Many killed in Ankara bomb blast

[Monoriu]

Nonsense.  The United States is a country where religion plays a large role, it has since the 19th century.  Democracy has done fine.  In fact I would argue the exact opposite of what you say.  Countries where religion is weakened by the state also have weak democratic traditions.  Turkey is a prime example.  Others would be Russia, China, and Mexico.  France is a functional democracy (though closer to what Erdogan wanted), but French Democracy has a been pretty bumpy.  They are on their Fifth Republic after all.  Countries that limit religion are also limiting speech.

I have no idea why you mentioned China.  Chinese are extremely superstitious.  They believe in everything under the sun.  But that also means they aren't very religious to begin with.  They say the Lord's prayer in the morning, worship the Buddha in the afternoon and worry about fung shui in the evening.  They are not serious about it at all.  That China has weak democratic institutions has nothing to do with religion. 

[Syt]

Out of curiosity, I googled the current Swedish royal family, and most of them are not blonde.

That happens when you put French and Germans on the throne.

[Queequeg]

I'm hearing ISIS rumors.

[mongers]

I'm hearing ISIS rumors.

What that ISIS persuaded the Turkish security services to dupe some ISIS suicide bombers into attacking the Kurds, yes I can see that.

[Liep]

I'm hearing ISIS rumors.

What that ISIS persuaded the Turkish security services to dupe some ISIS suicide bombers into attacking the Kurds, yes I can see that.

It makes sense for ISIS to target a peace festival regardless of affiliation.

[The Minsky Moment]

Erdogan is a tinpot dictator wannabe, a religious bigot, and hypocrite who thinks nothing of starting a little nasty civil war for a few poll points.

But is definitely not a libertarian.  If only he came out for the Laffer curve then we could get Raz to denounce him.

[The Brain]

Larry Laffer curve?

[Razgovory]

Now, I ask you as I asked Marty do you have any evidence that these suicide bombings are the work of the government?

What part of "I wouldn't put it past him" suggests I claim to have any evidence or proof that he did it? 

The expression simply means that, based on what I know about the man, he seems capable of doing something like this.

Then give me what you know to make you say that.

[Razgovory]

Erdogan is a tinpot dictator wannabe, a religious bigot, and hypocrite who thinks nothing of starting a little nasty civil war for a few poll points.

But is definitely not a libertarian.  If only he came out for the Laffer curve then we could get Raz to denounce him.

He's a conservative.  While I'm no fan of conservatives I don't believe that's enough to declare him the worst man alive and up end a country.  He's like Victor Orban, yet nobody suggests that Orban is launching suicide attacks, that he be overthrown by force or that he be jailed indefinitely for impromptu poetry jams.  What makes the difference?

[alfred russel]

He's a conservative.  While I'm no fan of conservatives I don't believe that's enough to declare him the worst man alive and up end a country.  He's like Victor Orban, yet nobody suggests that Orban is launching suicide attacks, that he be overthrown by force or that he be jailed indefinitely for impromptu poetry jams.  What makes the difference?

A few things. First, Orban is in no way considered a leader on the up and up - he is something of a disgrace.

But more to the point, check out the Ergenekon trials, that he previously belonged to new banned Islamist parties, and general corruption/ridiculousness (see the new presidential palace).

[Martinus]

Now, I ask you as I asked Marty do you have any evidence that these suicide bombings are the work of the government?

What part of "I wouldn't put it past him" suggests I claim to have any evidence or proof that he did it? 

The expression simply means that, based on what I know about the man, he seems capable of doing something like this.

Then give me what you know to make you say that.

Gut feeling.

[Razgovory]

Okay, I have a gut feeling.  My gut feeling in that this animosity is because of the word "Muslim".

[Razgovory]

He's a conservative.  While I'm no fan of conservatives I don't believe that's enough to declare him the worst man alive and up end a country.  He's like Victor Orban, yet nobody suggests that Orban is launching suicide attacks, that he be overthrown by force or that he be jailed indefinitely for impromptu poetry jams.  What makes the difference?

A few things. First, Orban is in no way considered a leader on the up and up - he is something of a disgrace.

But more to the point, check out the Ergenekon trials, that he previously belonged to new banned Islamist parties, and general corruption/ridiculousness (see the new presidential palace).

You know you have put way to many words here.  The word "Islamist" is enough, because let's be honest.  That's the problem we have isn't it?  Would anyone really give a shit if it was just corruption?

[DGuller]

Raz will defend any piece of shit that Languish atheists dislike.

[Martinus]

Okay, I have a gut feeling.  My gut feeling in that this animosity is because of the word "Muslim".

Guess that makes Putin a Muslim too.