That evil little pig
Written by Johan on June 18, 2006 – 9:07 pmTurkey wishes to join the European Union and negotiations are underway. The idea is that if Turkey becomes more democratic they’ll be allowed to join, and this should make Turkey reform. From Brussells we often hear that this is going fairly well, and from the staunch EU friends (including all the centre-right parties in Sweden) Turkish membership is highly uncontroversial. This would be a reasonable position if Turkey was indeed a decent democracy, or at the very least if it was quickly becoming one. Removing the optimistic glasses one might be a bit doubtful that they are though. A thorough and honest discussion on the genocide of the Armenians is still not possible, and among the reforms there are things that does make one wonder.
Reuters inform us of a decision made by the Turkish government controlled television channel TRT: the barring of … wait for it … Winnie the Pooh! Oh such terror if the Turkish children were to enjoy the cute little bear. The reason, appearently, is the most evil character of them all: Piglet. Yes, that’s right. The pessimistic little pig is too much for the TRT. After all, we can’t have children watching a pig do clever things, can we? Oh god no.
Perhaps we should wait a little while before making Turkey a member of the EU, eh?
(Thanks to Peder Hyllengren for the heads up)
Posted in International | 3 Comments »
June 26th, 2006 at 3:57 am
There is no doubt that Turkey’s inclusion would create a new set of problems. However, to assume her exclusion as a better alternative is simplistic at the best, and down right dangerous for the European future at the worst.
I for one prefere Turkey, as the secular Islamic nation with the democracy, as our bumper or bridge, if you will, between us and that wild, wild East rather than face the consequences of having Islamic theocracy there. One should not forget the symbolic value that this inclusion would bring, and it certainly would go a long way to demonstrate to those of East of Turkey that coexistance is not only possibility but a doable fact. One could consider it as a pre-emptive strike of sorts.
June 26th, 2006 at 3:59 am
east of Turkey = east from Turkey…pardon my Finnish!
June 26th, 2006 at 11:45 am
Sure, inclusion may have those advantages. And I’m by no means advocating categorical inclusion. But if including Turkey is to work as a way to tempt Turkey to democracy the EU needs to actually follow up on their demands and those wanting a Turkish membership in the long run would need to critisise Turkey when it’s warranted.
Also I think to get those proof of co-existence effects it’s necessary to make sure the EU shows it means what it says. Otherwise islamists will just take it as another sign that decadent westernas are all talk and no walk, and that’s a dangerous notion already well spread.