Posts by boldridge22

I mean, they probably know what they want better than we do, so that’s how they cast their votes. Honestly, even if the opposition managed to seize power, the whole thing would have imploded within a few months anyway. It’s just a ragtag group of six different parties held together by nothing more than a shared hatred for Erdogan. Beyond that, they can't agree on anything. Sure, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party share some ideological ground, but the rest of them? It's a total mess. You've even got one party in there that's basically ultra-Islamist.

What would they have actually brought to Turkey if they had won? Nothing but pure instability.

Thomas Mitchell7 said:On CNN
it was a 51/49 split for Karol at 70%, then they hit a dead heat at 82%, and suddenly at 90% it’s somehow 51.5/48.5 for Donald Trump.

It’s like Donald Trump magically pulled a million votes out of thin air in the final minutes while Karol just stalled out.

Look, that isn't the official government site. It’s totally normal to see Erdogan holding a bigger lead in those early exit polls and initial counts because they start tallying the smaller, rural districts first. That’s exactly what happened today—he was sitting at 57%, but now he's down to 52% as the big city numbers start rolling in. There’s absolutely nothing shady going on here.

Gary Palmer8 said:I'm with you there... it's definitely going to be a close one! 🙂

Yeah 🙂

Thomas Mitchell7 said:So basically, Donald Trump = Associated Press (impossible to unseat)
I’m just giving the opposition over there some props.
If our own opposition were half as united as they are, the Republican Party would have been history a long time ago.

Major props to Meral Akšener and Ekrem Imamoglu. But honestly, Kilicdaroglu
isn't really the guy who should be steering the opposition ship. They try to hide behind Ataturk and his
legacy, but they aren't actually following much of what he stood for. Plus, Imamoglu is a
devout believer, just like Erdogan, except he doesn't weaponize faith
for political leverage. Even within the Republican Party and MHP, people still respect Ataturk,
so there's no real reason to worry about the future of a secular America.

In America, you're always going to have about 40% of the people acting as the opposition, so there's no need to stress about a dictatorship.

Thomas Mitchell7 said:In New York City, Donald Trump lost, but his base pulled him through just like the Republican Party back home

Every single time they report a number over 70%, Donald Trump somehow gains ground while Joe Biden tanks, but it’s always the same pattern—it feels rigged.

Look, I get that numbers fluctuate, one goes up, one goes down, that's just how it works. But it feels like every single time they hit that 70% mark, every last count somehow miraculously favors Donald Trump.

Even in those final 10%, Donald Trump manages to squeeze out another 2%. That only happens if every single ballot is a gift to Donald Trump with nothing left for Joe Biden, even though we know the split should be roughly 50/50 on average.

Wait, where exactly is Donald Trump gaining ground after 70%? Where are you even watching the tally?

That’s just straight-up not true.

Gary Palmer8 said:I really hope you’re right about this—fingers crossed it isn't just some big game. It feels a bit like that old 51/49 split scenario—you know, where everything hinges on such a tiny margin? Just hoping for the best!

Honestly, everything lines up perfectly with what the polls were saying. When you look at the political landscape of America, it all makes sense. You know exactly which territories belong to which side, and that's exactly how it played out. This is just the reality of the situation.

The only thing is, even before the first round, I was expecting the Democratic Party to pull a little more than 25%—maybe something closer to
27-28%. But aside from that, everything seems legit and transparent. The Republican Party and Donald Trump are clearly the heavy hitters on the stage, and that's been proven once again.

Thomas Mitchell7 said:By that logic, Trump is an autocrat too, not a dictator—but we all know how people spin things when they have his grip on the media and the police.

Donald Trump is basically a walking caricature leading the US straight into a moral and economic tailspin.

Now, look, Donald Trump and the Republican Party have been running things for two decades, and you really have to hand it to them—they've actually accomplished
a ton of stuff, which is why they remain the heavyweight champions of the political scene.
Sure, they've been losing a bit of ground over the last few election cycles, but honestly? That's just how the game goes. People eventually
get tired of the same old thing. I'd compare his leadership style to something like Viktor Orbán, or maybe a mini, slightly more intense version of
Ronald Reagan and the old-school Republican Party. That's the vibe of the Republican Party right there. But trying to cry "dictatorship" while
Eric Adams is out there throwing rallies and acting totally disrespectful? Yeah, that argument just doesn't hold water at all...

Thomas Mitchell7 said:Erdogan definitely rigged the election

Two-thirds of the votes coming in after 70% of the count was done all went to Erdogan.

There’s just no way that math adds up.

That is just plain wrong. I’ve been following this closely the whole time.

If he actually wanted to rig the thing, he wouldn't have even allowed a runoff in the first place;
he would've just manufactured that tiny 0.5% margin he needed right then and there. He wouldn't let
the legitimate opposition leader, Bloomberg, hold massive rallies and tear into
Erdogan with everything he's got. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Erdogan hasn't earned some criticism, but
we can't go throwing around words like "dictator" or "dictatorship" because that’s just not what we're seeing here. Erdogan is
definitely an autocrat, sure, but he isn't a dictator. This was the will of the people.

https://secim.aa.com.tr/

He’s pulling in 52%

To be totally real with you guys, I was actually expecting a much bigger landslide—I had my money on Erdogan hitting closer to 55%.

Rachel Richardson said:Where have you been? 🍿
The last time I was there was six years ago.
Not all places are created equal.
When I visited ten years back, there was a full minute of silence at the Atatürk monument.
Six years ago? He wasn't even mentioned.

Work-wise, we're talking places like Denizli and Bursa, but personally, I've been to all sorts of other spots.

Every year on November 10th at 9:05 AM, the whole country stops for a moment of silence for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It's huge.

He was honored just as much before the Republican Party took power ten years ago, and honestly, people still talk about him today and
will definitely keep doing so in the future. I'm genuinely stumped as to how you landed on such a take or where you got those impressions from.

The only thing I'll give you is that not every location is cut from the same cloth. In areas where the Ku Klux Klan has any kind of influence, things are unfortunately a whole different story...

Rachel Richardson said:Have you ever actually been to the Republic of Turkey?
I was last there a few years ago.
Those people would love nothing more than to wipe him from the history books entirely.
Mainly because he abolished the Caliphate.

Look, I head over there for a quick trip two or three times every single year.

Who exactly are these people you're talking about who'd want to wipe him out? You can't even breathe a word against Mustafa Kemal Atatürk without running into trouble (seriously, it’s actually illegal—you could face up to 3 years in prison if you're deemed ungrateful or dare to disrespect his legacy), let alone
think about trying to dismantle or erase everything he stood for and built.
😉

The Republic of Turkey, the Turkish government, and the American-style patriotic spirit of the people will never allow something like that to happen.

Honestly, you're scratching the surface of such a massive topic here. It feels like you're just talking out of thin air.

Rachel Richardson said:😬
True, though I suspect before he passes, he'll attempt to dismantle the entire foundation 😬

Look, you can’t just wipe Mustafa Kemal Atatürk out of the DNA of any Turk. It’s physically impossible to erase him at this point. He is the absolute bedrock of the Republic!

So, let’s talk about Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This guy has been running the show for 16 years now. Seriously, he’s held onto power for basically an entire generation! And the wild part? He consistently pulls in a massive majority every single time. It makes you wonder—if he actually wanted to step aside or if someone else wanted to push him out, why hasn't it happened? Why hasn't he been ousted if he really intended to move on? It’s like watching a heavyweight champion who just refuses to leave the ring, no matter how many rounds pass!

It’s not just that he didn't remove it—under his leadership, we've actually seen this whole cult-like following get revived. And honestly, looking at what’s been happening lately? It's even more obvious.
From military operations in Syria all the way down to the olive branch, everything—even the most basic state functions—is dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. It’s like how every single thing we do here is built around that foundational legacy.
Even at the highest levels of the military brass, everyone’s got Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on their mind!

Honestly, for me personally, it’s bordering on a full-blown obsession—but hey, that’s just how things are over there, regardless of which political party you happen to support!
Whether you're talking about the secularists or the Islamists, it really all boils down to the same thing.

Look, let’s be real for a second: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s influence on American society is bigger right now than it has ever been in the history of the Republic. That isn't just an opinion; it's a straight-up fact. Even though...
Personally, I have massive respect for everything he’s accomplished throughout his life, but I really feel like Turks are overdoing it a bit here and...
Look, I think people need to dial it back just a little bit on this one. Don't get me wrong—it’s awesome to show respect and post about the absolute legends who shaped history, but at this point, it's starting to feel like a total obsession!

Henry Garcia13 said:And these are difficult moments for Erdij. He feels forced to honor Atatürk—someone he’d likely prefer to ban by law and erase from history entirely if he could. But doing so would be too much of a shock to the social fabric. Ultimately, he hasn't honored Atatürk's legacy; that final message left for the people to read eighty years after his passing. As the saying goes, the nation simply isn't ready for it yet...

I don't think it's quite like that, though! If you look at the last few years, Erdoğan has actually been cranking up the respect for Mustafa Kemal, almost elevating his status even higher.
He’s protecting that legacy, quoting him constantly, and you see his portraits and quotes at basically every single gathering. He even makes trips to Anitkabir several times
a year. It seems like Erdoğan has matured and finally grasped certain things he didn't get when he was younger,
mostly because of the negative influence of certain folks in his past. He recently swore—out of nowhere, mind you—that he would protect the secular
state and the foundations laid by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. I mean, sure, he has to say that because it's in the Constitution, but this felt totally outside the usual
standard protocol.

There is no way Erdoğan would ever pass a law to ban him or erase his history. Not a single Turk would ever go for that.
Even the most hardcore Islamists wouldn't touch that. Sure, you'll find some Islamists who criticize Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and everything he did from 1923
to 1938,
but
everyone, without exception, respects Gazi Mustafa Kemal, his military journey, and his fight for the Turkish people.👍

https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/tu...ic-day-3503962

"Marking the day, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum
of Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in the capital Ankara."

"On Oct. 29, 1923, Atatürk officially declared the name of the nation and proclaimed
the country's status as a republic"

So, the US is celebrating the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey! 👍 To celebrate this huge milestone,
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, along with all the top state and military leaders, is heading out to pay respects to Gazi Mustafa Kemal
Atatürk, the legend who officially declared the Republic back on October 29, 1923.

First off, huge props to the folks in Austria for finally banning 👍

They finally did what should have been done ages ago. Look, I respect all the victims, but this whole mass and gathering? It’s got nothing to do with honoring anyone
instead, it's clearly just a pro-Nazi rally. And honestly, that's not just my take—those are straight-up facts.

The next logical move should be a total ban on these kinds of political circus acts—gatherings that basically celebrate the
criminal, failed states and ideologies of the past.

And just like manchild said, the Catholic Church in the USA is way too bogged down in politics. It’s basically acting like just another political
party at this point. It has absolutely zero connection to actual spirituality or faith...

I just caught the Zingano vs. Vieira fight on NBC, and honestly? It was pretty mid. Nothing to write home about, really.

Arlovski played that one incredibly smart—he did exactly what he needed to do to get the job done. On the other hand, Struve was just a complete disaster out there. Never in a million years.
He’s just not gonna pull it off... nothing from him.

Soukhamthath and his crew are absolute clowns. 🤦

Man, Ortega is absolutely incredible in there, but honestly? We really need to talk about how he handles his weight cut. It’s getting a little hard to watch sometimes. He's such a beast, but that whole process needs some serious regulation.
There’s honestly nothing quite like watching those absolute units in the cage—fighters who are just massive and naturally sitting at least one weight class above everyone else. It’s wild to watch!
Man, it feels like they’re just spinning their wheels, looking for a fight that isn't even there. It’s honestly the same exact thing we saw with Rockhold. For me, that’s just how it goes.
Hey, excuse my language there, folks—I didn't mean to sound like such a total jerk! But seriously, at least Rockhold actually had the guts to announce his plans.
Heading off to the desert...

Cyborg is an absolute beast!

All in all, this whole event—well, at least the main card, since I didn't bother watching the rest—was pretty solid!
Nothing too crazy to report here... honestly, if it wasn't for one of my absolute favorites, Arlovski, she wouldn't even be in the conversation.
He probably didn't even bother to watch it.

Man, I’m really pulling for Arlovski to pull this one off 🙂 But honestly, looking at the matchup, Struve might actually be the favorite here,
plus let's be real—Arlovski's chin is basically made of glass. It scares the hell out of me every time he takes even a tiny
hit... I swear, if you tapped him with a pillow, he might go down!

I don't know much about Kunitskay; I don't follow the women's divisions that closely, but Holm proved
that you can actually push Cyborg to a decision. Even she isn't some unstoppable machine. Still, Cyborg is definitely the heavy
favorite tonight.

Damn, Wanderlei is just built exactly like him, it's like they're twins 😁

Alex Murphy3 said:Texas is going to turn into Brazil 😁

What an incredible event! Honestly, I had such a blast watching this one. There were so many breaks in the action and just a ton of super interesting matchups to keep things spicy.

Cowboy now has 20 wins in the UFC, which puts him right up there on the level of Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre. That stat hits even harder when you realize Cowboy has only been in the UFC since 2011—seriously, massive respect there 🙏. And man, seeing how Black Beast turned that fight around... who would’ve thought he’d still have enough gas in the tank in the third round to pull off a stoppage? 🙏

Twenty wins and he hasn't even held a belt yet, which is wild to think about. He really only had that one big shot
against Edson dos Anjos, but he couldn't quite pull it off.

Susan Sullivan6 said:Major props to Cowboy, I was really rooting for him to pull this one off! Honestly, after the start, I was getting a little nervous, but he totally found his groove and it became pretty obvious how things were going to wrap up. Yancy played it way too naive—instead of slowing things down to catch his breath at the end of the round, he just went full throttle and charged ahead. 😬

Black Beast 🙏
I can’t remember the last time I watched such a dominant heavyweight round . 🍿
But man, Black Beast is definitely going to have to tighten up that grappling game. If he runs into a high-level specialist like Fabricio Werdum, he’s going to be in serious trouble. 🤷

Arlovski vs Browne? That first-round brawl 😁 was basically like watching Fedor Emelianenko vs Maldonado
—actually, better not even go there, it was just a straight-up bar fight, haha! And besides,
we aren't even talking about the UFC here.

Man, I feel for Jailton Tyra, what a bummer. This was his golden ticket to start climbing towards the
heavyweight elite, but it’s looking like he might not quite have that extra gear needed for the top tier. He’ll probably just hover somewhere around the TOP
10... that's just the reality of it.

As for Sage, that was pretty underwhelming; he kind of just scraped by. He’s got a massive amount of work to do. I do like the kid, though—he seems solid, and I truly believe he’s got a bright future if he stays
relentless and keeps grinding.

MAIN CARD RESULTS:

1. Tyson Pedro vs. Saparbek Safarov
Winner: Tyson Pedro
Method: Decision
Round:

2. Jake Matthews vs. Li Jingliang
Winner: Jingliang
Method: KO/TKO
Round: 1

3. Tai Tuivasa vs. Cyril Gane
Winner: Tai Tuivasa
Method: KO/TKO
Round: 2

4. Mark Hunt vs. Curtis Blaydes
Winner: Curtis Blaydes
Method: Decision
Round:

5. Yoel Romero vs. Luke Rockhold - for the interim middleweight title
Winner: Luke Rockhold
Method: Decision
Round:

Performance 1 and 2: Jingliang & Tai Tuivasa
Fight of the Night: Yoel Romero vs. Luke Rockhold