Same ole, same ole

[S.A.M.]

When the Imperial Japanese Navy swooped over Pearl Harbor 65 years ago and destroyed more than 2,400 American lives, Mas Yamasaki was watching a church basketball game in Sacramento.

He was 12, and he didn't know that he would soon live in a detention camp at Tule Lake -- sleeping on an Army-issued mattress, braving the elements without indoor plumbing or heat.

The child of Japanese immigrants, Yamasaki was born an American citizen. But he spent 31/2 years of his American childhood in the camp -- he was considered a threat to national security.

The internment of Japanese immigrants is familiar to most Americans -- in large part, because Yamasaki and legions of Japanese camp survivors have made their voices heard.

Now, Yamasaki and other survivors are speaking out against a new danger.

"We were stereotyped," said Yamasaki. "Now, with the Muslims, it's the same thing. Everyone's pointing fingers saying they're an enemy."

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor stripped Japanese Americans of their homes and freedom. But five years ago, the actions of 19 hijackers radically altered the lives of the county's estimated 6 million Muslims.

"Pearl Harbor gave the United States the excuse to discriminate against Japanese Americans by saying these guysare potential saboteurs," said Steve Okamoto, co-president of the San Mateo chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). "Now, they're lumping (Muslims) together like they did with the Japanese."

Okamoto, 65, was only 6 weeks old when he and his family were shipped from their home to the Tanforan Racetrack in San Bruno and later to the Topaz internment camp in Utah.

After 9/11, Okamoto and other members of the JACL were the first non-Muslims to speak out against the swirling dust storm of anti- Muslim hate speech. Okamoto since has helped coordinate JACL forums with Muslim Americans to speak out on the dangerous excesses of stereotyping -- both past and present.

Although Muslim Americans face stereotyping and spying, many of the most blatant victims of negative typecasting are Muslims on extended visits to the country. After 9/11, more than 1,000 men from Muslim countries were detained, mostly on immigration charges. Many of those charged were later deported.

In 2002 and 2003, Muslim men and boys living in the United States from about 20 countries were told to register with immigration officials under the threat of deportation.

But some Muslim Americans say they don't feel discriminated against.

Imam Abdurrahman Anwar is the younger brother of Imam Tahir Anwar. He is also the religious director of the Muslim Community Association of the Peninsula, a mosque and community center in Belmont. Unlike his brother, Imam Abdurrahman Anwar has not encountered much racial profiling and discrimination. People in the Bay Area, he said, are more enlightened and understanding. When Anwar, 22, walks around town with his beard and his "thobe" (an ankle-length gown worn by Muslims), he gets friendly inquiries about his faith alongside the stares.

But some members of his congregation are not so fortunate.

On a recent evening, Imad Kadoumi, 48, sat on the mosque's carpeted floor and chatted about his experiences in the nation's airports -- flying while Muslim.

"When I go anywhere in the world, because of my U.S. passport, they treat me like a king," said Kadoumi, who lives in Belmont. "And when I come home to my country, they treat me like (expletive)."

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20061218/ai_n16895390/print

There's always a bogeyman. Comments?

 

[(Q)]

Ole'!

*sounds of mariachi music*

 

[Ganymede]

I know how this script goes. **Rules for never being responsible for racism***

1) Deny the fact that you're racist. Justify it by insisting that you're higher on the Evolutionary scale.

2) Deny the Victoms justice for as long as you live. Pass it down to the next generation, rinse and repeat.

3) Once the victoms are granted due process. Praise them in public, all while condemming them in private.

4) Lastly, if the victoms are ever granted their day in court. Just insist it's a thing of the past, (eventhough a plethora of racial injustices still exist) That way no one will ever be held responsible.


That's how you master the art of racism.

 

[GeoffP]

Now imagine how easily all that suspicion would evaporate if only that tiny minority of moderates would just come out of the closet and turn in Uncle Ahmad when he and the cousins start talking about that silly "lesser jihad" thing and how "the kuffar will pay". Or, at least, before they're out buying nails and gas cannisters.

 

[Sock puppet path]

We kicked the japs ass so we'll kick the mozlems ass too...hell they don't even have a battleship!

If mozlems don't like it they shouldn't a bombed pearl!!

"Was it over when the mozlems bombed pearl harbour?"

*"mozlems??*
**"forget it he's on a roll."*

"Hell no! and it ain't over now"

 

[Baron Max]

"But some Muslim Americans say they don't feel discriminated against."

So .....I guess there ain't no bogeymen, huh, Sam?

Or are you just trying stir up more hatred for the Muslims?

Baron Max

 

[S.A.M.]

Now imagine how easily all that suspicion would evaporate if only that tiny minority of moderates would just come out of the closet and turn in Uncle Ahmad when he and the cousins start talking about that silly "lesser jihad" thing and how "the kuffar will pay". Or, at least, before they're out buying nails and gas cannisters.

Hmm considering how many terrorist attacks have taken place every day in the US

 

[Baron Max]

Hmm considering how many terrorist attacks have taken place every day in the US

No, Sam, the Muslims haven't attacked BECAUSE we're watchin' 'em like a hawk now, not because the Muslims are such good guys! Get it straight, Sam.

Baron Max

 

[GeoffP]

Hmm considering how many terrorist attacks have taken place every day in the US

Sure; no attacks in the Western world. That kind of stuff only takes place in Iraq.

Like 7/11, or the Spanish train bombings, or the attempt at the French train bombings, or the idiots at Glasgow, or the guys arrested last week with the pipe bombs, or the guys who were going to mortar the US airbase in Pennsylvania, or the ones involved with the bomb plot at JFK, or the guy who drove his car into a crowd at NC State or somewhere, or that guy who attacked the Jewish Women's Center, or the kid who killed that Hindu family in Cali, or heck, 9/11 itself.

All quiet here.

 

[S.A.M.]

Sure; no attacks in the Western world. That kind of stuff only takes place in Iraq.

Like 7/11, or the Spanish train bombings, or the attempt at the French train bombings, or the idiots at Glasgow, or the guys arrested last week with the pipe bombs, or the guys who were going to mortar the US airbase in Pennsylvania, or the ones involved with the bomb plot at JFK, or the guy who drove his car into a crowd at NC State or somewhere, or that guy who attacked the Jewish Women's Center, or the kid who killed that Hindu family in Cali, or heck, 9/11 itself.

All quiet here.

All these are happening from the US? Gee.

 

[S.A.M.]

No, Sam, the Muslims haven't attacked BECAUSE we're watchin' 'em like a hawk now, not because the Muslims are such good guys! Get it straight, Sam.

Baron Max

Now all you gotta worry about is the politicians destroying your country.

 

[GeoffP]

All these are happening from the US? Gee.

A large number are happening in it. More misunderstanders, I'm sure.

 

[S.A.M.]

A large number are happening in it. More misunderstanders, I'm sure.

Link please.

 

[GeoffP]

You'll have them in due course. Being truthful, I always bring my proofs.

 

[S.A.M.]

You'll have them in due course. Being truthful, I always bring my proofs.

I await with ba(i)ted breath.

 

[Baron Max]

Now all you gotta worry about is the politicians destroying your country.

Nah, Sam, politicians can't stick their fingers in the ass with a full set of detailed instructions and full-pictured blueprints!

As long as we have good cops and good, patriotic military men and women, plus patriotic citizens with guns and weapons, the politicians won't be able to destroy the nation ....we won't let 'em. Just like we watch the Muslims in the USA like a hawk ...while the politicians try to tell us to be tolerant and understanding. ...LOL!

Baron Max

 

[Ganymede]

How are we watching Muslims like a hawk? Our borders are wide open! Our port security is inadequate. All a terrorist has to do is payoff a corrupt Mexican Border Patrol Agent. And he could bring along anything with him for all they care. Dateline has done undercover doc's showing them walking though empty airplanes, un interrupted AFTER 911.

 

[S.A.M.]

Nah, Sam, politicians can't stick their fingers in the ass with a full set of detailed instructions and full-pictured blueprints!

As long as we have good cops and good, patriotic military men and women, plus patriotic citizens with guns and weapons, the politicians won't be able to destroy the nation ....we won't let 'em. Just like we watch the Muslims in the USA like a hawk ...while the politicians try to tell us to be tolerant and understanding. ...LOL!

Baron Max

Its nice to see you being positive for a change Baron.

 

[John99]

Sam,

Lets get down to the bear facts. Would any of your pals here be permitted to walk around Iran freely? That is a serious question.

How many Muslims live in complete freedom in U.S? This is easy to see, just walk around most cities. Tell me where in the world you could go where the minimal precautions would not be taken after attacks. Go ahead tell us Sam.

 

[S.A.M.]

Sam,

Lets get down to the bear facts. Would any of your pals here be permitted to walk around Iran freely? That is a serious question.

How many Muslims live in complete freedom in U.S? This is easy to see, just walk around most cities. Tell me where in the world you could go where the minimal precautions would not be taken after attacks. Go ahead tell us Sam.

The best solution is, if the mountain won't go to Mohammed... why not bring the ME to the US? La, instant libertie!