LETTER TO FRESNO BEE

Fresno Bee
l#none
April 22 2009

It was genocide

Turkey’s immoral response, Armenian genocide denial, draconian
influence is unparalleled. We shouldn’t let idle threats from foreign
sources drag down our national discourse.

It’s a disservice to our democracy, to the world, by letting Turkey
frame — with full force, leverage as a military and economic power.

America’s stand against genocide should not be treated as a political
bargaining chip, rather, it needs to build a core moral value, one
to be advanced regardless of the political cost.

Letting foreign countries deplete our moral standing surrenders us on
the world stage, shows the world that our country can be threatened
with results that no one can be proud of.

We should be the type of nation that understands the willingness
to confront genocide, cannot be bartered away for basing rights,
overflights and energy pipelines.

This is a matter of national security. Let’s show the Western world
and despots alike that a superpower cannot be easily influenced,
threatened or bought off.

We should be committed to showing nations our moral compass, earning
the respect of all countries through just examples and defense of
our values.

I hope this year the president and Congress do the right thing —
recognize the Armenian genocide as genocide.