Turkey

DOWNTOWN — As U.S. lawmakers continue to take Turkey to task for its support of an aid flotilla to the Gaza Strip, Rep. Adam Schiff is seizing on the discontent to garner more support for his long-stalled resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Fear of angering Turkey, a strategic military ally in the Middle East, has long stood in the way of Congress officially recognizing the 1915 massacre of 1.5 million Armenians at the hand of Ottoman Turks as genocide. But since Turkey has refused to back down from efforts to send supplies to Israel's Gaza Strip, a new crop of U.S. lawmakers say they may now support the Affirmation of the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide.

Last month, tens of thousands of people took to the street to remember ethnic Armenian Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, who was gunned down five years ago by an ultranationalist teenager. The number of people who turned out underscored the level of discontent about how the media are treated in Turkey. "Without belittling the achievements of the government, the roof has fallen in on freedom of expression," said Hurriyet columnist David Judson. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders recently published its annual press freedom index, which dropped Turkey 10 places to 148th in the world, just behind countries such as Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Three Armenian American descendants of victims of the Armenian genocide nearly a century ago filed suit Wednesday against the government of Turkey and two Turkish banks, claiming they are owed at least $65 million for property seized from their relatives and untold millions more for the profits their lands generated. The lawsuit filed by two Los Angeles-area residents and a Washington, D.C. man could be the start of a flood of litigation spurred by last week's ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a California law recognizing the crimes committed against Armenians after 1915 as genocide.

In a rebuttal to the many statements made in remembrance of the Armenian genocide and holocaust in the hands of the Turks in 1915, the Glendale News-Press printed two letters on April 27. One letter, "Don't forget that Turkey is an ally," by a self-proclaimed "American," states that, in spite of the "anti-Turkish feeling," Turkey is a friend and without her the free world would be part of the Soviet Union today. The other letter, "Reasons for injustice must be publicized," asks whether or not the Armenians somehow incited the Turks to commit genocide against them.

Claudia Peschiutta GLENDALE - Joshua Carlos is grateful -- for a lot of things. In between bites at a Thanksgiving feast at Thomas Edison Elementary School Wednesday, the talkative kindergartener spoke about some of the things for which he is thankful. "My mom and my dad and my uncle and my mom's mom -- my nana -- my grandpa, my uncle and my other uncle -- I have three uncles -- my sisters and my friends." That's not all. "Turkey, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, chicken and chips," he said.

Mashed potatoes, gravy and sweet smiles flowed freely Monday afternoon in the cafeteria of Holy Redeemer School. More than 40 members of the Pioneer Club of the Foothills, a social club for seniors, gathered in the cafeteria to have their annual Thanksgiving luncheon, provided by the seventh- and eighth-grade students at the school. “This is a great function for these people,” said Catherine Gooden, grandmother of Nico Gooden, 13, one of the students at the luncheon.

ANNE LOUISE Maybe it's me, but is it really a problem that I don't know how to cook a turkey? I recently saw a cartoon featuring an optimistic bunch of the aforementioned fowl who were pretty sure that by the next generation of humans, no one would know how to cook a turkey anymore. I think it might be true. It could be that I just run with the wrong crowd, but I don't know anyone my age who can cook a turkey. Certainly I can't do it. Growing up, I only saw it done once a year, on Thanksgiving, and that annual family ritual didn't provide the best of training.

As U.S. lawmakers continue to take Turkey to task for its support of an aid flotilla to the Gaza Strip, Rep. Adam Schiff is seizing on the discontent to garner more support for his long-stalled resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Fear of angering Turkey, a strategic military ally in the Middle East, has long stood in the way of Congress officially recognizing the 1915 massacre of 1.5 million Armenians at the hand of Ottoman Turks as genocide. But since Turkey has refused to back down from efforts to send supplies to Israel’s Gaza Strip, a new crop of U.S. lawmakers say they may now support the Affirmation of the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide.

As families and friends gave thanks at bounteous tables across Glendale on Thursday, a spirit of giving also accompanied the Thanksgiving holiday in a dulcet harmony. Around noon at the Glendale Salvation Army, Capt. James Sloan waited patiently in the doorway, on the cusp of the army’s annual Thanksgiving meal. “It’s that time of day when you have your party ready and you’re just hoping people show up,” he said. As more than 100 people began filing in through the double doors, it was instantly clear — people were definitely showing up. Between 60 and 70 volunteers came together to put on the event, slicing turkey, serving attendees and cleaning up at the end of the day. The food is purchased through funds raised by the army’s advisory board, and the turkeys are shuttled over to the Glendale Hilton for cooking.

Regarding all the news about the campaign for the United States to recognize the 89-year-old Armenian Genocide, it isn't going to happen. The realistic fact is that Turkey is a most important and valuable ally of the U.S. in the troubled Middle East since the formation of NATO, and furnishes us with vital military assistance in that part of the world. The U.S. maintains a major air base in Turkey, a factor in the 1990s war in former Yugoslavia, as well as in our military action in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Last month, tens of thousands of people took to the street to remember ethnic Armenian Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, who was gunned down five years ago by an ultranationalist teenager. The number of people who turned out underscored the level of discontent about how the media are treated in Turkey. "Without belittling the achievements of the government, the roof has fallen in on freedom of expression," said Hurriyet columnist David Judson. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders recently published its annual press freedom index, which dropped Turkey 10 places to 148th in the world, just behind countries such as Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The French parliament is considering criminalizing the denial of the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War I as genocide, a newspaper reported Tuesday. But Turkish President Abdullah Gul is urging France to drop the bill that would slap citizens who deny the killings as genocide with a one-year prison term and a heavy fine, according to BBC News. Turkey is warning French parliament that the legislation would gravely impact ties between the countries. Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Armenians died at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

There wasn't a clean face in sight Tuesday at Mountain Avenue Elementary School as kindergartners and their families gathered for a midday Thanksgiving feast. But while the music and décor were decidedly traditional - turkey-themed headpieces and jingles - the menu more closely resembled an international buffet. Sushi rolls and rice cakes sat next to plantains and buñuelos, followed by German apple kuchen and Canadian soft molasses cookies. The unorthodox fare was a first for a Thanksgiving feast at the La Crescenta school, which has embraced the theme of diversity for the current school year, teachers and administrators said.

I have always loved Thanksgiving. What's not to love? It's a four-day holiday, meaning no matter how hard you work on Thursday, you still have three more days to recover. How great is that? I have especially loved the years where I play the part of host, probably because of my “A” type personality. I'd rather control the festivities than sit back and let others do the work. Of course, the fact that I happen to make an incredible turkey is partially why I love the holiday.

As it continues to grapple with the aftermath of a massive earthquake, Turkey has declined disaster assistance from Armenia and Israel, two nations with which Ankara has strained relationships, according to Reuters . Ankara's rejection of most offers of help -- including from the U.S., Britain and Germany -- comes as workers continue to sift through the rubble caused by the magnitude-7.2 earthquake that struck on Sunday. The death toll so far is at 239 . Reuters is reporting that Turkey has only accepted aid from Iran, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.

Armenian organizations are denouncing a planned performance by an Ottoman military marching band in Hollywood. The event planned for Oct. 3 on Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and La Brea avenues has drawn widespread condemnation from Armenian groups, including the Armenian Youth Federation, which plans to protest the marching band. Opponents to the march say the presence of the band, which represents the military glory of Turkey, is an affront to the largest Armenian population outside Armenia.

The 111th Congress held its lame-duck session until Christmas to wrap up unfinished business before Democrats ceded control of the House of Representatives to the Republicans. But the business it failed to address is a most fundamental one. Up until the last hours, there was hope that Reps. Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Howard Berman, Frank Pallone, Chris Van Hollen and other lawmakers were going to successfully bring House Resolution 252, the Armenian Genocide bill, to a floor vote.

A flurry of legislative activity has brought an Armenian Genocide recognition resolution to the brink of a vote in Congress, but it may not be enough as lawmakers prepare to adjourn for the year and Turkey again lobbies strongly to quash the effort. The resolution from Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) would officially recognize the death of more than 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks from 1915 to 1921 as genocide. With the current Democrat-led House of Representatives coming to a close, Schiff said he is pushing for a vote before Congress adjourns.

Three Armenian American descendants of victims of the Armenian genocide nearly a century ago filed suit Wednesday against the government of Turkey and two Turkish banks, claiming they are owed at least $65 million for property seized from their relatives and untold millions more for the profits their lands generated. The lawsuit filed by two Los Angeles-area residents and a Washington, D.C. man could be the start of a flood of litigation spurred by last week's ruling by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a California law recognizing the crimes committed against Armenians after 1915 as genocide.

The seventh annual Gene Galindo Memorial Turkey Trot Cross took a holiday tradition a step further, hosting a leg of the Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross district championships. "So many people don't even know what [cyclocross] is yet," said race director Dorothy Wong. The number of competitors has doubled in four years for the race — with 300 competitors this year — that traced out a complicated pretzel shape across grass, paved road, sand, dirt, trees and speed bumps at Verdugo Park.