The official Web site of renowned pianist Fazıl Say has been closed down due to a flood of abusive messages following the controversial interview with him published in a German newspaper.

Say reportedly said in an interview with the German Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that Islamists have gained power in Turkey and that he might leave the country. His statements created heated debate in the country last week.

Many messages carrying insults have reached Say's Web site www.fazilsay.net, which featured his biography, works, albums and concert schedule.

Although Say's Web site has been closed down due to the offensive nature of the messages he has been receiving since the interview, the foreign company which prepares Say's Web site said that works are continuing to eliminate the technical problems in the site and that it could be active again early this week.

Meanwhile the interactive wall on the artist's facebook page where the artist met his admirers was also closed down because of similar messages.

The wall, which became active yesterday for a short time, featured Say's messages: “Allowing people to live; thinking about humanity and world; thinking about the homeland; trying to understand and not to get angry; being on the side of goodness and art.”
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=92020

Is anyone at all surprised that many Turkish nationalists can't handle any criticism? Is this really "news"?

Hmmm... I can't say I'm surprised, but at the same time I'm shocked how serious the problem of censorship and LACK of freedom of speech is..

we are all free to speak about anything and they are free to put us in jail for that. doesn't that sound like free country?

i m free to speak about anything.. but if decide to do that i should keep it in my mind that "i have right to remain silent"
good night..

Look, you miss the whole point of discussion...can you not understand the difference between "FREEDOM TO UTTER WHATEVER YOU WANT" and "FREEDOM FOR PRAGMATIC CRITISIZM"?

The issue here is not CENSORSHIP.

I understand. One is freedom of speech, the other is censorship.

That is exactly why some people irritate others here....we shall have to wait until you grow up !

This is nothing to do with law and order.
I think critisism/slur to against Fazil Say coming from both directions:
1- Islamists
2-Open (/hidden) racists.
He critisised Turkish islamists by saying they are trying to capture the whole establishment. That is why they are angry.
Racists (including the hidden ones) are cross too..They cant understand him critisising Turkey's establishment to foreign media.
They think our national pride has been scarred again..Of course there is an assosication with Orhan Pamuk as well along the lines.
Unfortunately the whole thing is how we (turks) are in general.
Such a pity actually!!

My thoughts exactly...

You must decide...are we talking of general principles here, or some idiotic act by the Turkish Government?

I love this view and it seems soooo familiar ...))))))))))))


FREEDOM TO CRITICIZE

"I have many "friends" that are Muslim... all of whom are extremely westernized ... that is until you start talking about religion. Oh sure, they will say "you have the freedom to say bad things about your government, society and even your religion... in Islam, we have the same freedoms... We are free to say all the bad things we want about YOUR government, society and religion we want."

Bu siirdeki huzne asina olmayanlar ne Anadolu insanini, ne Fazil Say'i, ne Turkiyedeki bugunku iktidari, ne de aradaki hesaplasmayi anlayabilirler...
--------------
2 Temmuz`da Yobaz Katliamı sonucu hayatını kaybeden o güzel canları büyük bir özlemle anıyorum....

METIN ALTIOK ANISINA - GORMEDIN

İşgal etti bu yobazlar yurdumu,
Din kolyesi takanları görmedin...
Madımak`ta bekler iken yardımı,
Buna, karşı çıkanları görmedin...

Kardeşliği arıyorken bu handa,
Taşlar yağdı üstümüze bir anda.
Pir Sultan`ın anıtını meydanda,
Ele alıp, yıkanları görmedin...

Dört kapıyı nerden bilsin cahiller.
Tut çerağı aşka yansın kandiller.
Cana kıymış bu Yezitler bu eller,
Kerbela`da bu kanları görmedin...

Amacımız gönülleri kırmadan,
Yaşamaktır hiç kimseye vurmadan.
İkiliğin çivisini durmadan,
Alnımıza çakanları görmedin...

Şeriatın yükselirken kolları,
Taş koydular kapadılar yolları.
Tipi insan içi hayvan kulları,
Aramıza sokanları görmedin...

Suçumuz bu; semah dönmek evrene,
Vahşetlerle karşılaştık her sene.
Bre soysuz bir bakıver çevrene,
Gül bağında dikenleri görmedin...

Bu katliam bu güruhun eseri,
Müslümanmış sözde bir kaç serseri.
Dört bir yandan kuşatmışlar her yeri,
Bizi orda yakanları görmedin...

Erhan GÃœL

According to the map, Russia is AS BAD as teh islamic world... spooky.

Thanks for your offer to "correct" me. It is amazing that I have made it thru all these years without correction.

Stop being so grumpy Alpha...lest you stop being my favorite nemesis!

Well teaschip1, you have outdone yourself. Couldn't you find a more hateful site to post here?


Try looking at this page Electoral Democracies it gives a different picture, but it's not graphic.

He notes the most repressive countries in 2007 were: Myanmar, North Korea, Eritrea, Zimbabwe and Sudan

Another moslem country is about to be initiated into US type democracy.

US boy Musharraf and US reared Taliban and Al Kaida finally managed to cook up conditions to allow a US intervention...

Guess what? A US girl had to be sacrificed in the hussle...))))))))))))))

GREAT JOB OPENINGS IN "BLACKWATER MURDERS Inc."

I recall Cheney admitting to having some ownership prior to him becoming Vice President. I also never denied Blackwater...So what is your point..

The problem I have with your statement is insuating the U.S. had something to do with Benazir Bhutto assasination. I can read between the lines Omega, don't play games with your words.

No games...It is my powers of deduction...
You tell me how Mr. Cheyney plans to make his fortune, in a world of peace...

So why are you quoting me and not Alphas ridiculous post..
:-S

Are you really for real Omega? I have never been called a peanut before..

Military specialists?

They are not subject to Geneva Convention....Normally they should all be considered spies and be shot at sight. They do not deserve military honors.

You sure sound like an army brat....hello to your dear old father !

What you say does not wash at all !

This has been proved to be a myth, Alameda. Please do your research and come up with some factual truth instead of posting links you just happen to read. Your really making yourself look real good here lately with all of your stupid responses and links that have no relative value.

Better ask your father again...dont let him mislead you.

What American laws and regulations say about them is irrelevant and do not bind others.

That they should be treated as spies (according to international treaties) is clear, and you better warn them about this fine and intricate point...

Sunday, December 9, 2007
Feds narrow Blackwater probe to 3 guards

In a big victory for Blackwater, federal prosecutors have narrowed their wrongdoing probe to only 3 guards involved in the September 16 shootout at Baghdad's Nisoor Square.

The Associated Press reports, "two weeks into a federal grand jury investigation, people close to the case told AP that authorities have focused the number who could face charges to about three of the dozen or more guards on the security detail."

This is a sure sign that federal prosecutors do not believe that the company itself acted improperly, and that wrongdoing, if any, on September 16 was a very rare exception to the rule. Blackwater has provided more than 17,000 diplomatic security missions successfully in Iraq since 2004. US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker - one of the nation's most respected career ambassadors - has strongly stood by Blackwater and its practices that are credited with saving the lives of American diplomats and others.

Being the subject of a criminal investigation does not, under US law and custom, mean that the individuals are guilty.

But the small number of guards expected to be prosecuted also indicates that the federal grand jury does not believe the line from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MOI) that the security providers as a whole shot indiscriminately or without provocation that day. The MOI controls the country's national police. Evidence backs up Blackwater's original reports that the diplomatic convoy under the company's protection was indeed fired upon at Nisoor Square on that day

I hope none of the Blackwater guys are caught - armed and pretending to be a soldier - in any sensible and capable country...

We shall understand what regulations apply then....

Amazing how easily you stooped down to insulting...

I shall have no heart problems, I am not even sure if I have one..

Wishful thinking!

I think is weird to find a grown woman with a son in college, still believing in Oz !

Better see a doctor !

You are not nearly half as creative as my partner Aenigma III.

I hope she reads this post...

You mean Chief Kwatoko (little bird big beak). Yes, he thinks he is clever, but I know different. Don't worry I won't eat is bait..worms do make good bait though, I think little bird would agree.

I have to confess I knew little about Blackwater - thanks chaps! TC is a little mine of information (for those who can bear reading arguments without bursting into tears)

Actually I dont read the links - I am more interested in opinions. If I want to google a subject I can