The purpose is to cripple the AK Party with a societal re-engineering project and by issuing coup threats before the elections. They don’t care if the country is in chaos, if people might begin to consider war or even if the public will be divided. Take for example the fury and disrespect at martyrs’ funerals, where the government is being protested. Even in the province of Manisa, where Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç has the most supporters, people are insulting him. If Mr. Arınç had not remained calm, the people would have started a fight, which is the very goal of all these attacks and provocations. The ninth president of the republic, Süleyman Demirel, said “this is the people’s reaction.” When I first heard his statement I thought, “Of course, you are the most merciless political figure.” Instead of appealing for tolerance and respect as a former president, he is justifying the disrespect and illegality of events. That is a shame. Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) used to call for common sense on terror issues. He should once again display responsibility and say that he has nothing to do with the people making the wolf symbol -- the traditional symbol of the MHP -- with their hands yet not abiding by his party’s etiquette and manners at funeral ceremonies and mosque courtyards.
We are experiencing an eclipse of rationality. There is nothing to defend about the judicial system, the armed forces, the universities or opposition parties.
The 367-quorum decision shook the public’s trust in the Constitutional Court. Electronic memorandums threatening to overthrow the government, appeals for united public reactions and the image that there is conflict between the military and the government are damaging the armed forces the most. The cross border operation debates in the press have led to ludicrous questions such as “are you on the military’s side or the government’s side?” or “are you against war?” They make it seem as if the only solution to terrorism is a cross border operation and that if Turkey enters Iraq the southeastern problem will be resolved indefinitely.
But entering Iraq would mean entering war. While every rational person can realize this trap, it seems like anyone who opposes the operation would be classified a “traitor.”
Everyone must respect statements that the government and armed forces were in agreement and coordination with each other during the security summit.
Why isn’t the chief of General Staff compensating for the late night memorandum mistake? A soldier is a man of his words. I believe if the military chief wrote in the security summit declaration that they were in full agreement with the government, people would not find the courage to protest the government during martyr funerals.
The moment Gen. Yaşar Büyükanıt steps up and says: “Our government is giving us everything we want to fight against terror, it is giving us every type of support. The military, government, judiciary, police and all state institutions are working hand in hand to fight against terror. Demonstrations during martyrs’ funerals will weaken our struggle against terror,” will be the moment Turkey will take a deep breath.
If we, as the country and the administration, have the easiest and smartest solutions then why this pitiful eclipse of rationality? While the majority of the public is strong and calm like a monument of stability, why is a political and furious minority throwing sticks and stones left and right without considering the consequences?
Let’s all agree on one thing: being sincere to the principle of the separation of powers of legislative, executive and judicial branches of the government.
