TGIF?.......or not! So much to do, so little time.....
Last night I went to that educational forum where Professors Payaslian, Marashlian and Moumdjian spoke about issues that all Armenians (not just Armenian-Americans) should be concerned with. Most of the information they presented was from the news that you and I read everyday on Groong....but the reason why this forum was different than sitting here and reading it, was because as professors (actually doctors) they presented what we read in the "larger scheme of things". So I was not just being informed about a certain thing that has happened, I actually understood why it happened, and the greater consequences of it. It was very interesting to say the least.
Needless to say that all three professors agreed that TARC was definitely "avelort" (extra) and did more harm than good. Professor Marashlian even showed us (on video) exactly why the people who were on TARC representing Armenians shouldn't have been on it. For example, not even touching upon how the Exec. Director of Arm. Assembly was directly involved in it....let's take a look at the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. HAH!! We watched a video where he had an interview on Armenian TV, and they were discussing the Genocide Resolution which ALMOST passed. The former Foreign Affairs minister ... the man who DEALT with different countries (among them US) was passionately arguing with the host that the Resolution was completely meaningless (he used the word "vochinch") because come elections, the entire Congress was going to change... Ummmmmmmmmm...... I know that maybe an Armenian living in Armenia need not know about how the Congress or House of Rep.-s works.... but when you're the foreign minister of a country, I should HOPE that you atleast read up on it before you make comments like that on TV! lol.... all the reps will change..... 4th grade Civics my dear....4th grade..... Ok, and as if THAT comment wasn't enough, he furthers himself down that pit of ignorance by saying that the only thing we would get out of the Resolution passing is....Moral Victory. WOW. I still cannot even comment on that remark..... once again, if a foreign affairs minister doesn't get how a Resolution recognizing the Genocide would affect Armenians everywhere ..... I'll leave it at that.... Even if what he said was correct, he's the one living in Armenia.... Moral Victory has a great deal to do with MORALE...which is a key element in our success or decline.
The other professors presented a lot of interesting information too.... they talked about how Section 907 is practically non-existant...how the Armenian lobby has weakened....they expressed their opinion that if (asdvadz chuneh) Armenia was faced with the same situation as they were faced with in 1990-91 regarding Artsakh, the professors felt that it would be difficult for the Armenian people to take the same stand as they did a decade ago. They also talked about "ardakaght". They talked about the psyche of the Armenian living in Armenia today, and also discussed how, now Armenians from Armenia will be able to go to Turkey without a visa requirement. (hmmmmm) That's kind of like having a "get out of jail FREE card" (monopoly). Sure, there will be some Armenians (whom I've met) who will say.....NO WAY! But I've also sat in Hrabarag and watched as the bus from Turkey arrives empty to the Erepuni parking lot...and departs FULL.
When I read Lena's log about the ill girl and letter translation story, one thing totally stuck out in my mind. How she said that she is sick of hearing and seeing those things. I , too, wish that those things didn't exist.... it is only human nature. But Lena does not take the next flight back....she stays. We need more like HER there. See, last night, Prof. Marashlian said how for years Armenians have been playing with the wrong cards.... meaning, they've been saying to all these other countries "You are either going to choose PROFIT (oil, trade, etc) or you're going to choose to help Armenia." Ok, it doesn't takie a doctorate to understand that no country is going to say, "Aman, let's help this little country--they have such a good history, and they're doing so bad now... It's ok that there's nothing in it for us...we will be doing something good." NOT HAPPENING! Soooooo, the solution is.... Armenians need to find a way to put our national gains into some the whole "there's something in it for them". Ok, last time I checked, there aren't any oil wells in Armenia, and we don't have much in it for anyone! Just about the only thing we have is... 1) Our location....and 2) Diaspora (which is what Prof. Moumdjian said).
Uffff....there is still so much to say...but I need to go start getting ready to head off to work and start this friday..... geeez....what a weekend! One last thing.... I hope that the 200 people there last night understood as much as I did.... because when I got home, like Lena...I was kind of tired of facing all these realities. What could have NOT happened in our history....when was this BIG turning point afterwhich everything went downhill? Was it REALLY the genocide? I personally think it was way before that.... if there was nothing wrong....then our writers would not have started the Romantic period in Arm. Literature, and we wouldn't have "Verk Hayasdani" or "Khentuh", etc. And then.....beyond that..... how far down are we going to go before realizing our potential and bouncing back? I really can't imagine raising children, teaching them about a country that "WAS"....no longer is. How come that doesn't bother a lot of other people????
Alright, I hope everyone has a wonderful day....and a great weekend! Raffi N......thanks for the weather man! lol Today it's very sunny but quite chilly....low 60's. Funny how my friend just returned from Armenia yesterday and he also talked about the frozen sidewalks... hehehe.... Raffi M.... ya, I bought the CD - I still didn't get it, but I'm very impatient to hear the rest of the songs. I heard it on demkradio.....it caught my attention... i looked it up...and lo-and-behold it was Gor.... how could i NOT buy one? :) Lena....big hugs - keep it up. Juan....lol taparagan! And Madlen....I saw the engagement pics----there's a GREAT shot of you rippin' it up on the dancefloor! :)~ --I feel like I just wrote in a yearbook! lol TSUH! :)
ShooshigAvakian@hotmail.com
Last night I went to that educational forum where Professors Payaslian, Marashlian and Moumdjian spoke about issues that all Armenians (not just Armenian-Americans) should be concerned with. Most of the information they presented was from the news that you and I read everyday on Groong....but the reason why this forum was different than sitting here and reading it, was because as professors (actually doctors) they presented what we read in the "larger scheme of things". So I was not just being informed about a certain thing that has happened, I actually understood why it happened, and the greater consequences of it. It was very interesting to say the least.
Needless to say that all three professors agreed that TARC was definitely "avelort" (extra) and did more harm than good. Professor Marashlian even showed us (on video) exactly why the people who were on TARC representing Armenians shouldn't have been on it. For example, not even touching upon how the Exec. Director of Arm. Assembly was directly involved in it....let's take a look at the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. HAH!! We watched a video where he had an interview on Armenian TV, and they were discussing the Genocide Resolution which ALMOST passed. The former Foreign Affairs minister ... the man who DEALT with different countries (among them US) was passionately arguing with the host that the Resolution was completely meaningless (he used the word "vochinch") because come elections, the entire Congress was going to change... Ummmmmmmmmm...... I know that maybe an Armenian living in Armenia need not know about how the Congress or House of Rep.-s works.... but when you're the foreign minister of a country, I should HOPE that you atleast read up on it before you make comments like that on TV! lol.... all the reps will change..... 4th grade Civics my dear....4th grade..... Ok, and as if THAT comment wasn't enough, he furthers himself down that pit of ignorance by saying that the only thing we would get out of the Resolution passing is....Moral Victory. WOW. I still cannot even comment on that remark..... once again, if a foreign affairs minister doesn't get how a Resolution recognizing the Genocide would affect Armenians everywhere ..... I'll leave it at that.... Even if what he said was correct, he's the one living in Armenia.... Moral Victory has a great deal to do with MORALE...which is a key element in our success or decline.
The other professors presented a lot of interesting information too.... they talked about how Section 907 is practically non-existant...how the Armenian lobby has weakened....they expressed their opinion that if (asdvadz chuneh) Armenia was faced with the same situation as they were faced with in 1990-91 regarding Artsakh, the professors felt that it would be difficult for the Armenian people to take the same stand as they did a decade ago. They also talked about "ardakaght". They talked about the psyche of the Armenian living in Armenia today, and also discussed how, now Armenians from Armenia will be able to go to Turkey without a visa requirement. (hmmmmm) That's kind of like having a "get out of jail FREE card" (monopoly). Sure, there will be some Armenians (whom I've met) who will say.....NO WAY! But I've also sat in Hrabarag and watched as the bus from Turkey arrives empty to the Erepuni parking lot...and departs FULL.
When I read Lena's log about the ill girl and letter translation story, one thing totally stuck out in my mind. How she said that she is sick of hearing and seeing those things. I , too, wish that those things didn't exist.... it is only human nature. But Lena does not take the next flight back....she stays. We need more like HER there. See, last night, Prof. Marashlian said how for years Armenians have been playing with the wrong cards.... meaning, they've been saying to all these other countries "You are either going to choose PROFIT (oil, trade, etc) or you're going to choose to help Armenia." Ok, it doesn't takie a doctorate to understand that no country is going to say, "Aman, let's help this little country--they have such a good history, and they're doing so bad now... It's ok that there's nothing in it for us...we will be doing something good." NOT HAPPENING! Soooooo, the solution is.... Armenians need to find a way to put our national gains into some the whole "there's something in it for them". Ok, last time I checked, there aren't any oil wells in Armenia, and we don't have much in it for anyone! Just about the only thing we have is... 1) Our location....and 2) Diaspora (which is what Prof. Moumdjian said).
Uffff....there is still so much to say...but I need to go start getting ready to head off to work and start this friday..... geeez....what a weekend! One last thing.... I hope that the 200 people there last night understood as much as I did.... because when I got home, like Lena...I was kind of tired of facing all these realities. What could have NOT happened in our history....when was this BIG turning point afterwhich everything went downhill? Was it REALLY the genocide? I personally think it was way before that.... if there was nothing wrong....then our writers would not have started the Romantic period in Arm. Literature, and we wouldn't have "Verk Hayasdani" or "Khentuh", etc. And then.....beyond that..... how far down are we going to go before realizing our potential and bouncing back? I really can't imagine raising children, teaching them about a country that "WAS"....no longer is. How come that doesn't bother a lot of other people????
Alright, I hope everyone has a wonderful day....and a great weekend! Raffi N......thanks for the weather man! lol Today it's very sunny but quite chilly....low 60's. Funny how my friend just returned from Armenia yesterday and he also talked about the frozen sidewalks... hehehe.... Raffi M.... ya, I bought the CD - I still didn't get it, but I'm very impatient to hear the rest of the songs. I heard it on demkradio.....it caught my attention... i looked it up...and lo-and-behold it was Gor.... how could i NOT buy one? :) Lena....big hugs - keep it up. Juan....lol taparagan! And Madlen....I saw the engagement pics----there's a GREAT shot of you rippin' it up on the dancefloor! :)~ --I feel like I just wrote in a yearbook! lol TSUH! :)
ShooshigAvakian@hotmail.com
posted by shooosh at 9:20 PM
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