Friday, October 12, 2007

What In The World Were They Thinking???



Let's face it, we have lots of problems in this country and lots of things for our Congress to do. Soooo, instead of working on immigration, social security, medicaid, or maybe trying to pass a budget for the fiscal year that started October 1st, here is what they have been spending their time on:

A Congressional Committee has just approved non-binding legislation that condemns Turkey for genocide against the Armenians while Turkey was still the Ottoman Empire around 100 years ago.

Well, at least the Armenians are happy with this utter waste of time ... however the Turks are simply livid. The current Turkish government has nothing to do with the old Empire and this legislation is simply a slap in the face to them. They have already withdrawn their ambassador from Washington DC, though they say it is just for consultations and that he will be back (eventually).

Some might say, "So we insulted Turkey ... big deal". Those that say this are just as stupid as the 27 Congressmen on the House Foreign Relations Committee that voted for this legislation. Here is the breakdown on how much we need Turkey:

  1. Incerlik Air Force Base is in Turkey and is the main hub for supplies going to our troops in Iraq. Roughly 70% of supplies either pass through Turkey or through Turkish air space.
  2. The Turkish Legislature is just about to take up legislation authorizing a large military incursion into Northern Iraq to attack Kurdish Separatist Guerrillas (terrorists) that have been staging raids into Turkey and killing hundreds.
  3. The only thing that has been holding Turkey back from attacking Iraq is the good-will that remains between the United States and Turkey.
  4. Turkey is the only Secular Muslim democracy in the area and good relations between the US, Iraq and Turkey are a must to show moderate elements in the region that democracy not only sounds good on paper ... but that it actually works.

Only a change of heart by the Democrats that control the House can stop this legislation from going to a full vote (where chances are strong that it may pass). There are signs that the Dems are taking a second hard look at what they just did. Tom Lantos (D-CA) stated, "We have to weigh the desire to express our solidarity with the Armenian people... against the risk that it could cause young men and women in the uniform of the United States armed services to pay an even heavier price than they are currently paying," Where was that great introspective thinking before you put this legislation to a vote?

And the Democrats keep harping on how the current administration is loosing friends throughout the world ... is this an attempt to play catch-up and see who can piss off the most people?

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15 comments:

Tapline said...

Paul,
this was an outstanding read....Good research......I've said it before and I'll say it again. Turkey is for the Turks...They take being slapped by any nation very seriously...They clamped down on the US when we attacked Iraq and would not allow us to use it's airspace then. Now with this issue, which they are adamant about, why is america kicking them in the chops ....Doesn't make sense...I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who said "Nearly all men can stand advercity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Is this a test????.....I ramble...stay well...

buffalodick said...

It's easier for our government to deal with non important issues than to tackle the ones everyone is concerned about. I wish people would keep a list of all the stupid things our current elected officals have or have not done, and read it on the day they go to vote....

Paul Champagne said...

tapline ... I actually got the idea for this post from you ... you got me thinking ... Thanks.

buffalo ... if everyone made a list like that the winner accross the board would be "None of the Above".

The Lowest Rated Blog said...

The Do-Nothing DEM/GOP Congress

This bunch has nothing better to do.

The Do-Nothing-GOP Congress have the time to come up with a bogus resolution attacking a Left Wing Wacko group for political ads.

The Do-Nothing-DEM Congress have the time to come up with bogus resolution attacking a Right Wing Wacko talk show host for his so called hate speech.

The Do-Nothing-DEM Congress have the time to come up with bogus resolution comdemning one of our key allies for something that happened a century ago.

SHAME ON THEM!

No, shame on US if in 2008 we vote to bring any of those losers back to Congress.

Have a fine TEXAS day.

cfs

Paul Champagne said...

tlrb ... it would be nice if a true independent party were to spring up, with politicians that only cared about doing what was best for the American Public. We could sweep them into office, they would fix the deficit, eliminate government waste, fix our healthcare system, save social security and bring about World Peace.

Then we could all wake up from this beautiful dream.

Because if we ever did elect this dream government, we would vote them out of office at the next opportunity ... because they didn't bring home the pork.

It is our fault that our government is broken ... we need to fix it.

snowelf said...

Ugh!

I know..how articulate...but everyone said everything I wanted to say about it.

And it IS our fault our government is broken.

--snow

WomanHonorThyself said...

hiya Paul...just imagine if the Dems win the presidential election..Heaven help us all!

Anonymous said...

good research indeed!
i dont really know why ambassador had to withdrow becoz that incidence in 1915(?????)

Anonymous said...

I don't get it. Why would they put our military men and women plus all the independent contractors who support them, in harms way? They are also hindering our efforts to keep peace between the Kurds and Turks, being instigated by Iran (and some of the shia militias who have specifically gone into the North to case problems). It's stupid and it's anti american.

Keshi said...

I see ppl choosing wrong Govts everywhere.


Keshi.

Paul Champagne said...

snow ... It is absolutely our fault the government is broken. Maybe we can fix it by throwing everyone out of office and starting fresh ... and keep doing it till they figure it out and starting putting our country first.

woman ... I shiver to think what will happen with the Dems in control of the White House and Congress. I actually hope Hillary wins the Dem nomination (shudder) as I think she is less looney than the rest.

niki ... Turkey is in extreme denial as to its' past transgressions. This was designed to piss them off.

debbie ... I think I might have figured out the why this past weekend while watching the Cowboys game. Read todays post for my beer induced epiphany.

keshi ... people do choose the wrong government all around the world. The thing is, in the USA, we get to change the government every 2, 4 or 6 years ... and we are too stupid or self-centered to fix our wrong choices.

Blancodeviosa said...

I will ignore the democrats comment and just say- Our WHOLE government is Ass Backwards.

Paul Champagne said...

blanco ... you are right, our whole government is broken. This is an example of a Democratic mis-step. The Republicans make enough of their own.

Anonymous said...

that is really strange!
i have worked with some turkish boys before. they act macho :)

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