From: dbd@urartu.sdpa.org (David Davidian)
Subject: Re: Does anybody disagree with Mutlu among his compatriots?
Organization: S.D.P.A. Center for Regional Studies
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 06:34:54 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.180252.26592@sol.ctr.columbia.edu> deniz@mandolin.ctr.
columbia.edu (Deniz Akkus) responded to article <1992Nov16.001730.12114@leland.
Stanford.EDU> arto@leland.Stanford.EDU (Artavazd Khachikian) who wrote:
 
[AK] I have a question to all the Turkish participants in these newsgroups.
[AK]
[AK] Is there any one among you who disagrees with Mutlu/Argic postings?
[AK] If yes, please let us know.

[DA] I for one do, but do not normally read soc.culture.soviet,
[DA] talk.politics.mideast, or talk.politics.soviet.  I do not see the point
[DA] of your posting such a statement to a newsgroup that Turks may or may
[DA] not read as opposed to soc.culture.turkish.  I am also tired of
[DA] Turks being made to denounce Mutlu whomever he might be, over and over.
[DA] I have posted on soc.culture.turkish saying that I do not agree with
[DA] what he writes, and so has other people.  I don't see the use of such
[DA] postings, other than to reassure some people that Turks are not
[DA] entirely behind Mutlu although how  people can think that a diverse
[DA] group of computer users whose main point in common is being Turkish
[DA] could be assumed to totally back Mutlu is beyond me.  

You must admit the postings from Mutlu/Argic are of a type that can be singled
out as rather unique. This uniqueness is in contrast with postings like yours,
which will not attract such attention. As a result of this uniqueness, and the
lack of response either in favor or in opposition to such postings, may make 
one wonder the opinion of the larger group. The question asked is as unusual as is the phenomenon. 

[DA] My kill file
[DA] usually takes care of all Mutlu postings quite nicely, but I can't say
[DA] the same about the usually insulting messages about Turks that come
[DA] flying soc.culture.turkish way because of Mutlu. 

You have a kill file. Such is your right, as it is the right of others to ask 
questions of Turks, in general, regarding the Mutlu/Argic phenomenon. Having a
kill file may not make the issue go away for others.

Would you rather have people conclude that ALL TURKS supported the Mutlu/Argic
phenomenon, and not ask if such postings are a normal part of the Turkish 
experience? If I were a Turk, I would prefer having the question of support 
and/or disagreement with such postings asked rather than for the casual
observer conclude that ALL TURKS supported such fascism.

[DA] Would you mind putting
[DA] a label such as "Turk bashing because of Mutlu" or "Asking for the
[DA] 1000th time, do you Turks support Mutlu" as subject to the relevant
[DA] postings so I can kill them too?? 

This may make no sense to a casual observer.

[DA] I suspect Mutlu is not Turkish.

I have found this opinion expressed by several others on this topic. What would
make you think Mutlu/Etc is not Turkish? 

-- 
David Davidian dbd@urartu.sdpa.org "It has been ever thus in all things, son, 
SDPA Center for Regional Studies    Whatever we thrash we give to the wind, 
P.O. Box 382761                     We too have been blown by the world's wind
Cambridge, MA 02238                 The chaff is gone but the grain remains."