Controversy and allegations of false propaganda have recently surrounded a Time Magazine Poll aimed at targeting the most influential individuals of the 20th century.
In an attempt to identify–through public polling–the most influential people of the 20th century in five different categories–the publication–owned by Time-Warner–Inc.–has established a web site where the public may cast its vote accordingly–in such categories as Leaders and Revolutionaries–Entertainers and Artists–Builders and Titans–Scientists and Healers–and Heroes and Adventurers.
However–Turkish-interest groups have recently launched a full-scale propaganda war in support of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s candidacy in each of the five categories–offering slanted and often falsified background information and facts intended to highlight the positive–and hide the negative.
Currently–their efforts have succeeded–as Ataturk is second only to Winston Churchill in the Leaders and Revolutionaries category–141,9797 votes to 93,8455–or 46.5 percent to 30.73 percent.
Ataturk is also ahead of such individuals as Ronald Reagan (74,150)–Adolf Hitler (22,119)–General Patton (21,726) and Franklin Roosevelt (21,588).
Ataturk has also found his way into the top eight in the Builders and Titans category with 28,102 votes–well behind first-place Charles De Gaulle with 424,645 votes.
Several prominent Armenian figures are offering competitive numbers in the poll–as renowned astronomer Viktor Hambardzumian is currently the top vote-getter in the Scientists and Healers category with 498,464 votes–nearly two times greater than second-place Albert Einstein with 272,045 votes.
Also–noted singer Charles Aznavour is currently in second place behind Bob Dylan in the Entertainers and Artists category–554,848 votes to 214,712.
Ataturk–however–does lead the Heroes and Adventurers category with 1,250,436 votes–well ahead of South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela (797,870) and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (359,036).
The Time Magazine poll has come under fire from several noted publications in recent weeks such as Newsweek and the New York Times for containing questionable individuals near or at the top of several categories.
Those interested in taking part in the polls may do so at www.pathfinder.com/time/time100poll.htm.
