Dear Dr. Mustafa Atac,
First, allow me to correct a factual error that someone bearing the title of “Dr.” should have had the courtesy and attentiveness to avoid: my name is Ibrahim Kurtulus, not “Mr. Rizeli.” While I do have roots in Rize a heritage that I have carried for 58 years living and promoting in USA. I proudly acknowledge that alone does not define my identity, beliefs, or intellectual stance. Reducing someone’s name to a geographic label is not only dismissive, but it reflects a mindset that seeks to stereotype rather than understand.
Second, your remarks rife with scorn and intellectual arrogance do not reflect the principles of open dialogue, mutual respect, or even basic civility. You have chosen to respond not with constructive critique or thoughtful disagreement, but with personal disdain, verbal hostility, and an unwillingness to even consider another perspective. In doing so, you reveal an unfortunate truth: you are not interested in dialogue, but only in domination of the narrative.
Let me make something else abundantly clear: I am neither a supporter nor a voter of President Erdogan. To label me as such without basis is not only intellectually dishonest, but a reflection of the binary, intolerant worldview that you and many like you seem to hold where anyone who does not parrot your views must automatically belong to the “other side.”
You claim that we share “not a single point or any value.” I respectfully counter that such a sweeping dismissal speaks volumes not about me, but about your own incapacity to coexist in a world of pluralism. In a democratic society, disagreement is not something to be ashamed of, but embraced as a sign of intellectual vitality. The inability to engage in respectful dissent, the reflex to humiliate and belittle rather than challenge with logic, fact checking and reason these are the hallmarks of dogmatism, not enlightenment.
Your message did not offer a single fact-based argument, historical counterpoint, or evidence basead rebuttal to anything I may have written. Instead, you resorted to a string of ad hominem attacks, emotional outbursts, and petty insults and to humiliate me. Sen nasil bir insansin ?
When facts are inconvenient, some choose to abandon discourse and descend into derision that is exactly what your response demonstrates.Those who harbor genuine commitment to intellectual engagement do not fear opposing views like you and many like you . They do not silence others by declaring them unworthy of even speaking. And they certainly do not weaponize language to degrade those with whom they disagree.
You see, Dr. Atac, true education is not measured by titles before one’s name or letters after it, but by one’s capacity for dialogue, dignity, and humility. You have demonstrated little of any. but , Hate that you will only died with, sir Allah help you to open your mind and heart insallah.
I will not return your insults with equal venom, because I believe in the power of principled words, not poisonous ones. But let it be known: I will never be silenced by those who seek to delegitimize others through mockery, hate, or elitist derision. I am proud to engage with those who disagree so long as they do so with respect and facts, not fury and fabrication. I invite you for a debate at New York University – All expenses paid to debate on geopolitical matter especially matters concerning our NATO ally of the Republic of Turkiye – or if you cant fly to NY, tell you what Dr Atac, I will fly to Istanbul, you pick the location I will pay for all capital expenditures. I will even pay you $15,000 US dollars for you time. If not, Allah Uzun omuler verin Insallah, Sir.
Sincerely,
Ibrahim Kurtulus
Demirhisar Koyu | Rize – Cayeli
New York
Dr. Mustafa Atac,
Your continued barrage of personal insults, condescension, and below-the-belt rhetoric reflects a profound unwillingness to engage in honest, respectful dialogue. Rather than address the core of any argument with facts or principles, you repeatedly retreat into a mode of sarcasm, stereotyping, and character assassination. This is not intellectual engagement—it is a smear campaign poorly disguised as opinion.
Let me begin by answering your most recent question:
Why do I include “Demirhisar Köyü – Rize – Çayeli” in my emails and public communications?
Because I believe in honoring one’s roots. I am proud to tell my fellow Americans where I come from as 99% of Americans do. I consider it a privilege not a liability to carry the legacy of my village, my province, and my home country forward. This is not an act of nationalism, but a deeply human reflection of cultural continuity. I ask you plainly: Do you have a problem with someone promoting their homeland with dignity? Or do you believe one’s village is something to be erased once they cross a border?
As for your mockery of where I live, let mee clarify another misperception: I did not “choose” to leave Demirhisar Village – Rize Cayeli . I was brought to New York at the age of one. My life unfolded here my education, career, my family, and now, the future of my children of 10 and 13 years old . This is our home, my new Home the greatest country in the world America . But never forgetting where we come from is not backwardness it is strength that make America a great place to say I am Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Ben Bir Sehit Aylesiyim, Ben Mustafa Kemal Ataturkum, Bayrak benim dir, 15 Yasinda Kefensiz Yatan Memleketime senin gibil Hayinlerin, Yan bankani Gozunu Ezerim. Sayin Atac , You are a peace of ^%$#@@%&&** who insults is what you and many like you do the best – looking down on individuaels with HATE . which you will only , as I indicated before will only die with the venom of Hate.
What is truly “backward,” Dr. Atac, is the assumption that anyone who disagrees with your political beliefs must be “cheating, stealing, lying,” or somehow intellectually inferior. This toxic minndset the belief that you alone repraesent the “real” Türkiye is precisely what undermines democratic society. It’s not Atatürk’s Republic you represent, sir. It’s ideological elitism masked in the name of republicanism.
Let’s also be clear:
I am not a supporter of President Erdogan or have I ever cast a vote for him. But I do respect a democratically elected President that the majority of the people voted for at the Balloit box. But your obsession with labeling anyone who doesn’t echo your rage as a “Tayyiban” or part of a “disastrous regime” reveals more about your political insecurities than my views. You do not seek dialogue; you seek dominance. And when you cannot dominate with ideas, you attempt to humiliate with insults.
You proudly say you live in three countries, belong to 11 clubs, and speak several languages. Congratulations. But wealth, travel, and institutional memberrships are not indicaetors of moral or intellectual superiority. True greatness is measured not in the rooms you enter, but in how you speak to those who disagree with you.
I will no longer indulge your smear campaigns. But I will leave you with a direct and open invitation:
If you truly believe in the ideas you claim to defend, then debate me.
I formally propose a public, respectful, academic debate on October 29, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The venue: New York University. You say you can afford the travel ok .
You pay for your travel to New York. But , I will still pay you $15,000 for your time , better yet, I up the deal, I will pay you $25,000 in cash for a 2 hour debate at New York University on October 29, 2025, the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye. or you set a University in Istanbul, I will be on the next flight to Istanbul . I am putting my money where my mouth is … put your money where your mouth is.. Are you ,will you ? Set the date and location.
The subject “From the Ottoman Empire period of 1880 to NATO Ally – The Evolution of the Modern Republic of Türkiye to year 2025 .”
Let’s put ideas, facts, and history on the table and let the audience judge. Let the people Judge and students at New York University or any University in Istanbul Judge.
No insults. No dismissals. Just you, me, and the ideals of democracy and debate.
If you can afford the time and the intellectual rigor then I challenge you to accept. Put your convictions to the test. Put your rhetoric to rest. Let’s see whose understanding of Türkiye is rooted in truth, not tribalism.
Respectfully,
Ibrahim Kurtulus
Demirhisar Koyu – Rize – Cayeli
New York
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