Turkish Official Compares George Bush to Hitler

[MapleBear]

This is why it matters. Philosophers may doubt the reality of evil, but the vast majority of humankind know what it is. Nor does the Bush administration seem to think being compared to Hitler is a triviality. The Bush regime usually protests such insults vigorously, often throwing in a few threats.

I think this particular individual went overboard in claiming that Bush is WORSE than Hitler. But I appreciate his comments nonetheless.

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.htm...143&sid=5366150

[Tawasakm]

You are duplicating the topic MapleBear. Perhaps this should have been added to your Bush is Evil thread rather then in a new thread.

[kimmy]

"The occupation has turned into barbarism," Friday's Yeni Safak newspaper quoted Mehmet Elkatmis, head of parliament's human rights commission, as saying. "The U.S. administration is committing genocide...in Iraq.

"Never in human history have such genocide and cruelty been witnessed. Such a genocide was never seen in the time of the pharoahs (of ancient Egypt), nor of Hitler nor of (Italy's fascist leader Benito) Mussolini," he said.

Given some of the events since the occupation, particularly those in Abu Ghraib prison, barbarism is certainly a charge that can be made. And of course, the charge of imperialism has been discussed extensively and probably will be debated by future generations.

But genocide? The worst genocide in human history? I don't think even the harshest critics of Bush would characterize anything happening in Iraq as genocide. Genocide against whom? In my opinion, Mr Elkatmis completely jumped the rails and made himself look like a kook with that claim.

-kimmy

[Tawasakm]

I don't actually know much about Turkish affairs but I would theorise that what they (well the government at least) are really concerned about is a Kurdish separatist movement. If the Kurds in Iraq try for (or succeed) in gaining independence from Baghdad then their own Kurdish population may join the movement - destabilising their country. It would seem to me that the Turkish government must really be wanting US forces to maintain control over Iraq since any big outbreaks of chaos could allow the Kurds that opportunity. Which must really place them in an awkward position given public opinion of the US.

[Guest eureka]

Unfortunately, there is a case to be made for genocide. The aims of the US government do fit into the definition: the physical destruction of a people is not the sole criterion.

[Argus]

This is why it matters. Philosophers may doubt the reality of evil, but the vast majority of humankind know what it is.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of humankind are _ignorant_. Appallingly ignorant by any intelligent standards.

So this Turk(!) dares to accuse the US of genocide, does he? Let me quote from his statement:

"Never in human history have such genocide and cruelty been witnessed. Such a genocide was never seen in the time of the pharoahs (of ancient Egypt), nor of Hitler nor of (Italy's fascist leader Benito) Mussolini," he said."

What ignorance! What rabid stupidity! To compare the few thousand killed in fighting in Iraq to the millions who died in Nazi concentration camps - and find it worse! To suggest this - THIS is the worst "genocide and cruelty" ever witnessed - worse than the Cambodian killing fields! - than the deliberate starvation of millions in the Ukraine! - or, for that matter, worse than the slaughter of Armenians, the actual genocide Turkey commited on hundreds of thousands of Armenians earlier in this century, a crime for which Turkey continues to refuse to acknowledge in any way.

For that matter, would anyone like to discuss Turkey's brutal repression of its Kurdish minority, and the estimated tens of thousands it has killed over the last decade in a vicious clampdown on human rights and seperatist sentiment?

Bah. All this moronic fool demonstrates is the ignorance and self-righteous hypocrisy of many Muslims - in their anger over non-Muslims daring to take any violent action - however justified, however needed - against fellow Muslims. And, of course, it also exemplifies the ignorance of those who criticise the Americans so blindly, without the slightest context or understanding of world events, geopolitics or history.

[Argus]

Unfortunately, there is a case to be made for genocide.

Not as good as the case to be made for Elvis still being alive.

The aims of the US government do fit into the definition:

No, they actually don't.

[Argus]

Given some of the events since the occupation, particularly those in Abu Ghraib prison, barbarism is certainly a charge that can be made.

By a Turk!? The term "turkish prison" is not exactly synonymous with respect and kindly restraint, you know. In fact, by the standards of the Turks the Americans are the gentlest and most kindly of captors.

[MapleBear]

You are duplicating the topic MapleBear. Perhaps this should have been added to your Bush is Evil thread rather then in a new thread.

New thread? Perhaps, but that thread has been turned into "Can anyone but Hitler be evil?" thread. I thought it was time for a new perspective.

Yes, the Turks could be called hypocrites when they've flirted with genocide themselves. On the other hand, a nation's crimes doesn't deprive individuals of the right to speak out. Thus, I could be called a hypocrite for criticizing repressive Russian policies when I'm a U.S. citizen - resident of a repressive nation.

But I recognize the problems in both countries.

[Tawasakm]

New thread? Perhaps, but that thread has been turned into "Can anyone but Hitler be evil?" thread. I thought it was time for a new perspective.

Part of your justification for posing the question of how evil Bush is was the comments of world leaders and others. I thought this was a very natural progression of that argument. Given that I thought you should have added this to the other thread. As it is now your topic is broken up. Its not anything of great concern - simply that topics are easier for people to follow and debate on if they aren't duplicated/broken up.

Probably too late now anyway. I just hope you don't intend to break up your future arguments on one topic into multiple threads. Bear in mind that this is only my take on it.