21 September 2005
Turkish culture clash
¶ 10:28 AM 
Very interesting article in the Washington Post today about Istanbul's beaches, swimsuits, and the clash between traditional, provincial Turkey and European, secular Istanbul. The money quote, which sums up the "Westernized" point of view:
"We are all modern women of the republic," said Semra Aydemir, 52, a retired teacher, also in a tiny two-piece. "We are against terrorism. We are against violence. We are against ugliness."
We 'mericans stand beside you, Semra. Freedom is on the march. Ugliness better go hide in a spider hole or a mountain cave.
