'The Controversity'

In response to:IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUSES,LOUIS ALTHUSSER:A REMINDER (2)

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:13:42 +0100

Luca the problem is I could not possibly discuss Cyprus without showing emotion and it would not be a very objective view point. I have strong emotional ties with that particular country as well as certain experiences. For me,reading the above text for example Ideological State Apparatuses or theory,it is an issue of ideas,concepts and preciesely IDEOLOGY which we must discuss and find peace in. For example,Religion,race,gender,class,ethnicity,historical fact/fiction,consumerism,culturalism or nationalism,colonialism,the idea of what freedom,idependance and national identity, is. The pursuit of happiness,values,principles,tolerance and justice,a struggle for the democratic rights of all fractions of society. To be able to speak about an open,transparent society where everyone can at least exist together without harming eachother. This is the battle. In the end this has nothing to do with my ethnicity or yours but the very subject I have read above.

I am reading a poetry book at the moment which discusses many of the issues I have mentioned above. It is interesting how artists/writers/film makers/muscians and others of creative practice choose to represent these issues and this is what I am working on reading and writing at the moment.

In response to:IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUSES,LOUIS ALTHUSSER:A REMINDER (2)

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:17:59 +0100

Oh no it's not that I had a certain impression of you because of your ethnicity it is quite opposite, I thought that a person like you, which speaks so much about rights, democracy and improving the world, could not find an easy way in Turkish Cyprus which did not seem to me to be exactly a so ''open'' society. About the Greek part, just to say one thing, a few weeks ago there was a Catholic-Orthodox hierarchies meeting in Greek Cyprus. Some Orthodox people went there to express their disappointment about this dialogue with Catholic hierarchies, and they were arrested by the police. We will see the future develpments...

In response to:IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUSES,LOUIS ALTHUSSER:A REMINDER (2)

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:35:07 +0100

:) I am always ready to give a speech :))

Sorry to hear about your crisis,we all have them and then we find hope and happiness. I don't follow the EU much as I find them a very economic bloc with nothing to offer our struggle for change in society.

Yes,maybe you got a certain impression of me because of my ethnicity but I think I have proven who I am and the values I give importance to. Cyprus is something I do not want to speak about particulary because according to my observations while I was there mentalities do not understand my concern about Freedom of Speech/expression. In a very rare statement,I will say that both sides in Cyprus have these repressive forces and possibly a huge factor for why there still has not been a solution to the problems. For example,the Greek Cypriots are very fanatically religious and I see it as repressive force as well as there hateful racism and the fact that they still seem very bitter about the situation which prevents them from seeing our common humanity.Meanwhile,Turkish Cypriots are under repression from the military and poltical forces in Turkey. When there will be a certain independance from the authority of Turkey then there will be change(which in no way means to say I dislike Turkey or Turkish common people or that I don't have a certain connection to their culture). Recently,there has been an interest for money possesions and selfishness also in that area,I call it the appearance and illusion of wealth. Of course,in a closed up isolated part of the island it has big consequences. In general though,I am not at all happy with Cyprus. In fact,I see it as just another place with the same problems that must be discussed,debated and solutions to be found. I believe in peace,democracy and reconcilation,not only in Cyprus but in all parts of the world with conflict. As I said before NATIONALISM AND EXTREAME RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGY must be abandoned for it to be possible.

My blog is very much international :)

You are very welcome anytime.

see you.

In response to:IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUSES,LOUIS ALTHUSSER:A REMINDER (2)

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:48:56 +0100

Thank you very much for the nice speech. About me, I had a personal crisis in this summer but I am now recovering. Just yesterday the new treaty of the European Union entered into force. The first time I saw your blog I thought that a person like you could not find an easy way in Turkish Cyprus. However, reading this today, I think you are right when you say that repressive forces are present, though in different ways, in every society and that we must fight for freedom and knowledge wherever we are. Also, the world is interconnected and solutions to the problems of a part of the world may come from another part. For example, stabilisation of the Balkan area may be helped by the new European treaty, and so on. That's also why I am still around international blogs :) See you

In response to:IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUSES,LOUIS ALTHUSSER:A REMINDER (2)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:29:33 +0100

Luca great to see you back. I was wondering where you were. As you can see I continued on with promoting some important organizations,occasionally providing my own views on some areas of importance to me.

Right now I am in England continuing with my studies. It is raining all the time :) I have a completely different life and have changed into a more peaceful person with a lot of motivation and confidence in what I am doing. I wake up studying,drink plenty of coffee,go to class,library and go shopping in the afternoon and meet people of many cultures around the world. I eat different things and study until I fall asleep. It's good though,I plan to stay here as long as possible.

Freedom of speech is something which I care deeply about. One of those things I would battle to the death for. I believe everyone should have a right to express themselves creatively and through various mediums. But everyone has to be willing to discuss,debate and find a common ground. It is what I am reading on...We are made up of different ideologies. Therefore,no one is right,wrong,better or bad...If we can understand this then the state of humans will become much better all around the world. In a sense,through all our endeavours...It is the aim...betterment of individual life,communities, and the world. This is my aim no matter what work or studies I am engaged in. It is a battle against the repressive authoritarian forces in place in society whose aim is to further this direction which has brought innocent peoples oppression,pain and suffering,those minds that spread fear,hate and selfishness,those who preach a better life with money,possesions and distrust of our humanity who we wage a battle against. So,I am here preparing myself for the continuation of this path which will bring many more battles along the way :)

Hope to hear about you,your ideas or suggestions on what I could write about,research or direction of this blog. I give a great importance to reader feedback,complaints,suggestions and requests.

In response to:IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUSES,LOUIS ALTHUSSER:A REMINDER (2)

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:24:10 +0100

Hey we knew each other a little bit on blogs, later I deleted my Italian blog... but I remember that some of your battles were really worth and especially freedom of expression!!! Which news from your part??? See you. Luca

In response to:Amnesty International:South Korea

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:39:33 +0100

Thank you Alec. I have seen that blog and tried commenting on something. We had a discussion where he was quite rude ,then the next day he deleted the comments. While asking for free speech you also have to be willing to give others a chance to speak and
disagree when they want. So,with that I got the message that the blog isn't open to discussion.

Basically my view remains that the maps they show above are a bit exaggerated. According to the maps,they plan to establish Kurdistan in the whole South Eastern part of Turkey,which then continues through Iraq,Syria and Iran. I don't know how that will be possible and I certainly do not think anyone will be willing to give up any part of their land. What extreamist/fanatic Kurds do through the Kurdistan Workers Party(PKK) is promote Kurdish nationalism and engage in violent acts of resistance especially in Turkey. I may be a bit biased on the issue but I do not agree with this PKK movement as they usually target innocent civilians in Turkey. However,I am aware that the Turkish armed forces are not angels either. Neither do I believe that a good enough democracy and the kind of freedom for them exists in Turkey and the region. Therefore,I think there should be discussions and attempts to solve their problems peacefully which would benefit all. Possibly with the help of organizations such as Amnesty.

Kurds may feel a need for more independance,rights and freedoms but the fact that what they are asking for takes away innocent lives,freedoms and rights of others is not acceptable at all. I am in favour of a peaceful solution and an ABANDONMENT OF NATIONALISM (AND IF POSSIBLE EXTREAME RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGY) FROM THAT PARTICULAR REGION OF CONFLICT.

This is a very current issue I think and will be watching on further later.

I will also bring my readers up to date on another issue...that is the human rights violations in the other part of Korea...north korea and their problems with basic human rights...

thank you...back soon

In response to:Amnesty International:South Korea

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:51:01 +0100

I wish you all the best with you blog.

There is also an East Kurd blog on Blog,co.uk which is very interesting. Kurds do get a raw deal in Turkey with many killed.

But your question is pertinent. One coutry's gain is another's loss.

Also you are right about the Amnesty report on the exploitation of migrant workers. If Amnesty don't draw attention to the issue, who else will?

In response to:Amnesty International:South Korea

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:03:20 +0100

Ok. I looked at these maps. Very interesting. Question I want to ask you my friend. In the maps Kurdistan cuts through Turkey,through Iraq and goes through the borders of some important states. How do the Kurds plan to achieve this? Politically-diplomatically?or through war? How will it happen? and why are Kurds not happy with their current status?

In response to:Amnesty International:South Korea

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:55:53 +0100

For kurdistan map:just copy the link

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4A7bY24I0Yc/R9klRZGLx8I/AAAAAAAAAl8/FNzop4fxtyo/s400/kurdistan_map.jpg
http://northerniraq.info/maps/albums/userpics/10001/democracy_turkey_kurdistan.jpg
http://northerniraq.info/maps/albums/userpics/10001/normal_kurdistanmap2.jpg
http://www.tothepointnews.com/images/stories/kurdistan_map3.jpg
http://vsotirovic.home.mruni.lt/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/newroza_kurdistan.jpg

In response to:Amnesty International:South Korea

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:42:13 +0100

Looking back at Amnesty's history,one would get the idea that its work is only limited to a certain area of human rights. However,the loss of effectivity,according to some,came when they widened their area of work and started working with the lot of it. Unfortunately,the state of human rights around the world is in such terrible state that a human rights organization seriously would not be able to distinguish which cases to deal with and which of them to leave to other human rights organizations.

Others may have different views but I think this issue of degrading humans:'workers in South Korea are beaten, trafficked for sexual exploitation and denied their wages for long periods despite the introduction of rules to protect their rights' is a serious human rights problem. The problem may arise that the matter of migrant workers and their labour condtions is a huge problem all around the world (South Korea being one of the worst cases). What I think should be done is a better control and implementation of international laws on the matter. So,while exploiting South Korea on the matter human rights organizations all around the world should also be investigating other countries for similar abuses.

In the long run this does not have anything to do with a 'perfect world' or 'utopia' but to help make the lives of struggling people who are subject to such abuse while working with the hope of making the necessary money to keep alive! Amnesty is here To remind us that the values,integrity,respect and care for each human should be kept at its highest. No one deserves to be treated in this way. And if other human rights organizations do have a better grip on such matters,it does not mean that Amnesty should not work on it but rather that they get help from all human rights organizations who can help implement such laws on the areas which have such problems.

So Yes in our globalized/capitalized world ,labour,labouring conditions and rights of workers are a big issue which must be addressed.

Sorry,I could not attend the Amnesty meeting I was supposed to last night to bring perpectives of other members but I will keep you all informed and try to attend in the future.

Thanks.

In response to:Amnesty International:South Korea

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:44:18 +0100

There was a time when Amnesty worked well and effectively to protect the rights of prisoners of conscience. While it is no doubt very interesting to monitor the failure of the South Korean government to create a perfect world in which all their laws are always obeyed at all times, I wish Amnesty would concentrate on doing well what they are good at and leave this kind of thing to organisations which are able to get to grips with the issues because they specialise in them. Mission creep is nerv good in the long run.

In response to:Music Break:Tracy Chapman

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:47:08 +0200

yeah,much more meaningful songs than black eyed peas,pussycat dolls,beyonce or britney right? or u might want to try lady gaga lol...lets see what I feel like listening to next...

In response to:Music Break:Tracy Chapman

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:48:25 +0200

She is great.. I love all of her songs :)

In response to:Article and Discussion on Human Euthanasia by Mahjabeen Hassan

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:59:31 +0200

Yes,I wrote about religion awhile back(you can find my views on religion somewhere in this blog also! . Certainly all religious people do not have the same ideas. Not only on euthanasia but some of the most crucial moral issues are also the subject of much debate amongst believers. This could have something to do with the fact that the bible is a book. As all books with readers,the readers may have different interpretation,views,understanding and give a different meaning on what is written in there.

Most religious people believe that matters of life,death and after life are directly related to god and religion(of course,the degree of how much and which areas of it are related are debated) and this is why they associate a topic such as euthanasia to religion. As I stated before I do not agree with the debate being a religious one...

If I remember correctly,I had argued the point of human responsibility on the matter. I mean to say...According to my understanding and common sense,if a person is very ill,in pain,with no cure,no treatment and is causing sadness and difficulty for all,all including the patient,must AGREE to a euthanasia solution to be taken. The methods and various other details must be debated within the medical community. I agree that this should be done in order for better care of those patients who do have a chance to live and to better treat them.

It is no matter which prespective you take a very sad subject...

In response to:Article and Discussion on Human Euthanasia by Mahjabeen Hassan

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:06:37 +0200

I would like to make a point here.
Not every faithful religious person is opposed to legalizing euthanasia in fact many of us can see that as stated by another blogger god does not have anything to do with the time and place you die, if you pay any attention to the bible instead of flying of the handle you would know this. Euthanasia can be used to alleviate pain to the seriously ill. Not only pain to the patient but also the patient's family. And what about the new patients that could then be taken into the hospital and treated. There are thousands of people dying every year waiting for life saving treatment while those that are incurable are laying in a hospital bed until their excruciating condition takes over and they die.

In response to:Music Break 2:Lenny Kravitz

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:04:14 +0200

Yeah,Lenny Kravtiz is great! Older generation Rockers wouldn't agree though. Even my mum who was a rocker 'back in the days' says today's rock musicians are nothing comapred to what she used to listen to Jimi Hendrix,Ted Nugent,Led Zeppelin,Fleetwood Mac,Queen,Rolling Stones etc etc so she makes fun of my music :)

By the way,your photography rocks! You really have talent in it. Thanks for the comment....Back after the break...

In response to:Music Break 2:Lenny Kravitz

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:08:27 +0200

now thats-ROCK & ROLL!

In response to:Book Review Sunday:HOW TO WRITE A BOOK REVIEW

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:07:53 +0200

Thank you for the great article. It was very helpful. Good writing tips are crucial.

In response to:Euthanasia:THE HUMAN ALIVE!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:45:41 +0200

Thank you very much, this was a position of great equilibrium and most of all you helped people to think about it!

In response to:Feminism:Quiet Rumours by Lynne Farrow,Rebel Press(2)

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:44:00 +0200

A bit of local wisdom from an Ukrainian priest yesterday: before feminism, the man was master and the woman was servant. After feminism, they have both become master. Instead, the thing to do would have been to become both servants :)

In response to:ESSAY :)

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:14:10 +0200

Yes,I certainly will be discussing hyperreality as it is very relavent to Philip K. Dick's novel. In fact,that quote expalins our modern and postmodern dilemma perfectly. I will also watch the film again this week for things that I may have missed. The essay must be perfect. I apologize in advance that I will not post the whole essay becuase I will send it somewhere. After I send it,and have it approved,I will certianly think of posting it. Thanks Seasideman.

In response to:ESSAY :)

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:58:12 +0200

As Baudrillard put it, “In our virtual world, the question of the real, the referent, of the subject and its object can no longer even be posed”

I hope you will be discussing hyperreality...

In response to:Article and Discussion on Human Euthanasia by Mahjabeen Hassan

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:49:37 +0200

I am gathering up my thoughts on the issue. The person who will receive Euthanasia must agree to it. Although it also confuses me if a person's loved one who can no longer watch the pain of the person they love decides to take it in their own hands. We must think about it some more because some say in articles I have read that the doctor's job is to keep that person alive until they die due to some kind of organ failure or natural cause. This is the oath they have taken some say,not to kill them.The rational ones who oppose it say they are the protectors of human life.

I am serious about this subject and now because I have dificulty with making my decision on my views. First time on this blog this has happend...Also,I am aware many are watching and I even got an email subsciption to this blog which makes me feel responsible for what I am writing and reminds me to think about the issues more seriously than before. I think I will have book review tomorrow then write my views on Monday.

Have a nice holiday. Hope to see you around when you are back...

In response to:Article and Discussion on Human Euthanasia by Mahjabeen Hassan

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:36:02 +0200

Hey, it took me a very long time to read it all but it really helped me to undersand the problem more deeply. However, my main point is still there: killing is a bad thing if the killed person did not agree to it. But if the killed person asked for it, it is just a matter of respecting his free will about his life! But I have to thank you for your so serious work!

PS I will leave tomorrow to holiday in Ukraine and come back on the web for the end of June! Best greetings to everybody!

In response to:Article and Discussion on Human Euthanasia by Mahjabeen Hassan

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:15:22 +0200

In this article,Mahjabeen Hassan,who I am assuming is not a doctor or medical person,does not explore the medical stand point or the patients point of view at all. In fact,from reading it I understand that he did everything he could to avoid it,the language he used to descibe the cases of euthanasia were all in oppositon. Hassan took the religious arguement. I purposely chose this one. It is a moral and ethical issue. To most human beings this means religion. I posted a religious answer because I want to ask my readers(mainly believers):In some cases will you accept to go beyond religion? and can we put the influence of religion behind us? Can doctors and other related medical people go beyond religion? At least argue about the issue outside of relgious norms and values? In relation to this,I also want to ask my readers can you look beyond the fact that this name Mahjabeen Hassan is a Eastern(Muslim) sounding name although many Western Christians would also choose to answer in the same 'God loving pain' manner? Once we can break away from certain barriers of our mind,then we will have a healthy discussion about facts,ideas and views according to human truths.

Yes,this article is a perfect example on most of the articles I found but it is a perfect example of how the topic should not be debated. As for my views:I will write them very soon...Thanks for visiting..

In response to:Article and Discussion on Human Euthanasia by Mahjabeen Hassan

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:32:04 +0200

Hassan argues that doctors, whose role is to help, should not be tasked with deciding if a patients life is worth living. However, he fails to acknowledge that doctors can determine when palliative care is exhausted, and the fact that many pro-euthanasia activists propose careful assessment by a psychologist alongside the doctor, to determine if the euthanasia applicant is in a sane/stable state of mind to make the decision themselves. Hassan contradicts himself on numerous occasions, such as in one paragraph, he impassionately calls Jack Kevorkian (an infamous euthanasia supporter) a lunatic murderer, then states how Kevorkian simply helped others to commit suicide. Another example of this is his use of Nazi Germany's intentionally mislabeled 'euthanasia program' in persuasion against euthanasia, despite having earlier defined euthanasia as killing in compassion/helping someone to die, thus contradicting that Nazi Germany's actions were in fact euthanasia at all. A final, yet potent addition to these contradictions is Hassan's statement in defense of illegal euthanasia “Medical advances in recent years have made it possible to keep terminally ill people alive for (sic) beyond a length of time even if it is without any hope of recovery or improvement”, conflicts with his religiously charged mention that “...such an action (euthanasia) on the part of a person is to be considered as a rejection of God's sovereignty and loving plan”, as it is highly controversial whether medical science “unnaturally” extending lives (Hassan's defense), can be part of “gods loving plan”.

In response to:Yeah,For the Record....

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:03:08 +0200

Exactly,analyzing what is going on around the world also means listening to everyone's point of view,analyzing our own experiences,carefully and in an informed manner coming up with our own ideas,thoughts and opinions. This is part of what I am practicing here in this blog. We must practice what we preach! It is undoubtedly depressing and many people who critisize world affairs and injustice are called pessimists because some see this mission of change and improvement as impossible endevours. However,I only called this particular issue as depressing because it about illness and death. Of course,it is not something you want to think of very often as we are busy living. I find death a difficult topic to write about.

Have a good time in your holidays. I look forward to hearing about your travels :)

In response to:Yeah,For the Record....

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:38:23 +0200

Yeah, unfortunately, if we want to improve the worlds, we must take a look at what is not going well in it, and this may in facts be depressing. However, also about European affairs, the next week I will leave for a holiday in Ukraine, maybe I will find some also to write in English about it! See you

In response to:Yeah,For the Record....

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:21:29 +0200

Hmmmm...This is a controversial topic and a depressing one! I think it is called or related to the topic of Euthanasia? It seems the arguements as you have mentioned an order from the Pope,will at some point be linked to religion. Can you imagine?the Pope has the ultimate authority when it comes to moral issues in society. In this case authority over the medical community. This is interesting. You have reminded me to focus more on European affairs,maybe at some point I'll get to the controversial topics in the U.K...But I will try to keep it as global as possible. I'll have a look about this issue. Hope the election goes well. Thanks.