And where are we?
Over the past few months in a twist of fate, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with a group of Turkish Americans whose mission is to expose the true agenda behind Fetullah Gulen and his accompanying cult. Scattered throughout the protest movement are a few American-Americans (born here…), like Sharon Higgins, Mark Hall, and by proxy other activists -- Kelly Wayment, and Bill Thacker. But for the most part, and certainly not to discount the efforts of Higgins, Wayment, Thacker, or Hall, it’s the Turkish-Americans who doggedly continue to sacrifice their reputations, safety, finances, and time to expose the Gulen movement.
It’s Armagan Yilmaz, a young Turk who while living in Turkey was imprisoned and tortured simply for speaking out against Gulen. Armagan, his lovely wife, and newborn daughter traipse across the United States, organizing and speaking to groups about the dangers and realities of Gulen’s organization and its impact on the Turkish government, police force, military, and business communities. He looks perpetually tired, yet equally energized by the passion of his focused mission.
And there are the hundreds of Turkish-Americans who attend the protests, draped in Turkish flags, holding signs and banners, proud of their Turkish heritage, but equally proud to be citizens of the United States. Through the sea of Turkish flags they wave American flags, and in tandem pay tribute to both the Turkish and United States’ national anthems. They are dual patriots – proud, sincere, and courageous.
They laugh, they smile, they sing -- and they warn us…about the reclusive Iman hiding out in the Poconos, they warn us about Fetullah Gulen and the path of destruction he has left behind in Turkey and the one he is weaving in the United States.
And then there are the Turkish journalists who despite being imprisoned, and facing the possibility of future imprisonment – speak out. They know that returning to Turkey makes them susceptible to Gulen’s menacing punishment -- lawsuits, incarceration, and torture. But they go on, knowing that each time they speak out that they are speaking not only for their personal freedoms, but that of a country.
There is the retired Turkish Navy Admiral whose constant smile and verbose speeches -- often digressing into a myriad of topics – but eventually returning to the topic of the Gulen movement’s intrusive and corruptive influence on the Turkish military, stands proudly and fearlessly -- warning us.
It’s a blending of spirit, a meshing of political principles that cannot be replicated through print or other media – but only experienced in the moment of its heated passion and endurance, and in person.
They are not offering tea, baklava, free trips to Turkey, or political bribes – instead they are offering truth and transparency, precious commodities that are scarcities in Gulen’s agenda.
Who are these people? They are the people we need to be – the people we want to be – the people we should be -- the people who care enough to put their lives aside for the benefit of others – for the benefit of us.
It’s Armagan Yilmaz, a young Turk who while living in Turkey was imprisoned and tortured simply for speaking out against Gulen. Armagan, his lovely wife, and newborn daughter traipse across the United States, organizing and speaking to groups about the dangers and realities of Gulen’s organization and its impact on the Turkish government, police force, military, and business communities. He looks perpetually tired, yet equally energized by the passion of his focused mission.
And there are the hundreds of Turkish-Americans who attend the protests, draped in Turkish flags, holding signs and banners, proud of their Turkish heritage, but equally proud to be citizens of the United States. Through the sea of Turkish flags they wave American flags, and in tandem pay tribute to both the Turkish and United States’ national anthems. They are dual patriots – proud, sincere, and courageous.
They laugh, they smile, they sing -- and they warn us…about the reclusive Iman hiding out in the Poconos, they warn us about Fetullah Gulen and the path of destruction he has left behind in Turkey and the one he is weaving in the United States.
And then there are the Turkish journalists who despite being imprisoned, and facing the possibility of future imprisonment – speak out. They know that returning to Turkey makes them susceptible to Gulen’s menacing punishment -- lawsuits, incarceration, and torture. But they go on, knowing that each time they speak out that they are speaking not only for their personal freedoms, but that of a country.
There is the retired Turkish Navy Admiral whose constant smile and verbose speeches -- often digressing into a myriad of topics – but eventually returning to the topic of the Gulen movement’s intrusive and corruptive influence on the Turkish military, stands proudly and fearlessly -- warning us.
It’s a blending of spirit, a meshing of political principles that cannot be replicated through print or other media – but only experienced in the moment of its heated passion and endurance, and in person.
They are not offering tea, baklava, free trips to Turkey, or political bribes – instead they are offering truth and transparency, precious commodities that are scarcities in Gulen’s agenda.
Who are these people? They are the people we need to be – the people we want to be – the people we should be -- the people who care enough to put their lives aside for the benefit of others – for the benefit of us.
