi gereken bir kitap.

Cenk Sumbas

The Hunt for Bin-Laden (Book / Kitap)

2005-08-30T15:58:00.000-05:00

Military tactics and warfare is changing everyday by technology. Afghan war is the best example of technology vs. bandit version. Bunch of US Special Forces soldiers enters the Afghanistan and marched through to Kabul with Northern Alliance soldiers. They fought when its necessary but mainly they directed air forces on Taliban and Al-Qaida soldiers with the state of art technology weapons and bombs. An especially smart bombs aimed by laser marked target is very impressive. In addition to that, book relieves evidence of bribery to war lords in Afghanistan in cash and equipment. It is very clear that Taliban and Al-Qaida are one of the weakest and not modernized forces of the world. They had only old fashioned Russian weapons and bunch of bandit type of soldier. The only chance they have against the US army is guerilla warfare which they are doing today at Tora Bora region. Couple chapter is dedicated to difficulties against to Taliban in Tora Bora region at guerilla warfare. Books language is patriotic and soldierish. Also conflict between Special Forces and General Frank is declared many times at the book. Author’s love to Bush and Rumsfeld is also mentioned ten times at every chapter.

Personally, I believe that US forces are not really trying to find Bin Laden. Because, he is the main reason being at Afhganistan for USA. If they catch him, they have to leave or people start to question their presence at the country. These lands are very strategical and important to USA, it is next to Russia, China and India. Who wants to give out such wonderfull military base? USA ability to find Bin Laden is obvious, if they really want to find him, they will find him.

The book is essential for military references but from political side dose not make sense to me. It is not about Afghan policy or history.

Askeri taktik ve teknolojiler her gun degismekte ve daha fazla gelismekte. Bunun en guzel ornegini Afgan savasinda yasadik. Gelismis Amerikan teknolojisi karsisinda ilkel Taliban birlikleri hic bir varlik gosteremediler. Cok sayidaki Amerikan Ozel kuvvetler askerleri kuzeydeki Afgan gucleri ile Kabul’a kadar ilerlediler. Gerektiginde catismayada giren ozel kuvvetlerin asil yaptigi hava saldirilarini organize ve idare etmekti. Bu saldirilar sirasinda son teknoloji urunu silahlarin kullanildigi herkez tarafindan biliniyor. Ancak ozel kuvvetlerin karadan laserler ile isaretledigi hedeflere akilli bombalarin atilmasi gercekten cok etkileyici bir teknoloji. Bunlara ilaveten kitapta Amerikan Ozel kuvvetlerinin Afgan kabile liderlerine rusvet olarak para ve malzeme yardimi yaptiklari acikca ifade ediliyor. Taliban guclerinin sadece eski Rus teknolojilerine bagli silahlara sahip dunyanin en zayif ordusu olarak Amerikan hava gucune karsi koymasi zaten dusunulemezdi. Bu gucle basetmenin tek yolu olan gerilla savasini zaten bugunlerde Tora Bora bolgesinde yasanmakta. Amerikanin gerilla savasi karsisindaki zorlanmalarida kitapda acikca anlatiliyor. Kitabin anlatim dili ise tamamen askeri mentalite ile ortusen Amerikan milliyetciligi ile yazilmis. Amerikan Ordusunun basindaki General Frank ile Ozel kuvvetler arasindaki anlayis catismasi ise kitapda bir cok kez yer almakta. Yazar, her bolumde Bush ve Rumseld’e olan hayranligini belirtmeden gecemiyor.

Ben kisisel olarak Amerikan guclerinin gercekten Bin Ladein'i yakalamak istediklerine inanmiyorum. Cunku, Bin Ladin yakalandigi takdirde Amerikanin Afganistan'dan ayrilmasi gerekir aksi halde Afgan halki ve uluslararasi kuruluslar Amerikan varligini sorgulamaya baslar. Afganistan'in cografik konumu askeri acidan cok stratejik ve onemli. Bu sayede Amerika diger super guc adaylarina (Rusya, Cin, Hindistan) cok yakin bir askeri usse kavustu. Bu onemli avantaji hangi ulke birakmak isteyebilirki? Amerika'nin Bin Ladin'i bulma konusundaki olanaklarini tartismaya hic gerek yok, eger gercekten yakalamak istenirse Amerika Bin Ladin'i yakaliyacaktir.

Belki askeri literatur acisindan faydali olabilecek bir kitap ama politik olarak hic bir degeri yok. Kesinlikle Afgan sorunu ve cozumu konusunda yazilmamis.

Cenk Sumbas

Take your Political Test (Discussion / Tartisma)

2005-08-25T18:44:00.000-05:00

I got this link from http://aydinonat.blogspot.com/ and http://izlenimler.blogspot.com/2005/08/test.html . It is really interesting and entertaining also the website itself is very informative. I strongly suggest reading list according to your test results. The web address for the test is http://www.politicalcompass.org/ Here is my test result,
Economic Left/Right: -1.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.97
I would grade myself more Libertarian. The closest person to me is Dalai Lama, he has been little bit more left and more liberal than me. Thanks god, I am far away from George Bush:)

Bu linki http://aydinonat.blogspot.com/ (Aydin Onat) ve http://izlenimler.blogspot.com/2005/08/test.html (Izlenimler) bloglarinda gordum. Bu bilgiyi bizimle paylastiklari icin tesekkur ederim. Gercekten cok ilginc ve eglenceli bir site. Sitenin web adresi http://www.politicalcompass.org/ . Ozellikle test sonucuna gore tavsiye edilen kitaplar gorulmeye deger. Benim Test sonucuna gelince,
Economic Left/Right: -1.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.97
Hemen hemen bekledigim bir sonuc, sahsen ben kendimi biraz daha Liberal goruyorum. Bana en yakin kisi Dalai Lama ve buda bana mantikli geldi. Bush'la tamamen zit noktalarda cikmamiz ise oldukca sevindirici.

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Pat Robertson vs. Bin Laden (Discussion / Tartisma)

2005-08-23T11:36:00.000-05:00

This is the latest news from CNN that “Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson has called for the United States to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, calling him "a terrific danger" bent on exporting Communism and Islamic extremism across the Americas”.

This is unbelievable, but expected. If US invade Iraq without any reason and than Bush says that Saddam was the very bad man. What do you expect next? Now Chavez is the bad man to kill. This did not happen in one night. It is the mind set of Bush administration and now this mind set is going public with the conservatives like Robertson. Let’s check some timeline events together, Bush invades Iraq which had the weakest army in the world and Patriotic Act passes, and any terrorist suspect gets no rights whatsoever. After that Bush’s bodies from his army creates Abu Garib incident. Torture is acceptable because they were Muslim terrorists. Same primitive feeling, they are not like us!

After seeing all these, conservative minds get the feeling that if they are against us just kill them and invade their country somehow even assassination by state is acceptable. Is this idea familiar to you? It is to me, I am hearing Bin-Ladin broadcast from Al-Jazeera. Bin-Ladin is the terrorist, there is no doubt about it and must be punished as soon as possible. That’s why nobody is blaming Bush for Afghan move ever. Now we have another terrorist in the USA and he is Pat Robertson and we will see what American public do with this terrorist. It is a real test for the American Justice!

CNN’in verdigi habere gore, Muhafazakar Hiristiyan yayinci Pat Peterson, Venezualla Baskaninin komunizmi ve islami Amerika’ya ihrac ettigi icin Amerika Birlesik Devletleri tarafindan suikast sonucu oldurulmesini istemis.

Bu inanilmaz ama beklenen bir gelisme. Amerika yonetimi sebepsiz yere Irak’I isgal ettikden sonra Bush gerekce olarak Saddam’in cok kotu bir diktator oldugunu soylemisti. Bundan sonra neyi beklersiniz. Tabiki Chavez oldurulmesi gereken bir sonraki kotu adam. Fakat butun bu degisim bir gecede olmadi. Bush’un mentalitesi yavas yavas Peterson gibi muhafazakar kitlelere ulasmaya basladi. Bazi olaylari hatirlamakta buyuk fayda var. Dunyanin en zayif ordusuna sahip Irak isgal edildikten sonra, Amerika’da supheli terroristlere hic bir hak ve ozgurluk tanimayan Patriotic Act yasallasti. Bundan ceserat alan Bush’un askerleri Irak’da Abu Garih olayini yarattilar. Iskence, musluman teroristlere yapildigi surece kabul edilebilir oldu. Yine ayni ilkel duygu sahnede, onlar bizden degil.

Butun bu olaylari goren muhafazakarlar, Amerikan cikarlarina karsi cikanlarin ulkesinin isgal edilmesini ve hatta Amerikan hukumeti tarafindan duzenlenen suikastlarla oldurulmesinin kabul edilebilir oldugunu dusunmeye basladilar. Bu fakir size hic tanidik geliyor mu? Bana geliyor, kendimi El-Jazeera’da Bin-Ladin’I dinliyor gibi hissediyorum. Bin-Ladin’in terrorist oldugu bir gercek ve hemen yakalanarak adalete teslim edilmesi lazim. Bu yuzden kimse Afganistan’in isgaline fazla bir ses cikarmadi. Fakat simdi ortalikta baska bir terrorist var ve oda Pat Peterson. Hep birlikte Amerikan halkinin bu teroriste karsi nasil davranacagini gorecegiz. Bu gercekten Amerikan adeleti icin bir test olacak.

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Sin City (Movie / Sinema)

2005-08-22T14:34:00.000-05:00

Robert Rodriguez and Tarantino produced another masterpiece. Most of the people are comparing this movie with Kill Bill, they are totally different concepts. Sin City is the recreation of Frank Miller's pulpy comic books and digital techniques has been used for entire background of the movie. Black and white scenes and absurd colors make this movie very unique. Players (Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen) performance are great. There are three stories (The Hard Goodbye, The Big Fat Kill, and That Yellow Bastard) in the movie, each is very interesting. In the first story, Marv wants to find killer of his girlfriend just got from the bar. Secondly, Dwight protect his girlfriend from ex-cop and try to prevent chaos caused by him, and finally Willis try to save young lady who saved long time ago and got into jail due to her.

This is another digital masterpiece and very creative story. It is possible to see Tarantino effect on it. As a Tarantino fan, I like the “Sin City” and suggest to everybody.

Robert Rodrigez ve Tarantino’dan yine harika bir sinema ornegi. Bir cok kisi bu filmi “Kill Bill” ile karsilastirmaya calisiyor, ancak bunlar tamamen farkli calismalar. “Sin City” Frank Miller’in cizgi romaninin predeye tamamen digital teknikler kullanilarak aktarilmasi. Film siyah beyaz tasarimla ve cok absurd reklerle cekilmis. Buda filma gayet degisik ve kendine has bir hava vermesini saglamis. Oyuncularin (Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen) performanslari en yuksek duzeyde. Filmde ic ice gecmis bir birinden ilginc 3 hikaye var. Birinci hikayede Marv bir gece once tanistigi kiz arkadasini olduren katili aramaktadir. Ikinci hikayede ise Dwight, kiz arkadasini eski bir polis olan eski erkek arkadasindan ve eski polisin meydana getirecegi kaosdan korumaya calisir. Ucuncu hikayede ise Willis, yillar once hayatini kurtardigi ve onun korumak icin hapse girdigi genc kizi tekrar korumak zorunda kalir.

Digital tekniklerin cok basarili kullanildigi ve yaratici bir seneryosu olan mukemmel bir film. Filmde Tarantino’nun etkilerini gormemek imkansiz. Bir Tarantino hayrani olarak filmic cok begendim ve herkese tavsiye ederim.

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The Clash of Civilizations (Book / Kitap)

2005-08-15T10:14:00.000-05:00

The idea of the “The Clash of Civilization” started with Huntington’s article at 1993, and then his book published at 1996. During that time era, international terrorism was only breaking news once in every six months or so. El-Qeade was known by only CIA operatives not by the public. At late 1990’s, world was talking about technology and globalization. Nobody would have imagined the 9/11 type of attack. But Huntington predicted some of the chaos we are facing today. He deserves that credit for sure.

He claims that during the cold war, world had three blocks and they were free world, communist bloc, and unaligned nations. After the fall of Berlin wall, indigenization occurred and countries polarized according to their identity namely their civilizations. Eight major civilizations are introduced by Huntington as Western, Latin American, African, Islamic, Sinic (Chinese), Hindu, Orthodox, and Japanese. As it can be concluded easily that civilizations mainly based on religions.

After fall of Communist block, West emerged as dominant civilization but at the end of 20th century its power started to decline. At the same time, the wealth of other civilizations (especially Asian civilizations) started to gain more economic power. This also increased the indigenization and opposition to West. They are now proud with their identity and uniqueness.

According to his theory, civilizations will be realigned and clashed by each other continuously in order to gain absolute advantage. Next clashes will be between West and Islam. Also, he guessed at 1996, Chinese Civilization will be at Islam’s side against to West. Furthermore, he predicts that conflicts will be occurred at fault lines where civilizations (especially Islam) are met others.

In addition to this, his theory defines core states and torn states. Core states are the states that the most powerful and dominant state of particular civilization like USA for the West and China for the Sinic civilization. At this point, Huntington evaluates Islam and African civilizations which have lack of core states. That’s why Islam has difficulty to solve his conflicts with other civilizations.

Another definition by Huntington is torn countries. These countries are trying to move from one civilization to another. Turkey wants to move from Islam to West with the help of Kemalism, Mexico wants to move from Latin America to West, Russia wants to move from Orthodox to West, and finally Australia wants to move from West to Asia. The commonalities of the torn countries are elites of the country support this re-identification but public do not, also host civilization, generally West, do not willing to accept new guests.

Huntington totally refuses these moves by torn countries and suggests them to go back their own civilizations. Also, he claims that people of the non-Western civilizations wants to modernize but not westernize. He refuses universal values and globalization. According to him more interaction and trade brings more conflicts and more clashes.

I think, this is the most controversial point of the book. Because democracy and women rights are the westernization which other civilizations should reject according to Huntington. I believe that these are the universal values and applicable to all civilizations for their good. Today, conflicts at Middle East are partly caused by the lack of democracy. Also, globalization does exist and brings the countries closer and creates common interests like USA and India are experiencing today. Eating McDonalds and listening Metal music is westernization which other civilizations could reject. Also moves between civilizations are necessary and must be supported. Because, these countries like Turkey, Russia, Mexico, and Australia, can play mutual roles in intercivilized conflicts knowing and understanding both sides.

There will be always inter and/or intra civilizations conflicts but defining them as clashes of civilizations is little bit exaggeration. It can be called as “Discussion of Civilizations” But, it is not the faith of the world. Humanity can work together to solve the problems if they want to. If you like to read 100% opposite of Huntington ideas, I suggest you Thomas Friedman’s last book “The World is flat”. He is the fan of globalization. In short, Huntington theory is one of the most known international politics theory and it is valid for some points. This is another must read book and important piece of my library.

Medeniyetlerin catismasi fikri 1993 yilinda Huntington’un makalesi ile basladi ve ardindan 1996 yilinda ayni isimli kitabi yayinlandi. Sunu untmamak gerekirki, kitabin yayinlandigi zaman diliminde, uluslararasi terrorizm 6 ayda bir televizyonlarda flas haber olan bir konuydu. El-Kaide sadece CIA calisanlarinin bildigi ama kamuoyunun adini bile duymadigi bir orgutten baska bir sey degildi. 1990’larin sonunda dunya kamuoyu sadece teknolojik gelismeler ve globellesme ile mesguldu. Kimsenin aklindan 11 Eylul tipi bir saldiri gecmiyordu. Fakat, Huntington bugun yasadigimiz problemlerin bir kismini gorebilme basarisini gosterdi. Bu konuda onu takdir etmemek elde degil.

Huntington’in teorisine gore, soguk savas sirasinda dunya uc ana gruba ayrilmisti. Bunlar, sirasiyla ozgur batili ulkeler, komunist bloku ulkeleri ve tarafsiz ulkelerdi. Berlin duvarinin yikilmasindan sonra, butun ulkelerde kendi ozune donme basladi ve kendi kimliklerine (medeniyetlerine) gore yeniden gruplanmaya basladilar. Huntington bu olusum icin sekiz ana medeniyet tanimliyor, Bati Medeniyeti, Latin Amerika Medeniyeti, Islam Medeniyeti, Afrika Medeniyeti, Cin Medeniyeti, Hindu Medeniyeti, Ortadox Medeniyeti ve Japon Medeniyeti. Hemen anlasilacagi uzere medeniyetlerin ana tasi din unsuru.

Komunist sistemin cokmesinden sonra Bati medeniyeti tek super guc olarak ortaya cikti. Ancak 20th yuzyilin sonlarinda batinin gucu gerileme surecine girdi. Bu surecle birlikte ozellikle Asya’daki medeniyetlerin ekonomik olarak guc kazanmalari ve refahlarini artirmalari, bu medeniyetlerdeki ozedonusu ve batiya karsi koyma arzusunu hizlandirdi. Diger medeniyetler de kendi kimlikleri ve orijinallikleri ile gurur duymaya basladilar.

Huntington kitabinda acikladi uzere medeniyetlerin yeniden degisik sekillerde bir araya gelerek devamli olarak catisacaklarini iddia ediyor. Gelecekteki ilk catismanin ise Bati medeniyetleri ile Islam Medeniyeti arasinda olacagini ve Cin Medeniyetinin Islamin yaninda Bati’ya karsi yer alacagini varsayiyor. Catismanin meydana gelecegi yerler ise medeniyetlerin (Ozellikle Islamin) diger medeniyetler ile yan yana yasadiklari yerleri gosteriyor.

Yazar ayrica ana devletler ve bolunmus devletler tanimlamaya calisiyor. Ana devletler kendi medeniyetlerinin en guclu ve baskin devletleri, batidan Amerika Birlesik Devletleri ve Sinic Medeniyetler icin Cin gibi. Bu noktada Huntington, Islam ve Afrika medeniyetlerinin ana devleti olmadigini belirtiyor ve hatta Islam Medeniyetinin diger medeniyetler ile sorunlarini cozememesinin bir nedenini bu eksiklige bagliyor.

Bolunmus devletler ise kendi medeniyetlerinden baska bir medeniyete gecme cabasinda olan ulkeler. Bunlara ornek olarak, Turkiye Islam medeniyetinden Bati Medeniyetine Kemalist dusunce tarziyla gecmeye calisiyor. Ayni sekilde Meksika, Latin Amerika Medeniyetinden batiya, Rusya Orthodox medeniyetinden Batiya, ve Avusturalya ise Bati medeniyetinden Asya medeniyetine gecmeye calisiyorlar. Bolunmus ulkelerin ortak ozellikleri ise aydin kesimlerin bu gecisi desteklemesi ancak halkin bu konuda direnmesi ve gecis yapilan medeniyetin ki bu genellikle Bati medeniyeti, bu transferi desteklememesi.

Huntington, bu tur medeniyetler arasi gecislere kesinlikle karsi cikiyor ve her ulkenin kendi medeniyetler icinde kalmasini tavsiye ediyor. Ayrica diger medeniyetlerin (Bati disindaki) Batililasmaya karsi ciktiklarini ancak modernlesmeyi desteklediklerini dusunuyor. Evrensel degerlere inanmayan Huntington, kuresellesmeyede inanmiyor. Yazara gore daha cok ticaret ve iletisim daha fazla problem ve catismadan baska bir sey getirmeyecek.

Bence burasi kitabin ve teorinin en can alici noktasi. Cunku Demokrasi ve Kadin Haklari gibi degerler yazar tarafindan batililasma olarak algilaniyor ve diger medeniyetlerin bu degerleri reddetmesini savunuyor. Halbuki bu degerler, evrensel degerler ve her medeniyet icin gerekli olan pozitif degisimler. Bugun bile Orta Dogu’daki sorunlarinin demokrasi eksikliginden kaynaklandigi acik bir gercek. Ayrica kuresellesme inkar edilemez bir olgu ve bu sayade ulkeler ve medeniyetler yakinlasiyor ve ortak cikarlar yaratabiliyorlar. Bunun en guzel ornegi ise Amerika ile Hindistan arasinda gelisen olaylar. McDonalds’da burger yemek ve Metal muzigi dinlemek batililasma olarak algilanabilir ve diger medeniyetler tarafindan red edilebilir. Fakat evrensel degerlere her medeniyetin sahip cikmasi lazim. Ayrica medeniyetler arasindaki gecisler gerekli ve bunun diger medeniyetler tarafindan desteklenmesi lazim. Cunku bu tur ulkeler (Turkiye, Rusya, Meksika, Avusturalya) her iki tarafida anladiklari ve bildikleri icin medeniyetler arasinda arabulucu rolunu basari ile ustlenebilir.

Her zaman medeniyetlerin kendi icinde ve medeniyetler arasinda sorunlar olacaktir. Fakat bu sorunlari medniyetlerin catismasi olarak tanimlamak bana biraz abarti olarak geliyor. Belki Medeniyetlerin tartismasi demek daha dogru olacak. Her sekilde catismalar ve savaslar dunyanin kaderi degil insanlik bu sorunu isterse diger platformlarda da cozebilir. Eger yazarin dusuncesine 100% zit bir kitap ariyorsaniz, Thomas Friedman’in son kitabi “The World is Flat” (Dunya Duzdur) tavsiye ederim. Friedman tam bir kuresellesme taraftari. Sonuc olarak, Huntington’in teorisi uluslararasi politika alaninda en cok bilinen ve tartisilan teori ve bazi noktalarda gecerliligini korumakta. Mutlaka okunmasi ve kutuphanenizde bulunmasi gereken bir kitap.

Cenk Sumbas

Islamofascist vs Seriat (Discussion / Tartisma)

2005-08-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

After September 11 and Iraq war, newspapers and columnist started to use new words which never have been used before like “Islamofascist” and “Islamikaze” in order to define new problems we face today. Even there is different spelling from people to people, some says Islamofasist and some says Islamofascist. These words do not exist in the dictionary. I did some searches at the dictionary web sites and could not find them. If you see one please let me know.

Can we use words that do not exist in the dictionary? The answer is obviously yes if it makes common sense to reader. Islamofascist is combination of Islam and fascism but what does it mean? Islam is obvious; on the other hand do we really know what Fascism is? Here is couple definition; first one is from http://www.wikipedia.org/ “Fascism was typified by attempts to impose state control over all aspects of life.” Another definition from http://www.jiddscasey.com/ and it is “political philosophy grounded in a fiercely nationalist mythology and the state-supported dominance of capitalist and agricultural interests over labor interests.”

After this information, the word makes sense to ordinary people. Islamofascist is a person who tries to make Islam as a dominant unique force of every aspect of life and State like in Iran and Saudi Arabia. But the question is “Do we really need this word to define these people?” It is maybe necessary for the western people, who do not know about Islam, but there is already a word for it and it is "Seriat". They are trying to define Seriat but they do not know it so created the word “Islamofascist”.

From this discussion, I can conclude that West do not know Islam enough and that’s why most of the people scared of Islam very easily. Also, this fear is fed by media too.

11 Eylul ve Irak savasindan sonra, gazate ve dergilerdeki kose yazilarinda mevcut sorunlari tanimlamak icin daha onceden gormedigimiz kelimelere rastlamaya basladik. Bunlardan en ilgicleri “Islamofasist” ve “Islamikaze” kelimeleri. Hatta bu kelimeleri herkes degisik bicimde yaziyor. Kimisi Islamofasist, kimisi ise Islamofascist olarak yaziyor. Bu kelimeler hic bir sozlukte mevcut degil. En azindan ben yaptigim aramalarda rastlayamadim, eger bulursaniz lutfen bana da gosterin.

Sozluklerde bile olmayan bu kelimeri kullanabilir miyiz? Eger okuyan kisi ne demek istedigimizi tam olarak anliyorsa bence herhangi bir sorun yok. Islamofascist kelimesi Islam ve Fasist kelimelerinin birlesmesinden meydana geliyor. Hepimiz Islam kelimesinin anlamini biliyoruz ancak Fasist’in ne demek oldugunu biraz acmak lazim. http://www.wikipedia.org/ sitesinde, gunluk hayatin her yonuyle devlet tarafindan control edilmesi olarak aciklaniyor. http://www.jiddscassey.com/ sitesinde ise kati milliyetcilik duygulari dogrultusunda devletin kapitalist ve zirai sistem cikarlarini isci sinifinin cikarlari ustunde tutulmasi seklinde aciklanmis.

Bu aciklamalardan sonra, “Islamofacist” kelimesi daha anlam kazaniyor. Islamofacist, Islam’i hayatin her yonuyle Devlet tarafindan gerekirse zor kullanilarak uygulamasini isteyen kisi olarak tanimliyor. Buna ornek olarak Iran ve Suudi Arabistan verilebilir. Fakat asil soru, gercekten bu tur yeni kelimelere ihtiyacimiz var mi? Bu tur kelimeler belki Islami bilmeyen batili kisiler icin gerekli ama bu tanima uyan kelime zaten mevcut. Kullanilmasi gereken asil kelime Seriat veya Seriatci. Fakat batililar Seriat’i tam olarak bilmedikleri icin bu tur kelimeleri yaratiyorlar.

Bu tartismadan benim cikardigim sonuc, bati medeniyetlerinin Islam’i yeterince tanimadigi ve bu yuzden de Islam’dan gereksiz yere korkdugu yonunde. Ayrica bati medyasida bu korkuyu yayinlari ile pompalamaya devam ediyor.

Cenk SUMBAS

The War of the Worlds (Movie / Sinema)

2005-07-28T14:34:00.000-05:00

When I heard about this movie, I got really excited about it. Because, I imagined that the master, Steven Spielberg, got the Tom Cruise again and made another perfect science fiction movie like Minority Report. After that, I saw the trailer and like the effects. My couple fanatic science fiction friends went to movie at the first week and they just graded it as C+. I was really surprised with that kind of critics. Of course, I went to movie too and I got really disappointed. This can not be Spielberg movie, what a poor story and primitive effects. Tom Cruise is just doing fine for his average role. Nothing is extraordinary in the scenario.

I think the problem was the story. It is coming from 1960’s. It is too old and too routine. Story start with unusual storms all over the world. After a while this thunders are used for aliens’ transportation to the world. They start to invade world by killing thousands. Tom Cruise gets his family and tries to go Boston. During this journey, there are many obstacles by aliens and people. At the end he achieves to reach Boston. May be my expectations was too high for the movie. I expect another Minority Report. In short, this is not the movie that Spielberg usually does. Do not waste you time with this one, watch the Minority Report again and think about future.

Bu filmin adi ilk defa gecmeye basladiginda, Steven Spielberg gibi bir ustanin ve Tom Cruise’un yine Minority Report benzeri bir Bilim Kurgu harikasi yaratacaklarini dusunmustum. Bir sure sonra filmin kisa tanitim parcasini gordum ve effeklerden baya etkilendim. Filmin ilk haftasinda bilim kurgu hastasi olan bir kac arkadasim hemen filme gittiler ve filmi sadece C+ olarak degerlendirdiler. Bu tur elestitriler karsisinda sasirdigimi kabul etmeliyim. Tabiki bende filme gittim ve hayal kirikligina ben de ugradim. Bir Spielberg filmi olmayacak kadar siradan bir hikaye ile karsilastim Ayrica filmin effekleide parcada gordugum kadar etkileyici degildi. Tom Cruise rolunun geregini yerine getirmis. Fakat bence filmde hic de olaganustu bir yon yoktu.

Filme konu olan hikaye, 1960’lardan kalma bir bilim kurgu romani. Bana gore gunumuz icin oldukca basit kalmis bir kurguydu. Filim, dunyanin cesitli yerlerde gerceklesen olagan disi firtinalarla basliyor. Bir sure sonra bu firtinalarin dunyaya diger yaratiklari tasimak icin gerceklestigi aciga cikiyor. Yaratiklar dunyayi isgale basliyor ve binlerce insani olduruyorlar. Tom Cruise ise ailesi ile Boston’a ulasmaya calisiyor. Bu yolculuk boyunca gerek yaratiklar ve gerekse insanlar tarafindan kaynaklanan bir suru engelle karsilasiyorlar. En sonunda Boston’a ulasiyorlar. Belki benim beklentilerim filim icin cok yuksekti. Sinemaya yeni bir Minority Report bulma hayaliyle gitmem hataydi. Kisaca, Dunyalar savasi Spielberg’in her zamanki klasiklerinden biri degil Zamanizi bos yere harcamayin. Minority Report’u bir kez daha seyredin ve gelecekle ilgili kurgulariniza devam edin.

Cenk Sumbas

Confessions of an economic Hit Man (Book / Kitap)

2005-07-11T15:13:00.000-05:00

Creating a Global Empire is not easy. In this book, you will find the other side of America. John Perkins identifies himself as an Economic Hit Man who works for “Corporatocracy” means big corporations network in America.. His mission was simple. He creates optimistically inflated economic forecasts for developing countries which lead big projects sponsored by IMF and World Bank. All these big projects facilitated by big US corporations. As a result of this cycle, money comes back to US and the developing country goes in debt that never can be repaid. But, the unpaid debt gives to US economic and politic leverage against these developing countries.

During this process, there were certain assumptions. First assumption was the leader of the developing country was always corrupt. He shows these facts by examples. The other bothering fact was only little part of the developing country’s population gets benefit from these big projects including ruling family but the majority of the population gets poorer due to unpaid debt.

John Perkins made this cycle happened in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Columbia. He also worked with Panama. But, Panama’s president Omar Torrıjos has special place in Perkins memory. Because he had seen the big picture painted by US and he was not corrupt. Also Perkins defines three levels for Economic invasion as described above. First level is Economic Hit Man what he does. If this is not working then Jackal comes to play and the leader gets assassinated. There are two examples for this level. They are Panama’s president Torrıjos and Equator’s president Roldos killed by CIA’s Jackal connection. Finally, third level is military invasion like in Panama and Iraq.

Perkins worked as Economic Hit Man during 70’s when Robert McNamara was the head of World Bank. Book makes sense a lot as a whole with this fact. Because, Robert McNamara was one of the biggest fan of Global Empire as USA. Then, I remember Mr.Wolfwofıtz, World Bank nomination and Mr. Bolton’s UN nomination by Bush Administration. Is history repeating himself again?

Super guc olmak kolay degıl. Bu kıtapda Amerıka’nın dıger yuzunu gormek mumkun. John Perkıns kendini Amerıka’nın cıkarı ve buyuk sırketlerı icin calısan Ekonomik Kiralık Katil olarak tanımlıyor. Bunun icin calıstıgı sırkette, gelismekte olan ulkeler icin asırı iyimser ekonomik tahmınler gelistirmektedir. Bu tahmınler sonucunda ortaya buyuk caplı projeler sunulur ve bu projeler Dunya Bankası ve Uluslararası Para Fonu (IMF) tarafından fınanse edilir. Fınanse edılen bu buyuk projeler tabiki buyuk Amerıkan sirketleri tarafından hayata gecirilir. Bu sayede para Amerika icinde kalmıs olur.Ayrıca projenın yapıldıgı ulke hıc bır zaman icinden cıkamayacagı borc batagına girmis olur. Yaratılan borc batagı Amerıka’ya bu ulkeye karsı buyuk polıtık ve ekonomık avantajlar saglar.

Bu olaylar ıcın kesınlesmıs varsayımlar tanımlanıyor. Bunlardan birincisi, gelısmekte olan ulkenın basındakı yonetıcıler her turlu yolsuzluklara acıktır. Yazar bu varsayımın dogrulugunu orneklerle acıklıyor. Dıger rahatsız edıcı bır gercek ıse, bu projeler sonunda sadece halkın kucuk bir bolumu (bastakı yonetıcıler buna kesınlıkle dahıl) fayda saglar ve refah seviyesini artırır. Geri kalan buyuk kesım kendını devletın borc batagı yuzunden daha da fakirlesmis bulur.

John Perkıns yukarıda tanımlanan bu seneryoyu Endonezya, Suudı Arabıstan, Iran, ve Kolumbıa’da basarı ıle uygulamıs. Ayrıca Panama’da da calısmıs ve Panama’nın Baskanı Torrıjos’yu saygıyla anıyor. Çunku Torrıjos Amerıka tarafından oynanan bu buyuk oyunu gorebilmıs ve yolsuzluklara bulasmamıs bir lider. Perkıns, bu senaryonun tamamlanması ıcın uc sevıye tanımlıyor. Birinci sevıye, kendısı gıbı Ekonomık Kıralık Katıller tarafından yapılıyor. Eger bu plan yurumezse, ikincı asamada Cakal tanımlı suıkastcılar sahneye gırıyor ve lıder suıkast sonucu ortadan kaldırılıyor. Bu asamanın orneklerı ıse Panama baskanı Torrıjos ve Ekvator baskanı Roldos. Bu asamalardan sonuc alınmaz ıse ucuncu ve son asama gecılıyor. Bu asama ıse askerı ısgal. Bunun orneklerı ıse Panama ve Irak.

Perkıns, Ekonomık Kıralık Katıl olarak 70 lı yıllarda calıstı. Bu zaman diliminde Dunya bankasının basında Amerıkanın Sahin Cumhuriyetcilerınden McNamara Dunya bankasının basında idi. Bu gercegı hatırlayınca butun taslar yerlı yerıne oturuyor. Butun bunları okuduktan sonra Bush yonetiminin nıye Wolfzowıtz’i dunya bankasına ve Bolton’u Bırlesmis Mılletlere gonderme cabası ıcınde oldugunu anlamak zor degıl. Acaba tarıh kendını tekrar mı edıyor?

Cenk Sumbas

The Crisis of Islam (Book / Kıtap)

2005-07-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

Bernard Lewis is one of the most knowledgeable people on Middle East in the USA. He has big audience, what he writes is important due to his credentials. “The Crisis of Islam” tries to define Islamic societies struggle between terror and modernity. Mr. Lewis is giving historical background of Islam and important milestones of Middle East. But he is failing to define USA roles in these events.

He refers Nazi Germany, and Russian for lots of interventions. Also, ridiculously, he claims that USA has not behaved empirically like others. After this claim, he states, USA successive policy is not creating single regional power that could dominate the area and oil. I think, USA has been behaving empirically since they are in the region to achieve this policy. That’s why corrupt tyrants who rule over Arabs has the USA helps for long time. This is also mentioned in the book many times.

One point I agree with him %100 is that democracies are more difficult to create, and they are also more difficult to destroy. Maybe, this is the reason that imperial forces like England, Russia, and America did not create democracies in the Middle East. I think, lack of democracy in the region is the main source of the all problems.

Mr. Lewis’s another comment on Islamic terror is Islamic fundamentalist are always looking for Christianity as infidels to attack like they did in the past with Crusaders. He believes that idea still shape Muslim minds. This is not true as well, because major Islamic movement started by Soviet occupation in Afghanistan against to communist Soviets which are not Christians.

There are many historical facts in the book, but you can see Mr. Lewis’s republican side easily. I could not find the answer to “Why is Islam in the crisis” after reading the book.

Bernard Lewıs, Amerıka en cok tanınan Orta Dogu uzmanlarındandır. Bu yuzden yazdıklarının Amerıkan toplumunun dusenceleri uzerinde etkısı oldugu tartısılmaz. Bernard Lewıs “The Crısıs of Islam” ısımlı kıtabında Islam dunyasının teror ıle modern yasam arasındakı cıkmazını tanımlaya calısıyor. Islam ve Orta Dogu tarıhının onemlı olaylarını kıtapta tanimlanmis, ancak bu olaylardakı Amerıkan rolunu acıklamakta pek basarılı oldugu soylenemez.

Nazı Almanyası ve Rusya'yı bır cok kez Orta Dogu'ya karısmakla suclayan Lewıs komık bır sekılde Amerıkanın onlar gıbı Orta Dogu'ya yayılmacı bır guc olarak karısmadıgını ıddıa edıyor. Kıtabın ılerleyen kısımlarında ıse Amerıkanın basarısının bolgeye ve petrole tek basına hukmetmıyecek bır guc yaratmamak oldugunu belırtıyor. Bana gore ıse Amerıka bolgeye geldıgınden berı hukmedıcı bır guc olarak davrandı. Bu yuzdendır kı dıktatorler hala arablar uzerınde Amerıkanın yardımı ıle hukmetmeye devam edıyor.

Lewıs kıtabında Demokrasılerı yaratmanın zor oldugunu ve hatta onları yıkmanın daha zor oldugunu soyluyor. Bu noktada kendısıne %100 katılıyorum. Belkıde bu yuzden buyuk gucler Orta Dogu da demokrasıler yaratmıyorlar. Zaten bolgedekı sorunların ana nedenı demokrası eksıklıgınden kaynaklanıyor.

Lewıs ayrıca Islamı teroru acıklarken Koktendıncılerın herzaman ıcın Hırıstıyanlıga saldırdıgını bunun da nedenını gecmıstekı haclılarla yasanan olaylara baglıyor. Fakat bunun da gercegı yansıtmadıgı bır gercek. Çunku koktendeıncılerın ılk cıddı buyuk hareketı hrıstıyan olmayan Komunıst Rusya'ya karsı Afganıstan'da yasandı.

Bır cok tarıhı gerceklerın bulundugu kıtapda Lewıs'ın Cumhurıyetcı dusuncelerının etkısını acıkca gorülüyor. Kıtabı okuduktan sonra hala Islam nıcın hala krızde sorusunun cevabını tam olarak bulamadım.

Cenk Sumbas

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Movie / Sinema)

2005-06-30T17:12:00.000-05:00

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.

Cenk Sumbas

Why I am a Bush hater? (Discussion)

2005-06-20T20:26:00.000-05:00

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.

Cenk Sumbas

Israel-China Weapon Sales (Discussion)

2005-06-14T13:45:00.000-05:00

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)

2005-06-13T10:36:00.000-05:00

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.

Cenk Sumbas

Red Dragon Rising (Book)

2005-06-13T10:29:00.000-05:00

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)

2005-06-13T10:20:00.000-05:00

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)

2005-06-09T17:54:00.000-05:00

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.

Cenk Sumbas

Who is the next Superpower after USA?(Discussion)

2005-06-09T13:24:00.000-05:00

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.

Cenk Sumbas

The World is Flat (Book)

2005-06-08T18:17:00.000-05:00

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

Cenk Sumbas

House of Bush, Hous of Saud (Book)

2005-06-08T18:10:00.000-05:00

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?

Cenk Sumbas

Team America (Movie)

2005-06-06T15:44:00.000-05:00

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.

Cenk SUMBAS

Hello / Merhaba

2005-06-06T15:25:00.000-05:00

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