BUY ARMENIAN

After reading GlendaleChick's post on buying Armenian products, and now Garen's column on Turkish imports to the US by Armenians, it sounds like there is a bit of buzz from them, Stepan Partamian (on TV) and perhaps others advocating the importation of alternatives from other countries... Here's Garen's column...

Now That's a Problem

By Garen Yegparian, Asbarez Online

When you're discussing a printing job and your conversationalist says, "Garen, if you don't already have a topic for this week, you've got to write about the tidal wave of Turkish goods flooding the Armenian and Middle Eastern markets," the reply is, "I've covered that before."

When two hours later, someone who never gave a damn about this issue, even thought it was silly to discuss, says, "Garen, I hate you, I just can't stand Turkish stuff any more, it really bothers me now," the response is an understanding nod and some "counseling" while starting to wonder, "What's going on today."

When an hour later, you walk into Jon's in Glendale on Glenoaks to buy some fine cut, #1 tsavar (boolghoor--ironic, isn't it, having to reference the more familiar Turkish term?) to make some eech, only to discover they only carry the stuff imported from Turkey, the response is, "Now that's a problem, the universe is trying to tell me something."

Add this ridiculous conversation to the mix. In early February while buying manaeesh from Panos bakery in Pasadena, the proprietor's response to my criticism of his stocking Turkish pepper paste was "Oh, we don't sell it." It took a minute to register what he was really saying. The guy "merely" uses it in his baked goods. Of course all this happened while an employee, also Armenian, was giving me sideways looks implying, "Who is this guy and what garbage is he spouting."

The first person reported that Sdepan Partamian, on his TV show, had advocated picketing the Armenian owned importers' plants to address this vile situation. The response was, "Hey, I had the identical thought a few weeks ago."

As I'm sure you're familiar, legion are the lame-o excuses and explanations for this behavior on the part of our compatriots. And they're not limited to the West Coast of the US as I recall similar idiocy being put forth while I lived in New York.

It's time to call them on it. It's no longer acceptable for these people to launder their blood money through the petty contributions they make to our community. The pennies they throw our way are supposed to keep our mouths shut. No more I say. They can replace their product line with goods just as tasty and inexpensive but produced in Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, etc.

Perhaps if the AYF's efforts in the late eighties and early nineties to stem this noxious flow had been seen through, we wouldn't have this gigantic problem today. Who's going to step up and tackle this problem, pickets, protests, letters, embarrassment tactics, and whatever else it takes to resolve this matter once and for all.

Of course if the Turkish government and its pit-bull master--the Turkish military--had any sense, they'd make this and a host of other problems for their country go away by simply addressing the rightful demands of the Armenian nation. But since this is unlikely, let's handle our own dirty laundry in the meantime.

Let's picket packing plants and ports of delivery. Let's pummel these complacent purveyors into proper behavior. Who's organizing? Who's leading? I and many others are ready to follow!