Hoagland, the ADL, Fisk, and Sports

I'm catching up on some recent big events around the world, much of which is music to my ears... TAH DAH!!!! The Bush Administration withdrew their nomination for Hoagland as the US Ambassador to Armenia after a vigorous campaign led by the Armenian National Committee of America to block his nomination after clearly denying the Armenian Genocide during several hearings in the Senate. The LA Times covered the story, or you can read the ANCA press release here.


Also more progress news on the genocide recognition front, the town of Watertown, Massachusetts (my old neighborhood) has cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League and their No Place for Hate program in response to their strong stance on denying the Armenian Genocide and lobbying Congress to block legislation recognizing the genocide. There is quite a heated exchange during the town meeting discussing the proclamation breaking the ties as an ADL representative dares to defend their stance. You can see the video at Hairenik Online TV Station here. Updates are being added regularly at the town's initiated website No Place for Denial.

In Armenia, Journalist for The Independent Robert Fisk paid a visit a couple weeks ago to give a lecture entitled "Threats, Lies & Videotape: The Armenian Genocide and Western Betrayal in the Middle East" at the American University of Armenia. The location is ironic considering most of the lecture is criticizing America's response to events in the Middle East and Armenia, mostly on the journalistic front, which frankly was quite truthful. He was direct with his attacks on journalists for their cowardly fear of use of the word "G-word" in describing the Armenian genocide even to the extent of describing it as insulting for even having a policy about not capitalizing the word. Sadly, the event was mostly attended by Diasporans as most locals had difficulty following English. He did write about his trip in The Independent just before he whisked off back to Lebanon. His lecture seemed well received, but he responded to some questions from the audience with a little pessimism. A few people asked about his thoughts on US legislation to recognize the Genocide, but better yet, someone asked about the actuality of a movement within Turkey to push toward a true democracy, including discussion of the Genocide. He didn't believe we should put our hope in such possibilities.

In other news, the masses have arrived in Yerevan for the highly-anticipated Pan Armenian Games. Opening Ceremonies take place tomorrow and I will be there to cheer. Also, The Armenian National Futbol Team will be playing against Portugal in Armenia next week... I will also be there. After the last win against Poland, spirits should be high, but I hope not to be wearing acrylic face paint this time. :) FUN!!!