Finding the Backdoor

First, I do not doubt Nancy Pelosi's genuine support for the resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide. It has been an annual issue for over a decade and she has always been one of the main supporters. 2007 is the first time she has been in a position to push it forward.

I also think there is a great deal of merit and importance to the sentiment expressed by Tom Lantos that being Americas friend should not immunize you from your crimes against humanity - past or present. Whatever word you want to use to describe it, a vastly superior military force displacing millions of people and killing 1.5 million along the way is among the worst and most vile of acts. Personally I would prefer a reconcilliation process between the Turks and Armenians, but so long as the Turks continue to bizarrely (given that it was not even the modern Turkish state that committed the crimes) cling to the notion that 'Nothing happened in 1923! Everyone was on vacation! I will not hear such lies! Lalalala!' and show no sign of changing then reconcilliation is pointless to consider.

All that said, I do not see how Turkey's threats to cut off troop and supply access into Iraq is in anyway going to move the House leadership. This may turn into the best backdoor gambit against the war yet, as I do not see how the White House can win the argument on this. They have established a clear line of us against the rest of the world vis a vis Iraq - if we do not need Canada, France, the UK, or anyone else how can you argue Turkey is indispensable? It tequires far to much detail and nuance for political commentary.

It is also important in all this talk of 'allies' to remember that Turkey is on the eve of going to war with Iraq against our only friends in the country, the Kurds.