Canada Should Mind Its Own Business

I agree with Simpson that on its face it's a pretty stupid and unnecessary thing to do, it really is none of our business. Denoucing the event would be akin to the HOC passing a resolution denoucing the crusades. Canada is just too far removed from the event, both in place and time, for the HOC to be passing value judgments on it. BUT, as the CBC reports a lot of liberal MPs are worried about getting re-elected and this little stunt most likely as more to do with pandering to the greek and armenian voting communities than it does to a broad human rights concern.

This 4-year election thing is so harmful. Three years of corporate interest and then one year of social progress (and apparently useless wastes of time as well) to lead up to an election. Bah, I say.

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Kory Yamashita

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Such a shame!

I tought Canadians are patriotic, but this news thread shows the oposite of my opinion! The world, not only Armenian, will be thankful to the action taken by the Canadian government, which has recognized a CRIME commited by Ottomans. By denying this historical event, world will be owned by the Evil!

I would like to thank all Canadians who supported this action! God bless Canada!

I'm confused. Are some of you saying Canada shouldn't put judgement on this Armenian genocide of 1915. I don't know much about this. But no matter what happens in any other country around the world should be approached as if it happen in our back yard.

World problems are Canadian problems.

Kevin

Get your facts straight. The Canadian government did not endorse this resolution. It was a private members bill, introduced by a BQ MP, for which most of the cabinet voted no, 2 cabinet members abstained from voting. Many BACKBENCH liberal MP's voted-these people are not in the government. Only cabinet members form the government.

This resolution is akin to if the HOC would pass a resolution denouncing slavery in the US. Or if the HOC passed a bill which denounced the stalin purges. What is the point to such action? History is history and the HOC has no business meddling into these matters. Leave the condemnation for a de-politicised academic environment. If, however, an atrocity is happening in the here and now, then the HOC should damn well have something to say about it.

I'm confused. Help me out with this one. I don't have allot knowledge on this. Although I feel Canada should condemn this as a crime against humanity.

What is the real result, cause this thread is confusing me.

Kevin

Kevin, the vote is not binding on the government according to Paulie and his backroom boys. The Armenians are glad that Canada has recognized that they were the victims of genocide and the Turks are appalled that they have been tarred with the same brush.

Again, private members bills are NEVER binding on the government. This is basic parliamentary procedure.

Yes, but it NEVER should have gone to a vote.

well on that point I am in agreement

Seems rather silly to raise all this raucous and to go to the expense of a vote for something that is not binding when all is said and done. They sure know how to waste our time and money. They should invest in a blog and then we could all participate in the discussion and the vote.

well the Bloc love to stir the pot. they certainly succeeded here.

Kevin,

I agree world problems are Canadian problems. But, where was Canada on this issue 89 years ago? Making judgements now looks like political pandering rather than a call to rewrite history. Using historical horrors for political gain today is as disgusting as it is for politicians today saying nothing about the US overthrow of Aristide, Sharon persecuting the Palestinians, and the war on Iraq. Why aren't these same people standing up against those things in the HOC? Those things are what's relevant RIGHT NOW. 89 years from now are Canadian politicians going to be using todays issues for their political gain because they didn't have the balls or the decency to do what's right today while it's happening? Besides, there's always two sides to every tragedy. How many of those politicians have the facts or even really care about them? If we look at what information we have on todays issues and who is writing history as we are living it can you imagine how twisted the truth will look 89 years from today?

The best way to write a new history is to not repeat an old one.