Can competing motives, partisan desires, and sheer ego make things worse? (Well actually, check out 1830-1860). Frankly, I would have a hard time voting for this TODAY, because of our men, and our needs vs Iran (and in Iraq), but let me tell you, I predict the Turks have dug a DEEP HOLE for themselves in the heart of the American people with this. Perhaps we would be far better off with a Kurdistan, and unconditional allies (at least for now).
Support Wanes in House for Genocide Vote WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 — Worried about antagonizing Turkish leaders, House members from both parties have begun to withdraw their support from a resolution supported by the Democratic leadership that would condemn as genocide the mass killings of Armenians nearly a century ago.
Almost a dozen lawmakers had shifted against the measure over the last 24 hours, accelerating a sudden exodus that has cast deep doubt over the measure’s prospects. Some representatives made clear that they were heeding warnings from the White House, which has called the measure dangerously provocative, and from the Turkish government, which has said House passage would prompt Turkey to reconsider its ties to the United States, including logistical support for the Iraq war.
Until today, the resolution appeared to be on a path to House passage, with strong support from the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi of California. It was approved last week by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. But this evening, a group of group of senior House Democrats had made it known they were planning to ask the leadership to drop plans for a vote on the measure.
“Turkey obviously feels they are getting poked in the eye over something that happened a century ago, and maybe this isn’t a good time to be doing that,” said Representative Allen Boyd, a Florida Democrat who dropped his sponsorship of the resolution Monday night. .
Others who took the same action said that while they deplored the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, beginning in 1915, the modern-day consequences in the Middle East could not be overlooked.
“We simply cannot allow the grievances of the past — as real as they may be — to in any way derail our efforts to prevent further atrocities for future history books,” said Representative Wally Herger, Republican of California.
“I think it is a good resolution and horrible timing,” said Representative Mike Ross, Democrat of Arkansas.
declaring and condeming this mass murder as genocide, mr. president, is more effective against islamofasicm as the hole support of turkey ever will be!
ReplyDeleteshame on your conslusion. it violates in a terrible way the bush doctrin.
still remeber it?
good article.