Worship of Dead Presidents

I returned last Sunday from an around weeklong trip to Taipei, where they apparently have no scruples against worshipping the traitor-in-chief to Imperial China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen:

When Dr. Sun Yat-sen demised less than a decade and a half after the overthrow of the Qing dynasty, one of his closest, Chiang Kai-shek, remained in charge through various posts for around fifty years until his own demise.

They overthrew the Qing dynasty, to have a revolutionary general in charge for half a century, longer than most monarchs remain on the throne.

And they worship him as well:

Photos by yours truly.

Voting Required to Be Human?

This week I overheard a discussion on monarchy vs. republic. It was claimed in this discussion that since the royals do not have surnames and do not have the right vote, they are not allowed to be human.

What is one to say?

Atatürk

I had the pleasure of a one week's stay in Antalya, Turkey last week.

I stayed at the Topkapı Palace Hotel, next to the Kremlin Palace Hotel. My business all week took place at these two hotels. I can actually say I walked several times a day from the Topkapı Palace to the Kremlin and back.

This was actually quite enjoyable. However, from time to time, something got in the way. Why can't modern Turks make a concept like this without a scratch? Why do they have to put a monument of Atatürk in each hotel lobby? Have they no sense of consistency at all?

The concept is the Ottoman residence, and what they do is put a monument to honor the founder of the Turkish Republic in the lobby. Give me a break!

My last full day there was November 10. Supposedly, there is a moment of silence at 0905 hours that day every year to honor this man. People put wreaths at his monuments. They hail his achievement of ousting the “antiquated” Ottoman Empire.

From what I can tell, Atatürk must be modern Turkey's secular God. We say that government rather should be of laws than of men.

The ruling principle in Turkey must be government by a single dead man!