Guest House Chaplain Prays For Armenian Genocide Resolution

After eight years of the Bush Administration, I'm sure I was not the only one who looked forward to a changing mood in Washington with the inauguration of a new Congress. However, Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic controlled House have, with this legislation, continued the nonsense politics of the era. After watching events the past few weeks, the PKK has killed at least 13 Turkish soldiers and a seven year old boy. This has caused many Turks to become outraged and they want a responsive strike into Iraqi territory which, consequently, could destabilize the one stable region in Iraq. So, to prevent the destabilization of the Kurdish region, it seems that Americans would want to restrain Turkey rather than have Turkish forces enter Iraqi territory. But does the Congress want to pacify the Turks from using military force? Does Congress want to be hesitant in passing a resolution that could further endanger American lives in an already perilous situation? NO. We instead pass a resolution labeling a very touchy historical event in their nation's history a genocide. While this may be true, why must this resolution be passed now? Why must we make Turkey outraged and unresponsive now? What happened to reaching out to our neighbors and reestablishing ties with our allies? Politics in Washington must be changed, especially when it does not consider American lives. However, I'm beginning to consider it may only come by means of another revolution.

I second the above post.
Yes, many years ago the Armenians were the victims of genocide committed by Turks.
But why in heaven introduce and adopt a resolution that states the obvious that is widely agreed upon at a time when this country and NATO cannot afford to alienate Turkey more and drive that country into the arms of extremist Islamic neighbors.
On this count, I support the Bush administration and disagree with Democrats in the House. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail in the Senate and kill this resolution.

Genocide, horrible thing. Massacre and genocide go synonymously. I wonder why it took so much time for the government to classify the massacre as a genocide. The article says that it was a good time to bring in an Armenian patriarch, I would be insulted to be offered to speak at something that has been put off for so many years, but if the patriarch was okay with it, it is acceptable. Also this brings good news to Armanians so it isn't all that bad. It is against Bush so that is a plus to many of us.

Sorry, boys, there never will be an ideal time to recognize the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it is.

The doctrine that we need Turkey based on its strategic location is based on outdated, obsolete cold war thinking. To raise Turkey's importance based on it being our only friend in the middle east is false.

This one ally that we have in the middle east would not give us permission to invade Iraq from their soil, thus forcing our invasion to start solely from Kuwait.

Luckily we have the best military in the world for swift, blitz-like smack down actions against inferior enemies. But the point is that this "friend" was not very friendly when we needed them. As one of the members of the committee said, to paraphrase, if this isn't the time to pass the resolution, then tell me when we can tell these 90 year old women in wheel chairs who have been waiting all these decades the good / convenient time for them to return.

Turkey is, I believe, the third largest recipient of US foreign aid, except for Egypt and Israel (I may need to be corrected on this point). Turkey will make noise, but if they are as rational and pragmatic as you would hope "friends" would be, the negative effect of passing this resolution in the House will be short lived after the initial storm of protest.

The point that many years ago the Armenians were the victims of genocide committed by Turks is true.
Frankly, I think one of the big problems with our whole government in general is that we are TOOO focused on what is happening around us! We must figure out our own issues before worring about another's!
The Bush Administration simply needs to stop digging it's nose into other people's bees wax, and focus on the problems with our COUNTRY!!! We are in war here! We shoudl fix our mistakes before randomly creating new ones!

Speaker Pelosi is recklessly seeking to pass this resolution to accomplish a very narrow political goal (appeasement of Armenian-Americans) at the risk of unhinging one of the United States' most important alliances. Anyone who has lived in Turkey (I have) knows the emotional reaction the Turks always have anytime this gratuitous resolution is debated. The resolution should be defeated -- in fact, it never should have been introduced in the first place.

I would also point out that we Americans seem mighty righteous in our outrage! Perhaps the Turkish Parliament should consider a resolution comdeming the American persecution and extermination of the American Indians during the 1800s.

congress no longer can govern

congress is a historian

"The resolution should be defeated -- in fact, it never should have been introduced in the first place...Perhaps the Turkish Parliament should consider a resolution comdeming the American persecution and extermination of the American Indians during the 1800s." Mikey1985-God bless you...The Turkish government should, in return, bring an Islamic spiritual leader the day of the House votes, praying for the lives of hundreds of thousands of Turks and other Muslims also killed! It would only be fair then-This is America-land of Free Speech and Freedom of Expression, right...Millions are dying TODAY in the world that the world needs to attend to- Is it not obvious that a persistent lobby effort for something alleged from a CENTURY ago is STRICTLY POLITICAL and not about human rights at all, especially if it is strictly one-sided!? May God bless the souls of every victim, regardless of which side, indeed...but I doubt that even they would be approving of this political nonsense

With all the comments on this issue, both here and in the newspapers, why is it that with such a "timely" and contentious issue, nobody's name has been associated with this effort? Who originated this issue? This smacks of a hidden agenda and smells to high heaven! Why is Pelosi pushing this resolution? The Armenians are not that well organized that they represent a political force to be appeased.
This is "selective reporting" and the omission of the original sponsor is deliberate and deceitful. The public is NOT being served with this type of reporting which doesn't begin to satisfy the basic "who, what, where, why, and how" of journalism.
Deceptive reporting is nothing but propaganda.

Well, one thing is transparent....Congress will go to any lengths to appease powerful lobbyists. Nice touch to use the Armenian church leader for the daily prayer. No thought of how this could cause conflicts that may bring harm to our soldiers in Iraq with more fighting among Middle East factions they will have to deal with. You know, those troops you talk about all the time and love and support with all your flowery rhetoric. As to the resolution and to Congress.....What took you so long and why now?

The Arabic originated word "tehcir" means "emigration / immigration", it definitely not means "deportation" or "exile". Hence the law commonly known as the "Tehcir Law" is the same as "Temporary Law On The Military Measures To Be Taken For Those Who Resist The Governmental Acts And Supplementation's." The word used to explain the implementation in line with this law is "tenkil" in the Ottoman language and means "transport- not the equivalent of "deportation", "exile" or "proscription" in Latin originated languages.

The immigration, which was started with the orders of Talaat Pasha, and approved by the Government and the Parliament as a measure against the Armenian riots and massacres, which had arisen in a number of places in the Country - pre - dominantly in Van province, was only implemented only in the regions in which such riots and massacres affected the security of the fronts directly. The first area was Erzurum, Van and Bitlis Vicinities which formed the rear part of the Caucasian - Iran Front; and the second was Mersin - Iskenderun Region which formed the rear part of the Sina Front. In both of these regions, Armenians had collaborated with the enemy and involved in activities to facilitate the enemy's invasion.

Later, the scope of the immigration was widened in order to include the Armenians in the other provinces, who rioted, collaborated with the enemy and screened the activities of Armenian Gangs. Although the Catholic and Protestant Armenians were excluded from immigration at the beginning, later those whose harmful activities were observed, were also relocated.

Since 1915, numerous papers, reports, books, etc. were written and published about the immigration implementation. The Armenians, by using false documents have succeeded to deceit the World for a long time. The rumor about Armenian holocaust (!) which expressed at first as three hundred thousand and later increased to three million has no basis at all. In fact, although English and French authorities have extensively studied the Ottoman archives during their occupation in Istanbul have failed to find even a single document hinting about such holocaust.

Had the Ottoman State intended to make genocide on Armenians; could not they realize such an act at the places where the Armenians live? Why would it be necessary "to immigrate" them for such an intention? Why did they undertake the significant fiscal and material costs of their security, safety, health and food of the immigrating Armenians? During this immigration and re-settlement process which lasted approximately 1,5 year from May 1915 until October 1916, why would the central and local administrations take measures to ensure the lives and properties of Armenians in spite of the difficult war circumstances? In addition, would it be necessary to accept great administrative, military and financial burden --as if opening a new front- to protect and secure these people?

The answers to these questions shall be sufficient to understand the real intention of the Ottoman State. Also there is no logical explanation that why the Ottoman State suddenly changed its policy towards a community which had always been called as "millet-i sadika" (loyal people) due to their being really faithful to the Government. Hence the party whose attitude had changed was not the Ottoman Government, but the Armenians who were deceived by the independence promises of Russia and the Entente States.

In conclusion, it can be said that the Armenian Immigration which was a necessary measure to ensure the State Security and Safety is among one of the most
successful transportation and re-settlement processes; and has no intention whatsoever to annihilate Armenians.

Bugaloo: your propagandistic account is contradicted by the facts of what actually took place. But hey, what's the big deal? It's only a non-binding resolution. The Turks will get upset for a few months, then realize what side of the pita bread is buttered by whom. The smelly part in this saga is how strongith the opposition to this simple resolution protestith. As Congressman Wu said yesterday in supporting the resolution, the truth will set you free.

Hello people this resolution has gone through the house year after year, this is not the first time it has been brought up. It is the first time it has been passed. Timing is just another excuse from the administration not to recognize it.If you study history and care you would know why this is so important.Is our government afraid of Turkey? Turkey,since the war started hasn't kept their agreements, they have crossed over to kill kurds again and again. We use kuwaits airspace. They are also very ungrateful and arrogant, did you hear their comments yesterday. Whatever power they have, we gave it to them. We could also take it away.Turkey has no respect for Christians or anyone in their country that isn't Turkish. Look at their record it speaks for itself, present and past. They glorify Hitler , within the past two years Hitlers " My Struggle was on the bestseller list in their country. A member of their parliment a women of kurdish decent was jailed for years for speaking in her native tongue, she was released due to huge pressure from Amnesty International and other groups. The European Union refuses to let Turkey in until they recognize the Armenian genocide. Does America not believe in justice and accountability, while the rest of the free world does. I would also like to add that the way the media has portrayed this resolution as coming up now like it's the first time is very disingenuous. This has been a struggle for many years.I wonder how the Jewish community would feel if we said things like, it's not a genocide it was world war two ,it was just a relocation of people,and all the other gross justifications or shall we say lies people say,actually I know exactly how they would feel.

Resolutions like this are passed frequently in Congress. Some of you are starting to look a little paranoid. There is no "hidden agenda" here. Do some research, people. Armenian-American groups have been trying to get a resolution like this passed for decades. Its never "the right time." The Cold War, Gulf War I, Gulf War II. When will it be the right time??
Why is it so important? Because to this day Turkey refuses to admit what their ancestors did to the Armenians. Oh, we've heard many stories. Turks have tried many things. They came up with the argument that the death toll was inflated. ("After all, it was only 300,000 to 400,000 Armenians who perished.") Then they went so far as to say that it was the Armenians who were comitting mass exterminations of the Turks! Did you know that pursuant to Turkish Penal Code 301 it is a criminal act in Turkey today to discuss the Genocide? The son of the murdered Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was just prosecuted for publishing his dead father's thoughts on the Armenian Genocide. It is illegal to teach it in the schools and to speak about it. Denial is the last and final stage of Genocide. If you obscure the truth and rewrite history, the horrors of the past can and will be repeated. If Turkey would acknowledge what the Ottomans did to the Armenians, there would be no need for the US Resolution or the many similiar resolutions adopted by most of the rest of the world. Until that day, I am pretty sure that Armenian Americans will continue to make this an issue.

It should be noted that the Armenian Catholicos's visit to pray before Congress was requested and planned a year ago as a part of his wider pontifical visit to the United States. They did not simply ship him in from Armenia just to help push the bill through with a prayer.

Bugaloo I agree 100%!
I think that it´s obvious that we can´t call the things happened in 1915 a genocide. My suggestion would be to treat this topic with great care and to please look at the facts!
Politicians can not judge history, but historians can !

Timing is everything, isn't it Nancy? Especially when throwing a vote bomb.

This resolution, ( and ones like it ), have for years, nay, decades - as noted - come up and been ignored. Can anyone doubt, for so much as a second, that Pelosi and her minions are doing with this resolution what she and they have been unable to do, have failed miserably to do since taking office?

This pustulent resolution serves ONLY one purpose: disrupt relations with Turkey in transparent hopes of driving a wedge between our countries in Iraq. This is such a dangerous and ignoble monkey-spank by Pelosi and the Young Pioneers.

This "resolution", this "human rights" vote, is a device no materially different from the anarchist's bomb lobbed into the diplomats meeting room.

Her goals, as with those of the Demokrat Party, have nothing at all to do with recognizing a tragedy, ( of which, in WW I, there were many - as yet equally unrecognized ).

Their goal is the same as it ever was: they hate the president, they hate capitalism, they - in essence - hate America - and from behind the protected walls of power they've already amassed to themselves, they march to undermine the country. Always. You can tell when they are really serious about wrecking liberty when they hide behind 4 year olds. And vote for "human rights".

Okay, so, Nanotchka Pelosi becomes House Speaker, she has laboured without respite to destroy any chance of success that the troop surge might have had, and failed. She has tried every gambit possible to thwart opportunities for American Victory in Iraq, and failed. In fact, to keep her seat, to literally keep from voting to cut off "the troops" for her own political gain, she has been obliged to do something that prior generations of elected officials who loved this country did without qualm: she cast a vote for the troops, for victory, and she gagged to do so.

Socialists in the United States have failed for a century to achieve America's destruction through the ballot box. After FDR came to power and literally threatened to add nine of his own picked judges to the Supreme Court, Socialists cloaking themselves in gauzy raiment as "Progressives", "Liberals", have sought to achieve their goals via court fiat.

Now, with this vote, and others like it, Pelosi and the Young Pioneers have hit on literally attacking strategic war time allies as a way of accomplishing the one thing they long most in this lifetime to do: Hurt President Bush, and thereby, achieve what passes for moral victory amongst America socialists: The defeat and humiliation of our troops, our flag, our country.

She, like this vote, is a venal and spiteful thing of hate and cruel hubris. Let both be likewise cast into the light of truth and reviled for their duplicity.

John895NY and others: Historians have spoken on this issue and called it a Genocide. Rafael Lemkin the Polish Jew who coined the term Genocide himself specifically applied the term to the horror that befell the Armenians. Eli Weisel calls it genocide. The International Conference of Genocide Scholars calls it a genocide. Basically, any scholar who is not on Turkey's payroll (believe me, there are some) calls it a Genocide. Even Turkish scholars like Taner Ackam call it Genocide.

All the Armenian-Americans are asking is that their anguished history be recognized by this Country, their adopted homeland, the place that saved them from the misery of Turkey. They have been trying to have such an honorary resolution passed for decades. Its never "the right time."

For those who speak against this resolution, think for a moment about the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Think how you would feel if you watched your entire family killed for no reason other than your host country wanted to rid their lands of you. Imagine if you were forcibly driven from your homeland of over 3000 years and made to march across a dessert with little water and food. Along the way you were robbed, beaten, raped and tortured. When you make it the end as so many of your kin failed to do, you somehow manage to survive. 1.5 million of your kin were beheaded, lit on fire, shot or dropped dead along the forced march.

Now, its 92 years later and for 92 years, the perpetrator of that horror has been denying the truth. They blackmail and threaten to punish those who don't deem to rewrite history as they have. (Denial is, after all, the last stage of genocide.) As a survivor or family member of a survivor, all you ask is that the world recognize your pain. If the world (when I say this, I mean the US as most of the rest of the world DOES recognize the Armenian Genocide) does not stand up and say "NO" to the evildoers, haven't they then been permitted to "get away" with their wrongdoing? Is that the kind of world that you want to live in?

Turkey is a huge recipient of US aid. Do you really think they will carry out any of their blackmailing threats. Who are they to tell our Congress what to do? The idocy of this is simply mind-boggling.

Will someone please tell Pelosi to stop worrying about war crimes committed over 80 years ago and do something about the ones happening today? Like "enhanced interrogation techniques" that Bush has admitted and everyone knows are torture? Why the hurry to take a stand on Armenian genocide when impeachment of Bush and Cheney remains off the table?

Clearly, it's always the right time for America to do what's right, just as it's never the right time to compromise our nation's stand against genocide.
President Bush, campaigning in 2000, felt it was the right time to recognize the Armenian Genocide, writing in a letter to Armenian American voters that: "The twentieth century was marred by wars of unimaginable brutality, mass murder and genocide. History records that the Armenians were the first people of the last century to have endured these cruelties. The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension and commands all decent people to remember and acknowledge the facts and lessons of an awful crime in a century of bloody crimes against humanity. If elected President, I would ensure that our nation properly recognizes the tragic suffering of the Armenian people."

what has been going on about so called genocide is obviously outrageous.turkey has called both armenian and turkish historians to work on this issue under the control of whole world,specially of the U.S and U.N.Neither U.S nor U.N and armenia accepted this reasonable offer from turkey.if it is a 92 years ago happened historical event,then this has to be entrusted to a comission of historian chosen from every country which wants to participate in.The turkish goverment declared that it would open all archives to any historian, but no answer has been recieved yet.moreover this is not the issue the lawmakers should take care of.there are a lot of problems which have to be taken care of,such as iraq,iran,suriye

I am a Turkish-American, and a Democrat. It seems that as much as President George W. Bush and Cong. Nancy Pelosi can't stand each other, they are actually allies in naivitee. Bush, who believed his crusade in Iraq would bring freedom and liberty to the region, has destabilized the region. As a result, Turkey has seen a reemergence of the terrorist PKK organization. Pelosi is equally oblivious as she fails to comprehend the vast ramifications of this bill. For starters, it is going to lead to Armenian nationalism which will mean that ethnic partisans will next try to have Turkey 'return' some 40 percent of eastern Anatolia to Yerevan. Secondly, the Armenian lobby is going to ask for reparations, which will an absolute impossibility. I actually respect many Armenian-Americans in spite of these major differences, and I would hope that we could all allocate the funds mutually spent on this matter to help starving village children in our two respective countries. But, this bill has to be stopped. As a political progressive, let me assure other liberals than this bill is not about recognizing a dark chapter in history, it is about politics. Don't let the cover on the book fool you.

"The Armenians were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension and
commands all decent people to remember and acknowledge the facts and lessons of an
awful crime in a century of bloody crimes against humanity."

February 2000 by George W. Bush, then governor of Texas.

If Congress is backing off on the condemnation of Turkey over the murder of 700,000 Armenians,I don't see how we can trash the Iranians over the Holocaust denial.Both events happened, and both should be condemned.Mass murder should never be "politics as usual."

What Is Genocide?
The term -- from Greek and Latin roots meaning "the massacre of a family, tribe or race" --was coined in 1943 by Raphael Lemkin, a Jewish legal scholar from Poland. In the 1930s, Lemkin sought unsuccessfully
to get the League of Nations to recognize such killings as an international crime. As examples, he cited the massacre of Armenians during World War I and the slaughter of Assyrians in Iraq in 1933.

"When the Turkish authorities gave the orders for these deportations, they were merely giving the 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..."
-- Henry Morgenthau, Sr., American ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, in a 1919 memoir.

When Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied the Jewish Holocaust a few months ago, all the American politicians were shocked and in an uproar. However, George Bush is doing the exact same thing with the Armenian Holocaust by not supporting the resolution. There are more than 20 western countries (including Canada, France, Germany, Russia and Argentina) that have acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. It's embarrassing that a country like the United States of America who proclaims to be a big supporter of human and civil rights, truth and "justice for all" can be unsupportive of such an atrocious act of inhumanity.

Nothing can be lower on this planet than Bush's denial of the Armenian Genocide. What the hell is going on?? Turkey is no better ally than Germany. They are saying Turkey needs time to akwnoledge its own history. How long you want to wait?? As one of our honest Congressmans's so eloquently said, "Denial is not the last step of Genocide, but the first step of the next Genocide."

and congress still hasn't passed a budget

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