Juggernaut

quote No, Im fine thanks . Thanks for asking. These fires have been exagerated, they have been going on for more than a week and only like 120 residences were burnt, but some parks have been badly effected (Royal National Park 80% burnt last time I heard). The media fails to mention that fires here have always been a natural occurance during hot summers. The problem is that most of the fires that are taking place now have been started by arsonists not by lightning.

Azat, quote My impressions are that the problem is not the bankruptcy proceedures but the willingness of banks to pursue their money. Here banks still extract money from individuals even after they have gone bankrupt and have some sort of income (even social security payments) Hagarag, quote It is a shame that we must segregate our nation in this way, we allready have sufficient forces deviding us and now this Russa-hye crap. We are all one and the same, ARMENIANS.

So its basically true? And how widespread is this? One would think that the banks would start looing a lot of money.....

Firstly I would like to wish you all the best for the New Year! Now to the topic: I was recently told by a friend that close family friends of his resided in LA. I was also told that the latest 'craze' for Armenians there was to borrow a large sum of money from a lender (usually a bank and about US$20000 etc), buy something in somenone elses name and then declare yourself bankrupt and not pay the loan back. Rince and repeat every 5 years. I was told that the banks were making such a killing that such 'small' loans were of no consequence to them and they therefore did not pursue. Here in Australia if such a thing was to take place then the bank would take you to court and you would be FORCED to pay back the loan by sacrificing part of your income (usually a hefty percentage) directly to the bank. My friend does have a tendency to exagerate, but he does not lie, so could someone (preferably a California resident) clarify. Thanks in advance.

I think all of you will be aware of the fact that most (normal) Armenians after the Genocide considered being called a Turk an insult. Whether this is right is another matter.

quote Nothing, as in you dont know much about him, or you dont think much of him (despite being aware of his great successes)?

With the 'anti-terrorist' camapaign in Afghanistan seamingly over we have latelly been hearing Bush and Co. talking about attacking other countries, notable Iraq, Somalia and Sudan. Iraq since the departing of the UN weapons inspectors (UNSCOM) the head of which (Richard Butler) admitted publicly that his organisation had been spying on Iraq when it was there and therefore was legitimatelly thrown out, has been bombed on an almost dayley basis. And with newborns dying from malnutrition, lack of medicine and radiation poisoning (as a result of Allied use of Uranium depleted ammunition), surelly things cannot get worse, after all some Iraqis may be lucky enough to have a crater full of US aid drop through their roof of their house. It might kill a few members of the familly but surelly the survivors will have plenty of food for months to come and they can also look forward to the 'democracy' that will replace Saddaams dictatorship. As for Somalia and Sudan, the US had once allready ventured into the widerness that is Somalia, the result of which was the very public dragging of a half-naked US marine through the streets of Mogadishu. And the 'leadership' of Sudan seems even more determined to provide a similar spectacle to their own people, and one never knows, they may actually get the chance.

Martin, What do you think of Rommel? Millitary genius or hyped up to justify the Allies poor performance against the Africa Korps?

My mothers side is from Erzrum (but originally from Cilicia, so they are Catholic), my fathers side is originally from Van area (Armenian Apostolic). My parents have come close to devorce when it come to baptising me , agravated by the fact that I was the only child. My mother successfully 'smuggled' me to the village her parents come from and baptised me as a Catholic without the presence or agreement of my father . Since then my father has tried his best to find a way to 're-baptise' me as an Armenian Apostolic, but since there is no way because it would be a sin, I technically remain a Catholic but am an Armenian Apostolic at heart . Wow, sorry for the rambling. [ December 23, 2001: Message edited by: Juggernaut ] [ December 23, 2001: Message edited by: Juggernaut ]

I had read that same article like a year ago and was a little surprised. The Armenian community here Sydney (approx 20,000) although relativelly small is very enterprising and quite strongly bound, but any newcomer MUST learn english if they want to get a decent job.

Georgians are almost as stupid as Azeris. Why would the Turkish government (or for that matter any organisation) deal with a uranium smuggler thereby risking negative coverage in the press when they can easilly (and legally) buy high grade uranium from a dozen other countries? eg. Australia

quote Very True

Interesting article, but I dont think the Israelis can be blamed for the statements of their ambassador, they are in a precarious situation and Turkey remains their ONLY significant ally in the region.

Although I must admit Im not a heavy metal fan, some of their songs have got me truelly addicted (eg. Marmalade, Know and Innervision)

Azeris had lost it a long time ago, the scary thing is though, that others may believe the fiction that is presented on that site.

Went to see the movie a few nights ago and indeed it was as amusing as the first one, but I was still dissapointed concearning another matter: About half way through the movie a couple are in the middle of 'phone sex', when suddenly someone (male) starts speaking Arabic over the phone. The guy then attempts to reason with the Arab to hang-up, but apparently the Arab cant understand english. Anyways after a short 'argument' the guy gets angry and tells the Arab that him and his grilfriend are trying to have phone sex and he (arab) is interfering, at which point the Arab sais "Good for you man" and then laudly proclaims "Allah O Abkar". Allah O Abkar means "God is Great" in Arabic and is often used in prayers and rallies etc. Despite understanding what it meant unlike 90% (approx) of the audience, I did not find it amusing yet that comment insulted about 1/3 of a billion people (Muslims in world). And this movie was shot before Sept 11, and then they ask why is Usama after us?

quote This is good and bad, I am certain you wouldnt want to live by yourself (or with spouse) in an Elderly home when you get older with only seeing your children Christmas and Easter if your lucky. Im gonna live with my parents for the rest of their life (maybe not in the same house , but certainly in 100 metre vacinity). quote I dont see how Anglo parenting has advantages here, please be more specific quote I think I live in a typical Armenian family, and I dont remember my parents EVER hitting me. Not because they didnt want to hurt me but because I got the point when they explained to me. quote Again negatives and positives, there can be too much 'flourishing', but a balance is good.

quote I am fairly certain there are some Russia troops stationed within Armenia, probably a few thousand along the frontiers. As for the US millitary, I will bring to light a certain quote: It only needs a kick in the door for the whole rotten structure to come crumbling down

I dont think impeachment is a good idea, whoever becomes president is going to 'eat'. It is my belief that after a certain period of time Armenian politicians have enough to 'eat' and actually start contributing, after all they cant 'eat' forever. An impeachment will make things worse and only add to the confusion and insecurity. Note: I am not a supporter of Khocharian, in fact I think it is a bad idea of having someone from Artsakh running Armenia.

Twilight, You summed it up preatty well, but even though I live in a country (Australia) dominated by Anglo culture, I am not aware of any 'better aspects in their parenting'.

My parents got involved but not in a forceful manner, just like Harut said to give advice. Mind you, I havnt yet started really working in a relevant (to my career) job yet, so I may still be dissapointed , though I do have a general idea.

Yeah these days there all connected to Usamma Bin Ladin one way or the other

Well, I dont blame em, if they dont get arms from Israel, there are many other places they will be able get from. And I must question the validity of the information, 'Merkavas' are very modern tanks and hence also very expensive, so I doubt Azerbaijan will be getting 'hundreds' in a short period of time. Also Israel probably only has a few hundered examples in their own army, so there is another source of suspicion.

quote Nazi crap? I suppose you have my signiture is mind, may I remind you Erwin Rommel was NOT a nazi, he fought in the war because it was his duty as a soldier to contribute all he could, and Hitler basically forced him to take his life by threatening his family and good name. He was even invited to take part in the plot on Hitlers life (and he knew about it and it cost him his life). I have great respect for Rommel, the German Army and its leaders in general (thats why I have him mentioned in my sig). So why dont you go read some high school history before accusing me of being a nazi.

quote America has yet to be in a 'loosing' situation like Russia was after Cold War. But its pretty funny how Nelson Mandella (black activist in South Africa with links with the USSR) was released right after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and so also ended the Aparthait (sp?). One of the numerous examples of US discarding its allies once they are redundant. quote