Obama: Holocaust "one of the darkest, most destructive periods in history"

[News_Editor]

Obama: Holocaust "one of the darkest, most destructive periods in history"

2011-01-28 07:10:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- President Barack Obama on Thursday commemorated the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, describing it as "one of the darkest, most destructive periods in human history."

"To remember is a choice, and today we remember the innocent victims of the Nazis' murderous hate – six million Jews and millions of other people," Obama stated. "We are reminded to remain ever-vigilant against the possibility of genocide, and to ensure that 'Never Again' is not just a phrase but a principled cause."

Obama underlined the importance to stand up against prejudice, stereotyping, and violence, including the "scourge of anti-Semitism," around the world.

The U.S. President also remembered those who risked their lives to save fellow human beings during the Holocaust. "They demonstrated that in the midst of evil, human beings can perform remarkable acts of decency and dignity."

"On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the survivors and the profound faith and courage they have embodied to build lives of purpose and meaning," Obama added. "In doing so, they are defying those who tried to kill them, and teaching us that love and life can vanquish hate and death."

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-01-28

[geriatrickid]

Not according to the experts of Thai Visa.

[Scott]

History is a minefield littered with destruction.

[hammered]

Totally True. As have been several other lesser known holocausts. Mans inhumanity to man.....

[SerpentSea]

What has Obama to do with the holocaust?

There are plenty other events and statements by people who are more related to this day, But here only Obama made it into the 'news'. That is very odd.

[Jingthing]

The idea of remembering the Shoah/holocaust is so that such things don't happen again. That's the idea, but it hasn't worked as there have indeed been horrific genocides since the 1940s. But it's a positive idea anyway. As far as why the Shoah/holocaust is so unique is that it happened in a modern, industrial presumably civilized western European country and the means of the genocide were done in a modern industrialized way (not to mention the massive scale).

It is normal for American presidents to make all kinds of announcements on all kinds of matters, trivial, currently relevant or not, etc. Anything from National Egg Day, Black History Month, etc. So it's totally normal for any American president to make a statement remembering the holocaust.

In keeping with the remembrance, let's remember that although Jews were the primary target, the other groups suffering extermination by the Nazis included --

Gypsies

mentally or physically disabled persons

Soviet prisoners-of-war ( over three million)

Jehovah’s Witnesses

homosexuals

Social Democrats

Communists

partisans

trade unionists

Polish intelligentsia

Edited January 28, 2011 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

I guess until China is fully installed as the most powerful country in the world, global news is going to be somewhat USA-centric.

[koheesti]

You guys are smart enough to have figured out that these "news" items aren't being posted by a human being.

[Jingthing]

Yes, of course, and the articles are written by a robot as well. I should know.

[cdnvic]

Some troll posts removed

[phaethon]

Obama: Holocaust "one of the darkest, most destructive periods in history"

No shit Sherlock, what else did you learn on PBS today?

[Jingthing]

Obama: Holocaust "one of the darkest, most destructive periods in history"

No shit Sherlock, what else did you learn on PBS today?

At least Americans now have a leader who watches more PBS than NASCAR.

[koheesti]

Obama: Holocaust "one of the darkest, most destructive periods in history"

No shit Sherlock, what else did you learn on PBS today?

At least Americans now have a leader who watches more PBS than NASCAR.

A whole lotta good that's done anyone.

[chuckd]

Obama: Holocaust "one of the darkest, most destructive periods in history"

No shit Sherlock, what else did you learn on PBS today?

At least Americans now have a leader who watches more PBS than NASCAR.

A whole lotta good that's done anyone.

Well said, Koheesti.

[Jingthing]

For the domestic situation, he has been the most consequential president since LBJ. Republicans and democrats have tried to the reform the health access system for 100 years, and only Obama has succeeded, and it will never be repealed. If you have a preexisting condition, that is major change for the better. Not mention the legacy of the Obama supreme court picks (done and to be done in his second term) that will change the next 100 years for the better.

Edited January 29, 2011 by Jingthing

[geriatrickid]

It is offensive and an indication of ignorance when President Obama is mocked for showing concern for humanity. I doubt whether any of the critics either read or listened to President Obama's short speech. The topic wasn't just about remembering, but one of but highlighting courage and bravery. It was a reminder not to repeat past errors.

One passage stands out;

We find cause for hope as well in Protestant and Catholic children attending school together in Northern Ireland; in Hutus and Tutsis living side by side, forgiving neighbors who have done the unforgivable; in a movement to save Darfur that has thousands of high school and college chapters in 25 countries, and brought 70,000 people to the Washington Mall -- people of every age and faith and background and race united in common cause with suffering brothers and sisters halfway around the world. Those numbers can be our future -- our fellow citizens of the world showing us how to make the journey from oppression to survival, from witness to resistance, and ultimately to reconciliation. That is what we mean when we say "never again."

I doubt some people will understand, since they are transfixed on Mr. Obama. The USA has made an effort to respond to genocide and yet, the contrarians criticize President Obama for speaking up. The Washington Holocaust Musuem is is symbolic of a nation that while not perfect does remember. . One need only look at the topics the musuem currently is giving prominence to in its outreach and education programs; Darfur and Sudan, the Roma, the Congo, and Rwanda. Even the plight of gays and lesbians in Uganda has been highlighted. This is a large part of what remembering the Holocaust is all about: We cannot change the past, but we can stop similar acts of horror. We can remember by not descending into savagery.

[SerpentSea]

I doubt some people will understand, since they are transfixed on Mr. Obama.

Some people somehow manage to turn the International Holocaust Remembrance Day into a hymn of praise of Obama and the USA.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, is the first universal memorial day for the victims of the Holocaust. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/7 on 1 November 2005 during the 42nd plenary session. On 24 January 2005, during a special session, the United Nations General Assembly marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps.

January 27 is the date, in 1945, when the largest Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau (Poland), was liberated by Soviet troops.

Resolution 60/7 establishing 27 January as International Holocaust Remembrance Day urges every member nation of the U.N. to honor the memory of Holocaust victims, and encourages the development of educational programs about Holocaust history to help prevent future acts of genocide. It rejects any denial of the Holocaust as an event and condemns all manifestations of religious intolerance, incitement, harassment or violence against persons or communities based on ethnic origin or religious belief.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Holocaust_Remembrance_Day

[SerpentSea]

It is offensive and an indication of ignorance when President Obama is mocked for showing concern for humanity. I doubt whether any of the critics either read or listened to President Obama's short speech. The topic wasn't just about remembering, but one of but highlighting courage and bravery. It was a reminder not to repeat past errors.

One passage stands out;

We find cause for hope as well in Protestant and Catholic children attending school together in Northern Ireland; in Hutus and Tutsis living side by side, forgiving neighbors who have done the unforgivable; in a movement to save Darfur that has thousands of high school and college chapters in 25 countries, and brought 70,000 people to the Washington Mall -- ..."

Btw. you are quoting here a speech by the master of ceremonies Obama from April 2009.

here is the full press release by the white house

whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/01/27/statement-president-international-holocaust-remembrance-day

Not that the content isnt valid, the point is that it isnt the day were state leaders or politicians should get the headlines with their standard rhetoric of concern for humanity.

[Ulysses G.]

According to you.

[koheesti]

For the domestic situation, he has been the most consequential president since LBJ. Republicans and democrats have tried to the reform the health access system for 100 years, and only Obama has succeeded, and it will never be repealed. If you have a preexisting condition, that is major change for the better. Not mention the legacy of the Obama supreme court picks (done and to be done in his second term) that will change the next 100 years for the better.

And Stalin was the most consequential leader in Russian history. So what's your point?

[endure]

For the domestic situation, he has been the most consequential president since LBJ. Republicans and democrats have tried to the reform the health access system for 100 years, and only Obama has succeeded, and it will never be repealed. If you have a preexisting condition, that is major change for the better. Not mention the legacy of the Obama supreme court picks (done and to be done in his second term) that will change the next 100 years for the better.

And Stalin was the most consequential leader in Russian history. So what's your point?

Stalin, at the last count, was responsible for the deaths of 3 million people. Obama has got a health care bill into law and signed a new START agreement with the USSR. As far as I'm aware he's not responsible for the death of anyone so what's your point?

[koheesti]

For the domestic situation, he has been the most consequential president since LBJ. Republicans and democrats have tried to the reform the health access system for 100 years, and only Obama has succeeded, and it will never be repealed. If you have a preexisting condition, that is major change for the better. Not mention the legacy of the Obama supreme court picks (done and to be done in his second term) that will change the next 100 years for the better.

And Stalin was the most consequential leader in Russian history. So what's your point?

Stalin, at the last count, was responsible for the deaths of 3 million people. Obama has got a health care bill into law and signed a new START agreement with the USSR. As far as I'm aware he's not responsible for the death of anyone so what's your point?

Only 3 million people? Which year are you talking about?

The point - which is really quite obvious - is that doing something consequential doesn't necessarily mean doing something good.

[koheesti]

American natives.

Genocide

Done by English, Scottish and Irish Americans. Pretty much the same lot who owned slaves.

[Theoutsider]

American natives.

Genocide

Done by English, Scottish and Irish Americans. Pretty much the same lot who owned slaves.

I wonder if Obama any of them?

[chuckd]

For the domestic situation, he has been the most consequential president since LBJ. Republicans and democrats have tried to the reform the health access system for 100 years, and only Obama has succeeded, and it will never be repealed. If you have a preexisting condition, that is major change for the better. Not mention the legacy of the Obama supreme court picks (done and to be done in his second term) that will change the next 100 years for the better.

And Stalin was the most consequential leader in Russian history. So what's your point?

Stalin, at the last count, was responsible for the deaths of 3 million people. Obama has got a health care bill into law and signed a new START agreement with the USSR. As far as I'm aware he's not responsible for the death of anyone so what's your point?

The American voters might disagree with you on the Health care bill, Over half of them want to see it repealed.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/health_care_law

Another poll supported the START Treaty, although that was prior to the Russians claiming they will not honor the treaty if they feel threatened.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/145184/majority-supports-ratification-start-treaty.aspx

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110114/pl_nm/us_russia_usa_start

[phaethon]

As far as I'm aware [Obama]'s not responsible for the death of anyone so what's your point?

I'm waiting for Rush Limbaugh to stroke out, then we can chalk one up to Obama...

[Englander]

Obama has got a health care bill into law and signed a new START agreement with the USSR. As far as I'm aware he's not responsible for the death of anyone so what's your point?

He's continued with the illegal war in Iraq (i know its been rebranded) and the war in Afghanistan, if Bush was still in power people would accuse him of having blood on his hands for this continuation ... Obama should also for continuing with the same policy.

[Jingthing]

Obama has got a health care bill into law and signed a new START agreement with the USSR. As far as I'm aware he's not responsible for the death of anyone so what's your point?

He's continued with the illegal war in Iraq (i know its been rebranded) and the war in Afghanistan, if Bush was still in power people would accuse him of having blood on his hands for this continuation ... Obama should also for continuing with the same policy.

Fair enough point, but it would have been irresponsible to simply walk away from Iraq after his election, under the -- you broke it, you fix it -- morality clause. American democrats are always being accused of being too soft militarily so I think that's behind a lot of his Afghanistan push, which it sure does look like its good money and blood for nothing.

Edited January 30, 2011 by Jingthing

[Ulysses G.]

Does any of this have anything to do with the Holocaust?