N.C. Senator Ellie Kinnaird's Newsletter

December 28, 2010 Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Ellie Kinnaird

Greetings from the North Carolina Senate,

I spent eight days in Turkey early this month (Turkiye is the Turkish spelling) with another legislator where we visited ancient sites, palaces, antiquities, museums and modern cities. We met with many people; from a Member of Parliament to ordinary folks in their homes. The trip was sponsored by the BAKIAD foundation, made up of business people who want to show modern day Turkey to American and Canadian leaders. They have sponsored over 3000 trips. Their goal is to show that Turkey is a player in the international arena. (As one person said, we want to dispel the stereotype of Turkey as a desert with a camel on every block. While there, we saw only one camel for tourists to have a photo-op.)

Turkey has one foot in Europe and the other in the middle east. Ataturk took over the remnants of the Ottoman Empire that had ruled a large part of the middle east and Europe for centuries In 1922, Ataturk, along with other young military people, decided that Turkey would become a western nation. The Arabic alphabet and language were abolished and replaced by western mode of communication, the government became strictly secular, western dress was adopted and overtures were made to Europe as allies. The drama of this change can be seen if one looks at a map and realizes that Turkey’s close neighbors are Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Azerbaijan.

We visited a Journalists and Writers Foundation whose goal is tolerance, education and elimination of poverty through dialogue with a broad base of people and institutions. Their work promotes conflict resolution and communication. It is international in scope and holds conferences throughout the world. We visited two private schools that are as good as any in any country with facilities that boast swimming pools, large auditoriums and of course all the latest technologies. Since that was part of our official tour, we asked to also unofficially visit a public school that we discovered was very good.

Turkey has a history from the Hittites through the Greeks and early Christian civilizations, and we were able to see the remaining sites of many of them.

We were fed way too much food, with meat and fruits three times a day and lunch and dinner, each with several courses. It was especially hard at the private homes to be polite by downing four courses, when one course would have been enough. (Even the Turkish Airlines that I flew had two four course meals- included in the ticket price. It was luxurious and I recommend the airline.)

And then there is the tea. No meeting or gathering begins without strong tea being served first. At one of the homes, we were treated after dinner to a traditional music band. The players sat down, took out their instruments and then just sat there. I wondered why they didn’t start playing. Of course, the hostess soon arrived to serve them tea. After drinking their tea, the playing - very delightful - began.

I look forward to beginning the long session on January 26, 2011. Have a safe and joyful New Year!

Paid for by Ellie Kinnaird for Senate • Campaign Address: PO Box 668, Carrboro, NC 27510 • 919-918-3432
Legislative Office Address: Room 628 LOB, 300 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603 •