MAILBAG - May 5, 2009

Exercising a right to display ignorance

I’m quite confused over how Bob Harks can find anything disturbing in the decision of the Glendale News-Press to “devote so much space” to what was one of the first modern genocides (“Some people should learn to forgive,” May 1).

Bob continues his commentary, making laughable statements in which anyone who has ever truly read the Bible would dispute. His attempt to portray Jesus as one who always taught love and forgiveness is not entirely accurate. In Matthew 10:34, the “gentle” Jesus declares, “Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace, but a sword.” Jesus then goes on to say in Luke 22:36, “...He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

With all due respect, how can Harks proclaim that Armenians don’t have the right to push for recognition of a historical fact, despite the minority who choose to believe otherwise, while simultaneously attempt to shove his Christian beliefs down the throats of those of us readers who choose to believe in science?

Harks then goes on to say, “The children of Nazi Germany were taught to hate Jews, but as they reached maturity, they came to realize the truth.” By reading his failed attempt at comparison, one would assume that it was the Jews who massacred the Germans. With such flawed logic, I’m left to assume that Harks must have been a former student of Dan Kimber. If he would like to stick to his forgive-and-forget message, I challenge him to come to the defense of John Demjanjuk, an 89-year-old retired automaker in Cleveland who is being deported to Germany to stand trial, facing 29,000 counts of accessory to murder, against the former Nazi death camp guard. Tell the Jewish people to forgive and forget, especially since they have already received recognition and reparations.

I find it hilarious that Harks can take it even further and attack an article written by none other than Patrick Azadian, whose very title was “Hate the act, not the people,” and who clearly states that he has gotten rid of his contempt for the Turkish people.

Looking back, this was yet another foolishly thoughtless attempt aimed at provoking emotions, mainly hatred, but a thinly disguised hit job attempting to appear as innocent advice. If you would like to read about Armenians being grateful to this country, why don’t you look into the contributions we’ve given it. Google it.

You definitely have the right to share your baseless genocide-denying opinions and look ignorant in front of all readers, and Bob, you have exercised your right to the fullest extent.

I would like to conclude with a comment aimed at a previous article (“Education Matters: Greet melting pot with open arms” April 17). The phrase “un-American,” which Dan Kimber used so loosely, is a serious charge, along the likes of slander, and I would challenge all rational people to be careful whom they use it against without a body of evidence to support it.

EDWIN DAVIDIAN

Glendale

Opinions are an invitation to learn

During the commemorative event April 24 at the Alex Theatre, a couple of speakers postulated why atrocities such as the Armenian genocide happen. Now with the events just a few days past, Bob Harks (“Some people should learn to forgive,” May 1) provides us with a sobering reminder as to why such a commemoration deserves all the attention it receives.

Harks’ comments must have dismayed, unnerved and disgusted thousands of local Armenians. The objectives of the Armenian genocide commemoration are aimed precisely at the kind of thinking Harks holds dear — Armenians may believe that events that happened 100 years ago were a genocide, but they do not have a right to impose their views on those who feel otherwise. To understand the level of organized inhumanity, we must ponder a little history where similar atrocities have taken place. Currently we have Omar al-Bashir of Sudan charged with crimes against humanity. We had Slobodan Milosevic conducting ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in the 1990s. In the 1970s we had Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge charged with the death of millions.

All of these mass atrocities targeted people of ethnicities different from those in power. All of these calamities were led by strongmen who played on weak democracies or toppled them. All of these countries have had little history of adherence to the rule of law by its leaders or devotion to a constitution. All of these leaders have played on some version of mass following and a cult of personality.

What is striking about the similarities between Khmer Rouge in 1975 and the events of April 24, 1915, is the purposeful execution of the well-educated. Despots, tyrants and dictators rely on the ignorance of the masses, stir ethnic differences and accuse minorities as the cause for their troubles.

Two key elements stand in the way of demagogues from getting the reins, according to Michael Signer, adjunct professor at Virginia Tech: a strong democratic institution where the rule of law stands above any political leader, and a knowledgeable, participating, voting public.

The writers on these pages of the Glendale News-Press are not imposing their views on the general public in Glendale. They are inviting you to learn. It is our misplaced pride that allows a charismatic leader to flatter us. It is our ignorance that allows them to incite our discontent, animosity and hatred. But so long as we stand firm in preventing any leader from standing above the law, even those weaknesses can be overcome.

Harks’ remarks are a testament to the educational effort we have yet to do. If our educational system can increase the appreciation, respect and sustainability of America’s Constitution, then democracies around the world can hold similar documents and ethos as a bulwark against oppressors who want to incite their people toward genocide.

HERBERT MOLANO

Tujunga