Thoughts and Observations

A number of items in recent weeks have made me go “Hmmmm”, so I thought I’d share them.

Let’s start with the news about former President Serge Sarkisian’s trial commencing. It seems he and his cohort are claiming that the trial is “politically motivated.” I have no doubt that’s absolutely true. But, regardless of the motivation, if investigations have turned up evidence of the corruption asserted, then what relevance does the “motivation” have? Let the trial proceed, and if he’s found guilty, then punish him appropriately. This is the kind of approach I recommended last week regarding the judges of the Republic of Armenia’s Constitutional Court – investigate, charge, prosecute, try and punish if found guilty. Don’t subvert the country’s constitution for “political motivations” regardless of the validity of the desired goal.

While we’re on presidents, let’s look at Donald Trump, too. In a recent op-ed piece, Cong. Adam Schiff described him as a threat to democracy and advocated enacting new legislation to prevent future abuses of power such as the ones manifested by Trump. One of the examples cited in the piece is his abuse of the presidential pardon power. It really was disgusting to see a bunch of crooks rendered “innocent.” And, if you think this is all OK, consider an Armenian perspective. It seems that the former General Michael Flynn may be getting reviewed, and he may also get a pardon. You might recall he had become a paid hack for Turkey, and in the process of lobbying for that country, broke U.S. laws.

And since we are deeply in the world of politics now, please remember to vote if you live in a jurisdiction that is holding a presidential primary election on March 3 (Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Democrats Abroad, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia). If you aren’t registered to vote, in some of these locations, you can go to a polling station, register on the spot, and cast a ballot. California is one of those. Or, if you don’t have that option, please, while it’s on your mind, register to vote now so you can vote in the November General Election. I’ve already written about who I suggest voting for in “Primary Time: Parts One and Two.”  The most general recommendation is in the Democratic Primary Election – vote for Tulsi Gabbard. Regardless of who you vote for, though, please DO VOTE, VOTE, VOTE.

Remember to vote and keep up your advocacy of our cause.

Garen Yegparian

Garen Yegparian

Asbarez Columnist
Garen Yegparian is a fat, bald guy who has too much to say and do for his own good. So, you know he loves mouthing off weekly about anything he damn well pleases to write about that he can remotely tie in to things Armenian. He's got a checkered past: principal of an Armenian school, project manager on a housing development, ANC-WR Executive Director, AYF Field worker (again on the left coast), Operations Director for a telecom startup, and a City of LA employee most recently (in three different departments so far). Plus, he's got delusions of breaking into electoral politics, meanwhile participating in other aspects of it and making sure to stay in trouble. His is a weekly column that appears originally in Asbarez, but has been republished to the Armenian Weekly for many years.
Garen Yegparian

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2 Comments

  1. Agree that all Armenian-Americans registered Democrats should vote next Tuesday
    especially residents of CA, MA and TX.The Democratic party primaries are at a very critical stage; A vote for Tulsi Gabbard is a waste- will not have an impact. Make your vote meaningful.
    With respect to Presidential pardons, with no exception, Democrat or Republican,presidents have pardoned convicted people who were not worthy.
    Trump is no exception. Even Obama and Clinton were criticized for pardons they gave.
    Adam Schiff makes a lot of noise; gets nothing accomplished.Keep out the noise.
    Vart Adjemian

  2. The only true threat to democracy is Adam Schiff, NOT president Trump. Schiff is corrupt, a liar, and has made a fool of himself with his biased and dishonest so called investigation. I do applaud him for his support of the Genocide resolution though.

    Pardons? Give me a break! Obama pardoned a terrorist for God’s sake. Presidential pardons have been around forever and will also be around forever. Frankly, there haven’t been many pardons I’ve agreed with over the last 60 years.

    I don’t love Trump but how can I even consider voting for one of the Democrat Ding-a-Lings? Based on what you’ve written before, you’ll probably vote for Bernie Sanders, the Socialist. Good luck with that one!

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