Comments for Humanitarian Chronicle

Comment on Preparing Our Hearts for Easter: Day 18 by Maggie Beziehung

Maggie Beziehung — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:40:44 +0000

“To endure the cross is not tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I really love this quote and I find it true. In this special time of preparation for Easter we should try to take even small crosses on our arms and through this try to get closer with Son of a God.

Comment on Hitler & His Reliance on the Armenian Genocide by Berge Jololian

Berge Jololian — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:15:17 +0000

Imagine if back in the days of West Germany at the heights of the cold war, the United States refrained from condemning the Holocaust for fear of upsetting a strategic NATO ally.

Comment on Hitler & His Reliance on the Armenian Genocide by David Boyajian

David Boyajian — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:14:45 +0000

Dear Rev. Ritchie – thank you for your principled stance on the Armenian Genocide. I will see to it that your article is widely circulated.

There should be no concern that Turkey will or can retaliate against U.S. interests since over 20 countries, the US, and many others have explicitly and formally acknowledged the Armenian genocide as “genocide” with virtually no repercussions:

. President Reagan’s Proclamation 4838 in 1981
. Two U.S. House of Representatives resolutions that passed (Res. 148 in 1975 and Res. 248 in 1984)
. The U.S. government made an official submission recognizing the Armenian genocide to the International Court of Justice at the Hague in 1951
.The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (2001)
.The European Parliament (1987, 2000, and 2002)
.The United Nations Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities (1985)
.The Vatican

Turkey did get angry over France’s acknowledgment of the genocide, and allegedly did not allow France to bid on a satellite contract that it would probably not have won anyway.

The record is that Turkey’s bark is infinitely louder than its bite. Last time I looked, the US was the superpower, not Turkey.

Here are some good websites:
http://www.Armenian-Genocide.org
http://www.NoPlaceForDenial.com

Comment on HC Repeats: Obsessive Consumers – We are Addicts by Frank

Frank — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:52:43 +0000

James,

You’re right. It’s a matter of constantly evaluating ourselves and somehow being accountable with what we’re doing. It’s a never ending journey

Kelvin,

You’re right, there’s a balance and evaluating our purchases in the light of whether or not we really need what’s being purchased is a great rule of thumb.

Imagine how much better society would be if we were able to focus our spending on the things that would truly enrich our lives and the lives of others. I wonder if there is any way to measure such enrichment as it would be subjective from person to person and community to community.

Comment on HC Repeats: Obsessive Consumers – We are Addicts by Kelvin R

Kelvin R — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:55:38 +0000

Consuming nothing is not really an option either though, unless we all become subsistance farmers. Lately I’ve taken to asking myself “do I really need this” before buying anything, esp. food and drink. It is so easy to spend so much on things that are gone in a minute that you didn’t really need. Little things add up fast, and it is far better to spend you money on things that enrich your and others lives.

Comment on HC Repeats: Obsessive Consumers – We are Addicts by James Martyn

James Martyn — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:14:12 +0000

Hey Frank,

Great post. It’s something that I have to constantly re-evaluate in my life often. I don’t really think that many (if any) of us will really nail this one in life unfortunately, as consumerism is engrained in our culture.

Because of our inherent nature to spend (even modestly), it becomes very difficult to go against this trend, and even harder to measure how your progress is going as there is no culturally relevant bar or measuring stick to look up to.

One thing I find hard when it comes to spending, is finding the balance between being finically generous, and financially unwise.

Again, its something that I will constantly have to re-evaluate.

Comment on Calling for the Global Abolition of the Death Penalty by Frank

Frank — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:20:01 +0000

That makes perfect sense and I totally agree.

Comment on Calling for the Global Abolition of the Death Penalty by Kelvin R

Kelvin R — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:35:27 +0000

I think that the law is the formalisation moral rules, BUT nobody would want all moral rules turned into laws, that would be tyranny of the worst sort. I suppose the use of ‘vs.’ makes it sound competitive but it’s more like two seperate groups that, while they influence each other, they are not identical.

Comment on Atheist Bus Campaign – Let it roll on by Frank

Frank — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:14:17 +0000

The bus company does have the right to refuse, just as they have the right to refuse any campaign.

I’ll be interested to see where the campaign does go. I think they’ve been approached by various agencies.

Comment on Atheist Bus Campaign – Let it roll on by David

David — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:53:47 +0000

At the end of the day it appears to be a business decision made by the bus company. Regardless of their reasoning, they must have a right of refusal when it comes to advertising space. I’m sure fashion magazines choose who they allow to advertise through them. I’m not so sure this is a ‘freedom of speech’ issue. What about billboards? Radio/TV ads? Surely there are other avenues?