Turkey and the US led anti-IS coalition: Ankara is doing more than People Think
Turkey Wonk: Nuclear and Political Musings in Turkey and Beyond
My apologies. I am traveling this week and don’t have time to write a proper post. However, I wanted to get a few thoughts on paper about Turkey’s role in the US led anti-IS air campaign in Syria and Iraq.
Turkey’s policy vis-à-vis ISIS has always been relatively clear. Ankara has not supported the group and has thought of it as a terror organization for 1.5 years. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, for example, has criticized Sayyid Qutb’s ideology and believes that his understanding of Islam is incorrect. Davutoglu, who is the architect of Turkish foreign policy, argues that Qutb’s understanding of Islam is too heavily influenced by Western political theories. These theories, he argues, are incongruent with the concept of Dar al Islam, which is a better source of political legitimacy in the Arab/Muslim world. Thus, any suggestions that the AKP supports IS because of an overlap in religious points…
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Nick Clegg bends when kept in Cameron’s back pocket, buyers claim
(satire?)
Several people who bought Nick Clegg’s promises at the last election are claiming that the leader of the Liberal Democrats is prone to becoming bent when carried in his coalition partner’s pocket.
Some dissatisfied Lib Dem voters have posted photos on social media sites that appear to show Mr Clegg bent and warped out of all recognition after being carried around for over 4 years in David Cameron’s back trouser pocket.
It is not yet clear if it is Mr Clegg’s new ministerial outer covering that is making him particularly vulnerable to being bent.
Experts say the Liberal Democrats should offer compensation if it emerged that there had been a “faulty batch” of Lib Dem pledges, and the party should also be prepared to replace its broken promises to any dissatisfied voters who bought them.
But Chris Green, principal technology analyst at the advisory service Davies Murphy Group, thought that the Liberal Democrats should take a different tack:
“This just illustrates the fact…
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Pabst Brewing Sold to Russian Beverage Firm – Russian “mafia” now owns Pabst+
In addition to its namesake Pabst Blue Ribbon, the company makes Colt 45, Old Milwaukee and Schlitz, as well as regional brands such as Lone Star, Rainier, National Bohemian, Olympia, Old Style and Stroh’s.
please, leave the car and take a bike !
US launches air strikes against IKEA
(satire?)
The US has stepped up its war against the radical home furnishings group, IKEA, launching air strikes on targets in its retail division for the first time.
The Pentagon press secretary, rear admiral John Kirby, confirmed that the US and allied nations sent fighter jets, bomber aircraft and Tomahawk missiles in an operation against IKEA stores and depots that he described as “ongoing”.
Tensions have been increasing between the west and the retailing conglomerate since shocking reports of the Swedish home products company brutal treatment of home furnishings were exposed.
In a speech, President Obama accused the organisation of being a threat to western interests, with an aggressive expansionist plan by the furniture giant to create a pine furnishings caliphate in which all furnishings will be forced to conform to its extremist brand of light-coloured, bland wooden furniture
IKEA leaders have responded with videos and photographs of horrific displays of rooms decorated with cheap self-assembly furnishings and threatened a massive retaliation…
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Owl Watercolor, front view
This Telegraph article about Emma Watson has just murdered satire in cold blood
Wish this was unbelievable – hope Daily Telegraph writer is hoisted on their own… sheesh!
(not satire – it’s the Daily Telegraph!)
I am livid.
How on earth are satirists supposed to compete when Daily Telegraph feature writers are coming up with gems like this:
Emma Watson hits a high note with gender equality speech – and her wardrobe choices
As a piece of hard-hitting satire the article is hilarious.
The only problem is that it’s supposed to be serious.
Here are a few extracts:
“The new UN Women Goodwill Ambassador made waves with her speech on gender equality in New York – and her sophisticated wardrobe.”
“You’ve been called up to address the secretary -general of the United Nations and a host of ‘distinguished guests’ with your one-of-a-kind mission to stop gender inequality. So what on earth do you wear?”
“The 24-year-old made clear her stance on being a feminist – in a dress choice that was as eloquent and…
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Why our brains are wired to ignore climate change and what to do about it | George Marshall | Comment is free | The Guardian
So if we are to really mobilise action on climate change it is vital that we recognise that it exists in two forms: the scientific facts and the far more potent social facts of constructed narratives or deliberate silence. It is the latter that provide the basis on which we accept, deny or ignore the issue, reinforced by our innate need to conform to the norm within our social group.
However, seen in this light, the situation is far from hopeless. Like the cycles that govern global energy and carbon systems, public attitudes are subject to positive feedback effects that can amplify small changes and result in rapid shifts. Strong visible protest and increased media coverage can break the climate silence and create wider engagement. Above all, though, we need to recognise that the narrative we choose will shape what happens from now on. We may continue to fall back on our need for an enemy. But the very best story would be a one of common purpose, based around our shared humanity.
Jumping for joy – celebrating dance in New York City
A dancer poses for a photograph as part of the “Dance as Art” photo project in Times Square in New York City. The project is a celebration of dancers and their place in the New York experience. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

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