Newsstand: 25~ $1.50 postpaid (U.S., Can.) I $2.30 (Japan Air) #3009/ Vol. 138, No. 4 ISSN: 0030-8579 National Publication of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) MAR. 5-18, 2004 JACL Kicks Off 75th JACL ·Urges Franken to Apologize for Use of Racial Anniversary National Convention Epithet, Asks Him to Remove Term From BoOk . By ANGELA LOVI'IT "Mayor Harris was a very gra­ By Pacific Citizen Stidl" Government at the cious host," said Convention Chair Shorenstein Center The JACL officially kicked off Susan Kitsu. "He was very support­ The JACL isn't happy about on the Press, Politics, the 75th Anniversary National ive of the upcoming convention and author AI Franken's use of the racial and Public Policy. He Convention recently in a ceremony welcomes the JACL convention term 'Jap' in his book, "Lies and the currently lives in New with City and County of Honolulu attendees to Honolulu in August Lying Liars Who Tell Them," and is York City with his Mayor, Jeremy Harris. 2004!" asking for an immediate apology and family. The upcoming biennial conven­ Joining Kitsu in the kickoff were: removal of the word. Calls and e-mails to tion will celebrate JACL's 75 years JACL Executive Director John The term appears on page 342 of AI Franken's publici­ of leading the way in ensuring Tateishi, Membership Coordinator the book where Franken expresses ty manager Jean Anne diversity in America. Mayor Harris Lucy Kishiue, Convention concern about the "Bush Doctrine of Rose for a comment welcomed" the JACL noting that Consultant Larry Oda, and conven­ preemption" because "it could be were not returned. Honolulu is the perfect place to cel­ tion committee member Kalene used to justify wars of aggression, In letters of con­ ebrate the convention's theme: "Our Shim Sakamoto . not just by us, but by the Japs." cern sent to Franken Legacy, Our Future: Ensuring In letters to both Franken and pub­ and EP Dutton, the Diversity in America." See CONVENTION! page 2 lisher EP Dutton sent Feb. 24, the . JACL further ex­ JACL expressed their outrage at the plained their con­ author's insensitivity and lack of cerns. understanding of the racial slur. "For Japanese "JACL recognizes that Mr. Americans, the word Franken often relies on hyperbole for 'Jap' has all the emo­ comedic emphasis, but we find it tion and invective that unacceptable to invoke racial epithets the 'N' word does for in the name of humor - or in any sit­ African Americans, uation," said JACL National . American community," said JACL and your use of it is egregiously President Floyd Mori. "We believe Executive Director John Tateishi. insulting. There is simply no excuse tharMr. Franken owes us an apology 'That word is charged with all the for a humorist to employ such a term along with the removal of this term ugliness of the worst kinds of racial and belittle the entire Japanese from his book." slurs hurled as verbal assaults by nar­ American community for a cheap The term 'Jap' has historically row-minded bigots. It should never laugh. been used to dehumanize persons of be uttered. let alone published. ''I am further perplexed that in this Japanese ancestry, especially during Shame on Mr. Franken and his edi­ day and age any writer or editor, PHOTO: GEORGE KODAMA World War II when 120,000 persons tor." regardless of political perspective, (L-r): Convention Consultant Larry Oda, JACL Executive Director John . of Japanese ancestry were forcibly Franken is also .the author of would even consider allowing such a Tateishi, City. and County of Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, JACL interned, and the JACL believes that "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot word to be uttered, let alone pub­ Membership Coordinator Lucy Kishiue, Convention Chair Susan the term - even as an abbreviation and Other Observations" and ''I'm lished. I can only assume that you are Kitsu, and convention committee member Kalene Shim Sakamoto. - is inappropriate in any context. Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, unaware that the word 'Jap' is a slur "I am appalled at and insulted by and Doggone It, People Like Me!" In which evokes the worst kind of racial .Inouye Anno.unces Campaign for the cavalier manner in which Mr. 2003 he served as a fellow with prejudices and which Japanese Eighth Term in U.S. Senate Franken demeaned the Japanese Harvard's Kennedy School of Americans find h}.ghly repugnant.". By JAYMES SONG Massachusetts. JA Community Marks 62nd Anniversary of WWII Associated Press Writer Inouye said many people are talk­ ing about Internment With Day of Remembrance Ceremonies HONOLULU-,-Saying there is politicians and By Pacific Citizen Staff 1942, forcibly interning 120,000 . ing World War II." . unfinished business, D~el Inouye "speciill inter­ Americans of Japanese ancestry in Nakano introduced Assembly formally announced his candidacy ests" in Wash­ From Seattle to New York, the isolated camps throughout the West Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 172 Feb. 19 for his eighth term in the ington right Japanese American community Coast during WWII. on Feb. 4, declaring Feb. 19 as .a U.S. Senate. now. throughout the United States "It is only in this country that we Day of Remembrance, to increase The 79-year-old Democrat has "As far as marked the 62nd anniversary of the can talk about our past mistakes, public awareness and to continue to served in Congress since Hawaii I'm concemed, forced World War II internment leam from them, and work towards educate California's youth about the became a state in 1959 and is the you are all very special to me. You with Day of Remembrance cere­ the future so that something like this JA experience during WWIl. third most senior member of the are my special interests, and I'm monies. does not happen again to any group Nakano, who as a young child U.S. Senate, behind Robert Byrd, going to do everything possible," he The national Day of of people," said California State spent four years in internment D-W.Va., and Edward Kennedy, D- Remembrance commemorates the Assemblyman George Nakano, D­ camps with his family, also See INOUVEI page 2 signing of Executive Order 9066, Torrance. "We must continue to acknowledged members of the legislation enacted by President educate the public about the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regimental Inside the . Franklin D. Roosevelt on Feb. 19, Japanese American experience dur- See DORI page 9 Pacific Citizen JJtc£ 75th Jtnmt(ersaig , Vee's Case Sparks Questions National News ......3·4 9{{ttWnai Convention About Military Justice System Youth Forum ........5 By Associated Press was recently postponed for a fifth and Pacific Citizen Staff time. Originally scheduled for Dec. Community News ...5-6 2, the hearing has been postponed so WASHlNGWN-James Yee, a the Army can review classified doc­ Sports ..............7 Muslim chaplain in the Army, spent uments in the case. Base officials 76 days in a prison cell while said the hearing has been resched­ Columns, Cartoon ....8 authorities tried to build a capital uled for March 10. espionage case against him. Now he Prosecutors aren't saying much Calendar ..........10 is free, the most serious allegations publicly about this case, but it's Jiono{u{u, Jiawaii replaced by lesser ones like adultery apparent they are no longer pursu­ Obituaries .......... 11. 2l.~.10-15, 2004 and possession of pornography, and ing charges of spying, which could the military justice system itself is carry the death penalty. Initial Book ~age .........12 22 WEEKS on trial. www.jaclhawa'n.org A preliminary ~ hearing for Yee See VEEI page 9 2 PACIFIC CITIZEN, MAR. 5-18, 2004 CONVENTION ture sayonara banquet to be held on ~aclflc Aug. 14. (Continued from page 1) • The JACL Hawai'i (Honolulu) Y citizen The opening ceremonies for the chapter has also arranged several convention will welcome each reg­ outings that will allow participants Idaho Day of Sawtooth Chapter 7 Cupania Circle, istrant, their families and friends to get out and about, permitting Pocatello, ID Monterey Park, CA 91755 with a traditional Hawaiian wel­ attendees to enjoy the unique cul­ Remembrance Tel: 3231725-0083, 800/966- 6157, Fax: 3231725-0064 coming ceremony. National and ture of Hawai'i, including: The Former internees, community o E-mail: [email protected] internationally renowned speakers Bishop Museum, Circle Island tour, leaders, human rights activists and will take part in a variety of work­ Diamond Head hike, fun in the sun historians were among those gath­ Same-sex Marriage Executive Editor: shops discussing current issues that at Sea Life Park, Hawai'i's night ered in Gov. Dirk Kempthome's Caroline Aoyagi Y. impact America's road to diversity, skies (telescope star hazing), his­ Office Manager: office on Feb. 19 to observe the Day San Francisco has become the Brian Tanaka including: hate crimes, cultural her­ toric Chinatown walking tour and of Remembrance for the third annu­ focus of national and international Production Assistant: itage, the U.S.A Patriot Act, Hapa dim sum lunch, Honolulu Academy al ceremony. It was especially attention for its support of same-sex Margot Brunswick and multi-ethnic Issues; the Native of Arts (museum visit and lunch), meaningful this year, as some Idaho marriage which many argue is ille- . Circulation: Eva Lau-ling Hawaiian right to self determina­ and Iolani Palace and historic residents wrote letters to the editor gal. I'd 'like to remind our readers Contributor: Tracy Uba , tion, and more. Honolulu walking tour. opposing the event. Yet Gov. that it was not that long ago that it Publisher: Japanese American Of special note is the Aha 'Opia, There will also be the Lyon Kempthome abided by his promise was illegal, yes illegal, for Japanese Citizens League (founded 1929) or Youth Diversity Summit, and Arboretum & the Willows to mark this observance annually.