True defenders of freedom of speech told to shut up.

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by MarkG
yeah i mean they are only occupating half of cyprus (sorry 40%) for the last 33 years and is not ready to officially invade iraq (unofficially it has already done it)....

No mention of teh Greek-orchestrated coup and teh terrorist bombings in SE TUrkey?

[Wezil]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
I don't really care about Japanese textbooks if that is what your asking. I'm mainly in favor of not taking meaningless actions that piss off useful allies.

Japanese text books were not what I had in mind actually.

I don't see it as a meaningless action. There are legal ramifications to such a measure. Even if there wasn't - the democratically elected members of a parliament/house/congress etc. should not shy away from speaking the truth b/c some other nation might have their feelings hurt. Tough.

[MarkG]

Originally posted by LordShiva
No mention of teh Greek-orchestrated coup and

that attempt was an act of a military junta, it has nothing to do with long standing greek goverment policies (like the turkish prosecution of greek citizens in turkey during the last century)

teh terrorist bombings in SE TUrkey?

the what?

[germanos]

Originally posted by Chemical Ollie
I see 2 absurdities here:
1) A parliament having a vote over what to call a historical event 80 years ago on another continent. Isn't that something for academics?
2) Turkey being upset about about recognising historical events that took place in a very different world, and hopefully a very different Turkey. Their anger reveals them as still being bad guys. Forget EU membership...

wrt 2) spot on

wrt 1) not so. Historians might reach a conclusion on whether this case was just a 'massacre' or a 'genocide'. As in so many 'humanities' departments in the academic world, it's not so easy to get a 'reciprocal' proof.
In this regard I find it perfectly fine for a parliament to express their POV in relation to the evidence at hand.

[Serb]

I praise G.W. Bush for invading Iraq
Damn smart move. The guy is genious

[germanos]

´Blah blah blah and rant.´

Originally posted by VJ
What's my point?

Europe and other parties have been heavily critized for their stance wrt to the Danish cartoon crises etc.
The all defining measure their seemed to be freedom of speech for their independent press and-or citizens.

If those standards apply to them, I don´t see why those same standards wouldn´t apply to the democratic bodies said citizens elect. (US citizens in this case)

[Arrian]

What, exactly, is the utility (for Armenians) of a non-binding resolution from the US Congress stating that what happened to them 80 yrs ago was genocide?

Wezil, what are the legal ramifications of which you speak?

-Arrian

[Kuciwalker]

He mentioned it earlier, life insurance payouts

[Arrian]

Ah, I see now, it was actually Oerdin who said that:

Also I remember reading that some insurance companies have continually refused to pay life insurance claims from that period saying the dead engaged in open rebellion and so the claim was not valid. An act of Congress would help family members sue the insurance companies in American courts so decedents can finally get paid the money owed.

Interesting. In that case, there would be some reason beyond mere political posturing. Some.

-Arrian

[Wezil]

"I" didn't mention it, but someone did.

Even w/o legal ramifications the truth is the truth. Tough if Turkey doesn't like it.

As for them being a useful ally - There is a saying about the friends you keep.....

[germanos]

Originally posted by Arrian
What, exactly, is the utility (for Armenians) of a non-binding resolution from the US Congress stating that what happened to them 80 yrs ago was genocide?

Who gives a **** about the Armenians?

Freedom of Speech is what counts.

[Arrian]

Who gives a **** about the Armenians?

??

Freedom of Speech is what counts.

FoS (hmm, Freedom of Speech and Full of **** have the same acronym...) is indeed important. Bush requested that Congress vote a certain way. Requested. They are free to ignore him, and call him a rat bastard if they want.

Basically, what are you on about wrt free speech?

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Originally posted by Wezil
"I" didn't mention it, but someone did.

Even w/o legal ramifications the truth is the truth. Tough if Turkey doesn't like it.

As for them being a useful ally - There is a saying about the friends you keep.....

There are many, many truths out there. Do we make a point of passing resolutions about them all? No, typically there is some POINT to doing so.

The point here is apparently to shove it in the Turkish government's face. YOU WERE BAD, ADMIT IT!!!

I'd rather they did admit it, honestly. But I still don't get how this helps anyone.

-Arrian

[germanos]

Originally posted by Arrian


??
-Arrian

well, Bush's stance surely wasn't inspired by a compassion for the Armenians

Originally posted by Arrian

Basically, what are you on about wrt free speech?
-Arrian

Don't know, to be honest. This thread is a soul-searching quest

[Wezil]

The issue will continue to come up (our Parliament dealt with this a few years ago) so long as Turkey is in denial. I see no reason to make them feel better by accepting their BS. It is in Turkey's power to bring this controversy to an end.