A Turkish “reader” sent us the following email, including the links and the picture which he found here.

From: <admin@security-turk.com>
Date: Fri, May 9, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Subject: Warning!
To: webmaster@brusselsjournal.com

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Some bits in the mosaic of our time are overlooked because we look for boulders. This column presents issues/ideas that might deserve attention.
 
1. There was a time when Obama’s candidacy seemed to be good news. His reach for the presidency might have brought America a step closer to bridging her racial divide. Thanks to Wright and especially Obama’s handling of the case, the splendid opportunity is lost. The primaries suggest that, no matter what, Blacks support unconditionally anyone they designate as their own. If true, this attitude makes color decisive and race into a criterion of right and wrong. Meanwhile for many whites, regardless of the matter at hand, it is of paramount importance to prove that they are not racially prejudiced. Despite of what is pretended, these attitudes do not make such groups color blind. At the same time, however, the described predisposition does cloud their perception of racism in a manner that, in the case of whites, would justly be found to be intolerable.

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Some bits in the mosaic of our time are overlooked because we look for boulders. This column presents underrated issues/ideas that might deserve attention.
 
1. Allegedly, fair taxes reflect the assumed ability to pay. Generally, the criteria applied are, however, not economic put political. This makes taxation subject to pressures that might be devoid of much economic sense. At the same time, the principle is reversible. The ability to pay depends, ultimately, on the extent of the taxes levied. Therefore, high taxes ultimately reduce tax revenues

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The Louvre, in its effort to be in tune with the times, has on view an exhibit of works by Belgian "artist" and stage director, Jan Fabre, who makes his fortune on scatophilia and exhibitionism, and whose contempt for quality has earned him praise from audiences and politicians alike.

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Several different polls concur on the low standing of Nicolas Sarkozy among the French people one year after his election. The following is a simplification of the statistics:

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Some of the bits in the mosaic of our time are overlooked because we look for boulders. This column presents underrated issues that might deserve attention.
 
1. About the State of “Nuke Korea.” North Korea seems to get a better deal for disarmament that the old USSR got. Part of the difference – expressed in donations in exchange for unverified disarmament – is explained by a “nut bonus.” Equally dangerous is another divergence. It is the tendency to minimize the problem of consistent non-compliance by treating North Korea as an obnoxious funny midget. In doing so some lose sight of the fact that atomic weapons are our time’s Colt-like “great equalizer.”

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When Ronald Reagan died in June 2004, I wrote:

It's remarkable how European streets, squares and tunnels are named after Democratic presidents (the Kennedy tunnel in Antwerp, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt in Brussels, the Clinton Park in Roeselare), but how reluctant local governments are to pay the same honor to Republican presidents. When, if ever, will there be a Ronald Reagan Square in Belgium?

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Asylum seekers desecrate a Catholic church in Brussels as they re-occupy the Church of the Beguinage. This first occured in 2000, when they trashed the place. Now, with the full permission of the parish priest -- this is, after all, the parish whose biggest event in the year is a Multi-Cultural Picnic in the square in front of the Church.

Outside the Church

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Some of the bits in the mosaic of our time are overlooked because we look for boulders. This column presents underrated issues that might deserve attention.
 
1. As a rule, the discontent of the electorate points at a reverse for the party in power. In the coming US election, this rule might not hold up. The incessant demonization of Bush could doom the Democrats’ White House hopes. For all the real or claimed wrongs ultimately not the Republican candidates but Bush personally might be blamed.

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EUobserver reports that Turkey is to ease curbs on free speech.

The Turkish parliament is likely to pass a bill next week softening a law which sets limits on freedom of speech by criminalising “insults to Turkishness.” One article in the country's penal code - article 301 - currently imposes up to three years in prison for such an insult. The EU has repeatedly called on Turkey to “repeal or amend without delay” the controversial article as a prerequisite to join the bloc.

Imagine the European Parliament passing a bill softening laws which set limits on freedom of speech by criminalising “insults to Islam.” Some European penal laws currently impose up to two years in prison for such an “insult.”…

Some of the bits in the mosaic of our time are overlooked because we look for boulders. This column presents underrated issues that might deserve attention.
 
1. It is safe to predict that American conservatives are destined to develop a liking for McCain. Here a reason. Moscow Times (26 March) tells why a McCain presidency is to be rejected. He represents the “US’ hatred for Russia.” Furthermore, there is no evidence that “he would be willing to alter any important US policy at Europe’s request.” Another posting opines that ultimately his enemies might look back at Bush with “nostalgia.” McCain is found guilty abroad for being a committed conservative.

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The bits in the mosaic of our time are overlooked as we focus on the big chunks. This column presents some issues that might deserve attention.
 
1. Charge and countercharge. Clinton attended the 2005 funeral of a Communist who served the cause from the 30s through 9/11. One that celebrated the Soviet Union (“Black men should associate their hopes with the promises of Socialism”) who went on the street for the atom-spies, the Rosenbergs (guilt confirmed by post Soviet Russia). Would Clinton have taken part if this individual had not been black? Is the answer “unlikely”? If so, what are we to think of the Clintonista charge that if Obama would be white he would not have gotten where he is?

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Network Solutions, an American internet service provider, has closed down the website that the Dutch polician Geert Wilders reserved to post “Fitna,” his 15-minute movie about the Quran. So far, no-one has seen “Fitna,” nor does anyone know what it will be like, although it will be critical of Islam.

Network Solutions says it closed down the site because it received complaints related to the film. Network Solutions also cites technical reasons for suspending the site, including the anticipated “excessive use of services” by onlookers who could overload and crash the site. Apparently this is a problem Network Solutions is incapable of providing network solutions for. Apart from being chicken Network Solutions is clearly also incompetent.

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The bits in the mosaic of our time get overlooked as we focus on the big chunks. This column presents some of the details that might deserve attention.
 
1. Used to quick results, Americans are impatient. Therefore, they wind up as sprinters in marathon runs. Additionally, the Yanks see themselves as being appreciated for services rendered and attribute a high value to “being liked.” The result is that credible threats, are ignored. Therefore, the average American underestimates the hostility directed at his system, his government and his person.

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