Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Ethic Cleansing: Whose genocide are you on?

"Obama can be forgiven for dodging the explosive subject of genocide while he is a guest in Ankara next week. But, when the Armenians' annual day of genocide remembrance comes on April 24, the White House will be expected to release a statement. In the past, these proclamations have been exercises in strained euphemism. Last year, for instance, George W. Bush lamented 'mass killings and forced exile' and 'epic human tragedy'--but did not use the term 'genocide.' The Armenian-Americans who supported Obama in November (John McCain never endorsed genocide recognition) expect him to use the occasion to say the magic word."