I understand Mr.
Molano’s concern about my response, but perhaps
he should take another listen to the answer I gave. I was very careful to
qualify the response as I suspected there were rules regulating how and when
flags could be lowered, but was unaware of the specifics.
To the extent that we would lower the
flag for similar events, I would support lowering the flag in recognition of
the Armenian Genocide. Notwithstanding that the decision is not ours to
make, I would support a comparable gesture of recognition. While I
recognize that there are rules regarding lowering the flag, in this country we
are still free to have a difference of opinion on the matter.
This was the event that defined genocide
for all mankind, it was an event recognized by our own government at that time
as a crime against humanity. Unlike virtually every other event in modern
history, World Wars, the Holocaust and genocides in
For Mr. Molano
to resort to the xenophobic retort of not lowering the flag for anyone but our
own, implies that the Armenian people and the injustice they have suffered are
somehow not worthy of inclusion in our community. Such an exclusion is a
greater offense to our flag and what it represents than any sentiment, such as
Laura’s or mine’ that would consider using it to honor the injustice
experienced by our fellow human beings.
Michael Teahan