American Armenians will no longer be duped by false campaign promises

PanARMENIAN.Net - It is a shame that the largest Armenian community in the Diaspora has failed to take advantage of President Barack Obama’s visits to California to protest his refusal to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. Last October, when he traveled to Los Angeles and Glendale, not a single Armenian confronted him at his public appearances, Harut Sassounian, the publisher of The California Courier, writes in the article he titled “Armenians Should Confront Pres. Obama During his California Visit Next Week."

“To make up for their negligence, Armenians in California have a golden opportunity to show that they are deeply troubled when the highest official of the land does not keep his pledge on the Armenian Genocide,” the article says. “Pres. Obama will be in San Francisco on April 20 and in Los Angeles on April 21 – three days before the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide – to launch his reelection campaign with major fundraisers publicized as "Obama Victory Fund 2012."

The article continues: “During the next 18 months, Armenian-Americans should hold demonstrations at every one of the President’s campaign stops throughout the country until the November 2012 presidential election. This is an opportune moment to highlight the President’s lack of credibility, at a time when he is most vulnerable due to his low ratings, as he launches his reelection campaign.”

“Armenians do not need to beg the President to utter the words Armenian Genocide. A more popular head of state – Pres. Ronald Reagan – used those words on April 22, 1981, almost 30 years to the day of Pres. Obama’s visit to Los Angeles! The only reason to protest Obama’s visit would be to let him know that Armenians will no longer be duped when politicians make false campaign promises to gain their support, and ignore them after the election! The Armenian slogan for the 2012 presidential election should be: "Not one vote and not one penny for Obama!" it concludes.