U.S. House of Representatives adopts Armenian Genocide Amendment

[HyeJinx1984]

Originally this was in the political forum, but I moved it because I actually wanted people to respond to this, and I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have happened in the political forum since basically no one goes there anymore. It gets the most exposure here.... even thugh so far only you two have said anything.

[xBaron Dants]

Just for you HyeJinx...

It seems to be a purely symbolic amendment, with interesting potential. From what I understood, it says that Turkey cannot spend any money given by the US on genocide denial. This won't prevent genocide denial obviously, and I don't think that the US will actually track how Turkey is spending the money.

Why it can be very positive is that it would de facto imply that the House of Reps recognizes the Armenian genocide, or rather, will not participate in its denial. Now, can anyone give me a crash course on US policy-making? As this amendment news is rather old, and I did read some things about it being removed, and the White House opposing it. Any news on that? If the House of Reps adopts it, is it a done deal, or can it be revoked?

[HyeJinx1984]

Well, the fact that it's an amendment means it can probably be amended again, which is why people are worried that these three republican congress men are trying to do.

However, I got the link of the System website, and the way they worded it was interesting.. saying that Turkey could no longer use the money to "Lobby against people trying to expose the genocide."

As a filmmaker this means something very special to me, because films like the recent Ararat which got such limited release as well as any other film that tackles the Armenian genocide may now be allowed to be released in large theater chains and not come under too much pressure by the Turkish lobbyist groups.

[xBaron Dants]

The fact remains that they can't use US given money, right?
They can still use their own money all they want..

[HyeJinx1984]

True... damnit, stupid Kerkorian, now I'm gonna jump to the other thread to talk about Kerkorian and movies.

[Darorinag]

Why it can be very positive is that it would de facto imply that the House of Reps recognizes the Armenian genocide, or rather, will not participate in its denial.

I think what the U.S is doing is trying to just put an end to all this Armenian genocide talk in the States, and this is a step towards that. It just doesn't want to be involved in anything that has to do with it - I think the government has figured out that's the best policy. This doesn't mean, however, that the U.S is not expressing an opinion towards the genocide. For to ignore a simple human rights issue as the Armenian genocide is the equivalent of denying it, because no justice is being done to those who perished, those who survived, as well as historical truth. Year after year they make a speech about the "tragic death" of Armenians. It's a way of numbing the mind.

[HyeJinx1984]

Or maybe this is the attitude that makes Armenians so unenthused when it comes to being active. I mean, Armenians themselves don't really do as much as they can. I look at Serj Tankian who is at the moment my favorite Armenian of all time. Through charities, music, orginizations, programs and Armenian-agenda pushing projects he is an inspiration to me.. and I really don't see many people in the Armenian community doing the same. Maybe if we didn't sit around and say "Eh, nothing will come of it" we may actually be able to stand up and make a difference.

[xBaron Dants]

Agreed HyeJinx.

There are many, many ways to get involved, and most people would just rather b!tch anyways.

[HyeJinx1984]

Well, we are b!tchers by nature... we just have to know who to b!tch too and where to b!tch at

[xBaron Dants]

Builders by nature. We became b!tchers with time.