The Nation: Whose Genocide Counts?

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Howl | posted October 11, 2007 (web only)
Whose Genocide Counts?
Nicholas von Hoffman




Thank God! We have been waiting almost 100 years for the House Foreign Affairs Committee to do it and at long last they did, those statesmen and stateswomen! They voted to declare the 1915 massacres of Armenians by the Turks an official genocide.

Now, don't you feel better? Isn't the world a better place for this courageous act on the part of our legislators? Aren't we all freer? Stronger? Safer? More long-lived? Healthier? Richer? Wiser and better sexually adjusted?

What's next? A resolution condemning Napoleon's invasion of Egypt and the slaughter visited on the Egyptians at the Battle of the Pyramids? And how about a little legislative attention for the Romans killed by Hannibal at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC. Better look into that one, too, guys.

Do you think that the House Foreign Affairs Committee might, after it has righted any number of ancient wrongs, look into what the Sam Hill is going on now? This very committee has a direct responsibility for the death of 600,000 Iraqis and the flight of some 2 million more from their homes. Does that bear a little looking into? While they are putting the genocide label on others, would the gentlemen and gentleladies of the committee consider putting some sort of label on themselves?

The horrific murders of the Armenians occurred almost a century ago. However, the murders in Iraq are going on now, fellas. Does that fact suggest that you might have more urgent business than chewing over crimes of yesteryear? ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071029/howl

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Now, don't you feel better?

Yeah, actually I do.