patrick.net

Patrick says

What gave the Turks the right to take it?

An effective army and a large special built cannon to blow down the city walls. The bigger question is why after WW One, was Turkey allowed to keep it?

Even more so, the corruption and heavy taxes of the Byzantine Empire made the Turks sound not so bad by comparison.

Yes, also the reason the country Byzantines, esp. in Cilicia, worked with the Turks against the 2nd Crusade. The Crusade would pass, but the good offices of the Turks, living in highland Anatolya, were necessary to prevent raiding that would resume when they left.

Funny, I was talking on X about this today. Certainly it should be the first target of any Crusade. Also, Europe should really end at the Bosphorus.

Good causus belli: Erdogan is using Hagia Sophia as a Mosque again.

Patrick is a warmonger.

RWSGFY says

Patrick is a warmonger.

No, I think that entire hemisphere is a shit hole. Nothing Americans can do besides stay isolationist and get along with two neighbors and we'll be fine. I give no fucks about Constantinople. I don't care about Muslims, Turks or Greeks. They'll all fight some war in our lifetimes about something stupid because they're idiots.

We've got a Venezuela problem, but outside of drugs and immigration issues, this hemisphere is 90% stable. You cannot say that about the east right now or fuck, forever. Some of it by our doing in the ME. Ukraine/Russia. N/S Korea. Israel. They are conflicts that kill thousands if not a million people.

Per capita our civil war was brutal, but that was under 700k. Ukraine/Russia is well over that total in the 2020's with social media and modern luxuries. Shit, forgot about Syria. What conflict in this hemisphere has resulted in anything close to that of Ukraine/Russia since our civil war? Mexican cartels not included. Haven't even opened up Africa in this comment either. Two massive world wars in just over a century. They're idiots.

It's why I'll probably never go to Europe. I've met enough of them in the Caribbean. They're idiots and ass holes, hence the wars and conflict and corruption. Aussies and Southeast Asia is fine, so I don't hate the entire hemisphere. Closest times I've been close to a fist fight is always with a European. They think they're gods gift to the earth because they spend $1,400 on a flight and expect their butt to be wiped. There's a thing called the Mediterranean Sea dip shits. Keep your holiday over there.

The smoking is obnoxious as well. They just toss cigs anywhere as well when done and smoke in inappropriate spots. Former smoker, but I don't need 2nd hand when eating a meal, especially outdoors.

They seem to be pretty loosey goosey Muslim at the Bosphorus. There are some TV programs from there, and you wouldn't even think they were made in a Muslim country. Some are pretty good and even a bit raspy. They had a supernatural series based on Gobekli Tepi that was interesting.

Ceffer says

There are some TV programs from there, and you wouldn't even think they were made in a Muslim country.

Turkey is not Saudi Arabia. When I was at Anatolia (Turkish Riviera, south central Med coast) in the 1990s, there we topless women on the beaches and at the pools, including Turkish women.

HeadSet says

Ceffer says

There are some TV programs from there, and you wouldn't even think they were made in a Muslim country.

Turkey is not Saudi Arabia. When I was at Anatolia (Turkish Riviera, south central Med coast) in the 1990s, there we topless women on the beaches and at the pools, including Turkish women.

I have no clue, could be talking out my ass. But weren't most Muslim countries or areas pretty progressive in the 70's-90's?

No clue what changed, but most countries in the ME it seems women have to wear the Muslim KKK hoodie. I forgot the name and really don't give a shit about religion of any kind anyway. Towel head or hood. I swear I've seen Muslim Iranians in bikinis in the 70's in photos. That would be unheard of today.

RWSGFY says

Patrick is a warmonger.

Well, I'm not entirely serious.

Not entirely, but a little.

HeadSet says

Turkey is not Saudi Arabia. When I was at Anatolia (Turkish Riviera, south central Med coast) in the 1990s, there we topless women on the beaches and at the pools, including Turkish women.

Right, I was in Turkey in the 1990s as well, and was surprised that there were bars in Ankara. I was there with two other Americans who were also studying in Germany at the time. The guy came with me, and the girl did not, because she heard that non-prostitute women were not welcome in bars, which seemed to be true. Worse, when she was alone in the hotel without us, some guy tried to open her door. Cheap hotel, but still.

Also interesting: the Turks were pretty friendly overall. They would shake my hand, but not the hand of our female co-traveler.

So Turkey was better than most Islamic countries, but not all that much. And I think Turkey has become much more Islamic since then.