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Reader comment on item: Crisis in Turkey
in response to reader comment: A gentleman is always consistent in his approach

Submitted by Lazman (United States), Mar 4, 2010 at 00:41

Let me explain as someone who voted Republican in the past and who would object to AKP's what you define as "conservative policies": policies that would infringe not only on my private and personal life also the lives of my Jewish, Christian, and Hindu neighbors. All would reject such "conservative policies" regardless of their political party affiliation.

For starters, US constitution is based on separation of church and state. Although US is one of the most devout Christian countries, Christianity is a religion that has gone thru reformation. In US the "conservative values" usually means just family values and usually consist of opposing abortion and homosexual marriages. They certainly do not work to undermine the secular system of the nation.

Islam is not just a religion, but is a way of life. And I know you know that. Islamists in public positions will always be a concern because the religion has not gone thru any reformation (no one will even dare to propose it) and the major aspect of Islam is incompatible with Western understanding of social and political freedom, much less equality. It is intolerant. Don't try to simplify it as conservative vs liberal - it won't work.

Plus I am confused, since most AKP supporters identify themselves as democratic liberals when they argue it's women's right and freedom (??) to cover up with hijab (not headscarf). But now we are back to conservative party values? I see!!

For someone who is located in US are you just trying to be totally naive, or are in denial how in Islam, religion can be used as a tool, or you do not understand the US system works, or as I suspect you think you are smart and being deliberately provocative.

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