If Turkmens Have Access to the Internet …
This post on Internet in Turkmenistan, caused a discussion on whether Internet is important at all in a country where there are no jobs and bribery is blossoming. One comment particularly caught our attention and I am posting it here:
Turkmen said,
on February 21st, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Non Fiction: We used to have soldiers in our home working for food. They were brought to our home to work by their commanders. Mayors would get bribe for giving us labors. Now, sergeants come to people’s houses and sell or exchange soldiers’ food for cigarets, socks, money. How many weak and Russians were killed in these Armies?
Less than a month ago my brother died there. He was 19, studied only 3-4 grades at school. Went to Russia earn money for living at the age of 13-14. Now, when he came back after 5 years away of his motherland without visa and crossed the border illigally he was put in jail for 10 days. Then he sent invitation to his pregnant bride in Uzbekistan. They waited for 3 months for this visa and they didn’t give it to her. “You are no one to him, you are not his wife to go to Turkmenistan” was said in the Embassy to her. But it was told in the invitation that he is inviting her to his country to get married. Now, after waiting for 3 months for her he died. He didn’t see her, they didn’t live together. The baby will be born without a father.
My friend was cought in Turkmenbashi because he was on vacation. The police men were stunned when they heard that he, turkmen was on vacation. They put him to jail because he is baptized turkmen in Russian Orthodox Church. In the jail there was a concrete floor where people were freezing. After a while a big man came and pulled them out of the cage in order to get them work in his home. My friend refused to go so he was taken by the mayor who had a long talk and …
There was time when people couldn’t get passports for the reason that the covering of the Turkmen passports were printed in Britain and Britain run out of printers! I waited my passport for 7 months and when I got tired of this bullshit I urged the passport giver to give it to me imediatly. He said that he will put me into jail if I stand for my rights.
Children coming to our houses asking for empty plastic bottles are common scene.
I was asked to live my secondary school because my mother promised a present to the principal of my school and didn’t give it to her.
Let that dead machines pick up cotton. 8th and 9th graders pick up cotton for September,October and November and breathe the dust.
Yes, that is it. If Turkmens have access to the internet then they will read this and continue my story.
on February 27th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Leila, thank you for posting this and putting it before the eyes of the world!
Turkmen, I don’t know what to say except please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences for your sufferings. We can only hope that things will start to improve with the political changes. I know it is a long shot, but we still have to hope…
on March 1st, 2007 at 3:53 am
Yes, she is right nothing has changed since Berdymuhammedov became a new president. People either russians or turkmens are still suffering from poverty, inadequate educational system, no freedom of speech, controlled by government media, terrible human rights(I know that human rights supporters and opposers of Berdymuhammedov are still held in mad houses or in prisons if they are lucky enough!!!)and appaling medical system.
Discrimination in Turkmenistan starts with high echelons of gowernment and ending with middle and low classes of society.And it is not a surprise that there is no a russian or uzbek politician in the government. Another example of discrimination is related to Millitary Academia -just ethnic turkmens can study there.Also unemploinment rises up to 75% however there are no benefits for unemploed as a result half of the population is addicted to drugs. Moreover in each turkmen mosque or church the book “Ruhnama” has to be kept on sight among sacred books such as Bible and Koran.
And what about Internet it will be controlled by the government therefore nobody in Turkmenistan will be able comment on this web page
on March 1st, 2007 at 4:11 am
If you want contact me, my e-mail address is guychli@hotmail.com
on March 4th, 2007 at 5:42 am
Genius story. dramatic,traumatic yet nice. Dostoyevski would be proud…
I had a dog. I liked him a lot. He died. I cried. No to cry I tried. But i got tired. and again i cried. i was only 13. Somebody killed him. I guess somebody put poison in a meat, and fed it to him. Why did he eat that meat? Why did not he think that there might be something inside that meat? oh, well, what the heck… he was a dog, how the hell would he think.. he could not think. Dogs do not think. or do they? Intuition? destiny? Prestige?
on March 4th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
To Larry,
WTF are kidding me? Nothing chnaged since Berdymuhammedov? You got election when most of websites ( especially this website )were hoping for revolution. Well guys I am sorry to dissapoint you… Hey I haven’t seen turkmen citizens eating from garbage while I cannot say same about any ” Developed countries “. Yes we have poop people but they are trying to do something even if it is exchanging socks for cigarette. And cammon grow up people it has been 16 or so days since Berdymuhammedov became president you don’t expect him to develope country in 16 days DO YOU? I guess you don’t know that high-schools have 10 years education system and universities 5 years, new international school expected to open in coming years, number of exchange student will be at least doubled starting september,yes sistem needs more that this but it will happen don you think these are change???
About Russians And Uzbecs in politics hey maybe we should elect russian to be our president that would be fun don’t you think? After what they did in 1991 when turkmen population was straving and Niyazov asked ” USSR Brother” to help everybody refused some USSR countries even tried to sell grain for uneffortable price just to make money and the only country that helped is IRAN. Surpriseee. Also you know about gas proble that Russia nowadays still tries to control Turkmenistan thinking just about their gain. So please don’t speak about russian politicians in turkmen goverment. Hey Show me russian gongresmen in ” democracy example country ” America.
Fifty percent of population on drugs, well that new,even drug dealers in Turkmenistan are surprised… You wanted freedom it is first step so stop complaining and open your eyes stop beeying so close minded…
on March 4th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
~Our ancestors made mistakes yesterday. We are being punished for that. We make mistakes today, tomorrow our children gonna be punished for that.
~we should not forget that cream of anything will be from its own type. If you have milk beneath it, the top will be milk cream. If bottom is yogurt,then top will be yogurt cream.
then if we are yogurts, then why would we complain that our top is yogurt cream! is not ‘he’ part of us?
We are the building blocks of the government. Government=us, ourselves. Opposing government= opposing ourselves.
well, then should we not ever complain, should not we ever question the government? of course we should, but that questioning should be asking questions from ourselves in first place: “What mistakes did we make? what did we ignore as individuals so that it happened?”
Instead of cursing the government, praying for them should be the rite thing to do.
instead of complaining, blaming for each problem, everybody should improve themselves. Salvation & deliverance of a society starts with individuals. If individuals improve, the society will automatically improve.
Another thing is, when we try to ‘question’ the government, we lose the balance. without knowing, we shake the confidence of nation against government….and with that anarchy, vandalism & terrorism start to show themselves. and once it starts, nobody can prevent it. ’s good to have bright ideas thou it is impossible to imply them ruining everything. look at Iraq, Afghanistan for Gods sake…
and nothing suddenly happens? did democracy in the “democratic!” USA reached its level only in 10-15 years?!
“astan-astan Turkmenistan”
last but not least “Democracy can not be imported as mr.president said. example:iraq again…
on March 4th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Genius… truly said.. I totally agree with you Jummi.
on March 7th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
U ….U still don’t get it right?? I am from Turkmenistan and I can access internet. What is wrong with you?? You think no turkmen will read it ?
Well, first of all u all should get that the president is newly elected. And as it was said before, what do you expect from him in a short while?? Excuse me but u cannot bring so called DEMOCRACY to other countries by war or some other methods. For example, let’s take Afganistan. Say they got a “democracy” now. Do you really think that they are very happy now?? People in America might think that their lives are now are very improved. Sophisticated robots take their shits and water falls from heaven for them. Believe me none of this are true. Wake up. Or say Iraq. what happened to Iraq?? they don’t have a Democracy even though America is trying its best. Every day i come accross a picture of crying Iraqi women holding his dead son in her arms. Do you still think that this is democracy??
Now, for Turkmen….I have some points that i didn’t get from your post. First of all, why didn’t you use your own name ?? or are so scared ??
Anyway your english looks fine to me. Where did u learn it?? There are two options. U r currently abroad or u learned it in TM. And it can be one of schools if it is TM. Means people still can learn english and it is not so bad as u tried to point it out in ur story. For example, i learnt english language in TM. U can reach your dreams if u really want. Well, u might think that i am from a rich family. Sorry, it is not like that.
Anyway…..about your brother….my condolesences…but what is he doing in russia?? i mean he was still a kid yo. he could have found something back in TM as a job. sitting on the internet and posting will not help u alot. BELIEVE U ME…Adios …
on March 8th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Good news
Thank you.
on March 8th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Maksat,
I had to edit your comment. We do not welcome foul language on this blog.
Best regards,
Leila.
on March 9th, 2007 at 11:19 am
To Maksat
So called Democracy was actually brought by devastating war to a number of countries. I am sure you know examples.
I do not know whether Afghans are happy or not about the situation they have now, one should ask them. But you pretend to know better what they should like or dislike, don’t you?
Are you sure you know what democracy is? Have you ever seen it?
on March 9th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
To naive,
Thank you for your comments. I thought that nobody is going to do so and i will die here without any comments.
First of all, i don’t know much about Afganistan. But as a human being u answer me this question. Would u like people from other countries come to your motherland and start a war?? AND say that this is just for a so called democracy …
Well, i haven’t seen democracy since a long time. I mean while paging through history books i really see what was a democracy. If u mean democracy by pointing out America, sorry it is not democracy.
well u can say that nobody is perfect. if it is so u r way far away from being closer to perfect.
Adios
on March 9th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
To Maksat
Well, it is a very childish trick to simplify things. It is very seldom that wars start without any reason. And the reasons behind war in Afghanisatan is not beacuse some stupid Americans all of a sudden decided to install democracy there. As a human being I may dislike the idea of foriegn invasion into my country, but I would have to think why it happens…
You said you had not seen democracy since a long time. Does it imply you saw it?
I am not pointing out to anyone or anything - that is impolite! I have never been to the US to make my personal judgements on whether they have so-called democracy or not. But what makes you do such peremptory statements?
As to the democracy in general, I would personally support Mr.Churchill in what he said about it.
Regards
And please do not die
on March 9th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Nowadays it is very difficult to say there is a country where there is perfect democracy, even todays most “democratic” nations say they do have but actually they do not.
But hence I am a time traveler, I traveled back to history and… There was the most perfect nation in 7-8th centuries, perfect in every way, in the whole history of the humankind, in the soils of Saudi Arabia. Democracy should be learned from them. and then there was Great Seljuk Empire 11-14th century.
Last but not least: The Ottomans, 110% democracy guaranteed.
While jews are controlling the most of world (media) power, there will not be perfect so-called democracy ei…
i traveled to future, it is coming….to the whole world!! and nobody, i mean nobody can stop it!! huhu!!
P.S: If you want to travel with me, i can arrange that, just tell me. It will cost you, but worths it
on March 10th, 2007 at 3:18 am
“while jews are controlling most of the world….”
Hold it right there, let’s keep the disgusting poison called anti-semitism OUT of this blog, please.
I agree that there is no perfect democracy in the world though. Probably complete democracy and justice is impossible, but that doesn’t mean we can stop trying for it.
Anybody else in Turkmenistan reading this? Good luck to you people!
on March 10th, 2007 at 6:59 am
yeah, antisemitism is a disgusting poison, made up later.. Hitler sacrificed 6 million of them to create israil state and yet they are blaming him with antisemitism.
hey time traveler, i would like to go dinosaur era, but i cant pay you in cash,instead i can be your assistant 4 a while :P.
one thing caught my attention, those democratic empires… Seljuk and ottomans… both of their origins are turkmens. If they(we) have built such great empires in the past, they(we) can do it in the future as well, rite? i mean, why not?
on March 10th, 2007 at 11:04 am
To Time traveller
For the time being the modern science knows only one means of travelling in time - a good Afghan hashish.. Therefore, try not to overuse it, or else you will find yourself in a perfect world of Jurassic democracy…
To Marat
Hitler has sacrificed some 300 000 (or 740 000 according to today’s official history) of Turkmens. Does it mean that Turkmens should blame him for sparing your grandparents only?
on March 10th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
you have so bright ideas!!! i love you naive!!! if you are a gal, i would like to marry you!!
on March 10th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I totally agree with Time traveller and Marat. If u guys can take me too please let me now. I would love to join and see the perfect time in history. Where the time freezes itself and keeps silent. Where everybody lived in peace and harmony….
To naive,
U r right it. There should be something behind these wars. For example, US again fights in Iraq because of the oil. I guess everybody knows that. After US invaded Afganistan, the production of drugs over there increased. Why would country like US invade Afganistan. Because the production of drugs will be in its hands…plus oil in Iraq. Well done people.
Besides everybody talks about Hitler. Blames him about his deeds. What about G.BUSH people??? How come u can’t say that he IS a HITLER of our time.
By the way, you should not start thinking when people invades your country, but you should think ahead. and take your steps. This thinking also takes me to the history. I know u learnt alot of these fine examples.
And when Time traveller said about time travelling just try to use your imagination …demm..
Adios amigos.
on March 10th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
To Maksat,
Please decide for yourself what the US is doing in Afghanistan and Iraq (otherwise your posts seem too contradictory):
a) exporting democracy
b) importing poppy (oil)
Now please tell me: Why do you so much care about Mr. Bush? Did he do something wrong to you personally?
Another question who is this “everybody” you are talking about all the time?
As to the history, IMHO it is a very political and inaccurate discipline. For example, how many times the history of the country you live in was rewritten to meet the demands of the moment? Here you will find a real flight of imagination!
To Marat
If you are gay, marry Time traveller! But please do not do it in Turkmenistan or you will face criminal charges.
on March 10th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
To naive or whatsoever,
Well i would like to choose an option C. As it is not improrting but exporting oil.
Hmm…for other your crap i don’t have time to comment. And i guess no need.
Yeah by the way gay people cannot marry in TM. because there are no gay people in TM :DD …so sorry a.. it is not democratic country, so all gay people stays in US….ahahahahha
Never been the type to bend or budge
The wrong button to push,
No friend of Bush
I’m the centerpiece, your the Maltese.
I am a pitbull off his leash,
All this peace talk can cease.
Let me be the voice in your strength and your choice
Let me simplify the rhyme just to amplify the noise
Try to amplify the times it, and multiply by six…
Teen million people, Are equal at this high pitch
Maybe we can reach alqueda through my speech
Let the president answer a higher anarchy
Strap him with an Ak-47, let him go, fight his own war
Let him impress daddy that way
No more blood for oil, we got our own battles to fight on our own soil
No more psychological warfare, to trick us to thinking that we ain’t loyal
If we don’t serve our own country, we’re patronizing a hero
Look in his eyes its all lies…. ahahahhahahhha
on March 11th, 2007 at 10:32 am
To Maksat or whoever
Well, well, as I can see our discussion is over because you have nothing to say, you have no arguments and your education, age and breeding is insufficient to engage in a proper controversy.
By the way, what is quite funny is that your language is so American!!! Yeah, yo!!!
on March 11th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Wuzzzuuup!!!
ahahaha..naive i think U got nothing to say. I sent some lyrics from Eminem and u kept quite. Why???? U have nothing to say about my comments on BUSH?? ahahahah
I don’t care about my age. Maybe i am younger than you. As long as i have learnt languages like English to defent my rights and speak the truth it is good enough for me…yo!! I just wanted u guys see that this conversation here so boring and useless.
I know that u gonna comment smthing after this. Because the the oppressive duty in you tell u to do so..I don’t care.
Anyway, this will be my last post here. Maybe i will visit some other time later on but for now :
Never been the type to bend or budge
The wrong button to push,
No friend of Bush
I’m the centerpiece, your the Maltese.
I am a pitbull off his leash,
All this peace talk can cease.
***
And when I’m gone, just carry on, don’t mourn
Rejoice every time you hear the sound of my voice
Just know that I’m looking down on you smiling
And I didn’t feel a thing, So baby don’t feel my pain
Just smile back….ahahahahahahahahh
on March 11th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
To Maksat
Danke schön und Leben Sie wohl!
And here is something about you (but not written by yankees so much loved by you)
What you’re gonna do
When you turn on the news
And a dictator smiles at you
What you’re gonna do
When you try to escape
But big brother is watching you
What you’re gonna do
When your own flesh and blood
Comes around and beats you up
What you’re gonna do
When it’s too much to swallow
And they still stick it down your throat
Primitive, I wanna be primitive
Primitive, let me be primitive
What you’re gonna do
When it’s sin after sin
and you know it’s not gonna stop
What you’re gonna do
When you feel all the shame
and the guilt creeping up on you
What vou’re gonna do
When it’s time to take a stand
and it’s time for some real change
All I wanna do
Is to shed my skin
And leave it all behind
Primitive, I wanna be primitive
Primitive, let me be primitive
on March 15th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Thank God, finally~
on March 17th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
To Maksat,
Yes, I didn’t tell my name because I am afraid for my life. I want to live a little longer, learn more about human rights, what makes life better and then come back to Turkmenistan and teach others. For now I will keep my name in secret for I have been scared by people , especially Turkmen.
My English: I run away from Turkmenistan and it cost me a lot. Now, I am in the US.
“U can reach your dreams if u really want”- Dreams? What are they? I never had a dream before coming here. I had to help my mother to earn money for living, to raise 8 children without a father.
My brother- what could he do in Turkmenistan? Pick up used plastic bottles? Work in a bazaar and puch heavy loaded carts? Sell ” piroshki”, pick up cotton?
Nope, he chose to see a bit of the world. Now, I would love him to be a cart pusher in Turkmenistan then dead but…
He went there because of the Turkmen’s life style! People running everywhere to earn money to dress, have cars, have golden teeth, make big weddings, ” be in a universtiy “attracted him . All these things were idialized above everything so he went to pursue his stupid goals. Don’t you remember the dead president? He tried to be younger then he is, wore golden rings, had statues of himself, had golden bulildings, golden horses, buffalos, donkeys, poets with horns and etc.
If education, kindness, love were put above everything there would be a different story.
on March 17th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
P.S
Turkmen life style resembles me of Mexican life style.
on March 17th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
P.S
Sorry, Turkmen life style resembles me of Mexican life style in AMERICA.
Have you seen Mexicans with golden necklaces ? Even 1 year old child has a necklace so do Turkmen people try to have a lot of them.
on March 18th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Dear Turkmen,
If there are more people like you, who want to learn about the way it should be and then move back to Turkmenistan to change things, then things will surely improve in your country.
on March 27th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Good news
thanks
on June 1st, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Good news
Thank you for infos.