If My Blog Disappears….
57Tuesday 25 March, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Apart from a few personal viewpoints in my Spike’s Viewpoint category, I have purposely steered away from politics and religion on my blog. Why…, well for the simple reason that I think we have enough of all that out there and to be honest, you don’t need Uncle Spike adding his two peneth to the maelstrom.
So… this is not a political rant, but just a heads up to 99% of my readership which is based outside of Turkey.
.
.
If my blog disappears…. yes, that’s the title of my post, but fear not, I have no intention of packing up my keyboard just yet. However there is the likelihood that blogging may become more difficult as our internal political situation worsens.
We have a largely government controlled press anyway, more journalists in jail than any other country (incl China), have had YouTube, Vimeo and blogging sites all banned before now, have over 30,000 blocked websites and now we have a total Twitter shutdown (ban) in place – neatly coinciding with local elections as Twitter contained leaked media alleging wide-scale corruption to add to the other ills we suffer here – surely not! 🙂 The government have also just banned Google DNS, a world’s first, as they vow to ‘wipe out’ Twitter, along with threats aimed at other Social Media.
.
.
I won’t go into all the background to this, nor try to explain what is happening here – you can read plenty about the goings on of the past few years on Reuters, BBC, Huffington Post, NY Times, CNN etc if you search about our country.
I will endeavour to blog on, but if my posts suddenly dry up, you’ll know why – but I will find a way to get back online, somehow; just to annoy you all with news of our good weather…
Be happy, be free…
UNCLE SPIKE
.
Uncle Spike's Adventures 
I discovered your blog just recently and I wondered how things were going for you. You and your family are in my thoughts as you ride out this ‘storm’.
LikeLike
Thanks… this is a loooong ride; much will get worse before it gets better I guess. hey ho, such is life.
LikeLike
I hope it never happens! Will keep checking on you!!
❤⊱彡 Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
LikeLike
Thanks Linda… always round these things though 🙂
LikeLike
I was in Turkey in 2002 and it seemed to be much less repressive and afraid of the outside world than these days. The leadership change since then has gone in the wrong direction in my opinion – didn’t trust them from the start. I hope you can rock on!
LikeLike
We’ll see… could be a long road. Municipal elections today – watching results as we speak. Usual largescale powercuts in the big cities which cause chaos with counts (only happens on election days). Now the semi-official agency is giving predicted count results which are polar opposites to what the other side say… (similar to many African states). No idea really, lol – watch this space.
LikeLike
Here’s hoping things don’t get to that point – You’d be missed. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Judy… VPN technology to the rescue if necessary 😀
LikeLike
Good luck! I’m not a big fan of shutting off media. Don’t see how it gets to the root cause of anything, for a start.
LikeLike
Like burying one’s head in the sand – Muppets, the lot of ’em
LikeLike
Good luck with your continuing service
LikeLike
I had been thinking of you as I listened to a report on NPR on the topic only a few days ago. I hope things will get better. All of us (i’m sure nobody will mind if I write that) will miss you and your posts.
And the Friday Flowers!!!
LikeLike
Thanks Evelyne… more Friday Flowers coming up then!
LikeLike
Wow! I hope that this doesn’t happen – hang in there! Pretty crazy stuff, that’s for sure! Thanks for the “heads up”!
LikeLike
Thanks Becky
LikeLike
Spike – delete my earlier message – youtube was down but is working again. Maybe a glitch – maybe a practice run
LikeLike
I just noticed that youtube is now blocked – Daughter is devastated!
LikeLike
Seems fine here. It’s being threatened, probably on Monday after the results
LikeLike
oh Uncle Spike! Thank you for the heads up, we will keep our paws crossed that we continue to hear from you for a long time to come.
Hugs, Carrie (Myfie, Ellie and Millie) x
LikeLike
Woof
LikeLike
I would really miss you if something like that happens. Hopefully it won’t.
LikeLike
The next few weeks could be interesting.
LikeLike
And in some way, life always goes on…
with or without internet…
LikeLike
“Where have all the flowers gone, and when will they ever learn?” Just thinking back to the 60s and all the politics and wars that led to the peace movement. The more those in power try to suppress the masses, the more creative and rebellious the suppressed become. Good luck and, to quote Star Wars, “May the Force be with you” 🙂 :
LikeLike
I love reading your blog posts Uncle Spike, but I hope this would be the worst that might happen in our country…
LikeLike
Thanks Özlem. Time will tell; interesting times…
LikeLike
Although I am a very new follower, I have come to very much enjoy each of your blog posts. It will be such a shame if they were to stop.
I hope the situation there improves, soon.
LikeLike
It’s a slow change over the past 10 years, so nothing new or temporary, and nothing will change for the foreseeable (if you read up on our country and this part of the world it’ll all make more sense (we directly border Syria, Iran, Iraq to name but a few). As to your enjoyment of the blog, that’s so kind of you to say; much appreciated 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, I am aware of what is and has been happening in your country. I guess it is more wishful thinking, on my part, in regards to a resolution. 🙂
LikeLike
Let’s hope you are right. This is an interesting read btw http://rt.com/op-edge/turkey-only-democratic-islam-crumbling-053/
LikeLike
Thank you. Reading it right now. 🙂
LikeLike
I have wondered about your situation when I have heard bits in the news. If the blog stops (or not) may your farm and family thrive.Take care. So…….. Just in case you are un-blogged ( with any luck it may never happen) Here’s to……… until we meet here again!!!!
LikeLike
Hehe, thanks.
LikeLike
This makes an interesting read…
http://rt.com/op-edge/turkey-only-democratic-islam-crumbling-053/
LikeLike
Thanks for link Spike. Will continue to follow with great interest…….. Take care
LikeLike
Hope you stay online! I would certainly miss your posts, Uncle Spike.
LikeLike
Thanx Ms Sue 😀
LikeLike
I find restrictions on sending and receiving information amazing. Twice recently I have been in countries where that is the case which makes me grateful for the non threatening privilege of reading and writing.
LikeLike
I am used to it now, but 20 years ago it took some getting used to how much is taken for granted in the west.
LikeLike
No worries, Uncle Spike! If there’s no news from you, I’ll drop you a mail to say hi 🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
😦 Uncle Spike, hope you can fly under the radar…we would miss you if you aren’t able to share with us. Know that if the worse happens we will all be thinking about you and wishing you well.
LikeLike
Many thanks. The extreme polarisation across our nation is the major worry – my little bog is pretty irrelevant really, but no worries, we’ll keep on going 🙂
LikeLike
O wow, that is very sad! Hope to keep on seeing you online!
LikeLike
Me too 🙂
LikeLike
I hope that won’t happen. WordPress is not as explosive as Twitter 🙂
LikeLike
It happened before, they just block all blog sites, video sharing etc 😦 Plenty of anti-govt stuff on WP it you search under the tags
LikeLike
You would be sorely missed by me and momwithoutpaws. Stay safe.. Hugs and lick kisses
LikeLike
I don’t know what to say , it’s so sad to see what’s happening to that fantastic place 😦
LikeLike
It’s very sad , I hope the fantastic place pulls through x
LikeLike
Give us 20 years… 🙂
LikeLike
I like this comment of yours …
LikeLike
Hi Uncle Spike,
I’ve been reading your blog when I can. Always fun and interesting! As a fellow (sometimes) blogger living in Turkey, I share your concerns about suddenly “disappearing”. Ah well, our worries are few and insignificant compared to the issues facing Turks. May the elections bring peace and prosperity to all. Or at least a beginning . . .
LikeLike
Thanks… not a thing will change in the elections if you look at the details and the overall direction and scale of administrative control . I will use my votes on Sunday, as will others, but this isnt a blip I’m afraid. We’ll see.
LikeLike
I have been following the news on what is currently happening in Turkey and I understood that people had found ways to still send Twitter messages but maybe it is becoming more difficult. Good luck with everything and hope to continue to read you in the coming weeks (Suzanne)
LikeLike
At first you could circumvent by using Google’s free worldwide DNS servers or the shortened site names, but those are also blocked now.
LikeLike
I hope that never happens… but, with time, it could happen anywhere.
LikeLike