The recent notice by the Biden administration that it would acknowledge the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks during World War I as a genocide is a big deal. Coming right after the announcement that the U.S. is pulling out of Afghanistan, the case of the Armenians might very well be a sign of a long overdue sea change in American behavior. Let’s hope so. Think about it. How many big, controversial issues requiring government action have been put off for another day during your lifetime? Lots, huh? Politicians, community leaders and influential business people often take the easy route by not confronting tough decisions. Go along and get along for another day. It works—for them.
When President Biden was asked why the U.S. was leaving Afghanistan now, he answered with an important rhetorical question. If not now, when—a year from now, 5 years, 10 to 20 years, when? It’s a tough decision, but there are lots of tough decisions that need to be made. They might be messy and might turn out to be wrong, but continued inaction potentially enables worse outcomes.
How long have we been debating the gun issue? How long have we struggled with immigration, especially on our border with Mexico? How long have we continued military presence overseas in face of growing evidence of our failures? How many years have we avoided facing the reality of our own racism? How many years have politicians bankrupted us by voting for increased pensions and pay raises to be popular?
It’s time to stop kicking the can down the road.