In my piece “The privilege to vote” (Aug. 20, 2010), some readers wrote in asking for more details about the vote on Sept. 12. For your information, the following link provides full details about the referendum package: http://www.setav.org/Ups/dosya/44512.pdf.In relation to my piece, “The pursuit of happiness” a reader sent this feedback:
Dear Charlotte: Thanks so much for your excellent article on happiness in Today’s Zaman. I was feeling quite patriotic over the weekend myself. It was a unique blend of American pride and a burgeoning sense of hope as Germany won its World Cup soccer match against Argentina 4:0 -- they lost 0:1 against Spain last night, much to our collective dismay. As an American expat living in Germany, I see the world through several lenses, as, I am certain, do you! Happiness itself is a state of mind. We truly can decide, at any given moment, to embrace happiness. To pursue a state of mind seems odd. To embrace it with all our heart feels more doable. Looking forward to reading more of your work! From: Christine Louise Hohlbaum
I received this comment from a reader in response to the article. The reader sent me these exact words:
Dear Charlotte: isra, 17/13. “Every man’s fate We have fastened on his own neck [choice belongs to them]: On the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open” to sum up, everyone can do what he wants to do it... the test is fully this.” From: Ahmet E.S
The article “East-West dichotomy” (July 30, 2010), in which I suggested reading Edward Said’s book “Orientalism,” received a number of responses. That in itself as well as the title created a lot of response. The author is rather controversial and the topic divisive and hot.
Here are a couple of the more moderate comments:
“I ended my last comment as to-be-continued, now I thought the Mark Levine and his views are by far more informative. Enjoy it. “Understanding the Muslim world” by Mark LeVine. From: Zahra Niknafs
Thank you Zahra for the book recommendation!
Another reader wrote this:
Dear Charlotte: I’d just like to point out that Edward Said is a controversial figure whom more than a few scholars fault for factual inaccuracies and for ideological biases that they see as unfairly destructive to the health of western civilization… I haven’t read “Orientalism” nor any of the equally weighty tomes entirely focused on deconstructing it. My information comes from other books that discuss Said, though he isn’t the main focus of any book I’ve read and from reviews, favorable and unfavorable, of his work and of that of some of his detractors. I have a list of desirable books to read that’s too long to complete in the years likely to remain to me in this life and it doesn’t include Said. Ibn Warraq’s book “Defending the West: A Critique of Edward Said’s Orientalism,” or Robert Irwin’s “Lust of Knowing: The Orientalists and their enemies,” or his “Dangerous Knowledge: Orientalism and its Discontents” are a good balance. A preponderantly negative review of “Lust of Knowing” nonetheless credits the book as “a fun read blessed with an English sense of style, wit and flippancy”. From: PL
Thank you PL for the recommended books. I totally agree that a good student will consider all views and draw their own conclusions.
Just one more thought on the piece:
“Dr. McPherson touches upon the alliance of civilizations and shows that this alliance cannot be eroded by skeptics in East and West. Contrary to concept constructed in Said’s famous book, differences and frictions between societies are rapidly diminishing and the West tries to understand the East much more than ever.” From: Barış
Thank you Barış for sharing your opinion. I would like to think the West is trying. Let’s just ask other readers to comment on that particular point. Do you agree or disagree with Barış’s statement that differences and frictions between societies are rapidly diminishing and the West is trying to understand the East much more than ever?
Note: Charlotte McPherson is the author of “Culture Smart: Turkey, 2005.” Please keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com 
