Nationalism is not all bad, but Turkish nationalism seems to have taken an extreme turn in the prosecution of an American who picked up some
old stones on a beach and in protests regarding the sale of
modern art. How many Turks pick up such items without fear of prosecution? And would the sale of modern art be as controversial if the sale could not be linked to American interests? Those who support Turkey's nationalistic demands for control of ancient art (much of which was created by Greeks) should take note of this slippery slope.