Comments on: Legislators Have No Business In Turkey

By: Zippo

Zippo — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:35:05 +0000

ACLU is doing something useful sometimes.

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/131025213.html

By: Mehmet

Mehmet — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 21:04:30 +0000

You hungry little America needs economy of Turkey to fix your problems. You has problems with Islamophobia, that is why you Idoho peoples lose money.

By: ProudKAZ

ProudKAZ — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 08:39:34 +0000

So what another FREE trip to Turkey for politicians, academia and media by the Gulen Movement (yawn)
http://www.gulenpoliticians.blogspot.com

I was wondering where the $6 million on travel expenses for the last 3 years tax returns of Cosmos Education dba Harmony Science Academy were going?

Then there is the Pelican Education Foundation which oversees the Gulen Charter schools in Louisana (one of which was just taken back by the state board of education because of bribes by the school- surprise surprise)
They had $1.7 million for 2009 taxes. You can check out their 990 tax returns for free at http://www.guidestar.com
learn where your educational tax money is going.

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 23:14:03 +0000

When Max told them he wouldn’t give them the recipe for Tandoori chicken and Naan, how else were they going to get it? And on someone else’s dime?, it’s a no-brainer!!

By: gmt123

gmt123 — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 19:03:49 +0000

PS – The bill was introduced by the Senate State Affairs Committee led by Sen. Curt McKenzie. Several members on that committee have been on Turkey trips.
http://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2011/Journals/sday67.pdf#xml=http://legislature.search.idaho.gov/isysquery/b3bd9c04-d10e-482e-ad4a-8442ac7092d1/3/hilite/

By: gmt123

gmt123 — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:48:12 +0000

The trip was sponsored by the Pacifica Institute. Here’s what a 2008 diplomatic cable stated: “The [Pacifica Institute] organizers readily acknowledged being affiliated with the Gulen Movement.”

http://wikileaks.org/cable/2008/09/08ISTANBUL487.html

What would the reaction be if the the Moonies or Scientologists or any other cult-like religious group sponsored similar GUIDED (= propaganda opportunity) trips to public officials under the cover of an organization which described itself falsely?

By: Zippo

Zippo — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:51:24 +0000

“Hidden agenda” is a huge thing in many of the hijacked school systems all over the country. Perhaps the Ottoman’s will expand to America too. I’m sure you can find enough libs and foreigners to let them.

Great clips Clancy. I wonder what the Turks think of the local dominant religion?

I must turn off my transmitter now, the Turkish Police and American SS have stopped at my building with an antenna truck.

By: IdahoCrystal

IdahoCrystal — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:38:12 +0000

I really appreciate getting this information and the different perspectives provided. My personal opinion on trips falls under the ‘if-your-title-doesn’t-contain-the-words-foreign-diplomat,-then-your-focus-should-remain-here’ line of thinking. I also believe that the laws are ‘adjusted’ to accomodate those making the laws – where ‘gifts’ for the majority of public servants must be politely refused because they can’t benefit personally from their position, ‘gifts’ that can be made to look work-related for elected officals are accepted all the time. Sheesh, most federal & state employees can’t even accept the free-w/purchase stuff even when it’s just a coffee mug thrown in with what they had to buy.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:22:50 +0000

I think every public official needs to post his expenses paid for by taxpayers when they travel on our dime air fare, rental cars, meals, tips and gratuities etc.

Additionally, a trip report to the public explaining the purpose of the trip and why it could not be handled via non-travel means such as, the telephone, fax, tele-conference or even a USPS letter.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:59:48 +0000

Looks like a complex deal. One the surface it is just about promoting multi-cultralism. But Looks like a long slow movement to promote the ideas of the Gulen movement that some say is cult.

Many states have looked into the ethics of these trips.
http://turkishinvitations.weebly.com/ethics-concerns-public-officials-turkey-trips.html
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/localnews/A-G—No-conflict-in-trips-to-Turkey

And even passed legislation recognizing these organizaitons including Idaho.
http://turkishinvitations.weebly.com/gulenist-state-resolutions.html
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/SR102.pdf I can’t find the sponsor.

Looks like Charter schools are a major activity for the Gulen movement and a way to spread their word.
http://www.hawaiifreepress.com/main/ArticlesMain/tabid/56/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3871/Gulen-Cult-Legislators-to-welcome-ldquoUgly-Unionbustingrdquo-to-Hawaii-schools.aspx
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/hidden-agenda/Content?oid=1694764

EDITOR NOTE–As always we appreciate the additional insight from Clancy, our “resident researcher.”