My latest post was a reaction not only to the reactionary approaches against the Evolution, but also to another news story. The website of Richard Dawkins has been banned by the Turkish court. So this one has been added to the list of 850 websites, including Youtube, which were banned in eight months.
It's for sure that the current Islamist government has got a role on this semi-fascist progress, but there might be a deeper problem. Maybe we have a culture of banning things. Even the word "ban" (yasak) makes some people relax in Turkey, it seems.
Whether we practice these forbidding laws efficiently or we do not, we just love to have them. 95 percent of Turkish internet users manage to get around the court decision by simple computer tricks, but we are still happy with the ban. Almost all bans in Turkey are being introduced and then continuously violated by the same schizophrenic logic in our society.
Anyway, for the last couple of months, I have been making a collection of forbidden signs. I used many online sources, including simple googling, as well as websites like Komikaze. Finally, I have completed the list, evaluating more than 50 photos. Now I announce the Top-20 Forbidden Signs in Turkey:
1 BEST ONE: Banning suicides is a tradition in Turkey. I have posted something else about it before, but this sign is even better: "Suicide is forbidden. Is it worth dying for a disloyal lover? Maybe it is! It's your decision, but it may not worth."
2 ANTI-SOCIAL: Please don't walk here side by side, if you're more than 2 people.
3 FOR IDIOTS: It is strictly forbidden to look for gas leaks by lighting a match or a lighter.
4: No comment.
5 SPORTY: Playing football on the tennis court is forbidden.
6 WHY: It is forbidden to write on the plants.
7 ALSO A SIN: Attention. It is dangerous to touch the electric cables. Smoking, lighting candles, tying up amulet cloths and throwing stones is banned and these are sinful acts. (This is a saint's tomb)
8 ISLAMOFASCISM: Dear customers, don't sit hand by hand in this restaurant. This is not a cafe (where you can flirt). Sit respectfully and be well-behaved. Our institution is truely a family place. Thank you.
9 SCARY: Attention. This water is absolutely non-drinkable. It includes hydrochloric acid. Don't wash your hands or your face with it.
10 NO-PARKING IN PARADISE: It is forbidden and it is a sin to park your car in front of the Grandpa (referring to the saint in the sanctuary).
11 ETIQUETTE: Don't spit on the ground and cover your mouth while coughing. Local Health Department.
12 WELCOME TO OUR BAR: No entrance without a dame. No "looking for a friend." No "drinking a beer and then going out." No "skimming over." No insisting.
13 FUNNY DEATH: You come here to have fun, not to die. Please don't go near the canal.
14 NOT AN ORPHANAGE: Fish Restaurant. A Family Place. No entrance without a family.
15 ALL BANNED: Making a fire is forbidden. Drinking is forbidden. Prostitution is forbidden. Garbage is forbidden... (The rest is unreadable, but I'm sure more bans follow. Except a ban on shooting the sign with bullets!)
16 OPPORTUNISM: In this workplace, it is forbidden to smoke. The smoker accepts to pay his fine, as well as the fine of the boss. (It is remarkable that there are cigarette packs on the shelf)
17 SARCASM: You can pick a flower and you can dump your trash here. The municipality.
18 BEGGING: The owner of this place is at his home now. Please don't park here.
19 FIRE ENTRANCE: Attention. Fire Exit. It is forbidden to go in or out.
20 NEO-CLASSIC: Access to this website (Youtube) has been suspended by a court decision.
