The Turks

Oh yeah, and a They Might be Giants song

i live quite near the Peckunspor football fan club

i think trabzonspors isn't that far off either

Shameful human rights record - I gather it is illegal to speak Kurdish in Turkey. And their Military is constitutionally entitled to ban political parties it takes exception to, a power it used recently to ban the largest party. And they are allied to Israel.

Despite all that, my stereotype of the Turks is as an amiable bunch who would be an asset to the European Union were they to be allowed in. The thing that is really sweet about them is the way they and the Greeks became all friendly with each other after their respective earth quakes (after years of enmity and near-war). That kind of boosted my image of human nature.

Mmmmmmmm, Turkish food. Mmmmmmm. Lots of shops along Green Lanes that sell kebabs in proper Turkish bread and wondrous stews accompanied by a load of rice and half a loaf of bread for only four quid. Mmmmmm.

Getting the bus from Finsbury Park up Green Lanes after Arsenal and Galataseray have played each other = very, very scary.

Turkey is rather unusual in that the vast majority of its people are Muslim but they actively separate state from religion, for example outward symbols of religion (head coverings for women and, indeed, crucifixes) are not allowed to be worn at work in the civil service. This is a rule France has tried and failed to implement. This separation of religion and state could work in Turkey's favour when it comes to acceptance into the EU, as there are currently no Muslim countries in it. The human rights record, mentioned above, does not work in its favour.

Turkish Delight = foul disgustingness in sweetie form.

No, no, no. It's the taste of Eastern promise! Whatever the fuck that's supposed to mean.

Turkish Delight = my favourite sweeite in any mass-debased or craft-authentic form except ONE!! Do not repeat do not bother with CARROT-FLAVOURED TURKISH DELIGHT!! Even the fanatics who manufacture it recognise they are off into something dodgy, as it is the only one in the entire range which is translated in tiny- weeny letters only (I assumed from colour it was rose-petal or similar delicate tidbid... obv.I am a idiot, as proven many times on these boards, however this time I feel a march was stolen, for WHO KD HAVE IMAGINED... )

Lemon flavour w.hazelnuts TD = food ov godZoR

No, no it's Discuss: Sting.

I equate rose flavour sweets to talking about the Rainforest with the former English teacher and current whiney singer from Tyne and Wear.

"Won't you try some Turkish Delight, my child?"

"Not really. You got any kebabs?"

I got a book on Turkish cuisine for my friends last Christmas, they were most happy with it. Conceptually, I am all for a hardcore fuck-you rampantly atheist/modernist state, which is what Kemal introduced. Only problem is the methods used, and frankly I can do without the various legacies that have resulted.

A past girlfriend was half-Turkish thanks to her mom -- whenever she talked on the phone with her grandmother, it sounded so beautiful. :-)

When I was in Turkey the only dud flavour Delight I had was peanut. I don't know if they were catering for the American market or what, but it stank.

A very luscious Turkish girl (studying art in London) once came up to me in a pub and offered to buy me and my mates shots. Goody, I thought, until she started chucking Baileys at us. She kept insisting on buying us rounds of Baileys shots until I got so pissed I did something I regret.

Go on then.

It is too embarrassing for a public forum but you would have to know the people in question to understand why. Suffice to say I was bruised for over a week following said incident.

I'll just add a "Blimey" in case Ricky T isn't around.

What did you do, Emma?

Blimey, have I been saying blimey that much? Cor. But anyway: BLIMEY!

The Turks are 100% in the right over Cyprus. (more evidence that I am a Poli Sci geek.)

(tho not a poli-sci greek)

2-1. Bastards.