Friday, June 16, 2006

Levon the lobbyist?

Ok so this blog hasn't been too active so I'll fix that with an update. Naturally, it is ALL Arman's fault for not blogging... that being said let's continue..

I leave for DC on Sunday, I will intern for the Armenian Embassy. Wasn't thrilled to find out that I'll work there but it's ok as long as I make the most of it and have a good time in general.. beats being in a congressman's office that's for sure. Now being in the political capital of the world will present an ideal opportunity for some lobbying of my own... yes you heard me. I have been working with a couple of brothers from my Armenian fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Omega, on a boycott turkey project (Shameless plug-in coming in 3..2...1) OH! btw, here's the website :)

www.boycott-turkey.com

So broswe around, register for the forums, and find out how to identify turkish goods :). Now what does this have to do with me lobbying? Well, if you followed my directions hopefully you found an online petition (this may not be up yet so don't be too hard on yourselves if you don't find it). I'll be carrying this little petition around and soliciting such esteemed people such as the Armenian ambassador to the United States for signatures (oh I have no shame....). I will also be posting Boycott Turkey refrigerator magnets (be sure to get them while they're hot! available in both Armenian and English, plz donate) Ok enough with the plug ins and solicitations for now...

So please check out the campaign; as always, comments and criticisms are VERY welcome :).

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmm. Supposing that this boycott doesn't extend to your beloved REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA?

Anonymous said...

Above comment by me, posted anonymously by mistake.

Anonymous said...

I understand the logic of boycotting turkish products. But, I think it is more important to put a section on that website where you promote the Armenian products. Most people who buy the Turkish products, especially here in LA, buy them because they don't know of the Armenian alternative. So, I would suggest that you add a section where you promote the Armenian products. Product sales are all about PR and quality. So advertise the Armenian product, and in turn help our Armenian brothers. Helping the Armenian economy should be the goal here.

I would also suggest that you add to the Turkish product list, Azerbaijani products. I have seen cases of juices from Azerbaijan being sold at for example Jons.

Levon said...

I have heard the promotion of Armenian products, it is quite limiting and therefore is not the purpose of the boycott turkey campaign. Yes there are Armenian alternatives sometimes, but not all the time. You can either get tukas or the Armenian alternative, but turkish goods aren't limited to food.
Banana Republic, Gap, Macy's, H&M, sell clothes that are produced in Turkey, the aim of the boycott turkey campaign is to also boycott those as well which don't have Armenian alternatives. So let's say there are Turkish refrigerators, but no Armenian ones, is there a point in promoting the Armenian product?
Also, we also boycott tourism to turkey, so at the same time are we supposed to promote travel to Armenia? We are not a tourist agency. We do not PR or advertise Armenian products, we Boycott Turkey, that's why the campaign is called that, not "Boycott Turkey and buy Armenian when you can"... nor is it called, "Boycott Turkey Azerbaijan"...these methods are not as universal.
Helping the Armenian economy is not the goal, hurting the Turkish economy because of their poor human rights record and genocide denial is. We cannot do everything, that would stretch ourselves to thin and we do not have the resources. We boycott turkey, simple as that.

And yes the boycott turkey campaign will extend to Armenia.. several brother of Alpha Epsilon Omega will be traveling there to work on a kindergarten (http://www.hyefrat.com/aerf)
and they will pass out refrigerator magnets, which you can get on our website :)

Arman said...

Ahhh I see the POISONOUS Basturmachi is back, and still full of hate.

Anonymous said...

Hehe, basturmaji.. :)

Poisonous? No, the basturma is as clean as can be. Can't say the same for the shawurma place on Tumanyan. :P

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