Comments on: Ts’eghaspanut’yun (IV) http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:27:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Daniel Larison http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/#comment-7836 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:36:05 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/#comment-7836 Okay, let me say it plainly: I don't think the genocide resolution is a hidden or secret attack on the war, and I think arguments to this effect are an attempt to evade the question of recognition by assuming that the entire resolution is about something else. The resolutin's origin really is as simple as constituencies and ethnic lobbies prevailing on Congress to make a symbolic statement about an event of great importance to them. I have never argued on behalf of Putin's revisionism in favour of Stalin and the Soviet period. In the past, at least in the comments, I have made it clear that I regard both Putin and Saakashvili's neo-Soviet nostalgia and admiration for Stalin offensive; I tend to focus on the latter because few others do. What I object to is the obsession with vilifying the Russian government, which I think serves to worsen U.S.-Russian relations to no good purpose. I have briefly mentioned, and I will say again, that the genocide of Ukrainians under Stalin, among many other nations that suffered at the hands of the Soviets, should be acknowledged and taken as seriously as any other. Being a Russophile doesn't enter into it. Exposing the crimes of the Soviet regime seems to me to be an essential part of making Russia a healthier and better country. If I haven't harped on Putin, this is because so many others have been doing so. Okay, let me say it plainly: I don’t think the genocide resolution is a hidden or secret attack on the war, and I think arguments to this effect are an attempt to evade the question of recognition by assuming that the entire resolution is about something else. The resolutin’s origin really is as simple as constituencies and ethnic lobbies prevailing on Congress to make a symbolic statement about an event of great importance to them.

I have never argued on behalf of Putin’s revisionism in favour of Stalin and the Soviet period. In the past, at least in the comments, I have made it clear that I regard both Putin and Saakashvili’s neo-Soviet nostalgia and admiration for Stalin offensive; I tend to focus on the latter because few others do. What I object to is the obsession with vilifying the Russian government, which I think serves to worsen U.S.-Russian relations to no good purpose. I have briefly mentioned, and I will say again, that the genocide of Ukrainians under Stalin, among many other nations that suffered at the hands of the Soviets, should be acknowledged and taken as seriously as any other. Being a Russophile doesn’t enter into it. Exposing the crimes of the Soviet regime seems to me to be an essential part of making Russia a healthier and better country. If I haven’t harped on Putin, this is because so many others have been doing so.

]]> by: Koz http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/#comment-7835 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:24:11 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/#comment-7835 Peters (I don't know who the et al are in this case) is asserting that they are being linked by the Dems as an hidden against the Iraq war. If you disagree with that you ought to say so. Certainly his point about the fate of prior Armenian genocide resolutions is inarguable. Fwiw, I appreciate his point about American airbases and supply routes, but I'd like to find a way to force the Turks to honestly confront this matter nonetheless. And not just Turkey, but the same sort of national historical denial exists other places as well, Russia and Mexico off the top of my head. I don't know the exact way to put it, but your blog has been more or less an apologist for the efforts of the Putin administration to create a _new_ cult of denial regarding Stalin and other Communist-era crimes. I know you're something of a Russophile, but for the life of me I just can't see what purpose that serves. Peters (I don’t know who the et al are in this case) is asserting that they are being linked by the Dems as an hidden against the Iraq war. If you disagree with that you ought to say so. Certainly his point about the fate of prior Armenian genocide resolutions is inarguable.

Fwiw, I appreciate his point about American airbases and supply routes, but I’d like to find a way to force the Turks to honestly confront this matter nonetheless. And not just Turkey, but the same sort of national historical denial exists other places as well, Russia and Mexico off the top of my head.

I don’t know the exact way to put it, but your blog has been more or less an apologist for the efforts of the Putin administration to create a _new_ cult of denial regarding Stalin and other Communist-era crimes. I know you’re something of a Russophile, but for the life of me I just can’t see what purpose that serves.

]]> by: Daniel Larison http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/#comment-7833 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:06:56 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/#comment-7833 It ought to be clear that the two are actually distinct issues. I'm actually a bit at a loss to understand why anyone would insist on linking them, but Peters et al. seem intent on doing so. It ought to be clear that the two are actually distinct issues. I’m actually a bit at a loss to understand why anyone would insist on linking them, but Peters et al. seem intent on doing so.

]]> by: Koz http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/#comment-7832 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:57:32 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/10/14/tseghaspanutyun-iv/#comment-7832 What the hell Daniel? It ought to be clear who is using the Armenian genocide as a maneuvering to wrt the Iraq war, and it's not Ralph Peters. Really, I'm at a bit of a loss to see how you can see it any other way. What the hell Daniel? It ought to be clear who is using the Armenian genocide as a maneuvering to wrt the Iraq war, and it’s not Ralph Peters. Really, I’m at a bit of a loss to see how you can see it any other way.

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