I wish ALL Republican Party members could learn about what FASCIST leaders are all about. Themselves alone. I’m so sorry for the Turkish people in this devastation and so much loss. MAYBE they can get rid of this monster.
Excellent article Ruth, on a much lesser note, this brings to mind George Bush’s , another strongman, inability to provide water to Katrina victims holed up in the Superdome ….
I will share this essay on social media in hopes that, by illuminating the weaknesses of authoritarian rule, people will be able to argue against it in an informed manner with their MAGA aligned Fox News friends and family.
I'm grateful for all that Ruth Ben-Ghiat and her cohorts do to educate us.
That his chances of re-election were promising, with 80% inflation and rampant poverty is just incomprehensible. I understand why masses react in this way from your writings, but I really just don't "get it."
Feb 14, 2023·edited Feb 14, 2023Liked by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Lets hope Strongmen Erdogan doesn't plan a surprise in the wake of the disaster to distract from his misrule and corruption. The May Presidential election is fast coming up.
One thing we know is.. he's gonna ruthlessly do whatever it takes to stay in power. Okay Ruth so it sounds like he feels weakened and vulnerable enough to gamble for resurrection? What might that look like? He's already cracking down with a Twitter ban and arrests of perceived enemies and dissidents. He's blaming the whole thing on fate. While trying to change the constitution, might he suspend the elections altogether and declare some kind of marshal law because of the enormity of the disaster? I see violence and repression increasing. Thats his gamble?
Casting the earthquake as a fated abdicates all agency to be prepared for this inevitable event, and for addressing the aftermath. I’d like more coverage above the earthquake tax. It was mentioned early on, and I’ve not seen a wisp of a word since. (Of course I cynically doubted that the funds still existed.)
Correction: add million in paragraph 4; change Antalva to Antalya in paragraph 8.
While traveling and writing THE 1998 FOOTSTEPS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT TOUR, PART 1, my hotel with me in it in southern Turkey felt tremors. I continued to cross the border to Syria on foot, glad to escape the earthquake prone area. As Ruth mentions, 1999 was the last big one in Turkey. it came a year after my exit. This article, Ruth, perfectly illustrates one of your recurring points: Authoritarians don't give a damn about those they rule. Example, Trump and covid. Thank you for reminding us of the selfish cruelty of despotic authoritarians like Ergogan. I hope he loses the coming election.
Exceptional words of truth Ruth! Corruption, greed and ignorance are hallmarks of Erdogan’s government, much like ours here in America! Tragedy, hardship and suffering never bothers authoritarian leaders, a sad reality!
I find it ironic that the guy who came to power 20 years ago because of a botched earthquake response may be swept from power by a botched earthquake response.
Thanks for this excellent summary connecting dots. When I saw the destruction in Turkey/ Syria, the building collapse in Florida and seeing DeSantis try to hold the narrative at the press conferences came to mind. In real-estate construction along with DeSantis, there was Trump. Common threads.
"Passively accepted...." regarding Erodogan's hope in the wake of the earthquakes, reminds me of the GOP wanting us to 'passively accept' with numbness the gun violence on campuses such as MSU last night, on the eve of the anniversary of the Parkland school massacre. They read from the same playbook.
"See humanitarian impulses as weakness" ---- they seek to dismiss and drown out the societal impulse of empathy.
Good thing of technology is we can rapidly reference quotes --- and boomerang these back upon the bad actors. It would be good to have charts to display the splintered opposites these bad actors utilize as they talk out of both sides of their mouths to the world's demise. Good people unite together !!
It's amazing how Erdogan was able to purge the Turkish Army. Since Kemal Ataturk, they were the rock of stability. I think that Turkey and Hungary should be removed from NATO.
I wish ALL Republican Party members could learn about what FASCIST leaders are all about. Themselves alone. I’m so sorry for the Turkish people in this devastation and so much loss. MAYBE they can get rid of this monster.
Heartbreaking, infuriating, and a warning to us in the US
Excellent article Ruth, on a much lesser note, this brings to mind George Bush’s , another strongman, inability to provide water to Katrina victims holed up in the Superdome ….
I will share this essay on social media in hopes that, by illuminating the weaknesses of authoritarian rule, people will be able to argue against it in an informed manner with their MAGA aligned Fox News friends and family.
I'm grateful for all that Ruth Ben-Ghiat and her cohorts do to educate us.
Great article. Just one nit-pick comment on the omission in the sentence below. 13 million?
"Its 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude shocks and heavy aftershocks have affected more than 13 people in Turkey "
That his chances of re-election were promising, with 80% inflation and rampant poverty is just incomprehensible. I understand why masses react in this way from your writings, but I really just don't "get it."
Trump’s response in the early days of Covid bears similarities. A relatively free press stopped him from achieving the lows of Erdogan.
Lets hope Strongmen Erdogan doesn't plan a surprise in the wake of the disaster to distract from his misrule and corruption. The May Presidential election is fast coming up.
One thing we know is.. he's gonna ruthlessly do whatever it takes to stay in power. Okay Ruth so it sounds like he feels weakened and vulnerable enough to gamble for resurrection? What might that look like? He's already cracking down with a Twitter ban and arrests of perceived enemies and dissidents. He's blaming the whole thing on fate. While trying to change the constitution, might he suspend the elections altogether and declare some kind of marshal law because of the enormity of the disaster? I see violence and repression increasing. Thats his gamble?
Casting the earthquake as a fated abdicates all agency to be prepared for this inevitable event, and for addressing the aftermath. I’d like more coverage above the earthquake tax. It was mentioned early on, and I’ve not seen a wisp of a word since. (Of course I cynically doubted that the funds still existed.)
Correction: add million in paragraph 4; change Antalva to Antalya in paragraph 8.
While traveling and writing THE 1998 FOOTSTEPS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT TOUR, PART 1, my hotel with me in it in southern Turkey felt tremors. I continued to cross the border to Syria on foot, glad to escape the earthquake prone area. As Ruth mentions, 1999 was the last big one in Turkey. it came a year after my exit. This article, Ruth, perfectly illustrates one of your recurring points: Authoritarians don't give a damn about those they rule. Example, Trump and covid. Thank you for reminding us of the selfish cruelty of despotic authoritarians like Ergogan. I hope he loses the coming election.
Exceptional words of truth Ruth! Corruption, greed and ignorance are hallmarks of Erdogan’s government, much like ours here in America! Tragedy, hardship and suffering never bothers authoritarian leaders, a sad reality!
I find it ironic that the guy who came to power 20 years ago because of a botched earthquake response may be swept from power by a botched earthquake response.
Reality does not appear to influence their behavior. 😢
Flashback to Trump tossing out those useless paper towels to the hurricane victims in Puerto Rico... ugh.
Thanks for this excellent summary connecting dots. When I saw the destruction in Turkey/ Syria, the building collapse in Florida and seeing DeSantis try to hold the narrative at the press conferences came to mind. In real-estate construction along with DeSantis, there was Trump. Common threads.
"Passively accepted...." regarding Erodogan's hope in the wake of the earthquakes, reminds me of the GOP wanting us to 'passively accept' with numbness the gun violence on campuses such as MSU last night, on the eve of the anniversary of the Parkland school massacre. They read from the same playbook.
"See humanitarian impulses as weakness" ---- they seek to dismiss and drown out the societal impulse of empathy.
Good thing of technology is we can rapidly reference quotes --- and boomerang these back upon the bad actors. It would be good to have charts to display the splintered opposites these bad actors utilize as they talk out of both sides of their mouths to the world's demise. Good people unite together !!
It's amazing how Erdogan was able to purge the Turkish Army. Since Kemal Ataturk, they were the rock of stability. I think that Turkey and Hungary should be removed from NATO.