Write to David Wong
DEAR EDITOR: On behalf of the Northern California David Wong Committee, we want to thank AsianWeek for publishing an article about David Wong, a Chinese immigrant in an upstate New York prison, “Demanding Justice” (July 4).
We have been trying for over 10 years to get more publicity for this fraudulent case. We want Asian Pacific Americans across the country to know that Asian immigrants in prison are usually given poor defense, and the defendant’s weak grasp of the English language make for a vulnerable target. David has been in various New York prisons for about 18 years. His patience and faith that the truth will set him free have been an inspiration for all of us.
David Wong Support Committee members in both New York and Northern California have found David Wong to be a young man with principles and high ideals. He is honest, motivated, appreciative and has great potential. The committee, mostly young APAs, is discovering the frailties of the criminal justice system and the injustices that are appalling. A new David Wong Support Committee chapter has just begun in Minneapolis under the leadership of Liz Kaufman and Ian Shiroma.
We hope those who may read this letter might write to David and even maybe send some commissary money for his personal needs. His address is: David Wong, 84A 320 Shawangunk CF, P.O. Box 700, Wallkill, NY 12589.
Yuri Kochiyama
Northern California David Wong Support Committee
‘AsianWeek’ to the Rescue
DEAR EDITOR: I just wanted to share with you the following statement from the KPIX web page: “Correction — Last month in our series about restaurant kitchens we reported that Moonstar restaurant in San Francisco had been cited by the City for serious health code violations immediately after it opened in 2000. After further investigation, we want to correct that date. Moonstar has been in operation since 1998. Its owners have operated a restaurant at that location since 1991. We also want to clarify our statement about 17 people who reported getting sick after eating at Moonstar. Information provided to us shows that State tests determined that 14 of them got sick from a single batch of frozen oysters. The restaurant purchased the oysters from an outside vendor. After testing, the State was reasonably certain that Moonstar was not at fault.”
It is so rare to see a correction relating to a TV news story. This time, Ethen Lieser’s story “Moonstar Restaurant Owner Irate Over KPIX Story” (June 20) may be what caused this retraction. I believe its admissions represent realization by KPIX management that serious problems exist regarding the story. Interestingly, libel laws, as I remember them, actually protect KPIX admitting the error. Acknowledging a flawed story, as I recollect, protects KPIX for legal liability because it backs up the point that it wasn’t trying to be malicious.
Whatever the case, after reading Ethen Lieser’s story, there’s no question KPIX screwed up big time.
Allen White
San Francisco
Just One Press Conference
DEAR EDITOR: Two weeks ago, Governor Gray Davis received the endorsement of several prominent Asian Pacific American leaders. AsianWeek covered this significant endorsement in an article entitled, “APA State Legislators Back Davis For Governor” (June 27). The article correctly highlighted many of the accomplishments Gov. Davis has made during his first term that have positively and directly contributed to the advancement and empowerment of APAs throughout this Golden State.
A representative of the Bill Simon Campaign, Darrell Ng, was interviewed for the article. Mr. Ng’s comments regarding Gov. Davis were incorrect and, quite frankly, disturbing, but not for the reasons one would expect. Mr. Ng’s comments were disturbing because they spoke to his profound ignorance of California and Californians. Much like the Republican candidate for whom he works, Mr. Ng simply did not do his homework.
During his first term, Gov. Davis appointed Judge Harry W. Low to Insurance Commissioner, Deputy Attorney General Nho Trong Nguyen to the Orange County Superior Court and nearly 200 APAs to positions in his administration. Gov. Davis also fought hard to preserve Asian Pacific cultures, strengthen California’s anti-discrimination laws, expand trade with Asia, improve health care and education, and empower small business owners.
For Mr. Ng, reaching out to the APA community included only a single press conference a couple of weeks ago that drew “a ton of ethnic media.” The APA community deserves more than what can only be characterized as lip service from Simon’s campaign.
Gov. Davis has a proven record of empowering APAs throughout his history of public service. Simon, on the other hand, has had one press conference. You decide.
Thank You, Andrew
DEAR EDITOR: Back in May, I accidentally stumbled across Andrew Chow’s article about Asian Pacific Americans in Hollywood, “Lunch With the Stars” (May 30), as I was walking out of the Lion Plaza food court in Milpitas, Calif. It was in plain view, like it was destiny for me to read it. I have long been waiting for this message to get across to the APA community.
The title of your article attracted my attention from a distance. I became excited and rushed over to see it. The article was perfectly written, touching every major point that I long have brought to my friends’ attention every opportunity I got.
Thank you to Andrew Chow for writing it. I wish it could have been written in Vietnamese so it can penetrate the older generation who think doctors and engineers are the only respected profession. I, myself, am a doctor.
Keep up the wonderful work you do. I am looking forward to reading many of Andrew Chow’s future articles.
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