Well instead of commenting, I thought I'd write it in a log. Arsineh, you are so right about this place being totally twisted. The reality of an upcoming war is really beginning to sink in. My friend's husband is already out in Pakistan and my other friend's fiance is in some desert. I wanted to comment on how far removed I personally feel from the whole "war experience". I just know that there's something going on somewhere in the world, and although I hear about it in the news and like you, Arsineh, I see protests left and right....but REALLY, how much does it affect my life? I fall into the "typical amerigatsi" category. I was born and raised here, and when 9-11 happened, I was honestly sooooooo confused as to why there were people who hated Americans and would do that. One of the many ignorant Americans. But more and more I learned how real things are, and how the things we hear on the news (dramatized for better rating purposes), ACTUALLY happen and ACTUALLY affect other people's lives.

I was thinking about all this too... and I was also thinking about why I hadn't thought about it before or as often. I realized that our lives here are somewhat programmed to be that way. You are supposed to wake up, go to work, work some more, come home, eat, and then go to work again the next day because you have to pay for you big house and big car...etc. And being Armenian doesn't really take away from that bland American lifestyle, it adds a nice twist. If you're Armenian, you're probably also doing some community activities, donating money to fundraisers--thus working harder to make more money to pay for being Armenian. See, when does an average American have time to sit down and think about what's happening in the rest of the world and if it's right or wrong. No, we're just supposed to make more money. And the people making more money look at those protestors who cause traffic, etc... as people who just don't get it, and as inconveniences in our quest to make money, therefore subconsciously you already dislike the protestors cause they're in your way.

This is all a reality.... another reason why I support Arsineh's idea.

TEBI YERGIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as hayasdan elections.... I don't think I'd choose any of the candidates, unless they personally promise me they're not gonna buy themselves mansions and benzes and drive by the dadik on the corner selling seeds for her daily bread. (And I doubt any of 'em could make me that promise and keep it). So I ask you.... honestly.... does it reallyyyyyy matter who wins? They all seem the same to me! Just different parts of the same tree.... (we gotta wait a while for those new trees with new fruit).

tsuh :)~