YEREVAN, Armenia “”mdash; On July 4th Americans celebrate the signing of the original document that sparked and symbolizes the fight for U.S. independence. It is the celebration of a people’s independence from the oppressive rule of a foreign government. But on the opposite side of the globe, in a land-locked country called Armenia and in […]
Author Archives: Garin Hovannisian
Talk alone won’t make peace
Without variation and with omnipresent intensity, the single cure to every natural, economic and political calamity is said to be civil dialogue. What is the solution to heated debates between campus groups? Discourse, proudly proclaim student leaders. How about the solution to labor strikes? Round table discussions, opine the analysts. And what can we use […]
Real world heroes remembered
It often seems an era is defined by its most influential leaders. But as UCLA students descend from Bruin Walk one last time against the backdrop of a sun-drenched Powell Library and charge forward in a renewed pursuit of happiness, it will be the absence of these influential leaders that will move them. The last […]
Reagan's values must be upheld
The cheerless helicopters overhead, the heart-rending rings of my telephone, and the now blurring echoes of my television make it insufferably clear: Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, has passed away. The Gipper, as some of his old admirers called him, answered the calls of his family, people and country during his […]
Bill considering race sidesteps law
Last week, a group of lawless vigilantes trampled over state law and betrayed public opinion at the same time. For me and you, this might be a hard act to pull off. But for the well-trained assemblymen of the state of California, it was business as usual. Last Wednesday, in a 45-30 vote, the state […]
Lauded filmmaker spreads lies, deceit
Michael Moore had a commanding presence at the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival, where his new Bush-bashing film, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” received the highest award and the longest standing ovation in its history. But it would be misleading to say the award and applause were directed to the film itself. The movie could be, as most of […]
Prison scandal should be put in context
The media and public are outraged and embarrassed by new photographs of abused Iraqis, which seem to surface every day. This outrage has been most notably manifested in calls for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. The New Yorker claims he knew of, and perhaps even ordered, harsh treatment of prisoners to get information. […]