Aaron

Who is your uncle?

I read the speech on armenpress.am and I think its the best speech I've ever heard from an armenian politician. It touched me and also gave more hope and optimism for Armenia's future.

Don't have the fonts, how to get them, if impossible translate or sum up the message please. good night

If you want more accurate info, you should read the book "Operation Nemesis" from Jacques Derogy, it speaks of the operation the armenians organized after WW1 to assasinate the main turkish leaders responsible of the genocide. It worked, and a french author made it a book, I don't know if the translation in english exists.

MJ I read the article and of course regional cooperation of the caucasian states is a must in order to stop playing the game of the bigger nations but what are the steps to take to achieve this (if possible). I really don't know, I guess if there is a will there is a way, true, but still, i need to see some sort of pattern to believe in it. Robert kocharian did speak about regional cooperation under the influence of the 3 important states, Russia, Iran and U.S, he gave it the name of a formula (3+1 or something like that i don't remember), at least it shows he sees further than the tip of his nose, moreover president Der Bedrossian had done everything to normalize relations with Turkey (without the latter showing signs of understanding) and he was a moderate on the Karabagh issue, could he stay in power? obviously not. I think that in order for the 3 caucasian states to achieve something together there must be compromises made by each one of them, I also believe that Armenia, under the last 2 presidents we had (both rational and pragmatic persons), has done its share of showing where it is ready to go for durable peace (some sort of karabagh_azerbaijan confederation), and I think that compromising more than that for the sake of regional happiness is not in our interest since we don't have much left to lose, except the landlocked 30000 sq.km that history left us as a bone. I also believe the problem resides in Azerbaijan not being able to swallow its pride which leaves doors open to military confrontation. God forbid, Hopefully not. I don't know if my comments make sense, if not then reorient me in my path.

Harut aper, if the one giving his brain and the one receiving are o.k with that then so be it, from the principle of freedom to decide your own acts and assume their consequences. Now I know some will say that someone else's brain in your head means your no longer yourself, true, it is equivalent to death because you will no longer be present, true, its just a way of satisfying those around you that don't want to see you die or crippled for life, true, this operation is illegal because it equals killing someone without his consent (because the latter is unable to decide, seriously injured and hours away of phyisically dying) or with his family's approval, true. Its also true that the principle of technological imperative, which means that when humans master a technology they inevitably use it sooner or later, they will feel obliged to do so, is proven by history and everyday life (specially today). Conclusion: we can debate this 'dak' subject for hours (with joy!!), but what's the point of knowing wether we should or shouldn't do it if we know we will end up applying it. the ethical question passes to the will of the human being to control his instincts .... O.K I'll stop, sorry if I passed the permited limits. :smile:

I read about the 15000 in a french magazine 'nouvelles d'armenie' which is internationally known and i doubt the number is invented.

I read in a magazine that there are 15000 armenian convicts in the prisons of California and armenian is the 4th most spoken language in california jails (after spanish, vietnameze, corean), we always hear about how armenians are so involved in crime in los angeles. The problem is, said the magazine, that there is only one person, an armenian reverend, that is preoccupied by this catastrophic situation. apparently other communities provide lawyers, spiritual and educational assistance to the convicts but the armenians are careless. Write me about the real situation and how come we don't care about our 'black sheep' or why are people so inclined to the crime world.

What about forming a diaspora government-like body that would care about the outside armenians in a professional way. I think this is inevitable if we want to present our nation as one and united in front of 'odar's.

Since many of the members are from California and since California is considered the most exotic or should i say the place to be these days, then I would want to know how it really is? is it just like in the movies and songs of red hot chili peppers (californication) or has it unmediatized sides too? I know that TV exagerates everything and that there is a harsh reality behind every successfull image, but there must be some reality behind the California dream or concept. Write about how it is, what does the youth do, is it the 'American pie' way (by the way did anyone see the second part?), do people surf frequently or go to the beach.

I didn't know there were other members from montreal in this forum who are you guys? wh00t and hayemyes (don't feel obliged to answer)

oups This topic should go under Diaspora I'm sorry MJ would you mind changing its place? Thanks

To everybody This topic speaks of probably the greatest danger for the armenians, the fact that diaspora may not prevail (history proves it). This could almost be considered a question of national security. Many of us have searched for ways to overcome such a situation, the subject is very 'dak' in everybody's mind and we should discuss it in the most serious and rational way. Pessimists, optimists, realists and dreamers are invited to share their thoughts and suggestions in the most open way.

To everybody I finally saw and heard this Tata that everybody is talking about, he was in Montreal for the weekend. its true, he's good and the people like him a lot. goodluck Tata

Armo jan I don't see the slightest breach or crack in your way of thinking, it is rational and respects the principles of love and patriotism. You said that if there is a will there must be a way, I agree, but that will comes only when an armenian feels attachment to his identity and country. This is the dilemma we're facing. Of course if, as you said, we preserve our culture by keeping close ties with the motherland, if we visit Armenia every once in a while (say every 3 years), if we establish political structures for the diaspora, and we define a long term 'cristal' clear goal for our communities then bingo, we're saved. And if we take a look on history and see what happened to the tens of thousands of armenians living in poland, and god knows they were organized, they had cities, units in the kings army and special privileges, if we look at the armenians of India who numbered also in the tens (if not hundreds) of thousands and had unimaginable fantastic wealth, if we look at the armenians in Crimea or in the byzantine empire we will no longer be able (almost) to trace their existence. But if we look at Cilicia, which became a self governed kingdom, and an Armenian state by itself then we'll see that armenians resisted (or never even had to face) assimilation. The point of the historic paranthesis i opened goes back to the must that a person has contact with his land (physically and emotionally). If Diaspora , which i believe is a temporary phenomenon, keeps staying on the same road for another 50 years, we're gone. But i can't speak this way, its disgracefull and pessimism (or even realistic point of vue) never brings anything good. We must work hard but i don't know where it will lead (at least if Armenia was in a position to help the outside). About dating or marrying odars i won't say anything, i totally agree with you. And dragon has a point (to a certain extent) in his loose philosophy of saying that we shouldn't break our heads on these topics and think only about personal satisfaction, fun and day by day living. Waiting for your reply.

Armo You said that you don't personally agree with armenians (girl or guy) dating odars, this issue often surfaces in public conversations and i personnally don't agree with you. We are already few in number so we should try to preserve our culture and heritage, its true, but is that more important than the basic human instincts or feelings. I don't think you should stop dating or not date at all an odar because your nation is in danger of extinction (specially if you clik with that odar). Some might say ending up with odars doesn't necessarily mean losing armenian identity, that's true in maybe 20% of cases the rest are lost (just by looking around me). This confirms your point. Anyways, it is sad to notice it but it's true and as you said not much can be done about it. I firmly believe that a nation can not survive if not gathered in one location, not self governed and most importantly away from its motherland. (please don't bring the example of the jews as a comeback). About the 'killing' bull-shit, i have no coments (it really is bull-shit).

Armo My answer depends on wether you are a girl (pretty one) or a guy so i could prepare the appropriate answer. Just kidding What a question, if the girl or anyone else has to move out for studies than so be it, we're living in the 21 st century and moving from place to place (specially for academic reasons) is very justified and also in style. I really like this icon.

MJ I'm aware of Nzhdeh's role in preserving Zangezur but once again, elaborate, present and explain that last line (which seems so mysterious) quote What kind of implications? I know Armenian history pretty much but to what event are you making reference?

Hi everybody i'm back from a well deserved break ! MJ, please elaborate that last line of yours I don't understand what your talking about. And how do you guys think karabagh helps zangezur? with agriculture, militarily or...

That was a good one, It made my day start in a good way. Thanks

To everybody I've never seen or heard Tata in my life, he will be in Montreal in about 2 weeks, I'll go listen to him and I'll be able to give an honest opinion Salute!

Thorny Starbuck is a very popular cafe and social meeting place in North America (a franchise i believe), the joke says that the woman had sex on the table, in the middle of the cafe and that she's too ashamed to go back there. I'd be pretty embarrased too, ha, ha!

MJ the reason i asked you about scientific background is because i'm about to choose the discipline in which i will specialize and i was wondering if you could give professional advice. But if you are not specialized in the domain then i'll leave you in peace.

Speaking of laser technology, wouldn't it be possible for Armenia to develope a fiber optics (or photonics)industry and be the main supplier in middle east, Russia or eastern Europe? We have the experts and the natural resources, the only thing lacking is money. I believe the regions i named havn't dived in the fiber optics fever yet. As you said MJ informatics has a strong base and could become an important industry, already armenian software companies are contracted by western firms for specific jobs, its cheap labour for them. software developement seems to be the most promising high-tech domain for armenia. I was thinking about aerospace industry developed with russian help, but the sums required are enormous. Perhaps materials science (close to cristallography) which can also be applied to aerospace industry (airplanes, satellites...) Finally, since applied physics was strong whatever related to waves (telecom) could be advanced to higher levels. MJ, do you work in the scientific domain or are you a scientist? If yes please notify me i would have a few questions.

Mayja I worked for a Hungarian woman for 4 years, she wouldn't stop talking about her country (even though she hasn't been there for almost 50 years). She is an artist (painter) so I also heard her speak about hungarian culture and specially (god knows how many hours) about Hungarian dance which I saw pictures and the amazing uniforms. Sorry for not knowing that you guys are not in super good terms with "the bear" (russia). As I said american music dominates in north America and rarely we hear European music, but party music is party music and I suppose you guys have as much fun as us on weekend nights. where i am from? now i'm writing from Montreal Canada, but originally I come from a mix of Armenia and Lebanon. What i know of Lithuania? I must admit that i don't know much about your country (I know about Hungary), but the impression i had since i was a child was a country where people danced with red and white traditional clothes in big woden houses and girls had long blond hair with white skin, you know like in a fairy tale. I will read a little documentation and come back with new weapons. Meanwhile, if my impressions were wrong please correct me and teach me about Lithuania.