In final response to Ex-Dhimmi

Submitted by Ömer (Turkey), May 21, 2007 at 15:37

> "Falsafa wa hoqooq".

Philosophy and (quasi-religious) law, presumably? Regrettably, my Arabic is indeed quite poor. I would be foolish to argue otherwise. But to argue that Turkish is Arabic, as you essentially do, is very poor linguistics.

> "and i bet you there are"

Would seem to be an adequate summary of your debating ability. I'm curious, just how old are you?

> Shame on you for such comment that only dehumanize your victims. Shame....shame....shame

If I understand you correctly, if I state that I do not know of any top-rank Armenian jurists or philosophers, I am dehumanising Armenians as a race? (See my comments on the Turks' versions below). So when Napoleon stated that the Brits were a nation of shop-keepers, he was dehumanising them? So if I state that there were no great Turkish philosophers either, I am a) dehumanising myself or b) exposing my own self-hate? Please.

> "And would you agree with me that most Greeks and Romans were not the likes of Plato, Aristotle, Plotinus, Virgil or Homer just to name a few and what is wrong with not being a philosopher or a jurist?

Civilisations cannot exist without thought, though that may be hard for you to appreciate, since your idea of a discourse is apparently stuck at agit-prop. I would say that jurists and philosophers are crucial to civilisation.

> And you know what? You ain't one either!And you know what? You ain't one either!"

Your need to turn a discussion from a forensic study of the matter at hand into a personal slinging match is why, as I post elsewhere, I doubt whether anything can be discussed with you.

> Now let me paraphrase your question: Could you name some Turks that were philosophers and jurists? Well I can name you a few that can make good baklava and doner kebab! A Turk who is a faylasoof or Qadi? No.

Far be it for me to claim that Turkish "civilisation" is or ever was a shining light to the nations. The Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Indians and indeed Arabs, and latterly Europeans in general have been far more important. But that of course was never my claim. Turkish philosophers ("filozoflar") pale before the greats, and "kadis" are now irrelevant. And yes, we invented Turkish delight. I think. And maybe yoghurt and possibly cigarettes. So?

Ex-dhimmi, I really do not know what motivates you other than a willingness to act as a gadfly. Gadflies, however annoying, are useful in every society. But I would suggest that satire is a better and more memorable tool than burlesque.

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