Senate defies earlier White House block to unanimously recognize Armenian genocide

[PupCamo]

Source: Politico

The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide in Turkey more than 100 years ago, over earlier objections from President Donald Trump.

The move amounted to a stern condemnation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has grown close to Russia in recent months and who criticized a similar resolution passed by the House. Moreover, the Senate advanced Turkish sanctions legislation on Wednesday, threatening to disrupt Trump's alliance with Erdoğan.


The White House had directed several senators to block the bill in recent weeks. But when Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) took the floor on Thursday, the opposition melted away.

"America's non-response to the Turkish horrors established patterns that would be repeated ... we know all too well the horrors that would be repeated later in the 20th century with the Holocaust and other genocides around the world," Menendez said. "Here in the Senate today, we break those patterns. We join the House who voted to do so ... 405-11. Today the Senate shows the same resolve."


Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/12/armenian-genocide-turkey-083744

[abqtommy]

1. Shnorhakalutyun: that's "Thank You" in Armenian. (so I've been told)

[riversedge]

2. "Infants were dashed on rocks before the eyes of their mothers."..

And to know that our President Trump refuses to condemn these horrors.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/12/12/senate-senate-recognizes-arrecognizes-armenian-genocide-over-objections-trump-and-turkish-government/4410046002/

Senate recognizes Armenian genocide over objections of Trump and Turkish government
.............................

For years, Turkey had successfully deployed an army of high-priced lobbyists to stop the measure. Ankara spent more than $6 million to press its agenda in Washington in 2018, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group.

But that effort collapsed on Thursday when Menendez pressed for its adoption and no senator objected.

The New Jersey Democrat broke down in tears after the measure sailed through, as he began recounting the horrors of the genocide.

"The killing was done with axes, cleavers, shovels and pitchforks. It was like a slaughterhouse," Menendez said, quoting a priest who documented the atrocities at time. "Infants were dashed on rocks before the eyes of their mothers."............................

[steventh]

3. I'm amazed and delighted to see Senators doing the right thing for a change,

Dare we hope that some of them do the right thing on the impeachment vote when the time comes.

[erronis]

5. I know. I'm skeptical that there isn't a more nefarious motive, tho.

Under McTurtle, everything is nefarious.

[steventh]

6. There's definite merit in your observation about McT

But I can't imagine what's in it for him to cause him to do this good thing, can you?

[DENVERPOPS]

8. Me too

I wonder about the Repubs in the Senate doing this seemingly right thing, after 100% backing Trump & ICE to separate and incarcerate 70,000 trying to get into the U.S. Senators and House members ARE NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO GO INTO THE CAMPS TO INSPECT OR WITNESS HOW THEY ARE BEING TREATED, NOR CAN THEY OBTAIN PAPERWORK OR ACCOUNTABILITY ON ANY OF THE CAPTIVES, AND ESPECIALLY NOT THIER CHILDREN THAT WERE TORN FROM THEIR PARENTS.......

Yet another of the Republican Parties "I'll show you we can do anything and everything we want, and there is nothing, absolutely nothing anyone can do about it, no matter how illegal or un-constitutional"

Sounds like they already have pretty much completed their Coup, and have installed their Tyrannical individuals from the top down.......

WASF

[GeoWilliam750]

15. Drive a wedge between US and Turkey so that Russia can step in?

[erronis]

16. That seems a reasonable guess. Much of what rUSSRia is doing is small nudges

to cause large reactions.

[okaawhatever]

20. I think McConnell & Co. are doing this more as a rebuke for Trump abandoning the Kurds, than

the actual Armenian situation. Plus, at this point we may not have much to lose where Turkey is concerned. In recent months they killed an American journalist, purchased a Russian S-400 air defense system, and attacked one of biggest allies in the fight against ISIS, the Kurds.

Support for the Kurds is bipartisan, and most republicans publicly condemned Trump for his pullout from Syria (which was turned into a force reduction) and for Trump allowing Turkey to attack the Kurds. Of course, Max Boot in WaPo pointed out that the Turkey/Kurds issue wouldn't impact the 2020 election so republicans disagreeing with Trump wasn't such a big deal.

[nycbos]

4. About time.

We having been kissing Ankara's ass on this for too long.

[Hekate]

7. Wonderful--and about time!

[CaptYossarian]

9. I learned about the existence of this slaughter when Brett Somers mentioned it on a Match Game rerun

from the 70s. It was never talked about in history class.

It's great to see both parties vote the same way for once. Maybe they will remove him and not worry about a primary challenger.

[LisaM]

11. Interesting place to learn it. Was she Armenian?

I knew a lot of people with Armenian heritage growing up, so was aware of it.

[CaptYossarian]

17. I believe she was told by an audience member. She said it as

part of her answer and then said to Gene Rayburn, "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't believe we're allowed to talk about that."

I saw this episode within the last 5 years, so my exact memory is blurred. The show is on 6 times a day on GSN, so it'll come on again.

[gademocrat7]

10. Good news.

[Codifer]

12. Music to experience while reflecting on genocide

Very melancholy. I was absorbed in it about a week ago, very deep into it in fact. Suddenly there was an advertisement. Bad enough in itself , very intrusive. But it was a freaking ad for fucking trump. Some young geek with glasses explaining the high crimes of the Democrats and Hillary. I had listened to this same music (same link) for over a year without this problem intrusion.

The effect was mind shattering. I have not tried it since to see if it is embedded or just a random experience. I have been exploring other music on you tube, from classical guitar to Welsh pipes and Scottish ballads without a trump ad.

I found it odd.

Edit to add: I am listening now.. ad at ca 9:39 or so. Is for Shen Yun dancers. NOT fucking trump.

[McKim]

13. This is Something to Celebrate for All Human Rights!

This is something to celebrate for all Human Rights!!!!! I remember that this was a first genocide for the 20th Century. The lack of responsive to this genocide except for some noble Christian organizations, was a a green light signal for a later leader. I read that when some in the German leadership were questioning the plans for genocide that Hitler answered: “Did anyone care about the Armenians?” The Armenian Genocide paved the way for more Evil. I am so glad that our senate stood up for what is right! The Armenian people deserve this!

[magicarpet]

14. On a lighter note,... Armenian Rock Concert,...

Hip/Up Beat music you would hear at a modern Armenian wedding, by Tata Simonyan.

[progressoid]

18. unanimously?

Wow.

[bdamomma]

19. I as

a proud Armenian am so glad to hear this news. The Armenian people have been waiting for justice a very long time.