OBAMABALL

OBAMABALL: an open letter the President of the United States

2 August 2012

The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
USA

Dear Mr. President:

Just what do you think you are doing posing with a baseball bat while speaking to the Turkish prime minister? Who do you think you are? Al Capone (or Robert De Niro) at a mafia dinner? A gangster of the so-called Free Syrian Army, a terrorist operation that you and Erdoğan fund, support and arm? Who do you think you are, Mr. President? Who?

I know, I know… I have been telling you about the situation in Turkey for almost four years. Review again my first letter sent on the day of your inauguration. . And I also understand that such a murderous, macho gesture is well understood by the Turkish prime minister. But even though you are speaking with this Turkish prime minister, remember that he still represents the democratic, secular Republic of Turkey founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. And all appropriate attention and respect should be paid to that fact. Your baseball bat gimmick is shameful and disrespectful to the Republic of Turkey. And it is shameful to the United States of America, too.

You made much publicity about your first visit to Turkey in May 2009. You visited Anıtkabir where the earthly remains of Atatürk repose. But his spiritual essence, which is still alive throughout this suffering nation, is there as well. So you should act accordingly, as you did there and then. Do not resort to such cheap tricks to get the attention of Turkey. We completely understand your motive. And we completely know our enemies, both foreign and domestic. Act as you would act in front of Atatürk when addressing a representative of his secular nation.

Sincerely yours,

James C. Ryan
Istanbul, Turkey
2 August 2012