Dems prepare to cave in ... v1.96

First of all I would like to reassert that I don't think that it is the job of Congress to "recognize" the Turks genocide of Armenians. That said though ... it looks like under pressure from Bush, House Democrats may not even bring the resolution to the floor for a vote.

Bush may as well be ruling by decree.

Why is it so important now?

and the central asia pipeline to europe...

Never?

They could have done it 20 years ago when we had the majority

This is a move that puts our soldiers in a more precarious position

At a time when you are up to your neck in aligators, you don't cause friction on the Northern border

whether it is a "worthwhile" gesture.

BUT,

the actions, or lack of action, by the Dems in Congress is just another in their long litany of not challenging the POS in the White House. I guess that powder is safely locked away for later.

And risk having a key supply route OUT of Iraq, for a troop withdrawal, closed to them when the Turks get pissed and close the air and land routes? Because that IS what will happen.

I suppose we could always go out via Iran...er....Syria...naaaah...

That leaves us with just the southern routes. And when the wind blows, they're not always accessible. And that's a longass hump from the north.

You do realize about seventy percent of flights going in and out of Iraq do so through Turkey?

It's a complicated question, this whole finger wag at Turkey. Perhaps the EU will pick up where the US left off--after all, that entity's a bit closer to the situation.

This editorial makes some good points. It is in response to the House vote, but the points apply to the Senate vote as well: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x901635647

The expulsion and murder of the Armenians is a part of its history that Turkey has never come to grips with, and even today reconciliation talks between Turkey and Armenia are moving very slowly - but nonetheless moving unless this resolution impedes them.

It is important that Turkey face up to its history, not least because there are still tensions between Armenians and Turks in Turkey. There is healing to be gained whenever a nation finds the courage and honesty to recognize historic wrongs committed in its name. It was appropriate, for instance, for Congress to apologize for the internment of Japanese-Americans in World War II and the mistreatment of Native American tribes.

But it is unclear what Congress accomplishes by condemning century-old actions on the other side of the world committed by a regime long passed into history. The resolution may bring some comfort to Armenian-Americans who have long felt popular history slighted their people's nightmare, but this "feel-good" legislation comes at a price: Spotlighting this history undermines current national interests in a critical part of the world.

The resolution should be allowed to quietly languish in the clerk's office, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seems determined to bring it to a vote. Told that this was a bad time for the resolution, the speaker said she'd been hearing that every year for the last 20. Maybe there's a good reason for that.

1) We aren't leaving Iraq. The candidates that claim they want to end the war won't even promise to have our troops out by 2013.

2) Turkey will not do spit. Turkey has far more to lose from souring relations than the US does.

I love the way the hysterical always assume that the other side, be they the Turks or Russians or Chinese or Iranians, are insane and will not act rationally. This is doubly amusing in light of the fact that our own President is the nuttiest nut running any country on earth.

They want in the EU, first.

And they're right next door to Pootie Poot. Who might offer them what they perceive as a better deal.

Why do you think they'll stick with us? Who the hell are we? What have we done for them lately?

Don't count on that.

And who said the Turks were insane? Where did you get that crazy "insane" assertion? That's all outta YOUR head.

And why bring in the Chinese and everyone else?

Stick to the points.

The Turks are RABID about this issue. One of their ambassadors gave me a beautifully bound, five color, VERY EXPENSIVE, thick hard cover picture book, with gold leafed edges to the pages, that explained to me, in painful English and ambiguous photographs, how that massacre NEVER HAPPENED. And I wasn't the only one to get this Turkish Government publication, by any stretch. See, the Ambassador had an interest in selling that point of view to me and others who were in the National Security field.

I completely disagree with your insinuation that these people are anyting other than INVESTED in that version of the story. And that they'll just let it pass.

Why do you think the Senate intends to back down on this issue? Because they've got a better handle on the region, that's why... http://www.rttnews.com/FOREX/politicalnews.asp?date=10/17/2007&item=11


Support Fading For Armenian Resolution []

10/17/2007 7:44:44 AM A number of House Democrats have withdrawn their support for a resolution that would characterize the killings of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks during World War I as a genocide, due to concerns that the measure could strain U.S.-Turkish relations.

This died not because the dems caved under pressure from Bush (although there was pressure), but because it was an empty gesture that we have no business voting on that also would cause even more trouble in Iraq. This died because it was stupid.

two years--would only put forth legislation which they knew they
had a sure win. In other words, Have a WIN WIN WIN on the evening
TV News. Not the Dems fail fail fail.

They need to huddle and rework their strategy.

The Dems need to project: We can govern, govern govern.

It occurred to me that the clever reasons would be totally lost on the American electorate and would only inflame the Turks to commit another atrocity in "Kurdistan".

When the Repukes held the narrow edge under Clinton they went China baiting. the president wanted to trade everything with China. the Bushes too and when they had their turn the GOP suddenly lost their furious appetite for Carter-like but selective human rights indignation. In Gingrich posturing, it was all civil rights and religious freedom. Why? because it meant nothing except as a "tough' chip when selling one's soul for the Chinese market. It provided gas, bi-partisanship, easily agreed on votes, clever posturing. At least during that era of useless gridlock it kept their useless hands off the budget and all prospered, ironically. Even the Chinese. The masters of trade went on while the "People's Representatives" passed resuolutions, denied favors and otherwise exerted their humiliating petulance in legislative phoniness.

This seems to be part of the sidestepping blue plate special that is on the to-do list for the Congressional Dems. The sort of smorgasbord that is giving progressive Dems in the House gas and impeachment and the war a pass. Pass all the social programs, veto irrelevant, keep the investigatory committees, politely, obtusely humming. Attempt to get clever bi-partisan hoopla over ANYTHING that can pass easily...that is seemingly inconsequential untimely issues whereby one can make trouble for the president by screwing obliquely, very obliquely with his policy. This lets the GOp get some experience acting against their Fuhrer just like the more malleable Dems could be led by the nose against Bill Clinton. Once the GOP actually got a taste of absolute power, absolute silence decended on the charades while money was to be reaped. The Congress show was over and the people kept entertained by the terror President.

I am very afraid this is what it is, besides seeping up the Armenians like Bush did the Amish...for a song. Only, being Dems in avoidance, they lack the crudities of pure hypocrisy and dogged determination to get what they want unapologetically. Now they have done all the damage to themselves and the Turkish situation(TODAY'S) and are about to anger and scare the poor Armenians with a vivid example of how trustworthy that support is.

The atrocity has roots and consequences in many things that came after and exist today. None of that, of course was brought into this blast at the past. It would have been nice to take the leap into the 21st Century and examine the Turkish connections to terrorism, GOP corruption, etc. that is in the small not just a Turkish government problem. The coming invasion and occupation of Northern Iraq, where our troops will be sequestered like a rubber bullet UN watch-post wearing ballet skirts, is the untimely
inevitability of stupid Bush policy. Whereas in the past we wanted them to do the dirty work, poor and despicable diplomacy(coercion, bribery, war crime against Muslims invitation) now we barely have the strength to embarrass ourselves with a futile show of brotherly NATO pressure. In troops and in much armament and mobile, Turkey is actually a very real threat to our troops bungled overlordship in a failed occupation. The relatively peaceful North is unfortunately the object of their intention.

Maybe the Dems will boast of having forced Bush to withdraw our troops by so instigating the Turks that
they replaced our troops in part of Iraq at least, and all before the strike against Iran, spoiling the scripted drama. This is all so utterly ridiculous that it almost passes as a rival to Bush insane and inept foreign policy.

Next: Dems advocate one of the Care Bears be made into our new national emblem. But which one? As the care bear fans switch parties to the Democrats the Eagle Scouts arrive in DC in angry force. This is one advocacy group before whom the Speaker immediately backs down. Praise is given to the new AG for being a sterling fellow whom our peerlessly legitimate and law respecting president deserves to have appointed without any critical thinking coming into play.

Everything descends to the mysteriously untimely and absurd when the crucial point of law and crisis always demands that the President be impeached. How impressive can the other pointless moves and speeches be no matter what temporary passion and pacifying futility is poured into them? Or it means they can't throw money at the people(the problem) because that is what gridlock means. Posturing is low budget and two(party players not their people) for the seesaw.