Passing of Pinochet, Not an Idea
I had a hard time titling this one, so please don't misread it. There are mixed feelings in Chile about the violent dictator's death, which seems to be playing out in protests and riots as I speak. But I am clear on where I stand, the man was a genocidal dictator and should have been brought to justice while he was alive.
There is a reason I bring this up. Just the other day, I was sitting with friends discussing some of the societal bad habits in Armenia that need change. From spitting on the sidewalk to dangerous driving, it seems while Yerevan rapidly leaps into economic boom, the people remain behind the times in social standards. The transformation is exposing the stark contrast in behavior and creating social class divisions on another level.
A very good friend of mine (local) expressed his opinion that we need a leader like [insert dictator's name of your choice, I'd rather not mention which he referred to] to make an example of some people for bad driving to put the fear into people. That's the only way society will change here. I have a lot of respect for this individual, but this idea was so far beyond my comprehension. He's an educated and peaceful talent who chose to stay in Armenia because he loves it here. I understand the frustration, but not the idea. If for anything, let me say I love America for the way it achieved its ideas. Freedom continues to be demanded by the people, not enforced by a corrupt murderous dictator, current president aside. These differences are clear between the Diaspora and locals. The Soviet mentality of how change is forced, and the American idealism of change demanded from the people.
A Pinochet for Armenia? No, I don't think so. That's the last thing we need... a corrupt genocidal dictator of our own. There are enough others in the region who are too willing to fill that role. I have an idea. Instead of standing by and waiting for a leader to make it all better, let's set the example. I believe this friend of mind is already putting my idea in practice, perhaps just releasing his frustrations among friends as we all were (I almost saw the end of Arsineh a few times crossing the street lately).
But I'm tired of listening to ideas. I'd rather talk about the anti-smoking ad infront of Moscow Cinema and how 2007 is the beginning of the end for smoking in Armenia. :) Baby steps, but we are changing a whole lot faster than other countries who faces the same troubles. Cops are even doing their jobs by pulling people over for doing something wrong. People are actually afraid of parking diagonally with the front of the car on the sidewalk blocking the walk way for pedestrians (though I still see plenty of it).
Hey, just elect me to be Armenia's president and traffic in Armenia will be under control. Oh, how I would turn this place around! :)
There is a reason I bring this up. Just the other day, I was sitting with friends discussing some of the societal bad habits in Armenia that need change. From spitting on the sidewalk to dangerous driving, it seems while Yerevan rapidly leaps into economic boom, the people remain behind the times in social standards. The transformation is exposing the stark contrast in behavior and creating social class divisions on another level.
A very good friend of mine (local) expressed his opinion that we need a leader like [insert dictator's name of your choice, I'd rather not mention which he referred to] to make an example of some people for bad driving to put the fear into people. That's the only way society will change here. I have a lot of respect for this individual, but this idea was so far beyond my comprehension. He's an educated and peaceful talent who chose to stay in Armenia because he loves it here. I understand the frustration, but not the idea. If for anything, let me say I love America for the way it achieved its ideas. Freedom continues to be demanded by the people, not enforced by a corrupt murderous dictator, current president aside. These differences are clear between the Diaspora and locals. The Soviet mentality of how change is forced, and the American idealism of change demanded from the people.
A Pinochet for Armenia? No, I don't think so. That's the last thing we need... a corrupt genocidal dictator of our own. There are enough others in the region who are too willing to fill that role. I have an idea. Instead of standing by and waiting for a leader to make it all better, let's set the example. I believe this friend of mind is already putting my idea in practice, perhaps just releasing his frustrations among friends as we all were (I almost saw the end of Arsineh a few times crossing the street lately).
But I'm tired of listening to ideas. I'd rather talk about the anti-smoking ad infront of Moscow Cinema and how 2007 is the beginning of the end for smoking in Armenia. :) Baby steps, but we are changing a whole lot faster than other countries who faces the same troubles. Cops are even doing their jobs by pulling people over for doing something wrong. People are actually afraid of parking diagonally with the front of the car on the sidewalk blocking the walk way for pedestrians (though I still see plenty of it).
Hey, just elect me to be Armenia's president and traffic in Armenia will be under control. Oh, how I would turn this place around! :)
posted by Arsineh at 9:56 AM
18 Comments:
Arsineh, I think your friend may be on to something. I don't see his suggestion to mean we need a "genocidal dictator" but rather, I'd equate it to a STRICT teacher who comes to the first session of class with LOTS of rules, a mean face that tells her students "I MEAN BUSINESS!". On the first instance of a particular student breaking a golden rule, she does indeed severely punish him -- but, does another student EVER dare to break any golden rules again? Nope! That's kind of how I see it.
Don't you think $271 (minimum fine)is a harsh fine for someone who only threw an sunflower seeds out their window on the 101? That's how much it costs... does it make you think twice before throwing your gum wrapper out? HELL YA!
That's the kind of thing we need. MAJOR FOLLOW THROUGH. :)
Can I be your vice-president? I'd put half the country in "time-out" loool (sit there and think about what you've done) haha
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The bad habits of Armenia need not be changed by a strong man...it takes a generation of education.
For example: During the 1970s, the USA has a littering problem. To correct this, the US government started an anti-littering campaign, complete with commercials and advertisements (does anyone remember the crying native American commercial).
This worked...now there is a negative stigma attached t littering.
Of course, enforcement of litter laws always reinforces this good behavior.
I went to Chile about 1990, when Pinochet was at the beginning of his slow phase-out, no longer pres but still holding power. I made gingerly inquiries as to what my hosts thought of him, not knowing if asking were inappropriate or too sensitive. The replies were also cautious but mostly along the lines of "well, yes, imperfect, but you have to recognize the big improvement...." No one slammed him. I'm talking about 5 or 10 people that I asked. Mind you, it was a business trip (supporting software) so I was talking to the business community. I didn't know what kind of opinions I would get and found it interesting that I didn't get a split on a subject that was a known domestic controversy in Chile. And oh I confess I spat on the sidewalk while riding a bike in LA today. I'd probly stop doing that if they confiscated my bike and jailed me for a while.
Arsineh, a true Armenian, "...elect me to be Armenia's president..." ;-)
I recently saw a commercial on tv produced by the government against smoking in places of work. At the end of the commercial it said something along the lines of, "Smoking is prohibited in places of work. An Armenian law."
I should clarify, his thought on coming down strong is not a time out, rather take a few people out back and kill them to set the example. This never works to make positive change. Fear is not the answer is, education is, but perhaps education Shooshig style. :)
I agree with Anonymous that a generation of education is what it will take. I can happily say the effort to educate is beginning. The anti-smoking campaigns, AIDS, environmentalism, all these things are beginning with the hopes that years from now it will make a difference.
Der Hova, hahahaha. I am a true Armenian, eh? That's a character trait I'll accept. If I ruled the world... Shoosh, you can be Vice President, but I already have a Social/Health Minister. Der Hova, you want to be Cultural Minister? No, I need a barskahye for that to get the language stuff right. HAHAHA!!!! By the way, rule #1, free education for everyone and no smoking indoors ANYWHERE. Punishment for smoking indoors: exile :D... but certainly no death penalty. That does no good for anybody.
As someone into politics, I have to respond to this one.
A benevolent dictator is always a good call, just about anywhere, anytime. It's just that most people who end up having total power let it go to their heads, and we end up with tyrants much more often than not.
However, we do have some good examples, like Singapore. India was ruled by a single party, with the same Prime Minister, for almost the first twenty years after independence. Granted, these are not exceedingly impressive. We have chaps like Malaysia's Mahathir Mohammad on the one hand, and then there's somebody like Robert Mugabe. On the whole, I'd say Pinochet can be seen in a far better light than, say, Stalin, or even Ataturk. It's all relative, I guess. I can't really think of a legitimate tyrant, and I don't think that's a possibility by definition...
Anyway, my point is, there's something to be said about an iron fist in a velvet glove type of situation.
Oh, and I want to be president, too; we'll have to take turns. :-)
Please please Arsineh, I want to be Culture Minister!
By the way, what kind of "P"arskahye writes Parskahye with a "B"? ;-)
If you mean I can't be Culture Minister because of the Eastern Armenian dialect, if it makes a difference, I think my Eastern Armenian is better than Western. Actually, I think my mixture of both dialects is a bonus, no?
Sort of off topic, but a couple of months ago I read an article about some schools in Armenia, particularly in Yerevan, switching to the Mesropyan orthography.
Michael says,
It seems to me, under "WELL WISHERS" hide some dictators (with a DREAM of correcting behaviours with a stroke)inherited from bad exemple setters of the past.
I notice the eagerness to become president or ministers are very much wanted by you bloggers LOL!
Will this wish transform the bad habits of the general public in short notice?
The government needs to educate with (coersion if necessary), but if priorities are to be respected, FIRST AND FOREMOST HUNGER SHOULD BE ABATED IN THE NATION, before we start thinking of lesser priorities.
Parental education is the most effective.
I agree that cleanliness does not cost a fortune, as my grand mother gave exemple, by sweeping the bare ground under the rags that sheltered her family in the desert, during the deportations of 1915.
Educate by exemple, Need I say more?
Michael
Pinochet was a dictator, no question about it, but, by all accounts, he was devoted to the national interest of Chile the way he saw it. I have never heard anybody call him "corrupt" in the sense of personal enrichment and Swiss accounts.
Yes, there were several thousands (about 3) of his political opponents killed and tortured, and that's grave, but that does not even approach the concept of "genocidal". It actually cheapens the whole notion of Genocide, and we as Armenians should be more careful about using it.
Well I agree with Shooshig here. You have to understand Armenia an Armenians to know that just by a government sponsored reeducation campaigns and playing nice you cant achieve much in Armenia. Comparing how USA achieved its democracy and how they re-educate people to change bad habits to how things should be done in Armenia IS VERY VERY WRONG. Armenians and Americans have a different mentality and we are different people with a different history and different geographical location (besides our goal is not to make Armenia LIKE America, I know some diaspora memebers would like that, but thats not our goal and should not be), while an American might look at that ad and say "Oh!..I should stop doing... and start doing..." an Armenian will say "Who the hell is this guy to teach me stuff", we Armenians, especially Hayatanzis are very stubborn and rebellious when it comes to authority telling them stuff. NO doubt the re education process is required, but the benevolent dictatorship that cares about our nation and our people is also a must!
In todays Armenia where the rule of law is just a myth and anybody can be bribed, a strong man is required to make sure that EVRYBODY, is doing their job; be it the prime minister or a high school kid. Currently Armenia is in a maze like catch22 situation, it needs thing A to happen in order to prosper but thing A wont happen if thing B is not functional, in order to get thing B functional C has to happen but C wont happen without A first happening.
Armenia will never ever be democratic until someone MAKES it democratic. Every attempt to run democratic elections, i.e. no strong arming and no cheating, will mean that the other candidate will and the bodies that are supposed to monitor the elections will eventually take the side of the cheater since its the mafia that decides who "rules and who drools", thus that honest candidate will be cheated out of his sit and if he decides to go to court, well common Armenia's courts are a joke, they will just rule in favor of the strong arming cheater that has the backing of the mafioso oligarchs. To get rid of these mafiosos the leader has no chance but to use iron tactics because the mafiosos pretty much run the country they are in the parliament in the government and in the courts and in the law enforcement and the military.
I can go on and on about this, but the point is that Armenia needs the STRICT TEACHER type to make sure, and this is in my opinion the most important thing, THAT ARMENIANS START RESPECTING THE LAW AND FOLLOW IT! World is not black and white, you dont have to be a Hitler and execute anybody who breaks the law, but making sure that the person gets punished is a must. For example all these Armenian mafioso oligarchs who forgot what a TAX FORM is and what it means to be fare in business need to be jailed, this will teach EVERYBODY that if you dont follow the law you go to jail.
Again I have way too much to say on this topic I can go on and on, this topic I discuss with my friends on nearly daily bases, and really there is too much to say, but I am happy to see that more people think that a strong man is required, because it really is (that is who cares about his people)
I'm going to do this once and never again because I don't make a habit out of explaining why killing is bad. Any time you make killing an official practice to lead a people, you automatically lose credibility in my book. You cannot lead a country towards a free and just future when you set the tone by KILLING. It doesn't work. The second you kill any human being, you create enemies, and deservedly so. I don't believe in the death penalty in the US nor anywhere else in the world. It doesn't work, it's not a good example, and I'm sorry, human rights are human rights. MURDER CANNOT BE LAW WITHOUT BAD REPROCUTIONS!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!!
That said, Nareg, really, you'll have to wait to be president, I have too much to do immediately. But I'm not sure I'd vote for you if you consider Pinochet "light" in comparison. Sorry, I practice a no tolerance policy in life. And the answer to all problems in the world for me is education.
Der Hova, you're in. But allow me to share the difference between Barskahyes and Hayastansis if I may. Hayastansis are the ones who us
"P" to transliterate that letter. Barskahyes that I know use "B" because they know better. But these are things I can let go as long as you bring a few barskahyes into your Ministry. :) Maybe my Dad, he's a language stickler. No, that's too corrupt for me already.
As for food, um... that was a basic understanding on my end. Feed, give shelter, and then implement my "plans" like health and education.
That's enough campaigning for the day. Anyone know a resident of Armenia who has been a citizen for at least 10 years by the name of Arsineh Khachikian who looks like me, has a clean record, and is willing to switch identities, giving me her passport and all... wait, what age to you have to be to run?
LOL Arsineh, for the right price, we can get you to be the "right age".. or for the right price, your age can miraculously BECOME the right age. LOL jk guys :)~
Sorry, but I still think we need someone who isn't part of a popularity contest and who is going to put ALLLLLL the "perks" of presidency aside and punish all the people who don't follow the rules. From the guy who throws his empty cigarette pack on the sidewalk to the one who doesn't pay income taxes ---- I think you guys agree with me on this part. Our disagreement is only in the interpretation of "PUNISH".
You think I mean "kill people" when I say punish. But really, I don't see why someone who is making BILLIONS from a business which was privatized during independence shouldn't pay HEAVY HEAVY FINES for not paying income taxes. Has anyone ever heard of an audit? No need to kill anyone right?
But wait...now, someoene else brought up a great point. How do they crack down on people who are technically (physically and economically) more powerful than the government? THISSSSSS is the million dollar question, my friends! (And yes, perhaps a few legs might need to get broken... oh well!)
Ars... you can be the humanitarian president, and i'll be the totalitarian vice president. Best of both worlds! :) Just don't ask me how I was able to add BILLIONS to the government's budget. hehehe
vicious circle...
i don't think we need a dictator, but a president, a leader who will have the political will and the ability to make a change..a president who will whole-heartedly love this country and its people.. we need a president and government officials who can be role models for the citizens.. is that the case? don't think so...
there are so many things to say and examples to bring... armenian mentality - odd, outdated, backwards... why? when will it change?
just recently approached a policeman and wondered very politely why they don't ticket cars that don't yield to pedestrians when they are supposed to? he laughed at me.. is it all about motivation, education, upbringing, maybe management, enforcement...?? maybe i should keep eggs in my pocket and while crossing the street toss them at the cars that don't yield??
best,
a local
Oh believe me Shoosh, all you said is the reason I want to be presidency. I think I have proven I am not interested in the popularity contest as I refuse to conform my ideas, mentality and lifestyle to the common ways here just to "fit in" to Armenia. I am who I am. Elect me for my ideas if you like them. Verch. And I started the blog with commentary on "killing people" as a solution, hence the assumption, but I now don't think you mean that anymore. Yes, punish the bastards.
Shoosh, you got a deal... but I will ask!
Anonymous (12:06) gets it!
At THIS point in time, Armenia needs a responsible political leadership able to put the interests of the country before their personal and political interests. Period.
Civil society, people's gradual socialization into civilized norms of behavior, education, moral rectitude, personal law-abiding attitude are all very important factors for a LONG-TERM democratic development of Armenia (and, painfully, many of those values are turned upside down in today's society),
BUT if there can be any hope for a breakthrough in THIS generation, it can only come from a yet to come leader's qualities that political scientists are so uncomfortable with - sense of mission, charisma, and personal responsibility.
If Armenia can produce that leader in the near future, it would be a path to recovery for the country AND for the nation, since that leader would be able to positively change the dynamics of both the state and all the civil society institutions and values mentioned above.
If not (and the odds are totally against it), we will be getting "one step forward, two steps backward" dynamics for a long time to come...
If this sounds as if I am looking for a savior type of a figure, I am indeed! An ordinary honest and responsible person who wants to go through the system to eventually improve it will not have a single chance to move up in today's Armenia...
thanks Artashes...
well, i guess we have to wait until Arsineh makes it to the presidency...
cheers,
hayk - dubbed the "anonymous 12:06" (feels a bit like james bond related)
yalla, vote for me! Wait! Someone find me proof of 10 year citizenship in Armenia!!! And how old do I have to be? Quick, time's running out and I just got sick in a cab from the driver's smoking. Asank ch'lar, as you westerners say.
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