American-Armenians, is this true?

[Juggernaut]

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.

[Sip]

I don't think it is the "latest" thing ... actually, I think some new laws are going into effect that will prevent that. But leave it to the "Armenians" to find new ways. By the way, the Iranians, the Russians, and the Jews are not too innocent either.

[Juggernaut]

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

[khodja]

Shame on you Araba-hyes and Russa-hyes. The early-arriving Armenian families worked hard and lived honestly. Amot, you are a disgrace to the Armenian race. You claim to be Christians. And it is you who claim to be so hung up on Morality issues. What a farce you are.

[Sip]

So glad you left out the "barska-havs" ... I mean Hyes.

I don't think it is too widespread. Declaring Bankrupcy is not as cool as it sounds. Those people would have a hell of time getting credit-cards, other loans to buy houses, cars, etc. In the US, that is a pretty horrible thing. I also don't know about repeating every 5 years!!!

I have known at least 3 or 4 people in the last 10 years that have declared bankrupcy but non of them were Armenian.

[MJ]

?

 

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: MJ ]

[Azat]

New laws were signed by President Bush to make it harder to file bankrupcy. But they do not prevent it, just make it harder.

Juggernaut - hope you are not effected by all the fires in Australia.

Hagarag - why only Russian and Arab Armenians? Do you think that other Armenians do not commit crimes?

[ January 02, 2002: Message edited by: Azat ]

[Juggernaut]

Azat,

 

quote

But they do not prevent it, just make it harder.

 

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

Shame on you Araba-hyes and Russa-hyes.

 

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.

[Juggernaut]

quote

hope you are not effected by all the fires in Australia.

 

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]

I think, but I am not sure, once you file for bankruptcy, they cannot call you and give you hard time, but prior to officially filing it, they do give you hard time.

[Juggernaut]

quote

Shame on you Araba-hyes and Russa-hyes.

 

quote

Amot, you are a disgrace to the Armenian race. You claim to be Christians.

 

Shame? I dont see how 'steeling' from institutions that are based on usury (interest) as shameful. I dont know about the States but here the banks are the most profitable companies that post record profits year after year, but bank fees are also climbing just as the quality of service is slipping and lines are getting longer. There was also recently a nation-wide strike by bank employees here for better pay and working conditions. I would imagine the situation in the States would be similar of not worse as there is less government control and regulation there.

In my opinion banks and other lending institutions are a sham, one thinks a fashist system of government will makes things much better for all.

[Boghos]

I think you would feel very much at home in North Korea.

By the way, fascism is no more than a populist way of protecting large corporations.

[Sip]

Unfortunately, wheather you like it or not, "our" nation is and has been segregated like that for many many years. I tottally agree that stereo typing NEVER works (like saying russa-hyes are this or that way) but never the less, russa-hyes are typically very different than barska-hyes, who are in turn very different than araba-hyes, etc). It good to be aware of the cultural differences but at the same time try not to stereotype. Among any group of people there are the good ones and the bad ones. Unfortunately, the bad ones usually stand out and give a bad name to the group

[Juggernaut]

quote

I think you would feel very much at home in North Korea.

 

North Korea is a Communist, not a Fascist State, there are significant difference not only in ideology but also government and economic structure

 

quote

fascism is no more than a populist way of protecting large corporations.

 

Yes, and the large corporations work in line with the State to better the well-being of the common citizens not just the shareholders.

[Boghos]

North Korea is a Communist, not a Fascist State, there are significant difference not only in ideology but also government and economic structure.

 

There is room for endless discussion on what North Korea really is. But to believe that fascism really benefits the population is typically the opint of view of those coffeeshop semi-literate intellectual-wannabe that populate our communities.

[Juggernaut]

quote

But to believe that fascism really benefits the population is typically the opint of view of those coffeeshop semi-literate intellectual-wannabe that populate our communities.

 

First, I am not an intellectual, nor do I pretend to be.

 

Second, I was not born in Australia and have only lived here 9 years. This considered, I believe my level of English to be pretty fcuking good.

 

Third, fascism (in most cases) DID benefit the entire people of a country.

 

Fourth, shrinking from an argument and instead throwing insults shows how much of an intellectual you are.

[Antranig]

quote

Shame on you Araba-hyes and Russa-hyes.

 

quote

Amot, you are a disgrace to the Armenian race. You claim to be Christians.

 

Wow. I am quite surprised by the fact that people can be "civil-racists". I am very sorry to say this, but what right do you have to have instantaniously judged the russian/arab hyes.

Every person is born human...only then do you earn your privilage to be Armenian. I am proud of my race. Proud of ANY Armenian; I love the good, and accept the worst. Despite many cultural differences, we all speak the same language.

But I can't accept the fact that you tagged certain Armenians from a certain region of the world as being the "black sheep" of our race, much less, a "disgrace". And going about the "christian[ity]" of your subjects, that is another topic; as if all christians are born saints to this world.

 

I am not sure if what you wrote was a means to "joke" among your friends, but I'd appreciate a retraction note for what you said.

 

Again, I dont want to seem to be attacking anyone, but that was just...wrong

 

Anto

we have all shared the same fate

[Nvard]

Can you give any examples in what ways?
I'm just curiuos

[Sip]

Wow that was a good question ... really made me think on this one! Ok keep in mind that the following is just my perception of things so it may not be fully true.

1) It seems to me that the russia-hyes are typically far less religious. I am guessing this is probably the influence of the many years of communism. Also since recently the barska-hyes really had to work very hard to protect the churches, the culture, the schools, etc due to the Islamic revolution in Iran, people are much more conscious and sensitive on those issues IMO.

2) The Russia hyes I see in the US, as a group, are much more Money driven (or the pursuit there-of). I realize I am stereotyping It seems to me that they are much more likely to be entrepreneurs and independent contractors/business owners rather than 9-5 employees of some corporation.

3) Then there are the definite cultural differences. Now people from northern parts of Iran are much closer to Russia-hyes in general but the most obvious are language/dialect differences, music tastes (ie Andy, Googoosh, Leila Forouhar), foods, etc.

4) Small tea cups! Barska-hyes will serve you tea in the smallest freaking glass they can find! The russia-hyes that I know will give you a good amount of tea in a normal glass when you go to their house (This is actually a joke between some of my close friends ... some barska- and some russia)

But then again, in some senses the two groups are probably much more alike than different.

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: Sip ]

[Nvard]

Very interesting....lol

 

thank you