Newspapers and political bias

We are all entitled to our own opinions. We will never all have the same opinion. However, reaching a better understanding of one another begins with respecting one another’s views and listening and hearing what others think. I often wonder why some people think they have to convince everybody else to think exactly as they do.

Modern technology allows us to exchange ideas and refute an opinion piece. When considering an opinion, it can be very helpful to try to imagine all of the other opinions that one could possible hold about the same topic.

Newspapers employ other writers to offer their individual opinions in the newspaper. While these columnists do research, they do not write factual news stories but rather their own personal views on events. Every columnist welcomes feedback! I want to thank you for your summaries, evaluations and critical comments on the ideas and information in my column.

Here are some from Today’s Zaman readers:

“Will poverty ever end?” (Feb. 8)

“But working in the fields IS paid labor. It puts food on the family table and provides a home. Does your vision of equality for women mean that men do all labor and support the family and women earn ‘pin money’ to spend on fripperies? Your argument doesn’t make sense. Men, women and children work in the fields in Turkey and live in their own homes. They may be poor but they are poor together, the men and the women.” (See the article for complete comments.) From: Habace

“I pray I can live simple enough so that I can give where needed as the Lord asks of me. Perhaps when we learn as Sandi Patty sang ‘Love in any Language’” From: George King (İzmir)

“You can’t take it with you” (Feb. 3)

“My lifeline is reading… Reading stimulates the imagination. You can picture the characters and places the way you want to. Some books, e.g., those by Barbara Nadel, I can actually follow the characters around İstanbul. By reading I can experience life in other countries and other cultures… But, nothing compares with curling up on a cold winter’s day with a cup of coffee and a good book.” From: Annelie (İstanbul)

“A book is not a ‘entertainment tool’ Charlotte. OK, books are relatively expensive in Turkey. Besides, people are not much interested in books either. Moreover, the bestseller books are almost always ‘trivial.’ So, I do not see much difference between reading and not reading book.” From: Mehmet Necati

I loved the replies to my piece “Describe Turkey in one word” (Feb. 1). If I had to describe Turkey in one phrase, I’d say, legendary hospitality. Here are some other comments:

“The world’s most magnificent and foremost city.” From: Levent

“Turkey is one of the best countries in the world. God given.” From: Yakup

“Unique and glorious heritage.” From: Ayşe (İstanbul)

“Heroic landscapes.” From: Betty (Virginia, US)

“Miles of stunning beaches.” From: Paul (Antalya)

In the piece “Turkish lifestyle and community” (Jan. 29), I spoke about how İstanbul has been facing a steady rise in population, most being unskilled, unemployed and sometimes abysmally poor or marginal to the city’s economic and social organization. Here are a couple of comments received from Today’s Zaman readers:

“Dear Charlotte: I was born and raised in İstanbul. It’s my hometown. In the past 20 years or so, it has changed drastically. As you said in your column, with the arrival of migrants from remote towns and smaller cities in other parts of the country as well as from rural areas, a diverse set of people has settled in close proximity to one another. Many İstanbulites are dissatisfied with what has happened as we find the gecekondu areas to be an eyesore and the masses of people making daily life more stressful.” From: Dilek

Cheryl’s comment sums up my point on today’s thoughts.

“I can relate and do agree with you on mostly everything. Can’t remember what I did not agree with, but surely two people don’t agree on EVERYTHING.” From: Cheryl (Virginia, US)

No two people agree on everything.