Armenian Genocide

Kim Kardashian apparently wants more than just a regular table at the Carousel restaurant in Glendale. In an online clip for an upcoming episode for her sister's show, “Khloe & Lamar,” Kardashian revealed her newfound political ambitions: “I decided I'm going to run for the mayor of Glendale.” Representatives for the reality TV star did not immediately respond to requests for comment on her latest musings, published Tuesday by www.radaronline.com....

Politicians and members of the local community Friday expressed disappointment with a federal appellate court ruling this week that survivors of Armenian genocide victims cannot sue German insurance companies for not paying claims on policies purchased by their ancestors. In its 11-0 ruling, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by Vazken Movsesian, a priest at St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale, on behalf of a group of Southern Californian Armenian Americans about 10 years ago. A few years before the lawsuit was filed, the state Legislature passed a law that allowed courts in California to consider claims from those unpaid insurance policies.

Rep. Adam Schiff -- a longtime supporter of efforts to officially recognize the Armenian genocide -- called the decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday to nullify lawsuits against German insurance companiesseeking payouts on victims' policies "flawed. " The court ruled unanimously that decendents of genocide victims who took out policies from 1875 to 1923 cannot sue foreign companies because only the federal government has the power to bring them to U.S. courts.

Survivors of Armenian genocide victims can't sue German insurance companies for failing to pay claims on their ancestors because only the federal government has the power to bring foreign entities to U.S. courts, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. The 11-0 ruling by the full court dismissing the lawsuit filed nearly a decade ago probably puts an end to efforts by the genocide victims' descendants to compel German companies to pay off on policies sold to the victims from 1875 to 1923.

In a meeting of present-day and future leaders, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) made a pit stop at Burroughs High School in Burbank on Thursday where he debriefed students on the federal deficit, Afghanistan and the political climate in Washington D.C. Schiff was on campus as a guest of the school's Junior State of America chapter, which seeks to strengthen American democracy by educating and engaging youth in the workings of government. During the last year, members have attended a Burbank Historical Commission and board of education meetings, said faculty advisor David Knatcal, and next month they will welcome Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich to campus.

The French often are the butt of jokes here, but last month they turned the tables and are teaching our elected officials about leadership. With the support of President Nicolas Sarkozy, the lower house of the French parliament and the French Senate recently passed a bill that makes it a crime to deny the Armenian Genocide. On a daily basis, the Turkish government and their agents conduct a systematic campaign of denial of the Armenian Genocide in the U.S. and around the world, trying to erase history.

After months of legal wrangling, a multimillion-dollar legal dispute involving a compensation fund for descendants of Armenian Genocide victims has hit another snag: more than 1,700 of the 13,500 claims cannot be found. In U.S. District Court on Monday, attorney Roman Silberfeld said 1,766 claims “cannot be accounted for” after 41 boxes of claims were moved from the offices of attorneys Mark Geragos and Brian Kabateck to a neutral location at the Loyola Law School. Silberfeld said he has documentation that the fund's administrator, Glendale resident Persagh Kartalian, transferred 51 boxes of insurance claims at one point, but Silberfeld isn't sure of their destination.

A Boston-based dance company that tells the story of Armenia's past will stop in Glendale on Jan. 15 as part of its national tour. The Sayat Nova dance company will perform, “Journey Through Time,' which is a new production for the company, which is entering its 25th year. With over 20 dancers, the performance begins by paying homage to St. Krikor Lousavorich and Armenia's conversion to Christianity. Followed by a meditation on the Battle of Avarayr, the dance also tells the story of the 1915 Armenian genocide and how it particularly affected Armenian composer Gomidas Vartabed.

Despite threats by Turkey and vocal opposition at home, French lawmakers approved a bill Thursday making it illegal to publicly deny that the Armenian genocide occurred. In retaliation, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recalled his country's ambassador and said bilateral visits would be suspended and joint military operations with France canceled, Agence France-Presse news service reported. Earlier Thursday, thousands of people waving Turkish flags protested the impending vote outside the National Assembly in Paris.

The killing of more than a million Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 was an act of genocide. The Holocaust was a fact. Yet Americans are free to deny the reality of either - or make outlandish assertions of all kinds - without facing punishment by the state. Residents of France will be denied that privilege if its parliament adopts a wrong-headed bill to criminalize denial of the Armenian genocide. On Thursday the lower house of France's parliament will debate a bill that would punish those who deny the genocide with a year in prison and a $58,000 fine.