Gulen Charter Schools Politicians Beware

Gulen Politicians hesitant to accept FREE Turkey trips!

Turkey chase

Politicians are starting to learn that if "you touch it, you will burn"  and the message is clear to any of our lawmakers accepting free trips to Turkey or dinners at the Gulen Interfaith dialog (which is really a Gulen sales job)  

"you sell us out, we vote you out"   Politicians are playing it safe. 

 Please note:  The travel agency, tours, hotels are all own and operated by the Gulenists.

Some lawmakers have second thoughts about Turkey trips

By Laylan Copelin and Mike Ward

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Updated: 7:26 a.m. Sunday, June 19, 2011

Published: 10:32 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011

For Texas legislators, one of the most coveted activities in recent years has been 10-day trips to Turkey, paid for in full or in part by various Turkish American organizations.

A dozen or so state officials, including several Central Texas legislators, have taken the trips in the past several years, and more have been invited this year.

Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, said he has taken many fact-finding trips, including to almost every country in Europe, but Turkey stands out.

He said last fall's trip to Turkey was "the best I've taken" because of the high level of government officials and business leaders he was able to meet.

"They are trying to improve relations," Fraser said. "It was a trade mission."

The Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians, an umbrella group for Turkish Americans, said the trips are about good will, not lobbying.

"These trips serve to further the business, commercial and cultural relations between Texas and Turkey," said Kemal Oksuz, the council's president-elect.

However, some legislators say they're having second thoughts about going this year, in part because of a recent New York Times article that suggested connections between the Harmony Schools, which operate 33 charter schools in Texas, and several Turkish American businesses and organizations, including the Houston-based Turquoise Council.

The Times questioned whether those connections favor Turkish American companies in bids to build the schools or provide education services.

Additionally, conservative bloggers have implied that the Harmony Schools promote Islam.

Harmony officials deny that their schools teach religion, They also have said they have no connection to the Turquoise Council and its trips.

Despite the denials, Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, said he believes there are connections between the Turquoise Council, the Harmony Schools and the promotion of Islam.

"After I researched it, I'm not interested," he said of the council's invitation to visit Turkey.

As for the Harmony Schools, Miller said, "Apparently it's (involved in) indoctrination of Islam."

Although Turkey is a moderate Muslim nation, Miller said: "That just means they're nonviolent. They won't cut off your head."

Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center, said, "It's a tempting trip." But he said he worried about "political overtones" because of reports about Muslim connections.

"If it's true — and I don't know that it is — if they're teaching Islam, that's a problem," said Christian, a supporter of charter schools.

Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, visited Turkey a few years ago to observe its education system, among other things.

"I don't remember that anyone talked about the Harmony Schools or anything that anyone in Turkey was doing in Texas," she said. "They didn't make a big deal out of religion. It really wasn't brought up. They wanted people to understand their country."

Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, traveled to Turkey five years ago but said he hasn't decided whether to return this year.

"It was the single most educational trip I've taken," he said. "You have in-depth conversations with the people there, the officials in government, in business, different groups, different ethnicities. You meet and talk with real people."

Rep. Ken Legler, R-Pasadena, said he is tempted to go because his district includes part of the Houston Ship Channel and he is interested in encouraging more Turkish trade through the port.

But he said he hesitated to accept an offer for an all-expenses-paid trip for him and his wife.

"It would look like a junket," Legler said. "I'm just worried about how it looks."

Lawmakers who have taken the trips have reported their value at between $3,200 and $3,800.

The itinerary includes visits with government and business leaders, journalists and everyday citizens, as well as sightseeing at tourist attractions and religious sites.

There's also time for fun, including a yacht trip on the Bosporus strait, a balloon flight and shopping in the city's famous bazaars.

Twenty years ago, the Legislature ostensibly outlawed pleasure trips paid for by lobbyists after news reports about lawmakers taking ski trips and golf junkets to exotic locales. But state law still allows lawmakers to travel at someone else's expense for fact-finding trips or if the lawmaker gives a speech or performs some other service that is "more than perfunctory."

That allowed the Association of General Contractors, for example, to pay $72,000 to take a dozen lawmakers to Maui for its annual conference in 2010. The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston typically takes 15 or 20 state and local officials to Israel every other year, according to that group's lobbyist.

Over the years, lawmakers have visited a variety of places, from Taiwan to Cuba to Europe. Opportunities to visit Turkey — a U.S. ally and trading partner — have increased dramatically in the past two years with the creation of the Turquoise Council.

The council, which operates in seven states and the nation's capital, raised its profile at the Texas Capitol this year, with a congressional delegation from Turkey visiting Gov. Rick Perry, Education Commissioner Robert Scott and Comptroller Susan Combs, as well as hosting a "Texan-Turkic Friendship Reception" for state officials on Jan. 25.

Oksuz, of the Turquoise Council, said Texas is Turkey's largest business and trading partner among the 50 states and that Houston and Austin are sister cities to Istanbul and Antalya, respectively.

The trips are not limited to legislators. Judges, congressional staffers and other officials are invited.

Travis County Constable Bruce Elfant and his wife went to Turkey in June 2008 with state Reps. Donna Howard, Valinda Bolton and Elliott Naishtat, all Austin Democrats, as guests of the Institute of Interfaith Dialog, a Turkish American foundation associated with the Turquoise Council. The officials paid part of their expenses.

"It was amazing," Elfant said. "We talked about our cultures and what we don't understand about one another."

Several Texas lawmakers considering traveling to Turkey later this year are weighing whether the public's perception will be that the trips are more junkets than jaunts associated with their jobs.

Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, attended the general contractors Maui conference last year and traveled to Cuba to study how that country prepares for hurricanes. But he said he won't accept the Turquoise Council invitation.

"I was looking for the good government purpose for the trip," Whitmire said. "But I haven't found it."

Scott, who oversees charter schools, won't be going to Turkey.

"He just didn't feel comfortable with the perception," said Debbie Ratcliffe, the education agency's communications director.

Scott has allowed the state's more successful charter schools, including Harmony, to expand without obtaining a new charter for each campus.

Rep. Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land, said he doesn't take trips paid for by someone else.

"As an elected official, I don't think I need to be taking anything of that value," he said. "It could be tied to a future vote."

During this summer's special session, for example, the Legislature is considering whether to have the state back construction bonds for charter schools.

The sponsor of that measure, Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, said she's been invited to Turkey but hasn't gone.

"I generally don't go on trips like that unless there's some legislative issue," she said. "But I can't imagine what it would be in Turkey. It sounds like a cultural affairs tour or something like that."

Oksuz said there is no connection between the trips and the legislation, although his private construction company has built schools for Harmony.

In January, after Fraser and four other senators returned from Turkey, they co-authored Senate Resolution 85 honoring Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish Muslim preacher who lives in Pennsylvania but has a large worldwide following, including the Gulen Institute at the University of Houston.

The Senate approved the resolution on the day the Turkish congressional delegation was making the rounds at the Capitol.

State Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, who made the trip with Fraser, said he prepared the resolution in response to his Turkey hosts and his admiration for the people.

"Their attitude — we call it nice Christian values. Of course, it's not Christian," Lucio said. "Humanitarian is the word I'm looking for."

Lucio said he is planning a return visit, courtesy of the Turquoise Council, later this year: "I'd like to see more of the country."

lcopelin@statesman.com; 445-3617; mward@statesman.com

Find this article at:

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/some-lawmakers-have-second-thoughts-about-turkey-trips-1548440.html

Harmony Parent the TRUTH: Soner Tarim- Plays both sides of the fence campaig...

Harmony Parent the TRUTH: Soner Tarim- Plays both sides of the fence campaig...: "Soner Tarim at a Harmony Science Marketing event. Note the US Flag and huge selling poster The Hizmet brothers are great at working thr..."

Gulen's Inagural Gala of the Assembly of Turkic American Federations in Washington attracts politicians

With Mike Quigly proudly displaying his Turkish Caligraphy

Entrance to the reception for the Assembly of Turkic American Federations in Washington, where people attending
recieved Turkish erbu (water marbeling) art.   This is a Gulenist organization -wait a minute we thought Gulen said he was not polticial?

With Congressman John Kerry (a former candidate for President)   Recognize some of these faces from the Gulen Movement?

More politicians with the Gulen Movement

With their favorite "Queen of Mean" Jean Schmidt who is currently under investigation by the house ethics committee



http://www.todayszaman.com/news-210184-assembly-of-turkic-american-federations-gala-draws-huge-crowd.html

http://www.rumiforum.org/newsletter/2010/may/newsletter.html

http://www.turkishfederation.org/?p=322

http://www.turkicamericanassembly.org/

Gulen frequently denies there are any polticial aspirations for the Gulen Movement, however they are constantly having their photos taken with politicians at their many events, dinners, dialog, and at the schools.  This article was in many of Gulen's online journals, so if they are not interested in poltics why spend so much time and money courting them?

A reception held in Washington, D.C., by the Assembly of Turkic American Federations, gathering six major federations representing the thriving Turkic-American community in the US, was attended by seven senators and 53 congressmen among hundreds of well-wishers.

The reception was held on Wednesday at the Willard InterContinental Washington, bringing ambassadors, directors and representatives of Turkish, Turkic and Eurasian peoples together with members of the US Congress, legislative directors and legislative assistants for foreign policy. US senators Richard Lugar, Robert Casey, Frank Lautenberg, Jeff Bingaman, Roger Wicker, Mark Warner and Kay Hagen were present at the event. Observers said that this many senators have never attended an event organized by Turks in the US before. The Assembly of Turkic American Federations is a broad umbrella organization for federations and similar entities that share the objectives of establishing closer relations with the Turkic-American community and the community at large as well as with members of other ethnic communities in the United States. Turkish Ambassador to the United States Namık Tan also attended the gala. The Turkish Parliament was represented by ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies Vahit Kirişçi, Mehmet Şahin, Mustafa Ataş, Mehmet Ceylan, İbrahim Hasgür, Alev Dedegil, Hacı Hasan Sönmez and Mehmet Çerçi. Officials from the assembly said nearly 700 guests attended the gala. Turkish and American officials congratulated the organizers of the event while underlining the necessity of improving Turkish-American ties. The member federations of the assembly are the Council of Turkic American Associations, the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations, the Turkish American Federation of the Southeast, the Turkish American Federation of the Midwest, the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians and the West America Turkic Council. Expressing the Turkish Parliament’s strong support for the assembly, AK Party Karabük deputy Ceylan said: “As evident from what you see here, Turkish Americans are now an integral part of American society. They are here in large numbers. They are organized. They are here to serve and take their place in society. They are here not asking what America can do for them but rather asking and doing what they can do for America. They give further proof to the idea of Turkish American solidarity, unity and harmony. We, as the Turkish Parliament, fully support the goal and the mission of the Assembly of Turkic American Federations.” Republican Senator Lugar of Indiana also congratulated the organizers of the gala. “Congratulations on this remarkable gala. It is really an honor and a privilege to be invited and to participate in such a great celebration,” he said. Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas emphasized the importance of improving Turkish-American relations. “We would like to go forward together to have this wonderful relationship made stronger, because one thing I’ve observed being around Turkish friends, you love graciously, you are the most gracious hosts anyone can hope to have and when you are a friend you are a friend for life,” he said. Stating that he is proud of the friendship between Turkey and America, Democrat Senator Warner, of Virginia, said he looks forward to building stronger ties of friendship between the two countries. Republican Senator Wicker of Mississippi said not everyone understands the Turkish-American relationship as well as those people in the hall where the gala was held. “Sometimes we have to stand up on the floor of the House and Senate and remind our colleagues of the strong and historic relationship that US and Turkey have, dating back to our treaty in 1839, making Turkey one of our earliest allies, and the Truman Doctrine post-World War II. The way we are working together with the NATO effort in Afghanistan, in Iraq and our efforts on counterterrorism. I’m proud to stand with my friends in Turkey. I’m proud to be part of this gala event. Everyone is having a good time, but when it’s all settled down, we are going to be there to stand up for the relationship that’s been so important to both of our countries,” he said. Expressing her gratitude, Congresswoman Virginia Fox of North Carolina, who is also the co-chair of the US Congressional Study Group on Turkey, said: “I wish I could speak Turkish. I love hearing Turkish spoken, but I can’t. But I can say, ‘Teşekkur ederim’ [thank you]. I have been to Turkey three times. And I’m going back in June. I cherish my Turkish friends. And I’m delighted to be with you tonight.” Stating that the relationship between Turkey and the US cannot be characterized as a strategic partnership, the AK Party’s Kirişçi said it is rather a model partnership that includes not only security issues but also issues related to socio-economics, technology, science and the military as well. “With the European Union harmonization process, Turkey has already taken almost all necessary steps to become a fully democratic nation. Having adopted our ‘zero problem with neighbors’ foreign policy, Turkey has played a critical role in building peace in the region. I’m so proud that Turkic Americans are so well organized under such a great umbrella organization. As a member of the Turkish Parliament, I strongly support the idea of coming together under such an organization,” he said. Describing Turkish people as the most clever and generous people in the world, Bill Cassidy, a Republican congressman from Louisiana, expressed his gratitude for a Turkish-American society opening of two charter schools in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A congressman from Oklahoma said he has long been an admirer of Turkey and its culture and looks forward to visiting very soon. “Although the US is relatively young as compared to Turkey, I think it’s tremendously important that both cultures continue to work together for the continued success of the Turkey-US relationship. I don’t have to tell you about the cultural importance of Turkey. For thousands of years, it served as a cultural epicenter of the world. Turkish people and traditions have influenced world religions, nation-building, art and history. In addition to the role of strategic partners, Turkey is a vital economic partner, and both our countries benefit from a healthy relationship with Turkey,” he said.

A reception held in Washington, D.C., by the Assembly of Turkic American Federations, gathering six major federations representing the thriving Turkic-American community in the US, was attended by seven senators and 53 congressmen among hundreds of well-wishers.

    The reception was held on Wednesday at the Willard InterContinental Washington, bringing ambassadors, directors and representatives of Turkish, Turkic and Eurasian peoples together with members of the US Congress, legislative directors and legislative assistants for foreign policy. US senators Richard Lugar, Robert Casey, Frank Lautenberg, Jeff Bingaman, Roger Wicker, Mark Warner and Kay Hagen were present at the event.

Observers said that this many senators have never attended an event organized by Turks in the US before.

The Assembly of Turkic American Federations is a broad umbrella organization for federations and similar entities that share the objectives of establishing closer relations with the Turkic-American community and the community at large as well as with members of other ethnic communities in the United States.

Turkish Ambassador to the United States Namık Tan also attended the gala. The Turkish Parliament was represented by ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies Vahit Kirişçi, Mehmet Şahin, Mustafa Ataş, Mehmet Ceylan, İbrahim Hasgür, Alev Dedegil, Hacı Hasan Sönmez and Mehmet Çerçi.

Officials from the assembly said nearly 700 guests attended the gala. Turkish and American officials congratulated the organizers of the event while underlining the necessity of improving Turkish-American ties.

The member federations of the assembly are the Council of Turkic American Associations, the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations, the Turkish American Federation of the Southeast, the Turkish American Federation of the Midwest, the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians and the West America Turkic Council.

Expressing the Turkish Parliament’s strong support for the assembly, AK Party Karabük deputy Ceylan said: “As evident from what you see here, Turkish Americans are now an integral part of American society. They are here in large numbers. They are organized. They are here to serve and take their place in society. They are here not asking what America can do for them but rather asking and doing what they can do for America. They give further proof to the idea of Turkish American solidarity, unity and harmony. We, as the Turkish Parliament, fully support the goal and the mission of the Assembly of Turkic American Federations.”

Republican Senator Lugar of Indiana also congratulated the organizers of the gala. “Congratulations on this remarkable gala. It is really an honor and a privilege to be invited and to participate in such a great celebration,” he said.

Republican Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas emphasized the importance of improving Turkish-American relations. “We would like to go forward together to have this wonderful relationship made stronger, because one thing I’ve observed being around Turkish friends, you love graciously, you are the most gracious hosts anyone can hope to have and when you are a friend you are a friend for life,” he said.

Stating that he is proud of the friendship between Turkey and America, Democrat Senator Warner, of Virginia, said he looks forward to building stronger ties of friendship between the two countries.

Republican Senator Wicker of Mississippi said not everyone understands the Turkish-American relationship as well as those people in the hall where the gala was held. “Sometimes we have to stand up on the floor of the House and Senate and remind our colleagues of the strong and historic relationship that US and Turkey have, dating back to our treaty in 1839, making Turkey one of our earliest allies, and the Truman Doctrine post-World War II. The way we are working together with the NATO effort in Afghanistan, in Iraq and our efforts on counterterrorism. I’m proud to stand with my friends in Turkey. I’m proud to be part of this gala event. Everyone is having a good time, but when it’s all settled down, we are going to be there to stand up for the relationship that’s been so important to both of our countries,” he said.

Expressing her gratitude, Congresswoman Virginia Fox of North Carolina, who is also the co-chair of the US Congressional Study Group on Turkey, said: “I wish I could speak Turkish. I love hearing Turkish spoken, but I can’t. But I can say, ‘Teşekkur ederim’ [thank you]. I have been to Turkey three times. And I’m going back in June. I cherish my Turkish friends. And I’m delighted to be with you tonight.”

Stating that the relationship between Turkey and the US cannot be characterized as a strategic partnership, the AK Party’s Kirişçi said it is rather a model partnership that includes not only security issues but also issues related to socio-economics, technology, science and the military as well. “With the European Union harmonization process, Turkey has already taken almost all necessary steps to become a fully democratic nation. Having adopted our ‘zero problem with neighbors’ foreign policy, Turkey has played a critical role in building peace in the region. I’m so proud that Turkic Americans are so well organized under such a great umbrella organization. As a member of the Turkish Parliament, I strongly support the idea of coming together under such an organization,” he said.

Describing Turkish people as the most clever and generous people in the world, Bill Cassidy, a Republican congressman from Louisiana, expressed his gratitude for a Turkish-American society opening of two charter schools in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

A congressman from Oklahoma said he has long been an admirer of Turkey and its culture and looks forward to visiting very soon. “Although the US is relatively young as compared to Turkey, I think it’s tremendously important that both cultures continue to work together for the continued success of the Turkey-US relationship. I don’t have to tell you about the cultural importance of Turkey. For thousands of years, it served as a cultural epicenter of the world. Turkish people and traditions have influenced world religions, nation-building, art and history. In addition to the role of strategic partners, Turkey is a vital economic partner, and both our countries benefit from a healthy relationship with Turkey,” he said.

Gulen Movement wins over Texas Politicians, or is that BRIBES Texas Politicians

http://turkishinvitations.weebly.com/winning-over-texas-politicians.html

No surprise that Texas is home to over 33 Gulen managed Harmony Science Academys and 4 pre - schools named Bluebonnet.  Sadly Texas will be home to the new Harmony School of Political Science where they will teach future generations of Texans how to bribe, steal and cajole the Gulen way.  American taxpayers have no say against foreign and special interests.   Good Luck Texas.

Gulen Movement featured on Hawaii PolitiCast Radio Show with Steve Davidson

The people of Hawaii have spoken they do not want the Gulen Movement or the proposed Gulen Charter Schools.  Awhile back the Pacifica Institute (A Gulen front Group)  had a "friendship" dinner with members of Hawaii's state senate.  There was also a planned trip for members of Hawaii's State Senate to Turkey, however they were warned not to accept this freebie bribe trip

THE DISCUSSION ABOUT GULEN STARTS AT 30:58

http://hawaiipoliticast.com/blog/episode/hip008-corruption-corruption/

Fethullah Gulen McCarthyism Free Speech