Aratta-Kingdom Posted April 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 LA TIMES CALLS OBAMA'S 'LACK OF MORAL CLARITY' ON GENOCIDE 'COWARDICE' LOS ANGELES: In a timely piece in Wednesday's Los Angeles Times, columnist Tim Rutten explores what he calls President Obama's "lack of moral clarity" on the Armenian Genocide issue, arguing that Obama has put aside "clarity in an effort to maintain the support of Armenian Americans while not offending turkey." Rutten discusses last week's events at the State Capital and Congress marking the 96the anniversary of the Genocide and points out that participants at both events did not hear a message from Obama. "That's because," Rutten writes "this administration, like its predecessors, is straddling a fine line- one that, more than ever, appears to be a distinction without difference." "It's an act of expediency that bites with particular sharpness because candidate Obama delared that "America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian genocide." This raises the question of why President Obama declines to do so and why this administration opposes the resolution." writes Rutten. The author also points out that Obama's current posturing "is not prudence but cowardice". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aratta-Kingdom Posted April 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 Los Angeles Times by Tim RuttenApril 20, 2011 OBAMA'S LACK OF MORAL CLARITY ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ISSUE The line between prudence and moral cowardice can be a fine one, particularly when it comes to the conduct of diplomacy. For Americans, the questions of where and how to make such distinctions has a particular urgency this week, as we commemorate the 96the anniversary of the genocide inflicted of the Armenians by the ottoman turks. In massacres from 1915 to 1923, more than 1.5 million Armenians were killed and eastern Anatolia was ethnically cleansed of a people whose presence where extended back to antiquity. Here in California, where the descendents of those who escapes the genocide have made such a vibrant contribution to agriculture, business, the professions and public life, memorials of the tragedy are solemn annual events. This year, for example, a state measure introduced by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) designates this week in a Capital Hill commemoration. When none of the participants at either event heard was a message from President Obama or Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledging "the historical" reality of the genocide. That's because this administration, like its predecessors, is straddling a fine line- one that, more then ever, appears to be a distinction without a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aratta-Kingdom Posted April 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 SERJ TANKING TO JOIN L.A. ARMENIANS TO PROTEST AGAINST OBAMA ON APRIL 21 By Harut Sassounian Armenian-Americans are offended that Pres. Obama is going to lunch his re-election campaign in Los Angeles this week, on the eve of April 24, having failed to honor his solemn promise to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. A special Task Force has been set up to organize a communitywide protest to remind the president of his many promises not kept. All major Armenian-American organizations have been activated. Press releases have been written, the airwaves flooded with interviews and ads regarding the demonstration, thousands of flyers printed and distributed, protest signs and banners prepared, and buses chartered to transport the public to the site of the President's fundraiser on April 21. The news of the planned Armenian protest must not have been well received by the White House. Neither the President not his staff would want to come to a major city to launch his re-election campaign in the face of disenchanted voters who question his credibility in front of TV cameras. Until last week, White House officials had paid little attention to a March 28 letter from ANCA chairman Ken Hachkian, inviting the president or a cabinet member to participate in the annual commemoration by laying a wreath at the Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello, California, on April 24. Given the prospect of a major protest rally on the occasion of the presiden'ts visit on April 21, Democratic officials asked ANCA Western Region to send a follow-up letter. inviting the President to stop by the Genocide Monument in Montebello, situated minutes away from his appearance in Culver City. It is highly unlikely that the President would make such a gesture to respect the memory of genocide victims on April 21, particularly since three days later he will be issuing a statement of the 96 anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, in which once again he will shy away from using the word genocide. ...It is salutary that prominent Armenian-American musician Serj Tankian will be participating in the April 21 protest. Morever, Tankian posted a message to his 570,000 facebook fans, urging them to support the protest. "On Thursday, April 21 at 3 p.m., everyone in Southern California is urged to join in a public protest urging Obama to uphold his promise and recognize the Armenian Genocide. This issue has always been of extreme importance to Serj and his family." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hipeter924 Posted April 21, 2011 Report Share Posted April 21, 2011 He probably recognizes the genocide happened, but I doubt the President cares about Armenians, he just used the issue to get elected just like George W. Bush. Sadly this protest will likely go unheeded by the White House, morality or ethics clearly isn't part of his administration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yervant1 Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 The Canadian Government has bigger B*lls than the Super power of the world. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THEARMENIAN GENOCIDE OTTAWA, Canada The following information was released by the Conservative Party of Canada: Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement onthe commemoration of the Armenian genocide: "I would like to extend my sincere greetings to all of those markingthis sombre anniversary of the Medz Yeghern. "Ninety-six years ago, the Armenian people experienced terriblesuffering and loss of life. In recent years, the Senate of Canadaadopted a motion acknowledging this period as 'the first genocide ofthe twentieth century,' while the House of Commons adopted a motionthat 'acknowledges the Armenian genocide of 1915 and condemns this actas a crime against humanity.' I and my party supported thoseresolutions, and continue to recognize them today. "We must never forget the lessons of history. Nor should we allow theenmities of history to divide us. The freedom, democracy and humanrights enjoyed by all Canadians are rooted in our mutual respect forone another. "I join with you today in remembering the past, while I encourage youto continue honouring your forefathers by building a bright future forall in Canada." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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