The First City

Jonathan F. P. Rose explains how the first city was started in Turkey, 12,000 years ago.

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Turkey Blocks Access to Wikipedia

“Turkish residents were unable to access Wikipedia on Saturday after the government blocked the site, citing content ‘showing Turkey in coordination and aligned with various terrorist groups,’ according to the Anadolu news agency.

The government has not officially commented on the outage. But the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ministry told the state-run agency, ‘Instead of coordinating against terrorism, (Wikipedia) has become part of an information source which is running a smear campaign against Turkey in the international arena.'”

— “Turkey Blocks Wikipedia, Accusing It Of Running ‘Smear Campaign,'” Amy Held, NPR

More:

“Turkey just banned Wikipedia, labeling it a ‘national security threat,’” Amanda Erickson, Washington Post

“Turkey blocks Wikipedia under law designed to protect national security,”Reuters, via The Guardian

“2017 block of Wikipedia in Turkey,” Wikipedia

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Turkey Tries to Turn Off Twitter

In a frantic effort to keep a lid on dissent, Turkey’s political leaders are blaming an outside agitator — Twitter — and they’re desperately trying to shut it down. The real problem seems to be insider information on corruption in those tweets, though, and not the micro-blogging platform itself. And work-arounds make a shut-off attempt futile. Twitter can be accessed through other sites and even by SMS text messaging.

More:

“Turkey: Twitter allows ‘character assassination, ‘” Suzan Fraser, AP via Fort Worth Star‑Telegram

“Twitter May Have Exposed Government Corruption, So Turkey Is Banning Twitter,” Sara Morrison, The Wire

“Turkey blocks use of Twitter after prime minister attacks social media site,” Kevin Rawlinson, The Guardian

Sleepy? Don’t Blame the Turkey.

Here’s a more precise account, but it’s so long that reading it may make you sleepy no matter what you ate:

“Myths about myths about Thanksgiving turkey making you sleepy,” Bora Zivkovic, Scientific American blog

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Obama Pardons National Tofurky®

President Barack Obama has pardoned the 2010 National Thanksgiving Tofurky® in a ceremony in the Vegetable Garden on the South Lawn of the White House.

The mock-turkey vegetable roast will not be consumed by the First Family but will frolic with leftover arugula and endive from the presidential holiday meal in the Official White House Compost Heap.

Image by Mike Licht. Download a copy here. Creative Commons license; credit Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com

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Turkey Torching Tips for Guys

 

The National Fire Protection Association claims “turkey fryers that use oil, as currently designed, are not suitable for acceptably safe use by even a well-informed and careful consumer.” Wimps! Thursday is Thanksgiving, when we give thanks for college football and a four-day weekend. That’s when Real American Men generate Code Orange air quality by incinerating poultry on the patio.

Any pantywaist can cook on those SUV-sized natural gas, propane, electric, or gelignite-powered barbecue grills with all those fancy features (good subwoofers do help spread sauce evenly, though). Nah, let’s get ready to deep-fry some turkey. Here’s how:

1. Put Fire Department on Speed-Dial. Keep your cell phone in your welding apron pocket. It is unwise to enter a flaming residence to use the telephone.

2. Purchase more equipment. You can never have enough Real Guy outdoor cooking gear. Buy some new stuff at Home Depot first. Don’t bother with those electronic gizmos at Leading Edge; you can never read the LCD screens outdoors anyway. Williams-Sonoma? Isn’t that the California wine the wife likes?

3. Don’t forget the turkey. Make sure it is big enough to bother with. Double-check to make sure you are not buying a goat or lamb.