Mailbag: Resolution’s stagnancy an insult to Armenians

I just can’t believe we’re back in the same spot as we have been over the years (“Genocide bill moves through committee,” March 5). Once again, a congressional committee passed an Armenian Genocide resolution, and once again, it will probably fail, just this time with different characters involved.

At what point to we start to demand some finality? How many demonstrations must the Armenians hold to prove their point? How many times must our congressional representatives attempt to push a resolution through, only to have it fail while up against pandering politicians?

This is beyond being a joke and into the territory of an insult. The Armenian community has at this point been more than patient, especially with all the broken political promises.

SHARON WRIGHT

Eagle Rock

Staying out of trouble doesn’t require a job

This is my response to the Feb. 16 article (“Jobs center set for grant”). A City Council member who in effect states there is an excuse for committing crimes should step down and take a good look at the negative impact such a statement has.

Referring to the planned release of state prison inmates and a City Council decision as to whether to approve a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation grant to pay for job services for those parolees, Councilwoman Laura Friedman stated in the above-referenced article that “we need to give them training and get them into the workforce, so they don’t have to resort to crime.”

I ask you: Since when did not being in the workforce justify committing crimes? No one has “to resort to crime.”

If these 100 parolees don’t happen to get into the workforce, I hope — as Friedman wrongly infers — they don’t use that as an excuse to return to a life of crime.

BARBARA JEAN ENCE

Glendale

Do-as-you’re-told politics halt progress

With much hoopla, the City Council and senior managers uphold the wondrous achievement of a city employee who stayed put long enough to accumulate 30 years of continuous service. Is that worth all the acclamation and adulation?

The most common description of bureaucratic career success is concise: Don’t criticize, don’t raise a fuss, don’t work harder than your colleagues, don’t rock the boat, play it safe, kiss up to your boss frequently, hide his mistakes, wait for your promotion, then hang on for retirement.