No acceptable component of the Hrant Dink case left

You can be sure I am not exaggerating. Also, if I will be sued for what I am going to write here, I will be far from resentful. Because I believe I will be echoing the general impression of the public.

If the chief justice of the Hrant Dink case Rüstem Eryılmaz had not spoken at all, and if he had not said what he said, I would not have been able to write this so precisely and so sharply. You must have watched and read what the judge said, from watching TV and reading the papers.

Oh my God, what is this? What kind of a judging mentality is this? What kind of reasoning is this? In short, the judge said even his conscience did not accept this result but in order to finalize the case as soon as possible, they had to act fast.

I could not believe it.

I am guessing the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) will not leave the matter as it is. This board must interview this judge of ours and ask him some questions. And then, they should ask themselves these questions: “How did this case reach such a point? Do we, as the board, have a responsibility in this?” After all that has been experienced, the Supreme Court of Appeals has no option left but to appeal the verdict.

[HH] Istanbul made us proud
There was a day of pride in Istanbul on Thursday.

Tens of thousands of people filled the streets and demanded justice for its citizen of Armenian descent. It provided a lesson to those who regard minorities negatively. These were scenes that made us swell with pride. Meanwhile, there were also those who reacted against all of this, but they remained in the minority.

I was surprised. Frankly, I was not expecting it. And I was extremely happy.

[HH] HAYTAP is right, Bolu mayor is wrong
The animal rights defender association, namely Animal Rights Federation (HAYTAP), raised hell in the central Anatolian town of Bolu recently for justified reasons. When the association posted pictures of dogs that had frozen to death because the Bolu municipality had chained them up, all hell broke loose. What annoyed me the most was the response of Mayor Alaaddin Yılmaz: “I damn these people.”
Why? Because he was disturbed in the middle of the night.

No, Mr. Mayor, first do your job well, and then move on to insulting non-governmental organizations. This did not suit you. HAYTAP is doing its job and should continue to do so. We are determined to support them.

[HH] RTÜK would run wild if it weren’t for the president
May God save people from the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK).

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) members of this institution, which seems to have been given the role of the baton wielding gendarmerie of televisions, have taken the role of the chastity police. It was not here before; it has emerged recently. They have openly started social engineering on grounds such as, “This is against our manners and customs. Our children will go astray.” Kissing scenes are banned; dancing couples are regarded as “explicit.”

Not long from now, our screens will adopt the image of a strict bigot.

Fortunately, the president of RTÜK Davut Dursun is here. He is also a conservative person but has common sense. He knows very well what is what and what the boundaries are. Either with his skills of persuasion or with the objection votes he casts, he has been able to protect the institution he is heading. He has been able to prevent major mistakes.

I do not think Dursun will be able to stop the AKP members on the board anymore. Despite all his goodwill, RTÜK will continue to make such decisions. They probably are not aware of it but they are shooting themselves in the foot. One day they will cause such a reaction it will lead to their closure. Let us not forget, the AKP will not stay in power for ever.