Critics of History

It seems that being critical of the state version of history can get you in trouble - including detained for questioning at Canadian customs.

Here is one person's explanation to Canadian customs when THEY ask HIM why they were detaining them:

“I’m a historian,” I explained. “I work on the subject of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. There’s a very heavy campaign being waged by extreme nationalist and fascist forces in Turkey against those individuals who are critical of the events that occurred in 1915. Hrant Dink was killed because of it. The lives of people like me are in danger because of it. Orhan Pamuk, Turkey’s Nobel Laureate, couldn’t tolerate the attacks against him and had to leave the country. Many intellectuals in Turkey are now living under police protection.” The officer took notes.

This is particularly interesting when one considers the Sibel Edmonds story, where Ms. Edmons claims some dangerous links between US officials (likely neo-cons) and Turkey.

Juan Cole