We wouldn't leave, but you might run away

I?ve just taken the longest vacation in my journalism life, for a book writing session. I read a lot, thought a lot. I also observed what has been going on and came to the following conclusion once more:

If you are in love with Turkey; if you were born in the Kahramanlar Neighborhood of a city in this country to immigrant parents from the Balkans; if this country has embraced you as its biological child; if this republic has offered you all means of education; if you were equipped with an education that has provided you with the right and the courage to stand up, as a young man, to the prime minister and express your ideas; if you had a state that was just and tolerant enough to provide a scholarship to you as a leftist student challenging and criticizing the rightist government; if you have lived through this country?s conservative governments; if this country of paradise coasts, mountains, fields and cities has been a wonderful homeland for you for 68 years; then, after three weeks of deep thought, after spending a long time with yourself, observing not only yourself but also ?others,? then you would understand much better that there is no other homeland you would rather go to.  

You base your strength, your will to resist, and your power to struggle on that feeling. 

My late father whispered in my ear, even before naming me: ?My son, this is our last homeland. There is no other land we will go to from here.? 

I looked back with this sentiment for three weeks. Remember that phrase yelled by that guy who attacked our offices with stones and sticks: ?You will get out of this country?? I thought about this bullying, this boasting?  

I was speaking as if I was spitting on his face: ?Look, get your stuff together and go....