ARMENPAC Blog

ONE VERY IMPORTANT WORD IS MISSING, "GENOCIDE."

HOW CAN YOU ASK THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY TO RECONCILE WITH TURKEY WHEN THEY ARE STILL WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO ATTEMPT TO WIPE US OUT COMPLETELY....WE HAVE LOVE AND THE TRUTH ON OUR SIDE....THEY HAVE HATRED AND LIES.....MR BUSH YOU'RE A LIAR AND A COWARD....BUT WE'LL STILL PERVAIL BECAUSE GOD WANTS US TO...THE WORLD KNOWS IT WAS GENOCIDE!!!..SOME ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO PROCLAIM IT AND GENUINELY MOURN WITH ALL OF US.

Mr. Bush,

This is a very nice statement. You say very nice things not to say anything genuine. You are walking on the pathway of your predecessors that brought politics before justice. If you have the guts, twll just as it is. Call it by its own name "Genocide", "Justice."

After 8 opportunities, Pres. Bush has used up his chances to keep his promise. If there is a lesson to be learned, it is; "beware of campaign rhetoric".

No surprise that Bush did not use the G word. Bill Clinton did not use
it either. Neither will his wife,
if elected. Neither will Obama,
most probably, if elected. And
forget McCain. Stop dreaming of
a messiah in the way of a
candidate and start working
on issues.

While we must continue to push for
the G word and a genocide
resolution (even though 2
successful US House resolutions
have actually used the G word),
we must move on to issues such as
reparations and restitution.

Let us also not forget that we now
have the genocide denialists of
the Anti-Defamation League - and
thus in a sense all denialists -
on the run via its No Place For
Hate and World of Difference
programs.

The successful fight
by Armenians in Massachusetts
against the ADL must be carried
across the country in order to
strike a blow not just against
the powerful ADL, but against
kindred organizations and all denialists.

It is quite sad that in remembrance of my mother's and father's generation, we Armenians use political parties and attacks on our present US president. When are we going to learn, that if you play the political card in remembrance of a terrible crime, you are not an Armenian but rather a Democrat or Republican. You want to convince me that as an organization and as Armenians we have a reason to donate, don't play the political game. Whether it be George Bush or previous Presidents, when they are in office they are the President of the United States not of Armenia. Instead of asking for their unconditional commitment to recognize the genocide why are we not asking for their assistance and focused attention to have the Turks recognize Armenia and end the blockade? In the end, if we have a continuing independent nation that has the ability to prosper and grow and we are recognized by our former enemies, have we not told the Ottoman Turks, we have won and you failed? If the present Turks never recognize the genocide as a horrific event, then let their legacy be that of a backward, ignorant people and nation. We Armenians are better than them and I would like the whole world to know that. Keep playing the political game in the US and you can not have the support of all of us. I identify myself as an American and an Armenian not as a Democrat or a Republican. May those that have been martyred know that we survive as a good and decent people who remember their horror but wish to honor them with a free, independent, recognized, democratic and prospering nation that is supported by the diaspora.

Our Federal government should be sponsoring Genocide Memorials in every major city. The public is willing to be educated.

Mr. Bush;
Nice speach, but...as long as your country doesn't recognize the annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians living in Turkey, as the 1st "Genocide" of the 20th century by the hands of Ottoman Turks and keep on insisting in calling it a "tragedy", there will not be any admission from the Turks, therefore no settlement will be reached, peaceful or otherwise! You are playing on both sides of the fence. Why don't you brush up on your history a bit and look into what your own ambassador of the time, wrote about this so called "tragedy".

My thoughts on April 24th 2008þ
Dear Friends

Normally I send you material that brings smiles to your faces.

Today I would like to send you my thoughts that are more serious and from the heart



Today Armenians commemorate the first Genocide of the 20th Century where 1,500,000 Armenians were killed by the Turks.

Both my Mom and Dad have survived this ordeal. My dad was 5 years old when his father was taken away by the Turks.

The rest of the family marched from Gurun, historic Armenia, east to the Syrian desert Der el Zor. My Grandmother and 1 year old uncle perished on the way.

My dad, his older brother Yervant ended up in orphanages in Lebanon and Southern France. My aunt was taken in as a servant in a Lebanese home.

My Mom escaped on a small boat and ended up living in tin shacks in Jerusalem.



Last Sunday, as I walked the eight mile walk for this commemoration, Costa Mesa to Santa Ana, I was thinking about my father as 5 year old kid marching with his mom, brother and sister, with no Arrowhead water bottle, no New Balance shoes, NO stopping for rest, No waiting for the rest of the caravan to catch up, no Congressmen or Woman (Loretta Sanchez)greeted us and marched along with us on the last mile, and no hot Lahmejune (Armenian pizza) waiting at the end and lastly NO Advil to take away the pain even with the fancy New Balance shoes.



Congressman Ed Royce asked for a copy of my Dad’s survival memoirs to bring back to Washington. Like, American ambassador, Henry Morgenthau’s Book regarding the Armenian Genocide was not proof enough, where he said:

“ When the Turkish authorities gave the orders for these deportations, they were merely giving a death warrant to a whole race, they understood this well, and, in their conversations with me, they made no particular attempt to conceal the fact.”



Bottom line, today our government, the most powerful nation in the world, is scared to admit that this genocide did occur. Dr. Condoleezza Rice, National Security advisor, is saying “ This is a matter to be resolved between Turkey and Armenia. Too worried to take a stand supporting what is just.



Last thought. We need to continue to hope and do the right things and get this House resolution 106 to pass.

Enough time has gone by, we have protested, marched, sent letters, gone to Washington, etc etc. Turks are doing whatever they want, eg crossing the Iraqi border and attacking the Kurds even after we backed off passing HR 106.



Please contact your congressman and Senators and ask for support by sponsoring HR106. You just never know when and how this will pass.

Who would have thought that the Communist empire would crumble.



Let’s do the right things and get the recognition by the US Government that the Turks indeed perpetrated the first Genocide on the Armenian Nation early 1900’s



Just think about the Russia. Could you have imagined that the mighty Russia would some day completely change to what it is today?

THINK POSITIVE…..!!!
Onnig

Dear Onnig,
i am reading A shamefull Act by Tannerr Akcam and am appalled by what was going on in Turkey 1886-1887, and of course 1915. When i was younger i knew nothing about what was going on in that area.I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS COUNTRY CAN TURN A DEAF EAR AND COMPLETELY IGNORE THOSE EVENTS. LOVE ROGER

Genocide aside. Why does this stupid president keep talking about democracy in every nation. Who does he think he is. This is a form of Colonialism all over again. Force your own beliefs on others, even Armenia. Yes, Armenia may have difficulties politically, but isn't it strange that the Pres says '"We call on the Government of Armenia to take decisive steps to promote democracy". Wow, and then, cut aid to Armenia and give it to Azerbeijian. Well, Armenia darling you keep struggling and staying above water, somehow they'll still try to drown you. In my opinion, the policy of this govt (US), is to finish the job of the Ottoman Turks. It cuts aid to an already impoverished nation, supports Azerbeijian with military aid, and lures almost every citizen of Armenia to its shores by promising a lux life, therefore depleting the population.
So Mr President, What is the real reason you don't call it 'Genocide'.