We thought he was a scholar...
Here's the question answer segment of Greg Toppo's USA Today story wherein Gulen answered Toppo's questions via email and through a third party. Gulen is as elusive as Bin Laden, isn't he? It's pretty hard to pin the guy down and get an actual -- face to face interview.
But here's the deal, we know for a fact (eyewitness/participant accounts) that Gulen has met with at least 5 of the Administrators and teachers from a couple of the Cleveland, Ohio schools (that would be Cleveland Horizon Middle School Denison and the Cleveland Horizon High School).
Gulen met with the guys for "tea" and conversation at his residence in Pennsylvannia in 2007. Prior to the visit, the guys had to rent a car and remove the cell phone batteries from their cell phones. Sure, we do that all the time when we visit our "friends, " how about you?
So when Gulen answers that "He does not have specific knowledge about the schools in question," he is once again, telling a big fat fib.
We just don't understand why Gulen and his buddies refuse to admit their mutual affiliation. Gee, could it be that they refuse to admit it because then they would in turn have to admit all of the illegal activities that they are participating in under his leadership?
And as for him not reading the US press, too bad -- because we know that his cronies are -- and so are his lawyers -- for sure.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-08-17-turkishfinal17_CV_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Q&A
Fethullah Gulen responded to questions from USA TODAY's Greg Toppo that were submitted through an intermediary.
Q: Would he reflect on his connection to the U.S. public charter schools inspired by the Gulen movement?
A: First of all, I do not approve the title "Gulen Movement" given to the civil society movement that I call "volunteers' movement." I see myself one of its participants. There might be some educators who have listened to or read my thoughts on humanity, peace, mutual respect, the culture of coexistence, and keeping the human values alive, and have come to the United States for various reasons and work at private or public schools. In fact, I have heard from the media that there are such educators.
I have no idea about the number of such educators in the United States. My relation to them is not different from the one between me and any academician working at a U.S. university who may somehow value my thoughts. Those are individuals whom I do not know personally, though they may be familiar with and may think that they benefit from my books and speeches.
Q: Does he take pride in the schools, which are quickly multiplying and are generally high-performing?
A: I do not have specific knowledge about the schools which are referred to in the question, nor about their academic successes. If they are successful in contributing to human well-being, love, social peace and harmony, I would applaud that. Indeed, I wish any activities contributing to the shared human values to be successful, whether they are in the field of education or any other fields of human endeavor. I do not differentiate between ethnic or religious backgrounds in this concern. This is a consequence of my being human.
Q: How does he feel about the school leaders' recent assertions in the U.S. press that the schools have "no organic connection" to Mr. Gulen or the movement?
A: I do not regularly follow the U.S. press. It is well-known that I have no relation with any institution in the form of ownership, board membership, or any similar kind. For many decades, I have expressed my ideas and opinions about social issues facing humanity. Many people have listened to my speeches and read my works. I do not approve that those who are familiar with and share these ideas and opinions to any extent, or the institutions they work at, should be viewed as connected with my person
But here's the deal, we know for a fact (eyewitness/participant accounts) that Gulen has met with at least 5 of the Administrators and teachers from a couple of the Cleveland, Ohio schools (that would be Cleveland Horizon Middle School Denison and the Cleveland Horizon High School).
Gulen met with the guys for "tea" and conversation at his residence in Pennsylvannia in 2007. Prior to the visit, the guys had to rent a car and remove the cell phone batteries from their cell phones. Sure, we do that all the time when we visit our "friends, " how about you?
So when Gulen answers that "He does not have specific knowledge about the schools in question," he is once again, telling a big fat fib.
We just don't understand why Gulen and his buddies refuse to admit their mutual affiliation. Gee, could it be that they refuse to admit it because then they would in turn have to admit all of the illegal activities that they are participating in under his leadership?
And as for him not reading the US press, too bad -- because we know that his cronies are -- and so are his lawyers -- for sure.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-08-17-turkishfinal17_CV_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Q&A
Fethullah Gulen responded to questions from USA TODAY's Greg Toppo that were submitted through an intermediary.
Q: Would he reflect on his connection to the U.S. public charter schools inspired by the Gulen movement?
A: First of all, I do not approve the title "Gulen Movement" given to the civil society movement that I call "volunteers' movement." I see myself one of its participants. There might be some educators who have listened to or read my thoughts on humanity, peace, mutual respect, the culture of coexistence, and keeping the human values alive, and have come to the United States for various reasons and work at private or public schools. In fact, I have heard from the media that there are such educators.
I have no idea about the number of such educators in the United States. My relation to them is not different from the one between me and any academician working at a U.S. university who may somehow value my thoughts. Those are individuals whom I do not know personally, though they may be familiar with and may think that they benefit from my books and speeches.
Q: Does he take pride in the schools, which are quickly multiplying and are generally high-performing?
A: I do not have specific knowledge about the schools which are referred to in the question, nor about their academic successes. If they are successful in contributing to human well-being, love, social peace and harmony, I would applaud that. Indeed, I wish any activities contributing to the shared human values to be successful, whether they are in the field of education or any other fields of human endeavor. I do not differentiate between ethnic or religious backgrounds in this concern. This is a consequence of my being human.
Q: How does he feel about the school leaders' recent assertions in the U.S. press that the schools have "no organic connection" to Mr. Gulen or the movement?
A: I do not regularly follow the U.S. press. It is well-known that I have no relation with any institution in the form of ownership, board membership, or any similar kind. For many decades, I have expressed my ideas and opinions about social issues facing humanity. Many people have listened to my speeches and read my works. I do not approve that those who are familiar with and share these ideas and opinions to any extent, or the institutions they work at, should be viewed as connected with my person
