Following a Long Line of History

Many "WHITE" American leaders seem to think the words "I'm sorry" are too much to say in regard to keeping a race in slavery and forced migration nearly a century and a half after its end or crimes against the continent's original inhabitants (pretty much true in the entire Western Hemisphere); the Japanese still refuse to acknowledge the "Rape of Nanking" or various other crimes; virtually all former colonial powers refuse to admit the negative consequences of their actions.

So, when Bush refuses to admit error -- even patently disastrous and real time ones -- he is following a long tradition.

For the most recent example, it is appropriate that a guy with a psedonym so close to a person involved intimately in the refusal point out the perpetuation of historical denials:

Turkey will not apologise for Armenian genocide

TURKEY has reacted angrily to a demand by France that it accept responsibility for a “genocide” against Armenians nearly 80 years ago, which is thought to have influenced the Nazi Holocaust.

Michel Barnier, the French Foreign Minister insisted that Turkey must officially recognise the 1915 genocide before it joins the European Union.

Historians believe that Turkish authorities orchestrated the killing of 1.5 million Armenian Christians, who were indigenous inhabitants of Turkey, in a brutal attempt to make an ethnically pure nation. However, the Turkish Government has always said that only a small number were killed in spontaneous acts of violence.

M Barnier said: “In the course of the accession negotiations, France will ask for a recognition of the tragedy at the outset of the 20th century. When the time comes, Turkey should face up to the requirement of remembrance. The European project itself is founded on reconciliation.”

He said that recognition should not be a precondition for membership talks with Turkey, a step to be decided by EU leaders on Thursday. However, he insisted that Turkey recognise the genocide during the membership talks, which are expected to last ten years: “We have ten years to ask it. the Turks have ten years to think about their response.”

He later referred to it as a genocide, the first time the French Government has used that word, having previously preferred tragedy. Many parliaments in Europe have called on Turkey to recognise the slaughter, which is marked by monuments in many European cities.

However, a Turkish government spokesman said: “There was no such genocide, so there is no question of recognising a genocide that did not happen.”

One Turkish official said: “They are just trying to make us angry. It is their last chance to cause trouble against us.”

Yes, poor turkish official, picked on for not admitting the murders and cover ups of their predecessors.

Sickening.