Political Quotes

“in a dark time in Europe, a nation slowly collapsed. At this tumultuous time of great societal transformations, uncertain futures, and with governmental change looming on the horizon, leaders fell back on the one proven weapon that assured their personal survival. It is a weapon that feeds upon fear, desperation, and hatred. It transforms the average citizen into a zealot, no longer willing to listen to reason. This weapon is, of course, nationalism. It's result is ethnic strife and senseless genocide, committed in the name of false believes preached by immoral, irresponsible, reprehensible leaders. Today I rise not to speak of the present, but in memory of the victims of the past, who suffered needlessly in the flames of vicious, destructive nationalism. On April 24, 1915, the leaders of the Ottoman government tragically chose to systematically exterminate an entire race of people. We gather in solemn remembrance of the results of that decision, remembering the loss of one-and-a-half million Armenians. The story of the Armenian genocide is in itself appalling. it is against everything our government--and indeed all governments who strive for justice--stands for; it represents the most wicked side of humanity. What makes the Armenian story even more unfortunate is history has repeated itself in all corners of the world, and lessons that should have been learned long ago have been ignored.”