Anzac Day in Gallipoli

There were 16 to 20 thousand people attending the Anzac Day ceremonies in Gallipoli (Gelibolu).

Most of these were visitors from abroad. Here are two links about the ceremonies.

NZ News article and audio report [does not exist anymore] [Do a Google/Yahoo search for 'Anzac Day' to see recent news]

Milliyet article [Turkish]

In these days of terrorism, hatred and war, the fact that two nations commemorating together the death of their "sons" in one of the most deadly clashes of the World War I is this week's most enlightning news... For me at least...

Here is what Mustafa Kemal Ataturk said in 1934:

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives; you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours.

You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."

Timeline

Timeline on DVD with some extras. The movie was surprisingly 'easy' to watch. Not one of Donner's best. Still entertaining...

For the amount of time and money spent on this one, it could be a lot better and less predictable. I mean, should the viewer figure out the ending in the frist five minutes?

The book was better, but still felt like a 'book production.'

(Not) Paying Taxes

Turkish newspaper Radikal published the latests report on Turkish tax payers. The results are sad, disturbing and laughable at the same time. It is just unmanagable...

A minimum wage earner is paying 53.9 million TL per month in taxes. Here are some numbers for a few categories. The numbers are 2003 averages for each occupation/profession:
(in million TL)

Average tax payer	71.4
Hotels-Motels	62.0
Building Contractors	19.6
Drugstores	300.6
Dentists	25.3
Doctors	76.9
Engineers/Architects	75.6
Notary Public	4,182.9 (Guess why?!)
Tourism Agencies	35.9
Restaurants	24.3

Assuming an average restaurant in Turkey employs 2 to 4 minimum wage waiters, the ratio of 'misdemenors' (?) is obvious. Again, the number for a minimum wage earner is 53.9. Not much can be said for other professions, such as doctors, dentists and contractors.

Here is the table (in Turkish, all numbers in million TL):

DVD Extras

Finished watching 'Once upon a Time in Mexico'. The movie is OK. DVD extras are very good. The first three behind the scenes 'featurettes' by Roberto Rodriguez are just perfect... for movie buffs, techno heads and gourmets -respectively.