Bush urges rejection of Armenian genocide bill:

[Thanatos]

Because if its official that the Turks commited genocide then its a basis for Europest poorest country to demand money or other goods as reconciliation?

I thought it was because America needs them as allies and condemning their past actions (which they feel very strongly that they never actually did) would be rude. They won't pay the Armenians anyway, but they'll be mad about it and we've already got them on edge because of our support and liberation of their other great racial enemy: the Iraqi Kurds. The problem in the Middle East isn't religion. Its racism, from the West Bank to Baghdad to Istanbul. Everybody hates somebody...

[Praxius]

Also, aknowleging that this has occured, it would alter officially your own history records of your country, in regards to the reports, the loads of money you contributed to these people, and basically making it offical that you guys did good..... well.... once apon a time.

You'd at least get brownie points from me..... and really.... isn't that all that should matter?

[grandpa]

I thought it was because America needs them as allies
and condemning their past actions (which they feel very strongly
that they never actually did) would be rude.
They won't pay the Armenians anyway, but they'll be mad
about it and we've already got them on edge because
of our support and liberation of their other great racial
enemy: the Iraqi Kurds.

Keep in mind that the multinational force in Iraq was once 50,000 strong - by mid-2008, it will be down to 7,000. The Bush league needs whatever allies it can get.
They need people like the Turkish government on their side, or at least not in total opposition the war.

They appear to be some hardcore genocide deniers (not all, of course). My former academic advisor used to teach in Turkey, and he said once he mentioned the Armenian genocide in a class and a student stood up, saying "Armenians do not exist," or something along those lines. In other words, real creepy. Turkey even once banned the Kurdish language, which makes me wonder why more Kurds aren't enraged at the US (recall how we also supported Saddam during his Anfal campaign against Kurds).
We've got to halt all military support to Turkey.

Other peoples in the world have similar problems, unfortunately, like the Czech Roma minority, but a moderator might tell me I'm getting off-topic.

Grandpa h.

[Scribbler1]

There is another angle to this story. If we piss of Turkey to the point of forbidding us to use their airspace and facilities, it could cause a MUCH bigger problem than it would appear on the surface.
If it is indeed true that Turkey is a vital link in the support chain to Iraq, breaking that chain could possibly put our troops in further danger. Don't forget, regardless of how bad this war is, those soldiers are STILL there.

[grandpa]

There is another angle to this story.
If we piss of Turkey to the point of forbidding
us to use their airspace and facilities, it could cause
a MUCH bigger problem than it would appear on the
surface.

However, there’s no way to enhance the morality of denying genocide.

But your point is somewhat accurate. And does anyone remember how rabid the response was to Spain's withdrawal from Iraq? Power and bits of diplomacy make for convoluted, genocide-denying politics.

Grandpa h.

[Dieval]

What brought up this bill now? Why didn't they pass it 25, 50, or 75 years ago??

[Scribbler1]

However, there’s no way to enhance the morality of denying genocide.

No one is asking the Congress to deny anything. Just to keep their mouths shut on this issue. They don't need to accept genocide, deny it, or anything else. Just don't do anything about this. At least for right now.

After all, if Congress is known for ANYTHING, it's doing nothing.

[Scribbler1]

What brought up this bill now? Why didn't they pass it 25, 50, or 75 years ago??

Well, I'm guessing the current election season might have a little to do with it.

[grandpa]

No one is asking the Congress to deny anything. Just to keep their mouths shut on this issue.

That's an interesting way to put it.

Grandpa h.

[Century 25]

Quote by: Dieval:

What brought up this bill now? Why didn't they pass it 25, 50, or 75 years ago??

Well, I'm guessing the current election season might have a little to do with it.

Yes, it's all politics: Today's friend.. tomorrow's enemy. Remember Saddam..?? He once was our "friend" - lol.. a good buddy of Reagan & papa Bush..

Google Image Result for http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0501/49201100a0b0b8fd7f87.jpeg

Just like General "Stormin' Norman Schwarzkopf.. once the hero of the first attack on Saddam.. now.. ?? Not so much. And then add the great Alan Greenspan.. another persona non grata.

[Rainbow]

The basic dispute surrounds the 1915 massacres of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks -- widely viewed by scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century.

Turkish governing body can deny that fact as much as it has a desire for. Turkish statement can not alter and/or replace History, though.

Today, we have not much of options left but to accept "Turkish partnership". However, that issue is going to be brought back, sometime later.

That is politics, guys.
(It sux.)

[Praxius]

One other thing... the Bush admin always loves to boast that they will seek out those who help or harbor terrorists..... but here they are helping and dealing with a country accused of gennocide..... oh..... but that's alright, because it was before the war on terrorism, so they're still buddies.

Everyday I wonder about the morality in the US. It's no longer about doing what's right..... it's all about what is easiest.