Special for the Armenian Weekly
As the presidential primary process has progressed, the importance of favoring progressive policies of the American left has only grown. A clear divide differentiates visions articulated by the left for a more just, tolerant, and peaceful America, and the right for a more hawkish, discriminatory, and deregulated America.
Previously, I argued that reigning in corruption, protecting human rights, and pursuing diplomacy over war marked three major touchstones i
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As an Armenian American, I am monitoring the presidential elections extensively, and your article is absolutely incorrect as you do not understand the current Establishment politics whether it be Left or Right. Furthermore, encouraging Armenian-Americans to join Socialists is an insult to my family and millions of Armenians who have suffered under the Soviet regime which included restrictions on Free Speech, Religious Freedoms and Free Expression of our national history. For example, in order for books on Armenian history to be published, Soviets mandated that it be written from a Marxist narrative. We limited in the amount of national expression which was regulated by Moscow. In your article you have advocated for leaning Left, as if the Left is not corrupt. Let me allude you to the current scandal Hillary Clinton is currently in and the potential for Federal Criminal Indictment. Furthermore, let’s analyze the Left’s violent speech that has advocated for the assassination of a Republican candidate, a double standard that is absolutely sickening. The Left prides itself of be tolerant, however, they are far from that. The attack on the family by redefining the family is against the core fabric of the Armenian identity. You are advocating for an ideology that counters our national views and traditions. We (Armenian-Americans) had the same hope in the current President who promised to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, however, that was a major disappointment that we all experienced.
In order for Armenian to flourish, it must clean up it’s interior mess and allow prosperity to flourish from free markets. Restrictive Socialist regimes don’t allow for free markets. Lastly, do not confuse the situation taking place- the socialization of America with free capitalism.
Obama didn’t even recognize the anniversary of the Armenian genocide. I don’t see how you can advocate for the Democratic Party so strongly (although I’m not suggesting you advocate for the Republican party either).
Give me the candidate (party) that will finally give Armenians our just recognition. The Jewish Holocast shouldn’t be the only Holocast recognized by the US government. Until the Democrats recognize the violation of Human Rights experienced by the Armenians I don’t believe either party has earned unequivocal support of Armenian-Americans.
Does your “American” half care about anything involving America – like social justice, universal healthcare, better race relations, the educational system … You did say you are “Armenian-American” – right?
I disagree totally with Raffi Wartanian’s opinions. Toally one-sided and unfair.
Such a lazy response. Do you disagree with Raffi about racism in the South? Do you disagree that corruption both in the US and Armenia is a problem and needs to be dealt with? What is it that you exactly disagree with?
This is a horrible politically disguised article from the US Political machinery. The Democrats are as corrupt as the Republicans and the Armenian government as corrupt as it may be, is not in the same league as the corruption in this country. The United states is going through a major change through Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders. The people are tired of the old system and are looking for a change and old time politicians are fighting the Nation tooth and nail. They are trying to circumvent the will of the people through media, political systems and even Mitt Romney. You are supporting them. Shame on you.
“Shame on you.” REALY? Why, because he is giving the readers some suggestions to consider? Because, he cares about betterment of everyone and not just ONE group of people? Why should Raffi be ashamed? What is the basis for your false outrage?
I don’t know who Wartanian is, but all he’s done is spout the same nonsense we’ve been hearing from the left for years.
It would be an easy task to refute almost all of what he says, but a tremendous waste of my time.
Instead, I’ll just say what I believe should be the priorities for the next president: (1) get the federal budget under control, (2) end the Mexican invasion and (3) bring jobs back to America. The socialists in the democrat party are not going to do any of these things. They will only continue on the path to bankruptcy and destroy everything that has made America great.
It’s a shame that Wartanian has been poisoned by the left wing university types that hate everything good about America. But then he’s very young and undoubTly fits the profile to a tee of the very famous quote variously attributed to Clemenceau, Bismark, Lloyd George and Churchill among others: Any man who is not a socialist at age 25 has no heart. Any man who is still
a socialist at age 40 has no brains. So maybe all is not ultimately lost.
Clearly, Raffi is not a real Armenian because he’s been drinking the Kool Aid from the political Left. If he were one of us he’d be drinking water or ayran or raki…or maybe some good Armenian brandy. Evidently, he has no idea that “Hill the Kill” Clinton has actively denied recognition of the Armenian Genocide by this country and has repeatedly lied to the Armenian people on this topic. Bernie Sanders who is little more than a burned out old hippie from the northeast could care less about the plight of the diaspora for genocide recognition. Raffi will continue to live in his Progressive paradise where all people live in peace and harmony while battling climate change.
“real Armenian” – what is that? Can you define it?
You could do little better than to keep your political opinions to yourself. Liberal Democrats have done nothing more for Armenia and Armenians than pull the wool over wishful eyes. I would rather our people receive no promises than be immersed in endless streams of broken promises.
You do realize that you are reading the Op-Ed section :) “keep your political opinions to yourself”
Mr. Wartanian: Thank you for your intelligently drawn insights and this article.
One question for the writer.
For seven years we had a democratic administration:
1- What did Obama do for the Armenian cause, or have any influence to improve economic, political conditions in Armenia?
2- What did Hilary Clinton do as Secretary of State, other than totally reversing her position on the Genocide and refer it to historians?
You are so biased, you cannot even see straight or admit the facts.
No further comment is necessary.
Vart Adjemian
Vart Adjemian
Both Obama and HRC did what every administration before them did – both Democrat and Republican. Raffi is a writer and he is expressing his opinion based on his understanding the political reality in DC. By definition, opinions of a person have a bias since it is their view of the world. Lastly, he is addressing multiple issues and suggesting that it may no longer be affective to pursue a single issue agenda. That’s not such a bad idea to consider if you want to matter and influence things :)
Wartanian’s argument is clear and correct: single-issue politics, as has a long history in the Armenian-American diasporan community, fails to see that all politics take place in a context. Genocide recognition, for example, is impossible so long as Turkey is crucial to American interests.
The burden we carry as the descendants of survivors is to act ethically, to reject war and nationalist violence, To protect everyone’s human rights (and not just our own), and to stand against inequality and corruption.
Fully agreed!!! Thank you.
Oh come on Mr Wartanian, you’ve been drinking the koolaid. This admistration has done nothing for Armenia nor will they do anything in the future. Same deception, empty promises & same old story. Broaden your mind by fair & balanced self education of this administration & presidential candidates. Do yourself a favor & for your readers. Look for their true agenda . Most of all, check their dirty laundry, long list. Wow, you are misinformed and very close minded.
“misinformed” – how? “very close minded” – how so and on what issue? “Same deception, empty promises & same old story.” – so you’re saying this administration is not alone in not doing what a special interest group is demanding of it? “fair & balanced” – WAY TOO MUCH time with Fox News.
Thank you Raffi for your excellent articles. The Armenian community and the larger community in general, will benefit significantly in having you express the issues you have in such a clear, thoughtful and well written manner. Keep up the good work.
Fool me once. I remember Armenian media encouraging everyone to vote for Obama. What did we get? No genocide recognition and a war in Syria that destroyed the Armenian community. We lost ancient Kesab that survived the Ottomans! Let that sink in. We elected a president that no only was a liar about recognition, but gave the green light to Turkey to flood in the terrorists that killed and displaced Armenians a century later after the genocide. Not to mention reduce aid to Armenia and increase it to Azerbaijan and attempted to orchestrate colored revolutions and failed. NO THANK YOU.
Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not in the best interests of US. Period. No politician can change that in the near future. But some candidates are better positioned than others to ever supporting our Genocide cause. Hillary Clinton is one of the worst candidates here. As a State Secretary she plainly stated that the Armenian Genocide is not a recognized historical fact. Can a US top ranking official be more insulting than this?
Though the author has several valid points, I don’t think being favorable to the Genocide recognition is so much of a left- or right-leaning matter as a matter of personal integrity. Hillary Clinton is known to have lied on many occasions in her career based on the political expediency of the moment. She certainly lied as State Secretary, and she will undoubtedly lie if she is elected as president.
I think the best candidate for us Armenians is the most honest one which is Bernie Sanders. But I also agree with the Mr. Wartanian that we shouldn’t judge the candidates in a vacuum. Sanders does need to prove his total commitment to issues such as oligarchy and corruption which are highly relevant for Armenia. So, in my opinion he is the best candidate for the US and Armenia as well.
A correction to what I said above, it should read: “Sanders does NOT need to prove his total commitment to issues such as oligarchy and corruption which are highly relevant for Armenia.”
Washington’s greatest strength continues to be is its devilish ability to deceive even the healthiest of minds. I suggest you people wake up from your silly dreams and realize that “democracy” does not exist in the US, it never has. The US has been founded on genocide, slavery and war. If recognizing the Armenian Genocide fit the strategic formulations of imperial officials in Washington, we would not even need an Armenian lobby in Washington, it would happen automatically.
I hope the Armenian Weekly is not turning into a leftist propaganda outlet. And I hope that everyone is also given their opportunity to voice their concerns inclusively instead of selectively in matters which are not directly Armenian oriented.
So I will say this again. As an Armenian-American, I don’t know which candidate is good for our community, in fact I think none of them are, as they have always lied to us.
But as an American, I would see Trump as an interesting choice who seems to have the best interests of the American public so far, because he is interested the betterment of the country without any establishment funding him and pulling the strings, like they are with Clinton, Cruz and all the rest. I don’t know if he is the right President because of his “unpresidential” disposition, but all the candidates thus far are unqualified for the post in my opinion.
Clinton becoming President will mean the continuation of and more of the neocon politics started by the Bushes, and Democrat or Republican they showed us the same policies for the past few decades. In fact, under Democrats, this country has now been consummated as effectively an indirect police state. If they were truly ‘different’ they would have reversed course on citizens’ rights violations starting from Bush. In the greater scheme all the bickering that is taking place between the two parties are shallow. The system is set up that way.