Armenian Genocide is the Excuse to Undercut Iraq War

The wholesale massacre of Armenians by Muslims in the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) between 1915 and 1917 is an incontestable fact. It makes no practical difference for any remaining survivors, or family of survivors, whether or not the U.S. joins 24 other countries in declaring that the travesty was “genocide.” Regardless, if you think that Armenians don’t care about the issue, you’d be wrong.

I observed Armenians demonstrate their fury on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, April 24, in the 1970’s. A Turkish dance group was scheduled to perform at the Pasadena Cultural Arts Center. The Armenian community, including old women, drove police back into the Center and shut down the event.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, is front and center in an effort to pass a resolution declaring the Armenian massacre a “genocide.”

The Turkish government is more than a little upset about the issue. Of course, modern Turkey is not the Ottoman Empire and not responsible for the massacre, whether or not it is classified as genocide. Nevertheless, since politics rule all, there are Turkish political exigencies in play.

If the House resolution is passed, there is a significant risk that Turkey will restrict the considerable U.S. Iraqi war support efforts passing through Turkey. That means alternative, more dangerous, methods must be used resulting in more American deaths.

…cargo planes fly supplies to U.S. soldiers in remote areas of Iraq from Incirlik, avoiding the use of Iraqi roads vulnerable to bomb attacks. U.S. officials say the arrangement helps reduce American casualties.

Despite the Turkish threat, Pelosi is pushing forward with the resolution. What is Pelosi’s political imperative? It surely is not Armenian votes. And, it surely is not a fear of additional American service personnel deaths.

Pelosi’s explanation.

…House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the measure's timing was important "because many of the survivors are very old.

Translation: Ninety year old Armenian memories are more important than the risk of additional American dead!

Now, you go ahead and tell me that Pelosi cares about the welfare of our troops. And, you go ahead and tell me that Pelosi actually cares about the memories of Armenians. I’ll submit to you that Pelosi has simply found another mechanism to throw a monkey wrench into the Iraqi war effort. I’m sorry, but I don’t find that patriotic. I hark back to the Vietnam War era traitor, Jane Fonda.

You can hold any opinion that you want. But, when you take action, that action might well be traitorous. It makes little difference whether it’s in the jungles of Vietnam or on the floor of the House of Representatives.


Links in this Blog:
Armenian Genocide-Wikipedia

Genocide Remembrance Day-Wikipedia

Armenia genocide measure to advance

Turkish general: 'U.S. shot its own foot'

Update: 10/22/07
Nancy Pelosi Manipulated the Armenian Genocide Issue

Update 12/3/2007:
Read this piece on politics and treason:
'When Does Politics Become Treason?'