Blogging
From Abroad

As you might have seen in the news there was an attack on US Consulate in Istanbul the other day, resulting in the deaths of three Turkish security guards and the three gunmen. You can read much more here:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&q=istanbul&btnG=Search+News
First of all I need to say that I am fine. The attack occurred at the highly fortified American consulate on the outskirts of Istanbul, far from anywhere I frequent. I did visit the consulate two weeks ago for a meeting with some State Dept officials so it is a little weird to see it on CNN and the like.
Truthfully, the attack really has little effect of me; these things happen. It can be a pretty nasty world sometimes but it is critically important that we move beyond events like this. This is the extent of my feelings about the attack. I won’t be letting this bother me and I won’t be coming home until my course is over.
There have been some pretty graphic pictures on the front pages of the major news papers, but they have all had a very pro-American slant. I have had several Turks come up to me and apologize for what happened. They explain that these guys were stupid, crazy, and a whole lot of other adjectives that I wouldn’t want my mother to know I heard (or that I know how to say in both English and Turkish). Turks love American people and culture. They love our movies, music, clothes, and expressions, and almost every Turk is continually trying to at least visit the States. I have had a few meetings with Turks that will come out and say that they don’t like America, but after the slightest prodding they will admit (partially to themselves) that they in fact love Americans but oppose the war in Iraq.
Turkey has its own war on terror ongoing in the southeast on the Iraqi border and Turks are vehemently anti-terror. Other than soccer team slogans and silly English phrases, the most popular graffiti says “savaş hayır”, “no war”.
Anyway, to my family and people worrying about me, please don’t. I am fine, and I will continue to be. This attack has had no effect of my life and I am in no way anxious about further attacks.