6 replies to this topic

[ara baliozian]

NOTES / COMMENTS
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So many of my Armenian friends have become enemies that I am beginning to view Armenian friendships as extremely demanding enterprises in which one side is expected to agree with the other so completely that even the shadow or suspicion of a disagreement may result in a declaration of hostilities.

Those in power should be concerned about what I feel, think, and write not because I am me but because I speak as a concerned citizen, and where there is one, there may be another; and where there are two, there may be four, and so on; and if we don’t yet represent the majority today, we may do so tomorrow.

No, I am not a voice in the wilderness because I count among my supporters not only alienated Armenians but members of organizations that are, as a rule, as divided as the communities they divide.

A FRIEND: Nobody loves Jews. Everybody loves Armenians.
MYSELF: Except Armenians.

I deal in facts. If you don’t like them, don’t get mad at me because I am only an observer. Blame yourself for being too scared to face reality or too myopic to see beyond your proboscis.

A community that has no place for dissidents and investigative reporters must be a community dupes run by liars afraid of exposure.

[dragon]

Armenian communities represented by the people who have nothing to do with the Armeniannnes and/or Armenian Culture.

Gossip, show off, degeneration are their main interests. They have no place for noble people who have the ability to change the ''rules''...

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Dragon

[raffiaharonian]

Your observatins, although well taken, they represent one fundamental chain of thought:
"all those in power are corrupt and they do not allow people like us, who are honest and beyond selfish acts, to bring forth our ideas and our contribution ....."

The premise of this concept disturbs me, because it forces me to be suspicious and negative/pessimist against all leaders.
It is a bias, which although could be well documented and supported, forces us to be Negative and suspicious. And this is a heavy chain around our neck.

I believe , maybe naively, that some leaders try to accomplish a noble cause, however during their tenure, they are diverted and somehow loose the forest for the tree.
Maybe they need our moral support and our professional guidance , instead of constant critics and 'anathema'. After all "people get the leaders they deserve..."

Nihilism is not a healthy stand, nor does it provide with solutions and contributions.
Nor does the attitude of "I am beyond anything" contribute towards a better policy.
Constructive criticism is the duty of all concerned citizens and is the weapon of Democracy through the voting process.

[Paul bunyan]

On Dissidents; VOLTAIRE said 'I do not agree with what you say but I will fight to the death to defend your right to say it' an Americana anarchist said 'Free speech means nothing if it doesn't include unpopular speech' these truisms make up part of the foundation of any real democracy

[ara baliozian]

my reply to raffi aharonian
*******************************We have had many responsible citizens and constructive critics (from Khorenatsi in the 5th century AD to Zarian in our own days) and they have been consistently ignored by our own leadership. Not only ignored, but sometimes they have been brutally silenced.
Please read the history of our literature before you deliver your next sermon against nihilism…. and I suggest to you, it is the quintessence of nihilism to ignore the voices of all those selfless, dedicated and patriotic Armenians who did their utmost to improve our situation without much success. /ara

[ara baliozian]

ON FREE SPEECH
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none of our political, cultural, and religious institutions respects free speech!!! NONE! / ara

[raffiaharonian]

Sermoning indeed was and still is one of my characteristics, but it seems that I have the same 'virus' as yours. The only difference is that although I try to learn from intellectuals like yourself , you show that you refuse to listen to 'little' people like myself.
Perhaps you are getting annoyed because you might be seeing little bit of you in me!

Finally I consider myself too young to start being pessimistic. Maybe time and age will add to my nihillistic approach towards life and Armenian matters. Currently deserting the ranks would be a treason to life and loss of effort.

I know you are not a deserter. I know you mean good. I know you are trying to be that annoying bell , which calls people to be awake. I am trying to listen to your calls, but give me the credit of trying to be a good listener and the effort to try to use my brain as well.

With respect,
Raffi