S.B. Woo, President of 80-20, writes:
In times of uncertainty, fear, economic turndown, and/or war, people in general, politicians in particular, seek to scapegoat. Minorities are usually the targets. That happened in WWII. Jews were slaughtered in Germany. Japanese Americans were interned -- a form of imprisonment, though not comparable to the Holocaust. Politicians are scapegoating again. Two months ago, Sen. Lott reminisced segregation. A few days ago, Rep. Howard Coble, Republican, NC, said that he agreed with the internment of Japanese Americans. Coble said, "We were at war. They (Japanese Americans) were an endangered species. For many of these Japanese Americans, it wasn't safe for them to be on the street. ... Some probably were intent on doing harm to us ...."
Truth or a lie? Let's see what a blue-ribbon government commission had to say in 1983: "In sum, Executive Order 9066 (Pres. F.D. Roosevelt's order to intern) was not justified by military necessity .... The broad historical causes that shaped these decisions were race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership."In fact, Coble's comment was spurred by a radio show caller, who pushed for interning Arab Americans. Coble disagreed with that caller because the U.S. isn't being attacked by "a sovereign nation." The chilling implication is that he thinks internment may be ok if our country is being attacked. Can you be sure that only Arab Americans are in trouble? Could it one day be Chinese Americans, Korean Americans, Pakistani or Indonesian American depending on where our nation is having conflicts? Rep. Coble has power in a critical position. He is the Chairman of the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee.
Mind you, politicians scapegoat AND fly trial balloons. If YOU sit back & do nothing, who knows what may happen.
80-20 supports Japanese American Citizens League's call for Rep. Coble to apologize and to resign as the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee. S. B. Woo, President of 80-20, has informed the Republican leadership that how the Republican party handles this matter will have a very strong impact on how Asian Americans will vote in the presidential year of 2004.
80-20 is only as strong as you are! YOU MUST ACT. Fax (preferred) or e-mail or phone the following leaders.
Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, R, IL: Fax: (202) 225-0697, dhastert@mail.house.gov Phone: (202) 225-2976An example is shown below. However, please use your own words.
I support 80-20's position asking Rep. Coble to apologize & resign as the chairman of the Home Security Subcommittee. A leader like him threatens my sense of security for my family. It'll affect how I'll vote in 2004.
Signature Name, title, profession, Party, particularly if your are a Republican or an Independent Postal address
No one who is for internment should be chairing the Homeland Security Subcommittee. Act today to protect YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN. "The price for liberty is eternal vigilance." -- Thomas Jefferson