Use or Abuse?

Looks like we're trying to piss off the Turks. (Reuters: "Turkey Withdraws Ambassador to the US")

AS, quoting an Armenian-American historian, on why this is misguided:

I am insulted by that sticker. That Congress “finds” the genocide to be a fact makes the tragedy no more real than its refusal, so far, has made it unreal. Truth does not need a permission slip from the state.

While I'm obviously one of those who thinks that this was genocide, what's the point of Congress putting its official stamp of approval on it. A nonbinding resolution. Yay.

And it brings to mind -- for the second time tonight -- Nietzsche's admonishment in Use and Abuse of History, that it takes more strength to forget than to remember. History should be a constructive, not destructive force. Why is our Congress raising an entirely symbolic issue whose only effect is to needlessly piss off an ally who neighbors our current war zone? It's asinine.

UPDATE I: Excellent Harpers' review of Use and Abuse in context of Bush's recent embarrassing speech referencing The Quiet American. And another on the essay in its context of the 19th century Germans' fascination with ancient Greece.

UPDATE: And just look what story Daily Show does as I'm typing this... Funny. Night of synchronicity in deed. But... Um, looks like I'm on Bush's side on this -- NOOOOOOO!!