Florence Nightingale 908

Today is the 13th day since the accident and the 11th day since the surgery. I am at the Florence Nightingale (FN) Şişli Abide-i Hürriyet Center. As you may recall from my previous article, I was staying in room 718 on the seventh floor. Three days ago, they moved me to room 908 on the 9th floor. Is there a renovation (reconstruction) going on? Prof. Dr. Asım Hamzaoğlu, the world-renowned head of the team that got me back on my feet and restored my health, "most likely rewarded me and promoted me to the 9th floor so I could see Istanbul better." Moreover, my room is a few square meters larger and more spacious.

My dear professor was right. What did our famous poet Orhan Veli say? "I am listening to Istanbul, my eyes closed..." I am both listening and watching Istanbul from a higher vantage point with my accident-survivor glasses, having lost one lens.

From the window of my new room, I can easily see our red and white flag waving on Çamlıca Hill and the Çamlıca Mosque, the largest mosque in our Republican history.

As the number of skyscrapers increases, the poet's "Seven-Hilled Istanbul..." will soon reach hills with triple-digit numbers. Istanbul is the city with the most skyscrapers in Europe. Should we be proud? Or should we be sad?

While watching the Abide-i Hürriyet side from the common lounge where we pace after surgeries, I can see Kadıköy and even Heybeliada in the far distance. When I mention Heybeliada, I drift back to those days. Between 1967 and 1970, while I was studying at the Heybeliada Naval High School, our literature teacher Bekir Sıtkı Erdoğan, the author of the poem starting with "I'll be there as soon as the hoopoes chirp..." which was very popular at the time, would say in class during a lesson, "...just wait a moment, children. Inspiration has struck..." and ask for permission. He would turn toward the entrance of the Istanbul Bosphorus and take notes in deep awe. In those years, merit was very, very important.

Today, however, loyalty is at the forefront. They had our 5 young officers who said "We are Atatürk's soldiers" dismissed from the army through 77 hoops. The Chief of General Staff is in a legal dispute with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. Despite this, they promoted them to the next rank without batting an eye. They made them Chief of General Staff. Loyalty...

Hamdi Gürbüz called yesterday; the process of taking my car to the service has been completed. A file has been opened. Is the driver's license of the person who caused the accident fake, I wonder? Are the exams; theoretical and practical applications sufficient? The truck pulls over to the right of the highway due to a breakdown. No precautions or signs are taken. None of the warning devices were there. Protecting the country's academic honor should primarily be the duty of the YÖK (Council of Higher Education) president. What should be said to those who can produce psychologists and medical doctors (I have infinite respect for those who earn and live by their own labor) from those who wash carpets.

Mr. YÖK President? Are you not responsible for the academic honor of middle school diplomas, other diplomas, certificates, and dozens of PhDs, Associate Professors, and Professors?

Hit, hit, let it moan, let the government listen to this... CHP Chairman Özgür Özel revealed concrete documents regarding the IMM (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) Case Exchange by Attorney Mehmet Yıldırım at the Istanbul-Tuzla rally on Wednesday, and as a result, he was released with judicial control conditions in 2 days. The key to the Digital State in our country does not work. Everyone is getting in and out. Wasn't Turkey's e-government the second in Europe? I don't know the seriousness of the incident with the Deputy Minister of Justice trying to delete diplomas and certificates, but it is not possible to estimate its magnitude for now.

What else is there, like serving time in prison for money in place of another prisoner (rich, famous)? In short, the country's administration has rotted.

I would like to thank my Chairman Özgür Özel, my friend Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba for their very close interest by getting information every hour, and FN Board Advisor Doğan Kılıç, who did not spare his daily visits, for their care. In the meantime, I convey my gratitude to all the deputies in parliament, especially those of the 24th term of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and to Serhan Asker and the Halk TV "Görkemli Hatıralar" (Magnificent Memories) team for their close interest in my health.

There are so many visitors, those who sent messages on social media, and those who called; I thank everyone and offer my greetings and love.

Prof. Dr. Nurettin DEMİR