SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVI, NO. 11, Issue 4405 $ 2.00 NEWS INBRIEF The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 Consul General Visits After A NY Reception Aleppo Orphanage and Nightmarish Honors Nursing Home ALEPPO (Public Radio of ) — On the occa- sion of Armenia’s Independence Day, Armenian Childhood in Prof. Rouben Consul General to Syria Tigran Gevorgyan visited the Armenian home for the elderly in Aleppo. Antoura, Hope Mirzakhanian Gevorgyan toured the nursing home accompa- nied by its director, members of the board of And Salvation Receives Award at Southern trustees and the leader of Syria’s Armenian evan- gelical community and talked to the elderly people Conn. University that live there. By Alin K. Gregorian The consul general congratulated them on the Mirror-Spectator Staff 24th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and By Arpiar Hagopian assured that the issues of the Syrian , especially the aged people and children, are always WATERTOWN — Most children do — Prof. Rouben a part of the focus of attention of the Armenian not have clear ideas about their par- Mirzakhanian, president of the Khachatur authorities. ents’ childhoods. They might hear Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical Gevorgyan expressed gratitude to the staff of the bits and pieces and use their imagi- University, has been visiting the United nursing home for their devoted work. The same day nations to color in the lives of their States since September 9 at the invitation he visited the Armenian orphanage. He congratu- parents as children. Perhaps few can of Southern Connecticut State University lated its young residents on the occasion of the imagine the stories of Goodbye, (SCSU). Dr. Mary Papazian, president of start of the new academic year and wished them Antoura, the memoirs of Karnig Panian, a survivor of the SCSU, awarded Mirzakhanian with the every success in their studies. He assured them Panian’s memoirs were first published in Armenian in 1992 by highest honor of her university on that the consulate general would continue to assist Cultural Association and the Catholicosate of the Great House of . Now the September 10 at the John Lyman the orphanage. Gevorkyan and the leadership of volume has been translated into English, and pub- Performing Arts Center Gallery at SCSU the orphanage discussed the possibility of organiz- lished this year by the Press, see HONORS, page 8 ing the summer vacation of the children in with a foreword by Dr. Vartan Gregorian.It has Armenia. received great reviews both in the US and Lebanon. Panian was born in Gurin in 1910. He was 5 when his mother and a younger sister and brother Armenian Defects to perished during the forcible marches. His father had been among the men who had been rounded Azerbaijan up by the authorities in a previous sweep. BAKU (RFE/RL) — An Armenian man has defect- His story is at once astonishingly sad and yet hope- ed to Azerbaijan. ful.A boy who shifted between four orphanages, one Vahan Martirosian, the head of the non-govern- of which, Antoura, was a proverbial hell on earth, mental organization Internal National Liberation became an erudite and educated man who married Movement, told reporters in Baku on September and had children and eventually became the vice prin- 18 that he had requested political asylum in cipal at Djemaran, the Armenian Lyceum, in . Azerbaijan. Karnig Panian The contents were at times shocking for Prof. Rouben Mirzakhanian receiving at He slammed the policies of Armenian President see ANTOURA, page 9 Southern Connecticut University award from SCSU President Dr. Mary Papazian Serge Sargisian, calling them anti-Armenian, and said Azerbaijani media are the only sources offering “truthful information” about the current situation in Armenia. Settlement with Armenia Marks Martirosian claimed that he had been persecuted by Armenian authorities for his political activities Armenian Church Independence and therefore decided to defect to Azerbaijan together with his wife and their toddler son. Allows Getty YEREVAN (Combined The Armenian Investigative Committee said on Sources) — On September 21, September 17 after reports about Martirosian’s Museum Keep Armenia marked the 24th defection started circulating in regional media that anniversary of its independence. Martirosian had been added to a wanted list. Prized Bible Pages A total of 94.99 percent of Sona Truzian, an adviser to the Armenian Armenian citizens said a res- Investigative Committee’s chairman, said that olute “yes” to independence by Martirosian was suspected of stealing the equiva- means of a referendum in 1990 lent of $4,000 in Yerevan. By Mike Boehm in favor of secession from the Truzian also said that Martirosian had filed a Soviet Union. Two days later, on complaint claiming that he and his wife had been September 23, the Supreme LOS ANGELES (Los Angeles Times) — attacked by the security personnel of an Armenian Council of the Armenian Soviet The Getty Museum will keep eight brilliant- President Serge Sargisian, Catholicos of All lawmaker but never showed up to talk to investi- Socialist Republic declared the ly illustrated table of contents pages from a Armenians Karekin II and other dignitaries gators. see INDEPENDENCE, page 3 750-year-old Armenian Bible after settling a long-running lawsuit brought by an American branch of the Armenian Independence Day Celebrated in Apostolic Church. NEW YORK — The 24th anniversary of the independence of Armenia was cele- INSIDE The church contended they had been ille- brated on September 20 at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral under the auspices of gally separated from the rest of the book Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of amid the Armenian genocide during World America (Eastern) and Amb.of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations War I. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The organizer was Noyan Tapan, with the Armenian Welcome, The Getty and the Western Prelacy of the Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavars), Tekeyan Cultural Association (TCA), the Armenian Apostolic Church of America Knights and Daughters of Vartan, and the Armenian Assembly of America serving jointly announced the settlement Monday. as cosponsors. Speakers Citizen! Both sides said they were happy with the included Knights’ Grand outcome, but for very different reasons. Commander Steve Page 5 The Getty gets to keep the art, and the Kradjian, Armenian As- church gets recognition that all along it has sembly Executive Direc- been the rightful owner of the pages, which tor Bryan Ardouny, TCA were separated about 100 years ago from a of Greater New York INDEX complete Bible called the Zeyt’un gospels. Chairman Hagop Arts and Living ...... 10 The rest of the book is at the Vartivarian, and Mnats- Armenia ...... 2,3 , a museum and library for akanyan. Archbishop Community News...... 5 manuscripts in Yerevan, the capital of Yeghishe Gizirian made Editorial ...... 14 Armenia. The Getty bought its pages in the closing remarks. The International ...... 4 1994 from an Armenian-American family above photo includes for $1.5 million in today’s dollars. participants in the pro- see SETTLEMENT, page 16 gram. S ATURDAY, S EPTEMBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 Community News

Celebrating New St. Nersess Armenian Rev. Kesablyan Seminary Campus To Be Feted on

ARMONK, N.Y. — “After years of planning, Decade of dedication and faith, supporters of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary will celebrate the semi- Church Service nary’s move to its new Armonk, New York cam- pus on November 22, at the Rockleigh Country CHELMSFORD, Mass. — The parish Club in Rockleigh, New Jersey,” states fundrais- of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church ing chair Haig Ariyan. “The Sunday evening will honor Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan banquet, which will be presided over by on the occasion of the 10th anniver- Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the sary of his ordination into the Holy Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Order of Priesthood. Nersess Board of Directors, will honor grand The event will be held on Sunday, benefactors Haig and Elza Didizian of London, October 4 with Archbishop Khajag England. Through their generosity and vision, a Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of new chapel and the Theological the Armenian Church of America Center, which will include offices, classrooms (Eastern) presiding. The day’s events and a library, are being constructed. The new will begin with the celebration of the facility will provide seminarians a place to learn, Divine Liturgy, and will be followed by study, and prepare for service in the Armenian a banquet and program to be held in Church for years to come.” the Kazanjian Memorial Pavilion. The St. Nersess Board of Directors invites New citizens at Faneuil Hall Kesablyan has spent the past nine clergy, alumni, faculty, summer conference years in the United States, and began alumni and supporters and friends of the semi- his ministry here as an intern at Holy nary to attend the gala dinner. Trinity Armenian Church in Since its founding 54 years ago, St. Nersess New Citizens’ Welcome Cambridge. In 2008, Kesablyan has continued to provide clergy and lay leaders became pastor of Sts. Vartanantz to the Armenian Church throughout America Armenian Church where he has served and the world. This has been achieved while Reception at Armenian the spiritual needs of the parish. In respecting and perpetuating the ancient tradi- addition, he has been the visiting pas- tions of our Armenian Church. In addition to tor for the Armenian Church of Cape the thorough curriculum and course work Heritage Park to Feature Cod since 2009, and just completed required to graduate, the seminary has recently his second summer as a co-director of added unique offerings, including an Dr. Vartan Gregorian Saint Vartan Camp in Greenville, NY. Acculturation Program for priests from abroad, He is currently studying for his mas- ter’s degree in Theological Studies at as well as specialized workshops for clergy BOSTON — On Thursday, October 1, a New Citizens’ Welcome Reception already serving as parish priests. will be held at Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway. This first-time The banquet has been fully underwritten by Welcome Reception immediately follows the Naturalization Ceremony at his- a donor. Reservations are $200 per person and toric Faneuil Hall where foreign-born men and women will take the Oath of all ticket sales will directly benefit St. Nersess Allegiance to become Naturalized Citizens. The Oath of Allegiance has led to Seminary’s mission and operations. In addition, American citizenship for more than 220 years, among them those from our a commemorative booklet honoring the semi- own families. nary’s history and recognizing its donors will Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, at the conclusion of the be published for the event. All supporters of the Naturalization Ceremony, will extend the invitation to all new citizens, their seminary are encouraged to donate to the book- families and friends to attend the Welcome Reception at Armenian Heritage let as all proceeds will benefit the seminary. Park on the Greenway that follows. Invitation and booklet donation information Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, can be found on the seminary’s website, will speak during the Park’s Welcome Reception. www.stnersess.edu. “By appealing to a Cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. followed by din- range of new American ner at 7 p.m. There will be a short program citizens, the Welcome which will include a tribute to the seminary’s Reception contributes proud history and to Mr. and Mrs. Didizian. The decisively to the banquet committee is being chaired by Nadine Armenian Heritage Ariyan and Lucie Bandazian. Park’s core mission of St. Nersess seminarians will be available in inclusion. As a celebra- Armonk on November 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. for tion of the immigrant anyone wishing to see the progress on the new experience in Boston, Khachatur Kesablyan campus prior to the banquet. The official open- the Welcome speaks ing and ribbon cutting of the new facility will directly to central take place in the spring. themes of the Park and the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Additional information can be found on the the Rose Kennedy Seminary in Brookline. website www.stnersess.edu. Greenway as a whole. He is married to Yn. Anna The Welcome will not Kesablyan, and together they are par- only ‘acknowledge the ents to Maria and Narek. history of Boston as a Sts. Vartanantz was built and conse- port of entry for immi- crated in Lowell, MA in 1916, making grants worldwide,’ but it one of the first Armenian Churches also ‘celebrate those in the United States. After almost 60 who…contribute to the years, a decision was made to seek new richness of American facilities. In 1978, Saints Vartanantz life and culture,’ which Armenian Church was relocated to its is the Park’s intent,” current 16-acre property in said Armine Afeyan of Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Chelmsford, where it continues to the Friends of Armenian Corporation of New York flourish. Known for its ornate sanctu- Heritage Park. ary, the church is architecturally mod- The Welcome eled on the Cathedral of Ani. Reception is funded by Currently, the church serves the spiri- the park’s Anna and Fund, an endowed fund supporting pro- tual needs of some 500 families in east- grams at Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway ern Massachusetts and southern New The program is an initiative of the Friends of Armenian Heritage Park in col- Hampshire. laboration with the United States District Court, City of Boston, Mayor Martin For further information and ticket J. Walsh and the Office of New Bostonians, Bostonian Society/Old State reservations, contact the Reservations House, Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. Coordinator, Patty Kayajanian at For further information, email [email protected]. [email protected]. Grand benefactors Haig and Elza Didizian 10 S ATURDAY, S EPTEMBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Arts & Living

Presence of Absence: Author Dana Walrath to Photographing Loss Discuss Acclaimed Novel And Violence Like Water on Stone BELMONT, Mass. — Author Dana Walrath NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Armen Marsoobian, will present a talk in connection with her chairman of the Philosophy Department at acclaimed novel-in-verse Like Water on Southern Connecticut State University and Stone on Thursday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m., at author of Fragments of a Lost Homeland the National Association for — Remembering Armenia, was the guest at a and Research (NAASR) Center, 395 Concord lunchtime conversation organized by the Ave. University of Southern California (USC) It is 1914, and the is crum- Institute of Armenian Studies. The event took bling into violence. Beyond Anatolia, in the place on September 16 at USC Ground Zero , Shahen Donabedian Coffeehouse. Marsoobian was In Conversation dreams of going to New York. Sosi, his twin sis- with Varun Soni, dean of Religious Life at USC. ter, never wants to leave her home, especially The USC Shoah Foundation Center for now that she is in love. At first, only Papa, who Advanced Genocide Studies co-sponsored the counts Turks and among his closest event. friends, stands in Shahen’s way. But when the Marsoobian, a grandchild of Genocide sur- Ottoman pashas set in motion their plans to vivors, has devoted the past few years of his life eliminate all Armenians, neither twin has a to presenting exhibitions in of a photo- choice. graph archive collected by his extended family, After a horrifying attack leaves them who were all photographers and thus saved by orphaned, they flee into the mountains, carry- the Ottoman governors because they were The 2015 graduates ing their little sister, Mariam. But the children needed. Whereas most Armenian families don’t are not alone. An eagle watches over them as have a single picture of their families, they run at night and hide each day, making Marsoobian has hundreds. their way across mountain ridges and rivers “These photographs are a form of bearing Abaka School for the red with blood. witness to the identities of Armenians in the Dana Walrath is the granddaughter of survivors most difficult times of the Armenian Genocide. of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. She earned a They document a life and culture that was PhD in anthropology from the University of erased, and about which little is known by the Performing Arts Pennsylvania, an MFA in Writing from Vermont new generation in Turkey,” said Marsoobian. College of Fine Arts, and a BA from Barnard Once Marsoobian began the process of College, Columbia University. She completed Like archiving and exhibiting what was left to him by Celebrates 21 Years Water on Stone (Delacorte/Random House, his family of photographers, it became a per- 2014), her first novel, during the year she spent as sonal and emotional journey in addition to an a Fulbright Scholar in Armenia working on a pro- academic one. He spoke about his trips to WATERTOWN — After celebrating its 20th Anniversary year, the Abaka ject that builds on her award-winning graphic Anatolia and the importance of walking on the Armenian School for the Performing Arts announces its 21st season with classes memoir series Aliceheimer’s (Harvest, 2013). ground, and seeing the exact places that were and registration now open. The Abaka School was founded in 1995 by choreogra- Awards for her novel include the 2015 pher Apo Ashjian with a simple mission: to enrich the Armenian cultural life of Notable Book for Global Society, the 2015 youngsters in our community, creating a small corner of Armenia in America. CBC Notable Trade Book for Social Studies, Abaka provides an outlet for young Armenians to discover and bring forth their YALSA’s Best Fiction Nominee for 2015, and it hidden and valuable talents, thus contributing to the future betterment of is a finalist for the Vermont Book Award. Armenian cultural life. Abaka aims to teach, through visual and performing arts, Copies of Like Water on Stone will be avail- the richness of the Armenian culture and its traditions and instill in young able the night of the lecture. Armenians the spirit and pride of belonging to a unique heritage. On June 16, more than 70 students ranging from ages 4 to 16, performed in a 20th-anniversary performance at Watertown High School. During the evening a Dr. Shemmassian Releases special tribute took place honoring Ashjian for his vision and inspiration over the past 20 years to the youth of the community. As the director/choreographer of the Book on Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston, his dedication and inspiration led many Abaka graduates to discovering their cultural niche and love for Armenian music BEIRUT — Haigazian University Press in and dance. Beirut has published Dr. Vahram L. As the new owner and director of Abaka, Eddie Megrdichian, looks forward to Shemmassian’s book, titled The Musa Dagh Prof. Armen Marsoobian and Varun Soni opening the doors and welcoming Armenian youth once again this season and con- Armenians: A Socioeconomic and Cultural tinuing the school’s mission. Megrdichian started his dance career at the age of 7, History, 1919-1939. The author writes: “The to include performing the “Nutcracker” and has been dancing ever since. He stud- Musa Dagh resistance to the Armenian the birthplace of Armenian culture. ied under the direction of Ashjian and has been a member of the Sayat Nova Dance Genocide in 1915 has been immortalized by Marsoobian’s family story is one of prosperi- Company of Boston for the past 10 years. Franz Werfel’s novel, The Forty Days of Musa ty, vibrant culture, and sudden loss. During the Megrdichian has also been an instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studios spe- Dagh. Yet, despite the novel’s fame and impact, conversation, he recounted an argument cializing in ballroom dancing and was a dance teacher at the Sts. Vartanatz to date the story of the Musa Dagh Armenians, between his grandparents in the summer of Armenian School during college. He volunteers his time with Dancing with the both before and after , has not been 1915. After they lost police protection, the fam- Waltham Stars and has competed at several local area competitions. He graduated studied and recounted in a historical form.” ily was forced to choose between joining the from Johnson and Wales University in Providence in 2010. He brings with him a This new publication, therefore, is a pioneering death marches with the rest of the exiled or modern vision while maintaining Armenian folkloric and classical dance. effort that deals with the social, economic, and convert and live as Islamized Armenians. They cultural life in Musa Dagh between the two chose the latter, changed their names, and see ABAKA, page 11 world wars. became hidden Armenians. A separate tome will cover religion, educa- “As the generation that somehow survived by tion, and politics. either voluntarily or involuntarily converting The study is the culmination of research passes on, they are sharing their life secrets spanning nearly four decades. That investiga- with their families. Suddenly, tens of thousands tion has been conducted in numerous govern- of citizens of Turkey are discovering their mental, institutional and organizational Armenian roots. This, in a country, where being archives, and through private papers, inter- Armenian has been reviled. We are headed for views, correspondence, unpublished memoirs a very interesting and difficult period in and manuscripts, newspapers and periodicals, Armenian-Turkish relations, and Armen books, articles, online sources, etc. Marsoobian’s family treasure helps everyone The book includes the following eight chap- better understand the past, and perhaps the ters: Trying Times after Repatriation; The future,” said Salpi Ghazarian, the director of Social Canvas; Agriculture and Animal the USC Institute of Armenian Studies. Husbandry; Trades, Businesses, and Industries; Marsoobian will continue to present his exhi- Migrants in the Middle East and in Ethiopia; bitions in Turkey and around the world. He is The American Experience; Vacationing and certain that sharing such photos is important Tourism; Cultural Manifestations. An epilogue for the small Armenian community remaining deals with the exodus of Musadaghtsis from in and the rest of the Armenians – their native mountain to Anjar in Lebanon in whether rediscovered, or still hidden. The fifth and sixth grade dancers 1939. The volume also contains a map, statisti- The full video of the discussion is available at cal tables, and appendixes. It is richly illustrat- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN0aGtkE ed. For inquiries, contact the author at shem- EGQ. [email protected]. 14 S ATURDAY, S EPTEMBER 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR COMMENTARY

COMMENTARY Mirror Presidential Election Campaigns: Spectator Substance or Entertainment? One area which distinguished Mr. Trump from his By Edmond Y. Azadian Republican rivals — who were ready to tear up the nucle- ar deal and bomb the world — was that he said while he was for a strong militaristic America, he would give a chance to EstablishedEstablished 1932 1932 We are more than a year away from the presidential election diplomacy first (like Rand Paul). in the US, but the campaign is already in full blast. However, his moderation did not help to avoid a scathing An ADLAn Publication ADL Publication On the Democratic side, began her campaign characterization by columnist David when she left Foggy Bottom as secretary of state. Some pun- Brooks, who wrote, “His ego may be galaxy-sized, but this pol- dits even believe that she never quit campaigning after she icy ignorance is a void that overspills the known universe. He ceded the Democratic nomination grudgingly to Barack is the Wizard of Oz. When the bluster curtain falls down, EDITOR Obama. Perhaps that was also the reason that her early cam- what’s left is pathetic.” Alin K. Gregorian paign hit some turbulence; her use of a private server for her Mr. Brooks is equally unmerciful towards the one segment official emails continues to haunt her to this day. Her mishan- of the Republican party whose comments boil down to a few ASSISTANT EDITOR Aram Arkun dling of the Libya fiasco and her support of the Iraq war have negative policy positions, which are summed up in the follow- dented her popularity and have undermined her trustworthi- ing statement: “One group wants to rip up the political pro- ART DIRECTOR ness. cess and disrupt everything. Renounce the Iran deal on Day 1, Marc Mgrditchian As far as her hawkish stand regarding foreign policy is con- no matter what our allies say. Ignore the Supreme Court and cerned, she can hardly be distinguished from Sen. John effectively disallow gay marriage. Shut down the government McCain. She seems to be completely beholden to the military to defund . Magically deport the 11 mil- industrial complex. Even more worrisome is that she seems lion illegal immigrants. … beholden to the polls rather than genuine ideals. “The others, like Lindsey Graham, John Kasich and Jeb SENIOR EDITORIAL COLUMNIST: Should she win her bid for the White House, the Middle Bush, live within the confines of reality.” Edmond Azadian East will not enjoy any peace and the two-state solution for This, of course, is as far as domestic policy is concerned. On CONTRIBUTORS: Israel and Palestine, which President Obama is trying to seal foreign policy, they mostly agreed on a hawkish philosophy, to Florence Avakian, Dr. Haroutiun before his term is up, will suffer a setback for another four or boost American military power and talk to the rest of the Arzoumanian, Taleen Babayan, Diana even eight years. world with the butt of the gun. Rand Paul stood alone in Der Hovanessian, Philip Ketchian, That is why now she is trying to divert attention to other opposing that trigger-happy philosophy. Kevork Keushkerian, Harut Sassounian, talking points in her campaign, including finance reform or Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, both descendants of Hagop Vartivarian, Naomi Zeytoonian women’s issues or race issues (“Black Lives Matter”). Cuban immigrants, tried to out-American their non-Hispanic In the Democratic camp, most of the declared candidates — rivals. Fiorina, who may have won a few points on her dra- CORRESPONDENTS: Lincoln Chafee, Lawrence Lessing, Martin O’Malley and Jim matic presentation on abortion, stated that the first day in the Armenia - Hagop Avedikian Webb — are no match for Mrs. Clinton in terms of fundraising. White House, she would call Benyamin Netanyahu of Israel, Boston - Nancy Kalajian Philadelphia - Lisa Manookian Vice President Joe Biden is still testing the terrain but as soon assure him of America’s support and then threaten the mul- Berlin - Muriel Mirak-Weissbach as he gets his feet wet, he will realize that this year’s campaign lahs of Iran. This kind of servility does not surprise the public is for the sharks and not a gentle figure like him. any more, when a candidate puts a foreign nation’s interests Contributing Photographers: As far as the Clinton campaign is concerned, her only seri- — no matter how friendly — above the US. There were other Jacob Demirdjian and Jirair Hovsepian ous challenger seems to be Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont candidates tripping over themselves to address the Israeli who holds a steady lead over her in New Hampshire polls. Mr. lobby rather than the listeners, including Cruz and Mike Sanders is after big banks, trade deals, tax breaks for the rich Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas. The latter sound- The Armenian Mirror-Spectator is published and “super PACs” like the ones pouring money into Mrs. ed more like George Bush, who held the Bible and created weekly, except two weeks in July and the first Clinton’s campaign. When Sanders declared his candidacy sev- mayhem in Iraq, with one million civilian casualties and 4,500 week of the year, by: eral months ago, he seemed like a long-shot. After all, Sanders US military deaths, not to mention the two trillion dollars of Baikar Association, Inc. does not do sound bites, he is an intellectual and a policy wasted money. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472-1509 wonk trying to fix the incredibly lop-sided economy of the US. Ted Cruz did not miss the opportunity to send a message to Telephone: 617-924-4420 The irony is that he is not from the rank and files of the the gun lobby. FAX: 617-924-2887 Democratic party; he is a registered socialist and an outsider Another child of immigrants, Piyush “Bobby” Jindal, a to the party’s mainstream, much like Donald Trump — his very Rhodes Scholar who studied at Oxford (declining acceptances www.mirrorspectator.com opposite in every way — is in the Republican camp. to Harvard Medical School and Yale Law School), would E-Mail: [email protected] During the first Republican debate, Trump was still toying rather cut the budget for Louisiana schools and break teach- For advertising: [email protected] with the idea of running as an independent candidate, send- ers’ unions. ing shivers down the spines of the GOP bigwigs. Ross Perot Jeb Bush had a complacent attitude with body language and Ralph Nader before him had played as spoilers. But after which indicated that he already has a lock on the nomination his pledge of allegiance to the Republican party, his populari- through dynastic entitlement. (Interestingly, he shares that ty is soaring and he seems to be within the shooting distance posture with Democrat rival Clinton.) But he was startled SUBSCRIPTION RATES: for the party’s nomination, to the chagrin of the GOP estab- when the moderator asked him why he says he wants to be his lishment. own man, yet he has assembled his brother’s advisors, the neo- The huge roster of Republican candidates offers few morsels con cabal of Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith and others, who ignited U.S.A. $80 a year for non-partisans. After all, they are competing with each all the devastating wars. other to proclaim their faith in God, aversion to abortion, Mr. Bush was not able to answer directly, as he was caught Canada $125 a year oblivion regarding climate change and evolution and igno- off guard. rance of other nations. Almost all candidates tried to enumerate their achievements Other Countries $190 a year During the recent September 16 Republican candidates’ and their plans to rebuild America. They also had disparaging debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, hosted by remarks about President Obama, despite the improvement in CNN and moderated by the network’s Jake Tapper, the candi- the economy, the passage of the Affordable Care Act which © 2014 The Armenian Mirror-Spectator dates showed just what the party can offer the masses. has given millions healthcare and his foreign policy victories Periodical Class Postage Paid at Boston, MA Behind the candidates, a replica of Air Force One dominat- in Cuba and Iran through negotiations rather than weaponry. and additional mailing offices. ed the stage and certainly each candidate must have imagined As entertaining as the debate was, the thought that one of himself or herself flying aboard it to reach the White House. those on the stage might actually become president and have ISSN 0004-234X The debate was more entertaining than substantive. The the fate of the people of this country and even the world in candidates were competing with each other to spit out their the palm of his or her hand was chilling. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The prepared sound bites for maximum effect. Of course, the focus The majority of immigrant Armenians used to vote solidly Armenian Mirror-Spectator, 755 Mount Auburn was on businessman and reality TV star Donald Trump, who Democratic. As their economic status improved, the majority St., Watertown, MA 02472 is known for cracking jokes, sometimes creating awkward sit- has switched to the Republican camp. Of course, as any other Other than the editorial, views and opinions uations. This time around, he was relatively subdued. When citizens, Armenians have to vote with their consciences and expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily asked about his derogatory comments regarding candidate their pocketbooks. But it helps to have our hands in both par- reflect the policies of the publisher. Carly Fiorina’s appearance, instead of apologizing, he jumped ties, in an organized way. the gun and said, “She is a beautiful woman.” But that sound- Many US citizens — including those who are naturalized ed more sarcastic than apologetic. And again, he missed the — do not see nor care what their elected officials do in plan- point of treating Fiorina like any other candidate rather than ning America’s foreign policy. But Armenians, like the Jews, an objectified woman, on whose appearance he is entitled to need to be vigilant. When we vote for warmongers, they Copying for other than personal use or internal reference is prohibited without comment, whether favorably or not. spread devastation in regions where Armenians live and the express permission of the copyright Similarly, there was an awkward situation when he was community’s safety is in jeopardy. Beware also those candi- owner. Address requests for reprints or asked to comment on his statement that Jeb Bush has been dates who plan to send the specter of war to the regions back issues to: influenced by his Mexican-born wife to be soft on the immi- Armenia is located. gration issue. Trump did not respond to Bush’s invitation to We will be witnessing more entertaining debates. But let us Baikar Association, Inc. apologize to his wife. think soberly when we are ready to vote. 755 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown, MA 02472- 1509