It was my favorite TV series when I was a little boy. There two sides: the good and the bad; Autobots & Decepticons and of course planet earth has to be saved! Well… when I look at Turkey of today, it is no different than the series which I liked so much as a child. However, I am not enjoying watching it this time around.

After the elections of 2002, I was feeling that something’s going to happen in Turkey. It was for sure that the reign of power would change “hands”. Actually, to be honest, I was thinking that AK Parti could actually use its power for the betterment of society in those days. Hm, apparently I was wrong. Systematically, things started changing. And no, not in a good way.

Additionally, their modus operandi was and is pretty smart. First ignite a discussion. Then they sit back and let the media (indirectly society) argue about it. If the common opinion is positive, the law is enacted and everybody celebrates! If the idea is not welcomed by society, however, just wait for a while and give it a second try; if voters continue to oppose your plan simply give out a statement saying that you have always been against it yourself.

Furthermore, in order to actually survive you have to eliminate your rivals (including people, institutions etc.) in any way you can – it does not matter if you lie or create a mythical conspiracy- just put the blame on ‘them’ (whomever ‘they’ may be).

Also, be sure to encourage & support some groups, but do it covertly. When the plan fails, deny your involvement; this isn’t what you were after. In other words, keep your distance from everybody, yes, even from your allies.

In addition, watch out! A new bourgeoisie is arising. Not like the one that we got used to… No, the new middle and upper classes have a complete different mentality, distinct values, complex manners – not like European bourgeoisie who support artists- Something more like American ghetto style like: What’s my name… come on, come on say my name! Anyways, you’ll get used to it…

Yeah, its true that more people are buying nice cars and houses etc.(with long term loans), but what about the East of the country? Are there any positive developments there? I don’t think so… Any progress in social development (still people get beat up because they don’t fast)? Nope… Any industrial revolution or investments in R&D (just make joint ventures or FDI, that’s easier)? Can’t see any… Yeah it’s true that I can visit more countries without Visa then before, but number one, I am not keen on going to a third world country and number two, with which money will I go to?

Thence, at a place where the gasoline price is the highest in the ranking, where you doubt whether the “others” will be arrested or not every day or where you will hear another heart breaking martyr news, things as rosy as they seem.

As a last resort, concepts are transforming in Turkey just like the characters in Transformers. The only question I have is: who belongs to the Autobots and who is a loyal member of the evil Decepticons (though both sides have to pay a lot of gasoline money in Turkey). Consequently, I hope the planet “Turkey” will be saved as I saw on TV.