Tag Archives: Turkey

Witnessing The Armenian Genocide, Now

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Returning to the show, this time together, are: Dr. Ara Apkarian, UCI Distinguished Professor of Chemistry; and Dr. Kev Abazajian, Professor of Physics & Astronomy and the Director of the Center for Cosmology at UCI. Ara and Kev have a lot on their minds with the geopolitics taking place, from the campus to the Caucasus. They speak truth to power – a tale of two University of California chancellors weighing in on international catastrophes. Then on to the remarkable gesture of the recent visit of former member of the Turkish Parliament, Garo Paylan, whose laps around Southern California this month, included one right here in Irvine. Mr. Paylan, among one the few Armenians elected to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, has been speaking about levers within the grasp of Armenians around the world. This program considers his points as well as his broader audience, amidst the staggering incidences of genocide, globally. Listeners are directed to additional sources for information and action: https://anca.org/ and https://www.armenian-assembly.org/ (nationally); and https://www.instagram.com/uciasa/?hl=en (locally).

Note: the host erred in not including the title emblazoned on the encased partially burned tapers taken from various churches being overtaken in Artsakh in the fall of 2020. The title is “Piece of My Heart.”

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Vahagn Hayrapetyan Trio, “Yes Kez Siretsi,” – live at the Tsitsernakabert.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/ApkarianAbazajian10-24-23.mp3

Raising Not Erasing the Lachine Corridor Toward Artsakh

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Returning to the show is Vic Gerami, editor and publisher of the Blunt Post, host and producer of the “Blunt Post with Vic” on Radio KPFK, and documentary filmmaker of the feature film “Motherland.” Given that the Republic of Artsakh is in greater tatters than when he last was on “Ask A Leader,” given that the media is watching a little bit more closely the mud show at Burning Man, or Barbie – that media appears to be missing some salient points about the disputed territories in the Armenian and Azerbaijani area. It is useful to return to sources who attend to existentially threatened nations. Vic explains about the 8 month long blockade in the Lachine Corridor, breakdowns what analysts are getting wrong, and offers a template about how to achieve and understanding of other fronts without feeling exhausted or helpless. For a moment that exercise took place in Irvine’s City Council chambers last winter.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Armen Martirosyan with Armenian Jazz Band – “Eastern Blues.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Gerami9-5-23.mp3

“Motherland” Speaking Truth$ to Petrol

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Vic Gerami, editor and publisher of the Blunt Post, as well as host/producer of the “Blunt Post with Vic” on Radio KPFK,” speaks about his recently released documentary, “Motherland” an award-winning documentary feature film about Azerbaijan’s, Turkey’s attack on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2020 and the massacre of 5,000+ people. In his film he details his travels to Armenia several times last year, where he interviews elected officials, eyewitnesses, veterans, refugees, and journalists for the film. That act of aggression, is part of campaign that has associations with our Irvine Mayor, which listeners have heard raised before on this show. The film will be presented at the Irvine City Hall chamber at 6 pm on 1/25th, with Vic Gerami presenting, and Q & A to follow.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Djivan Gasparyan – “Dle Yaman.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Gerami1-17-23.mp3

Small “d” Democratic Values In Irvine

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In advance of the fall municipal election season, we listen to Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan who has requested an opportunity to speak on this platform. We discuss her record, her performance, and her connections – subjects of which have been the focus of our attention on previous “Ask A Leader” programs. It is a democratic story, with a small d – that runs through Armenia to Anaheim to the Authority, that is the OCPA.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Vancouver Inter-Culture Orchestra, “Gypsy Chronicles (Crossing Byzantium),” In The Key of the World – album; and Demanda E Despejo, Bartosz Weber remix.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/Khan6-21-22.mp3

Irvine Mayor’s Foreign & Personal Policy AND Examining the Presidents’ Calendars

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This action packed show starts with Kev Abazajian, UCI astrophysicist and Director of the Center for Cosmology, who zoomd from the international to the municipal in this week’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks in 1915. On April 22nd at 7:30 pm, the Armenian Center in Santa Ana will host a somber occasion for the community to learn about centuries old and recent developments in Armenia.

In the second segment (minute 31:11), UCI political scientist Matthew Beckmann parses how American presidential schedules signal each administration’s involvement, priorities, and capacities; the subject has returned to our radar since the former president’s schedule’s eye-opening seven hour gap on 1/6/21.

Music credits: Chimora, “African Americano,” Sounds of Africa- album; Djivan Gasparian, “A Cool Wind is Blowing,” I Will Not Be Sad in the World – album; Michael Dessen, “Water Seeks,” Between Shadow and Space – album. http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/AbazajianBeckmann4-19-22.mp3