APAs in the Elections & Endorsements 2002: San Francisco and California (Feature) Columbus Day Dissent Strengthens Solidarity Between APAs and Indigenous Peoples (in National News) Honda Opposes Bush Administration’s Force in Iraq (in Bay Area News) Fashion and Compassion (in Business) Lowell High School Wins First Place in Dragon Boat Championship (in Sports) From ‘Oriental’ to ‘Asian American’ (in A&E) Emil Amok: Don’t Be Fooled By Kung Fool Company (in Opinion)

Throw Out the Scoundrels

DEAR EDITOR: In response to your editorial, “Déjà vu” (Oct. 10), concerning the turmoil in the Middle East: this situation, unfortunately, is not helped by an “out-of-control” President and a subservient Congress.

I must say what everyone obviously knows, but does not venture to say: however Congress has rationalized its justification for the Bush resolution, it has given Bush a blank check to wage war on Iraq as he sees fit.

Americans will ultimately, to their sorrow, see this action as foolhardy; and will cease to see the glory of war and of patriotism and will wake up and see what really exists: the naked criminal business of blood for oil. We have come full circle to the “age of imperialism.” Is this the American way and is this what America is all about? If not, I suggest you throw out all of the scoundrels and their political hacks at the next election. Now that’s true patriotism.

DEAR EDITOR: I’m the webmaster for yellowworld.org, a news and political portal for Asians, and wanted to bring your attention to a Poway, Calif.-based costume manufacturer called Disguise and their product “Kung Fool,” which is being sold nationwide and online for Halloween.

Along with the typical accessories used for masquerading as a kung fu master (kimono, belt and vinyl cap, apparently), the “Kung Fool” costume also includes a rubber mask of an unmistakably Asian person — a slanty-eyed, buck-toothed Asian wearing a headband with the Chinese character for “loser” inscribed on it. My description certainly doesn’t do the mask justice.

Asian Pacific Americans are understandably offended by such “ching-chong-Chinamen” imagery, used so consistently throughout history to marginalize our community, but non-Asians, I think, should be similarly disturbed and offended, since this is a product marketed to children.

How many other costumes — whether they’re pirates, pharaohs, porn stars or pilgrims — come with masks, much less masks that single out a people?

Any support would be greatly appreciated. Sign the petition at http://petition.yellowworld.org.

DEAR EDITOR: Some recent polling indicates that Proposition N, Care Not Cash, will win handily. The mere $395 that homeless people receive in general assistance pales in comparison to the amount of money homeowners, landlords, seniors and corporations receive through government subsidies. Homeowners and landlords receive tremendous tax breaks simply because they own their property. Corporations receive even more tax breaks simply because they are corporations. And seniors get all kinds of subsidies, such as greatly reduced transit passes, senior lunches, cab vouchers, subsidized housing, reduced movie tickets, reduced restaurant meals, and other senior discounts. All of this generosity at the expense of taxpayers because less taxes are collected and more funds are expended to provide these special discounts. I am not begrudging anyone his or her subsidies. However, I ask that people who benefit from government largess not throw stones. What is needed is a little compassion for those homeless who have hit bottom. Their meager general assistance checks are no match for the billions of dollars generously proffered by our government because of our fortunate circumstances. And, of course, no one asks any of the above if they use these government subsides for drugs or alcohol. Vote No on N.

DEAR EDITOR: I subscribe to your newspaper and am very pleased with it. Although I am Caucasian, not “white,” I really enjoy your paper. My wife, deceased, was Gaumainian. I have two sons, 21 years old and 22 years old, both set to graduate from college next year, who also enjoy reading your paper. My older son especially likes your articles on hapa-haoles. As a matter of fact, one of the speeches he gave recently to his class was on being of mixed race and its favorable aspects.

Also, white is a color, not a race of people.