Speaking at the latest Republican Presidential Debate in South Carolina, Texas Governor Rick Perry, whose recent foreign policy comments have included promises to reinvade Iraq and blasting the Obama Administration for criticizing a video of US Marines desecrating corpses, decided to go after a NATO member nation.
During the debate, Gov. Perry lashed Turkey, insisting that it was ruled by “Islamic terrorists” and calling for the US to withdraw all aid from them. He also added that it is “time for us to have a conversation about whether or not they belong to be in NATO.”
Perry went on to insist that the move would “send a powerful message to countries like Iran and Syria and Turkey.” Though Turkey’s current ruling party is more religious than is common in the historically secular nation, it has retained close military ties with the US and indeed all NATO member nations, and there hasn’t been any indication of diplomatic strain between the two.
Indeed, the closest America and Turkey have come to a diplomatic row came after Israeli commandos boarded a Turkish aid ship, the Mavi Marmara, and killed several Turkish aid workers, including a dual-citizen from the US and Turkey. While the Turkish government was outspoken in its criticism, US officials shrugged it off, with Vice President Joe Biden saying Israel had every right to attack the ship.
Turkey, needless to say, is surprised that it has wound up in Rick Perry’s equivalent of the “axis of evil” and is none too happy about it. The Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement defending their role in NATO, and suggested that Gov. Perry’s low poll numbers underscored that “the US has no time to waste with candidates who do not even know their allies.”
Of course they're ruled by "Islamic terrorists." That's what defines Mislim, isn't it?
" Vice President Joe Biden saying Israel had every right to attack the ship."
I wonder if old Joe "Veneers" Biden felt the same way about the USS Liberty?
As for Rick Perry shamelessly running his ignorant, uninformed mouth, what could you expect? He's a Christian extremist from Tex-ass, long on Sky-God faith, short on brains and reason…like ALL the GOP candidates except for Ron Paul.
You are ruled by Israel and AiPEC and if you want to win this stupid usless election you have support Israel
Actually you have to prostitute yourself if you want to win. The money people just understand that simple support can get some money but total prostitutes will vote everything. Money is a drug to the elected ones. They will do anything and say anything to get the money from those that have it. Those that have the big bucks have it because they own the elected ones. As long as we have corrupt organizations like the Federal Reserve our kids will be sent to useless wars for the benefit of the money people .
Ya get out and take your pipe line, air base troops and strategic defence junk with you.
This how an empire declines and falls, Pakistan is out next Turkey, some Latinos have started that a while ago, it takes time for all latino states to distance temselves from USA who's laws are being trampled by their own politicians.
Patrick made a good point and just to add to ML3 comments Does Perry think Israel did the right thing to USS Liberty?
I agree with Perry, but for the opposite reason. Don't just kick Turkey out of NATO — kick every other country out as well. IOW, abolish NATO. The alliance's raison d'etre dissolved 20 years ago along with the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact. Now it's a useless bureaucracy existing to perpetuate the military-industrial complex and keep redundant generals and admirals on the federal payroll.
Exactly. Their an organization perpetually in search of a reason to exist so they foment troubles just for the hell of it.
Funny how the Republicans who like to list Federal agencies that they'd dismantle can't ever find an alliance that they'd dismantle.
But of course. That's all smoke and mirrors for the Feds perpetual kabuki road show.
Strider thats the reasonit still is there, the Military Industrial Complex.
Of course the fool Perry doesnt realise that the Turkish Military is the second biggest in Nato with only the US with more troops, If they are in NATO there is a sembelance of control not in NATO no control!
Perry must think he has nothing left to lose so he's throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks. His campaign is taking on water faster than the Titanic so it's only a matter of time before it thankfully slips below the waves
This is why I believe that there should be, talking about standardized testing, a test that every wannabe politician must take and pass before they can sit in office. It would have questions about the Constitution and public policy and administration. And no softball questions either. Each test should be tailored to handle regional issues and for national office, must also include questions regarding our relations around the world, allies and enemies. If they can't pass the test, then they should go find a real job. But I'm really tired of the American electorate voting in really, honestly stupid people.
Check the Vegas odds … this dope is running at longer odds than a candidate that isn't even running (Hillary). Don't pay any attention to him. Even Republicans have enough sense not to elect this moron.
Perry is an idiot. Turkey is by far the most liberal Muslim majority country in the world, and should be considered a model for countries like Egypt to follow. For Perry, a presidential candidate, to insult a friendly government is such a manner proves his unfitness to hold the office of President of the United States. (Actually with all the power the POTUS has no one is fit it hold the office, but some are more unfit than others. Dr. Paul, who wants to reduce the powers of the Federal Government to those delegated to it by Article 1 Section 8, and has a long history of adhering to this view is an exception to the above rule)
Turkey is the survivor of the Ottoman empire which ruled the middle east for 800 years. Russia, England, France and the United States organized their efforts to destroy the Ottoman empire and steal the oil fields. Few understand how badly the british military lost time and time again to the Ottoman military. The people see feel good movies about Lawrence of Arabia but they fall to understand that the british lost 50,000 men in 10 days at Galopolia. The british had a full british army and its field office in house arrest in what was to become Iraq at the end of the war. The first wwi was a disaster for the british in the middle east but somehow they got the control of such a large area and the british at best allowed the massive illegal flood of immigrants who destablized the area and lead to todays troubles.
Turkey could very well end up in it old role as major player in the world and that will sure put the tiny homeland for the chosen in a box. Iran is the immediate target of the chosen but Turkey is the one who has a long record of successful military history. The ottomans lost in WWI but what did the europeans gain from their win?
Actually, Turkey is a western puppet state, nobody should take Turkey as an "example". I just can't see the dignity in being servants to western imperialist warmongering states, I really can't.
Apart from the tiff with Israel, Turkey is still pretty much onboard with the US plans for the region and is a key ally on Libya and Syria where it has taken a hard line.
Vulture capitalism is vulture capitalism no matter what you call it or who runs the vultures; NATO, Turkey, USA, Saudis, UAE and EU are the biggest Vultures in this world for the time being.
Capitalism and imperialism are not the same thing.
Perry is right to want to end US' alliance with the troublemaker Turkey (though the US is an even bigger troublemaker), but the way to do it is for the US to exit NATO herself.
Strange comment, since Turkey is siding obediently and firmly with western imperialism and has done so for many decades. Turkey is currently busy terrorizing Syria. The West and Israel have an agenda to defeat independent Iran, this plan is called "The Road to Persia". The Syrian government will be overthrown.
Turkey also allowed hostile Nato systems against Iran. I think Perry knows all this very well, but it's part of the global media campaign. A campaign to spread disinformation and demonize everyone they don't like in order to dominate the world – or to establish what they call the New American Century.
Perry is not worth a comment.
Relations have a been a bit on edge since the secularists run by the military have lost power. The so called Islamists have been rather practical in their pursuit of consolidating their power. They at least make the right noise about being for the Palestinians… but I believe they made some kind of deal with the US. They get a free pass in Northern Iraq for supporting the Syrian opposition.
Turkey is an Islamic terrorist state because the US, Saudis, Brits and other were helping run and support Chechen and Turkic Eurasian terrorist groups in Turkey even running a terrorist training camp in the North to fight our proxy wars so we can control Caspian and Eurasian oil and gas.
The guy responsible for the Istanbul bombing in 2003 was running the camp helped send 4 of the hijackers originally destined for Chechnya via Georgia into the US.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/15/551916/-S…
Perry is a stupid GOOF.Could not name 3 departments he intends to close.Sorry chances of you being president are nill.The only one is Ron Paul if Americans were smart he would get almosty 100% of the votes.America has had millions and millions of there military die for there freedom and there famillys freedom,only to be having it taken against the constitution.So they died in vain so sad,and Americans are letting it happen.