Sometimes, in politics, to do what's popular may not be right and to do the right thing may not be smart.

That's why civilized man has invented democracy in which dialogue, compromise, and consensus are given a fighting chance. Dictators like Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin may have been popular but they were neither right nor smart.

It is obvious that the issue of Genocide Recognition (g/r) is popular in the Diaspora; is it also right or smart? That's where Armenians in Turkey and the Homeland come in.

Armenians in Turkey tell me it (g/r) may be both right and popular with the majority of Armenians outside Turkey but it is not smart as far as they are concerned.

Armenians in Armenia tell me they have other priorities. If they are unemployed, they want jobs. If they are paid less than minimum wage, they want a raise. And who can blame them?

As for the Diaspora's emotional needs, all I have to say on that subject is that I grew up among survivors and genocide recognition was not even mentioned.

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada