Comments on: Stupidity in Yerevan http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/ Journalism and Photography from Armenia and the Surrounding Region Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:04:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4884 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:52:05 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4884 Dude, very few people would agree with you on this. In fact, the only people I can think of who would are those in the Diaspora who have no intention of living in such a "utopia" despite declaring it to be so much more wonderful than their host countries in the West. As for your legal and illegal immigrants entering not just into the U.K. but also elsewhere, surprise, surprise. They're all from countries such as Armenia. And while we can understand those who steal to survive, most don't. They steal because they're greedy. Anyway. Dude, very few people would agree with you on this. In fact, the only people I can think of who would are those in the Diaspora who have no intention of living in such a “utopia” despite declaring it to be so much more wonderful than their host countries in the West.

As for your legal and illegal immigrants entering not just into the U.K. but also elsewhere, surprise, surprise. They’re all from countries such as Armenia. And while we can understand those who steal to survive, most don’t. They steal because they’re greedy.

Anyway.

]]> by: dude http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4878 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:36:15 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4878 I do live in Armenia. No doubt corruption is evil but it is a part of life of everywhere, and especially in Armenia. One cannot fight corruption with utopian slogans like you're doing. It takes generations, strong political will and good economic and geopolitical conditions for corruption to decrease. Middle East has been rife with corruption for thousands of years. Do you think that any foreign induced political reform has a chance to change that? How are your beloved Westerners faring in Iraq with fighting the corruption? Actually I think they're stealing more than Iraqis at this point. And can we blame Armenian government stealing money while WorldBank has been doing that for years here (or elsewhere)? And can you blame a low paid government worker for wanting a bribe to do his/her work? As for the stupidity in Yerevan, this just shows the incompetence and greed of the government. And it's only a part of things this government is F ing up. See also exchange rate, new taxation laws, foreign policy. But there is nothing unique about incompetence of our government when you look at other governments elsewhere. Instead of blaming corrupt officials and launching idealistic slogans like "Corruption must be stopped" I suggest you propose realistic solutions to quickly decreasing corruption in Armenia, taking into account the very adaptive nature of Armenians, and thousands of years of tribal thinking? Also, please name one country where short term fight against corruption has resulted in anything long term? As for your British friend, there are dozens of other problems that he has to face in Britain - up to 50% taxation, rampant illegal and legal immigration, runaway urban crime, a bureacratic apparatus that would put Soviets to shame, a woefully incompetent government that is afraid of its own people (see EU referendum). By the way, the huge taxes that he's paying can be likened to bribes, as it takes a lot of money to keep bloated government apparatus like British have. As for corruption being a threat to our country, that is indeed true. But so long as the military balance holds, corruption is not an existential threat. Given time, as generations change and economy improves we will see less corruption here. I do live in Armenia. No doubt corruption is evil but it is a part of life of everywhere, and especially in Armenia. One cannot fight corruption with utopian slogans like you’re doing. It takes generations, strong political will and good economic and geopolitical conditions for corruption to decrease. Middle East has been rife with corruption for thousands of years. Do you think that any foreign induced political reform has a chance to change that? How are your beloved Westerners faring in Iraq with fighting the corruption? Actually I think they’re stealing more than Iraqis at this point.
And can we blame Armenian government stealing money while WorldBank has been doing that for years here (or elsewhere)? And can you blame a low paid government worker for wanting a bribe to do his/her work? As for the stupidity in Yerevan, this just shows the incompetence and greed of the government. And it’s only a part of things this government is F ing up. See also exchange rate, new taxation laws, foreign policy. But there is nothing unique about incompetence of our government when you look at other governments elsewhere.
Instead of blaming corrupt officials and launching idealistic slogans like “Corruption must be stopped” I suggest you propose realistic solutions to quickly decreasing corruption in Armenia, taking into account the very adaptive nature of Armenians, and thousands of years of tribal thinking? Also, please name one country where short term fight against corruption has resulted in anything long term?
As for your British friend, there are dozens of other problems that he has to face in Britain - up to 50% taxation, rampant illegal and legal immigration, runaway urban crime, a bureacratic apparatus that would put Soviets to shame, a woefully incompetent government that is afraid of its own people (see EU referendum). By the way, the huge taxes that he’s paying can be likened to bribes, as it takes a lot of money to keep bloated government apparatus like British have.
As for corruption being a threat to our country, that is indeed true. But so long as the military balance holds, corruption is not an existential threat. Given time, as generations change and economy improves we will see less corruption here.

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4709 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:58:25 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4709 Dude, you clearly do not live in Armenia and have no comprehension of how and to what extent corruption manifests itself here. Corruption exists everywhere, of course, but in Armenia it is at a level that affects the lives of every single citizen. The only difference between corruption in Armenia and elsewhere such as the United Kingdom is that I have never ONCE come across corruption that affects my life and that of my friend in England. In Armenia it happens on a daily basis and actually represents one of the greatest threats to the future of this country. I'm still amazed at how Armenians in the Diaspora, which I can only assume you are, have such little understanding of how life is here. Almost every single Armenian here would think you're living in a dreamworld and I would have to agree. Dude, you clearly do not live in Armenia and have no comprehension of how and to what extent corruption manifests itself here. Corruption exists everywhere, of course, but in Armenia it is at a level that affects the lives of every single citizen.

The only difference between corruption in Armenia and elsewhere such as the United Kingdom is that I have never ONCE come across corruption that affects my life and that of my friend in England. In Armenia it happens on a daily basis and actually represents one of the greatest threats to the future of this country.

I’m still amazed at how Armenians in the Diaspora, which I can only assume you are, have such little understanding of how life is here. Almost every single Armenian here would think you’re living in a dreamworld and I would have to agree.

]]> by: dude http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4707 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:29:27 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4707 These people are not stupid. They're stealing money while you're calling them stupid. So who is really stupid or retarded? And lest you think that it's different in Britain, I suggest reading about the recent scandal involving the Olympic commitee. The only difference between corruption in Britain and Armenia, is that the people who do it in Britain steal less in terms of % and do it more cunningly. Given time, I'm sure the Armenian officials will catch up. As for why Armenians are not revolting against this corrupt and incomptent government, you have to ask the same question about people in US, Britain or EU. These people are not stupid. They’re stealing money while you’re calling them stupid. So who is really stupid or retarded? And lest you think that it’s different in Britain, I suggest reading about the recent scandal involving the Olympic commitee. The only difference between corruption in Britain and Armenia, is that the people who do it in Britain steal less in terms of % and do it more cunningly. Given time, I’m sure the Armenian officials will catch up.

As for why Armenians are not revolting against this corrupt and incomptent government, you have to ask the same question about people in US, Britain or EU.

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4698 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:34:08 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4698 Garo now has a post <a href="http://noteshairenik.blogspot.com/2007/10/stupidity-in-yerevan.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Garo now has a post here.

]]> by: artyom http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4696 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:24:38 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4696 morons. what can i say. morons. what can i say.

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4695 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:53:01 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4695 Nazarian, not long at all according to the <a href="http://www.a1plus.am/en/?page=issue&amp;id=52861">report and photographs just posted by A1 Plus</a>: <blockquote>Yesterday “A1+” reflected on the vehicles that pass over the ascending stairs near Vardan Mamikonyan’s statue which results in damaging the stairs of the statue which is state importance. Because of the drivers who evade traffic jam, the basalt stairs are broken under the heavy wheels of vehicles. Besides breaking the stairs, the vehicles that pass through the park “suffocate” pedestrians by polluting the air. After we reflected on this barbarism, signs have been hung on the pavement and concretes were installed that prohibit enter to the park. </blockquote> Personally, I think that the drivers of any vehicles photographed or videoed behaving like morons should be prosecuted. Nazarian, not long at all according to the report and photographs just posted by A1 Plus:

Yesterday “A1+” reflected on the vehicles that pass over the ascending stairs near Vardan Mamikonyan’s statue which results in damaging the stairs of the statue which is state importance.

Because of the drivers who evade traffic jam, the basalt stairs are broken under the heavy wheels of vehicles.

Besides breaking the stairs, the vehicles that pass through the park “suffocate” pedestrians by polluting the air.

After we reflected on this barbarism, signs have been hung on the pavement and concretes were installed that prohibit enter to the park.

Personally, I think that the drivers of any vehicles photographed or videoed behaving like morons should be prosecuted.

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4694 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:19:15 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4694 Armen, more to the point is why doesn't EVERYONE... Armen, more to the point is why doesn’t EVERYONE…

]]> by: Armen Filadelfiatsi http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4693 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:57:28 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4693 Why doesn't Sksela try to kick the stupid mayor and his corrupt ass out of office then? Why doesn’t Sksela try to kick the stupid mayor and his corrupt ass out of office then?

]]> by: Onnik http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4692 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:06:45 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4692 One rumor as I said is that all of this construction is occurring because it is the last chance for the Mayor to spend money before he will be replaced. At any rate, I'm told that the Mayor will be "elected" next year albeit probably by a city council. Anyway, if that's the case, the allegation is that the municipality is spending as much money as it can now on construction projects that SHOULD NOT be conducted at the same time so that some can benefit financially by it all, if you get my drift. Read between the lines. One rumor as I said is that all of this construction is occurring because it is the last chance for the Mayor to spend money before he will be replaced. At any rate, I’m told that the Mayor will be “elected” next year albeit probably by a city council.

Anyway, if that’s the case, the allegation is that the municipality is spending as much money as it can now on construction projects that SHOULD NOT be conducted at the same time so that some can benefit financially by it all, if you get my drift. Read between the lines.

]]> by: Zara http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4691 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:32:37 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4691 Other stupidity is that they spent God knows how much money to lay a double layered asphalt all along Khanjyan street just to dig deep into it several months later. I just hope those subways or whatever they construct will not collapse one day. Other stupidity is that they spent God knows how much money to lay a double layered asphalt all along Khanjyan street just to dig deep into it several months later. I just hope those subways or whatever they construct will not collapse one day.

]]> by: Tigran Khanzadyan http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4690 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:56:26 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4690 In contrary, there is only one thing left here to say ... We must congratulate our fellow drivers of mini and maxi vans since in the near future our request to be taken to the second floor of any particular building might be quite possible to fulfil. In contrary, there is only one thing left here to say …
We must congratulate our fellow drivers of mini and maxi vans since in the near future our request to be taken to the second floor of any particular building might be quite possible to fulfil.

]]> by: Christian Garbis http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4686 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 01:09:49 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4686 I was going to write something here, but I am speechless. There's nothing else to say, is there? I was going to write something here, but I am speechless. There’s nothing else to say, is there?

]]> by: nazarian http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4685 Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:54:58 +0100 http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/10/01/stupidity-in-yerevan/#comment-4685 How long before those stairs and the basalt ground are badly badly damaged and require an expensive overhaul? This should have been predicted and concrete barriers installed to prevent cars going on the pedestrian areas (we know the selfishness and the vochinch mentality of the population). How long before those stairs and the basalt ground are badly badly damaged and require an expensive overhaul? This should have been predicted and concrete barriers installed to prevent cars going on the pedestrian areas (we know the selfishness and the vochinch mentality of the population).

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