Finally, a start on holding Turkey accountable

It must be nice to lead a country about which everybody knows its myriad dirty little secrets, yet you can go anywhere, including in the United States, with an air of superiority and impunity. It helps if that country has purchased its way to such a standing and along with that purchase has the ability to beat up Americans on American soil.

Such is our “ally” Turkey, the country against whom the United States has turned a blind eye to its outrages for nearly a century – genocide, religious and ethnic oppression, and no due process.

Last year Turkey’s presidential guards/goons attacked guards at the Brookings Institution in New York. Last month they pulled the same stunt, this time under the direct command of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the new Sultan of Swing – countless peaceful protesters were left bloodied and bruised – the Tooth Fairy was plenty busy that night.

To the United States’ credit, our leaders (minus the president) have demanded that the Turkish ambassador be removed and that those responsible be held accountable. Now the State Department is considering rescinding an approved sale of weapons to the same thugs who attacked Americans. It’s a start.

This story was originally published June 7, 2017 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Finally, a start on holding Turkey accountable."