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Taking A Stand Against Armenian Genocide http://saneramblings.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=206&sid=6ad6cdddee6a3c8dd95ec72d76b5cf98"Why in Hell is Congress condemning Turkey for a genocide that allegedly took place 90-years ago," shouted Jerry to his friend Ara at a local coffee shop. "Doesn't Congress have enough current serious issues like the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, spying by the U.S. government on its citizens, healthcare for poor children, huge budget deficits, global warming and other big things that need action now," continued Jerry. "You miss the point," Ara replied in anger. "This is a moral imperative for justice. During World War l, Turkey killed 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children and has taken no responsibility for it."
"What do you mean," said Jerry, shaking his head in disbelief. "Turkey isn't taking responsibility. This is just another of Congress' symbolic gestures. It doesn't compensate the victims of that supposed massacre, it doesn't change a thing. All it does is irritate Turkey, a key U.S. ally in its Iraq war."
"You just illustrated its importance," replied Ara. "It would establish historic justice and get people like you to drop words like 'alleged' or 'supposed.' Turkey claims it was a civil war, not genocide and its numbers were greatly inflated but the evidence of that massive genocide is overwhelming and it must be dealt with so that mankind can learn from that experience."
"Learn what," asked Jerry. "Isn't there a genocide taking place now in Darfur that has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of men, women and children? Is anyone trying to stop it? Not even Armenia has made the effort, nor has the United States."
"The United States has all it can handle in Iraq and Afghanistan," answered Ara.
"You don't think what's going on in Iraq is a massacre," replied Jerry. "Over a million men, women and children have been killed there since the U.S. invasion 4 years ago and there's no end in sight. Who speaks to the consciences of the world on behalf of the Iraqis?"
Just then, an hispanic man at the next table raised his voice. "If you don't mind gentlemen, I'd like to share my experience with you. My name is Paco and in East Los Angeles where I'm from, gangs often kill one another and then they strike a truce that may last for months.
"What often breaks the truce," Paco continued "Is when the gangs talk to each other and someone brings up an old war, and soon the accusations fly. The next thing you know, the truce is off and more young men are killed, as are people accidentally in the line of fire, such as small children."
"Yeah I know," said Ara. "That's terrible. But someone has got to stand for principle."
"You're right said Paco. "Maybe the U.S. government will compensate the Mexican government for brutally stealing what is now California, Texas, and other states.
"Maybe the U.S. will compensate the Native Americans for that genocide," Paco continued. "Or all the African-Americans for their ancestors who were also slaughtered or enslaved. But more likely, if those issues are pursued for years and if vast campaign contributions are made, Congress may pass other symbolic resolutions there too."
"Don't you guys care about the genocide of the Armenian people," asked Ara.
"I care very much," responded Paco. "But ask yourself why now after 90-years Congress wants to condemn the Armenian genocide. In 1975 and in 1984, the Armenian American people pleaded with the U.S. government to recognize this genocide.
"These were times when many more of the Armenian genocide survivors were still living and would have appreciated some recognition and some kind words of sympathy. But no action was taken."
"The reason Congress is ready to act now," said Jerry, "Is to embarrass the President with Turkey. Turkey is an important U.S. ally in its Iraq war and Congress doesn't have the courage to confront the President to stop the war.
"This is also a way to embarrass the President in front of the American people," continued Jerry, "Because if the President doesn't support this largely meaningless gesture, it looks like he supports genocide."
"And who would want to look like they support genocide," asked Paco. "It is a formula for disaster in the 2008 elections."
"If you want substance," said Jerry, "Where was the U.S., where was the United Nations during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. In just 100-days, 800,000 men, women and children were slaughtered in a reign of terror, yet the world stood by in silence."
"But then the Rwandans are just subsistence farmers," added Paco. "They have no political clout."
"And as for Armenia, how about what's best for it today," said Jerry. "Armenia and Turkey haven't had diplomatic relations since 1993. Thousands of Armenians could support their families by doing business in or working in Turkey but the borders are closed to them. And this symbolic gesture in America will only aggravate the situation."
"And what about the vast number of Armenians who live in Turkey," asked Paco. "Will this symbolic resolution cause them problems?"
At this point, emotionally spent from the debate: Ara, Jerry and Paco agreed to shake hands and change the subject. But as they shook hands they all agreed that condemning massacres is nice but to be meaningful it requires people of conscience to speak up to help end current massacres and work to prevent new ones.
What do you think about the key points of this debate? And are you willing to raise your voice as a person of conscience to help stop today's massacres? If you and I and others don't, then as we've seen in Rwanda, Darfur, Iraq and elsewhere, who will?
Who will speak for the children whose lives are lost or devastated? The answer is apparently a very few.
Dick Kazan (posted with permission)
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