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Harut Sassounian
California Courier Editor
Harut Sassounian is the publisher of The California Courier, a weekly newspaper based in Glendale, Calif. He is the president of the Armenia Artsakh Fund, a non-profit organization that has donated to Armenia and Artsakh one billion dollars of humanitarian aid, mostly medicines, since 1989 (including its predecessor, the United Armenian Fund). He has been decorated by the presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and the heads of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic churches. He is also the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
You can never defend the indefensible as truth speaks louder than Turkish lies.
This brings up an interesting point. One wonders why the US Christian community has not rallied for Armenia and Armenian issues as it did 100 years ago during during the Genocide (e.g. as chronicled by Peter Balakian). Certainly today’s activist Christian community is different than 100 years ago– it is southern and more fundamentalist. But the power of today’s southern churches can not be overstated. See, for example, Christians United for Israel, which is arguably driven as much by belief in Biblical prophecy as anything else.
But how can we Armenians better engage today’s southern fundamentalist churches and organizations? After all, Armenia has strong roots in the Old and New Testament, and even just the story of Noah should be sufficient to convince these fundamentalist churches that they should care about Armenia and Armenian Christians (at least more than Islamicists or others). This community would be a formidable and natural ally. How do we increase outreach and awareness? Texas is an impressive step.
You mean we should pander to lunatics who believe that Jesus Christ will return once Israel takes over all the land currently inhabited by Palestinians? These people are nutcases.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zions-christian-soldiers/
Aside from the moral costs of allying with these people, it would be detrimental to Armenia’s long-term security to do so. First, these “Christians'” unconditional support for Israel means they will always take the side of Azerbaijan (Israel’s close ally) over Armenia in the Artsakh conflict. Second, they are ruthlessly anti-Muslim, and getting closer to them would alienate what will probably emerge as the most important force in the Armenian cause in the next few decades: the millions of “hidden Armenians” in Turkey who are reclaiming their Armenian heritage but choosing to maintain their adopted Islamic faith. These “hidden Armenians” are living proof of the Armenian genocide and if anybody will make demands or drive changes within Turkish society, it will be them.
In the short-term these fundamentalists may seem like low-hanging fruit, but in the long-term cozying up to them is a TERRIBLE idea.
American Christians are guided by conservatism and unfortunately listen and guided by Fox News. Fox in reality is wealthy corporate propaganda driven who’s interests are corporate military industry and oil. Not very friendly to Armenian interests so they are never exposed to truth of the Armenian situation..
Not to mention US fundamentalist Christians support Israel above all else (out of a belief that Jesus Christ will return once Israel takes over all of the land currently inhabited by Palestinians), and Israel is Azerbaijan’s main ally.
we shall overcome….. very soon. Turkish lies don’t matter anymore. they are born to lie.
Poor genocidal Turks. Everyone should feel sorry and cater to their defamation and reputation. Someone should tell them that defending a lie, especially about mass murder and theft is 10x harder then defending the truth. Its also clear the Turks have hid behind the corrupt US State department for years as they use the usually nonsense verbiage of ‘goes against US foreign policy”.. Exposing the morally bankrupt and US State department should be our next big target.
Did Mr. Demirmen listen to the 21 Armenians that were testifying, or is he just a blind fanatic with no conscious? Oh that is right, you have no conscious when lobbying for murderers.
Thank you TEXAS! Indeed it is impossible to defend the indefensible as truth speaks louder than Turkish lies.
The TRUTh always comes out and you cannot change it no matter what. Good on Texas.
The lone state of Texas is so right in voting for the right resolution of the Armenian genocide millions applaud the state of Texas & it’s standing .bravo the state of power & justice .God bless you.thank you Texas
The more Turkic hordes deny, the more Armenian Genocide will be recognized!
About time, now AL, IA, MS and IN are next
Great…..truth is.always the best
Thank you Texas. Finally justice for the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who were killed by Young Turks and realty is continuing to be rejected by Turkish government. Armenians will live forever.Tkank you
Cry cry 😭
The man Harut describes is an elderly retired oil engineer with oil links to Texas. He has written for decades about the Genocide in ways acceptable to Turkish Nazis such as Kirkikovali, Bain, Server et al.
His description of why the Turks failed is also out of an old playbook they use. The standard refrain is that Armenians are hyper-aggressive Christians who manipulate sleepy Christian odars while industrious Turks keep their nose to the grindstone. However, Demirmen serves up a tacit admission that groups like ATAA are of no interest to the average member of the Turkish Diaspora here.
The most risible part of his piece is the claim that the Turkish schools do not discuss “the events of 1915” known to the rest of the world as the Genocide. In truth, Turkish schools since the 1970’s have been teaching the denialist point of view with an unhealthy dose of genicidal hatred thrown in. See e.g. The showing of “the blonde bride” in their schools.
Let’s hope 50 states affirm the truth while Demirmen lives a life dedicated to hate and lies.
Texas has recognized. And? Did Erzurum, Bitlis and Van become Armenia? Did Armenians return there? Did 1.5 million resurrect?
You don’t understand that these resolution as a piece of paper. They don’t change anything on the ground. You lost on the ground but win in the parliaments. Fine with the Turks and fine with the Armenians. Everyone is happy :)