Sksela — Now

Related posts:

• Skela — It’s Finished
• Armenia: Opposition Activists Detained
• Socially, Politically and Culturally Conscious Armenian Youth Movement
• Armenian youth rally for detained activist
• Sksela — Rock for Freedom
• Sksela Reveals Its Hand
• Armenia: No Revolution Likely
• Politically Motivated Arrests

1. Observer 04.30.08 / 9pm

   I think Hima is a more politicized Sksela… because it is more politicized, and the name sounds really Pro-Levon, I for one thing, will not be joining it (although I’ve participated in the founding forum), but I will be happy to support Hima in anything related to the freedom of speech and generally, anything pro-democracy, as long as it’s not directly pro-Levon campaigning stuff.

   I think the future of this country lies in youth movements like this, or the one that Dashnaks have. We need active, vivid and politicized youth, instead of the apathetic type we had until now.

   Everything is better, than indifference!
2. Observer 04.30.08 / 9pm

   I meant - the Nikol Aghbalyan union that ARF-D youth have.
3. Aram 04.30.08 / 10pm

   Observer, is “anything better than indifference?”

   I for one think that certain “activism” represents a step backward, leads to escalated hatred and increases the potential for violence.

   Exhibit A: the pro-LTP but hate-everything-else movement leading up to March 1.
4. Observer 04.30.08 / 10pm

   Aram - firstly, I don’t think it was “pro-LTP but hate-everything-else movement leading up to March 1″. I think it was - hate the current government of Armenia, and while hating anything is bad, you have to agree, that Armenian authorities have done everything over the past 15-20 years, to make sure, that people hate the government.

   I honsetly wish there was a genuine pro-democracy independent third force, which would constructively push for reforms and positive change, but there isn’t. So - we have what we have… a country divided between the supporters of mediocre and corrupt government and the supporters of arrogant and egothistic opposition, with the majority of passive “indifferents” stuck in between. If there was a force to mobileze the “indifferent” masses, I beleive, we would have a better Armenia today. For now - we have what we have, and I’m really sorry for that. And that is why I am saying - anything is better then indifference…
5. Onnik 04.30.08 / 11pm

   you have to agree, that Armenian authorities have done everything over the past 15-20 years, to make sure, that people hate the government.

   Ironically, that 10-15 years includes 5 years of a Ter-Petrossian presidency when the system of electoral falsication, closure and persecution of opposition parties/activists, human rights abuses, spiraling corruption became evident and set the wheels in motion for perpetuation of the same system today.

   And that is why I am saying - anything is better then indifference…

   You see, this is what I consider to be the biggest problem. Settling for whatever is on offer is not really the solution. Creating a real democratic force and process is. That, in my opinion, is what I hope will now emerge, but I admit I might be hoping for too much.
6. Observer 04.30.08 / 11pm

   You see, this is what I consider to be the biggest problem. Settling for whatever is on offer is not really the solution. Creating a real democratic force and process is. That, in my opinion, is what I hope will now emerge, but I admit I might be hoping for too much.

   It is a problem all right, but what is the solution to this problem? Today for the first time since 1996, I have started thinking again about emmigrating to USA! You know why? Because I caugh myself in becoming completely indifferent to what will happen to this country. I discovered, that I don’t care anymore, whether there will remain a country called Armenia or not. I don’t care anymore, whether I remain an Armenian citizen or not - because I don’t feel this country has anything to give me, nor do I feel, that I have anything useful to give this country.

   I am disgusted with myself for this, I consider myself a traitor for even letting the idea cross my mind, but I can’t help it! This is disaster!
7. Onnik 05.01.08 / 12am

   Well, there are two responses to this — my personal feelings and an objective view.

   First, the personal. I’m tired of this hate and polarization, especially as each side thinks it represents the whole country when neither does. I’m tired of being attacked by both sides and I haven’t ever felt so tense and exhausted in nearly ten years of elections, referendums and political upheavals.

   Now, the objective, and sorry if this sounds too clinical. Armenia is a former Soviet republic and it is going to take generations before a lot of the problems are even remotely sorted out regardless of who is in power.

   In fact, that such a situation hasn’t emerged before (as it has in other republics) is indicative of the fact that progress in some areas is slightly lagging behind other CIS republics and in advance of others.

   Democratization was never going to be easy, and there was no way democratic elections meeting international standards were going to occur anytime soon. Merely, there would be progress in some areas, and regression in others.

   Either way, I was never expecting democratic elections in a country such as Armenia where no democratic culture or tradition exists. As a result, what happened occurred and at least 10 people lost their lives. Many of us knew it would end in bloodshed and it did.

   But what is more important now is that Armenia has reached a point where many of the outstanding problems reached a head. Actually, what matters more is not that they occurred (although please, don’t get me wrong, this is not a justification of the situation), but how Armenia and Armenians now deal with the problem.

   It’s a test and an inevitable one on the road to democratization. Armenia will either pass through it successfully with some limited progress or it won’t. For now, however, while parties such as Heritage continue to push for compromise and dialogue in the interest of the country and not individual political ambitions there is hope.

   Of course, it could all fail as well and Armenia takes the wrong path, but ultimately, we have yet to see if that will be the case. For now, however, there is the possibility that some potential for moderate change will come out of crisis. Even so, it isn’t going to be easy and it was never going to be painless.

   I’m afraid that’s the nature of transition, but as long as there is that goal and as long as those whichever political force they support (and even if they support none) recognize the need for sacrifices there is hope. Like I said, I don’t know if that will be the end result, but I can but hope.

   Hmm, re-reading this comment I think I used the word “hope” too much. I’m probably more pessimistic than not, but at least think that all avenues have not yet been exhausted.
8. Onnik 05.01.08 / 12am

   The Chinese, who have always had a thoroughly dynamic world view and a keen sense of history, seem to have been well aware of this profound connection between crisis and change. The term they use for ‘crisis’ - wei-ji - is composed of the characters for ‘danger’ and ‘opportunity.’

   The Turning Point, Fritjof Capra

   http://www.wplus.net/pp/Julia/Capra/Cpt1.htm
   http://www.wplus.net/pp/Julia/Capra/CONTENTS.htm
9. Ani 05.01.08 / 7pm

   Onnik, hate to tell you this, but I used to say that about the Chinese word a lot, until somebody who knew Chinese told me it wasn’t true. Anyway, here’s part of the Wikipedia entry. (Off-topic, so you don’t have to print if you don’t want to.)
   :

   Chinese translation of crisis
   From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
   The Chinese word weiji (?? translated as “crisis”) is often said to be composed of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity”; the implication being that in Chinese culture, a crisis is regarded not merely as a danger, but also as an opportunity. This is a misconception or etymological fallacy. In fact, wei (?) does mean “danger, dangerous; endanger, jeopardize; perilous; precipitous, precarious; high; fear, afraid”, but the polysemous ji (?) means “machine, mechanical; airplane; suitable occasion; crucial point; pivot; incipient moment; opportune, opportunity; chance; key link; secret; cunning”. While the word jihui (??) means “opportune, opportunity” in modern Chinese, its ji component has many meanings, of which “opportunity” is only one. In weiji (??), ji means “crucial point”, not “opportunity”.[1]
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_translation_of_crisis
10. Onnik 05.02.08 / 1am

    Oh.

    I admit I’m disappointed, but thanks for the clarification. It was nice while it lasted.
11. Observer 05.02.08 / 12pm

    Onnik - I’m writing a blog roundup, and need to check something to be clear. When saying:

    as well as unconfirmed reports that the organization will soon receive financing from diplomatic missions and funding bodies

    Do you mean rumors, that Sksela will soon receive financing, or do you mean that Hima will? I don’t seem to be able to quite comprehend
12. ????????????? ???????????? ??????????? ??????????????????? ??? ??????? « ???????? ????????? ???? 05.02.08 / 12pm

    […] ?????? ????????????? ??????-???? ???????? ?????, Onnik Krikoryan-? ?????? ? ????????, ?? ???? ??????? ?????????? ?????? […]
13. Onnik 05.02.08 / 2pm

    Sksela
14. Observer 05.02.08 / 3pm

    tnx
15. Երիտասարդական քաղաքացիական շարժումների ծագումնաբանությունը ըստ բլոգերի « Հայկական լրատվական բլոգ 06.04.08 / 6pm

    […] հերթին անդրադառնալով Սկսելա-Հիմա փոխադարձ կապին, Onnik Krikoryan-ը կարծիք է հայտնում, որ Հիմա շարժման առաջացումը կապված […]

Powered by Hemingway flavored Wordpress. Modified by Oneworld Multimedia.

Entries RSS Comments RSS