Enthused from Senator John McCain’s resurgent electoral strength after the Republican National Convention and the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as the vice presidential nominee, Asian Pacific American McCain supporters engaged themselves in election season events.
On September 13, Northern Virginia Vietnamese American leaders gathered at McCain Headquarters in Arlington to strategize for the remaining six weeks of the campaign. They were rewarded by a surprise visit by McCain and his wife Cindy, who thanked each person individually. “Let’s take a picture with my Vietnamese American friends!” exclaimed McCain at the end of his visit.
With volunteers across the country ramping up for get-out-the-vote activities, the McCain Campaign will announce its National Asian Pacific American Advisory Board on September 20 at the Unity Rally sponsored by Northern Virginia APA and Hispanic Republican groups. Headlining the rally will be Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) and former Governor and United States Senate candidate Jim Gilmore.
— Stephen Fong
When the dust settles on November 4, no matter the outcome, will you be able to say that you did everything you could to put Barack Obama in the White House? The Republican attack machine is on the loose again, reinvigorated by their latest recruit, Gov. Palin of Alaska. With the polls showing this race as too close to call, it’s up to us, the grassroots, to fight back.
Sen. Obama knows that Oregon is one of the key states where the AAPI vote can make the difference and needs each of us to get involved. In the most recent SurveyUSA poll of Oregon, Obama leads McCain by three percent. AAPIs comprise 3.7 percent of Oregon’s population, and we could make the critical difference in a close election.
Asian Americans for Obama is working with the Obama campaign in Oregon to register and reach out to AAPI voters, one person at a time. With just a month left to register to vote in Oregon, we need you to join the team!
Sign up on asianamericansforobama.com to volunteer for upcoming AAPI outreach events in the Portland, Eugene and Beaverton areas. After you complete the form, you’ll receive an e-mail with more details. And please let us know at info@asianamericansforobama.com if you or someone you know can help organize additional volunteers in your community or if you have suggestions for additional events.
— Eugenia Beh and Ramey Ko
“I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live.”
-John McCain, February 17, 2000
Why any Asian American would even CONSIDER voting for this RACIST is completely beyond me. Spread the word, our people need to know about this man.
http://www.yellowrage.com/blog/
On McCain and Asians
* Former North Vietnamese who hated people who called them “gooks” now favor McCain
* Former South Vietnamese who still hate communists hate McCain
* Asians who are not politically correct enough to vote for someone just BECAUSE his is black rather than the most experienced with the most honorable service to country regardless of race will support McCain
* McCain apologized for this back in 2000. Non issue. Now go beat up on Palin like all of your friends.
oops, South Vietnamese still LOVE McCain.
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_South_Vietnam
In the United States, virtually no Vietnamese Americans use the current communist flag of Vietnam and instead use this flag as their symbol.
I love it when feminists are outraged that Palin doesn’t stand for their beliefs. Problem is that feminists don’t stand for the beliefs of most women, but Palin does.
Republican attack machine in gear? And what do YOU call that witch burning against Palin? Man….
My fellow Vietnamese Americans. It saddens me to see so many of people show their blind support for Senator John McCain. Like many of my relatives, much of their support is among the older Vietnamese immigrants which this article should have made the distinction between. I do not see the clear difference between northern or southern Vietnamese in regards to their support for McCain.
I believe his support stems from the mere exposure of McCain through his war stories of the famous POW camp in which he was caught fighting for the freedom of the south.
Secondly, older Vietnamese tend to hold more conservative values that align with republicans and, like many Asians, tend to be fiscally conservative and fear that their taxes will be raised. Factually, Obama will lower taxes even more for people making less than $250,000 a year.
Third, older Vietnamese tend to read Vietnamese newspapers that may not get an unbiased representation of both candidates. They also fear the threat of terrorist and may be lead on by the misinformation and imagery propagated daily by the GOP.
Fourth, older Vietnamese tend to be racist against blacks and Muslims.
I am speak from my own experience growing up in a Vietnamese community. We need someone to wake us all up from the GOP’s ability to hinder middle class America, in which a large number of Vietnamese fall under. As first generation Americans, we have learned a lot about work ethic and the values that our parents have instilled upon us to succeed in America. It is our privilege and obligation to exchange our progressive ideas to give them a broader picture of what is at stake.
Dear Huu T. Ly:
It is gratifying and reassuring to read your post immediately foregoing.
I hope your self-appointed compatriot, one “awarthurhu” also reads it.
And actually “thinks” on its points and merit.
At least three generations ago, my mother, who, in a day and age when “girls” did not attend schools, learned how to read “Chinese” on her own, something I never quite managed despite my “academic” endeavors.
And as an avid subscriber to the “Chinese Times” of the day, was a Chiang supporter.
But when I, her youngest, argued with her, she kept her counsel, and would never ever even think of invading a newsroom and assaulting personnel in the name of ANY “ism,” something some of your opposites and elders should be thoroughly ashamed of.
May I commend and congratulate you on your individual perceptions and logic and stance?
History will prove you right, regardless of the outcome come Nov. 4.
And “Vietnamese” Americans, like seemingly many “Korean” Americans may also be well advised to consider your thoughts here.
For that matter, add “Chinese” Americans, who are similarly prone to pragmatics and the material when it comes to “politics,” and, in the process, forget their proper upbringing in authentic Confucian “ethics.”
In any event, thank you, and KNOW that you are not alone, and that whate’er betide, you have already chosen the righteous path. And not the blind and blinded fundamentalist “Right” of this beleaguered nation.
Frank Eng
P.S.: For today’s, the 23rd day of the ninth month on our calendar, notable “headlines,” don’t overlook:
1: Bush’s UN “valedictory,” which actually omitted “China” from his list of evil states and his ever-justification, “terrorism.”
2: The second Finnish “Columbine” in a year, and this with every precaution in place, an argument for the sad cultural/moral state of “civilized” “modern” life.
3: Continuing anti-alien, “Romany”?, murders in the Naples area that required troop interventions, yet one more manifestation of the “global” “corporate” capitalism that is destroying “western” “culture.”
And, recently:
The Washington Post’s belated publishing of Eliot Spitzer’s timely and unheeded warnings about the Wall Street jackals and jerkoffs who want to add insult to injury by that 700-bil “bailout.” Hey, Warren Buffett is entitled to make his 5-bil gesture to “corporate” folly, but the Rubins and ilk are NOT “entitled” to tax dollars.
And in hindsight, it’s obvious why Spitzer was “outed” and muzzled in the process. What’s his personal peccadillos got to do with public malfeasance?
And the recent Fareed Zakaria piece in Newsweek wherein he actually comes out for Obama and tut-tuts the very Ground Zero of this administration AND the neoconvicts in need of conviction for high crimes and misdemeanors the while they got rich and are getting richer. And I hope Obama listened carefully to that Yahu in their recent meeting, and that he does NOT require a Lieberman to whisper in HIS ear.
And odds are, today at least, that “joblessness” may yet outweigh the authentic racism of the “hidden vote” or “Bradley factor” come election time.
Just make sure YOU vote. And maybe talk again with your elders. Good luck, but forget “awarthurhu.” He’s brainwashed, and without a Hanoi Hilton in sight.
As young Vietnamese Americans, some of us grew up listening to our parents tell us bedtime stories of the war; the rest of us experienced our history firsthand as we watched our parents being taken away to re-education camps and special economic zones. We share those common stories of struggle that shaped our community presence in America – the fight for freedom of South Vietnam, the arrest and executions of our relatives during and after the war, the mass exodus of the free Viet people, and the suffering of those who are left behind.
Some may call it a burden, but we take pride in treasuring that part of our history. We understand the price of freedom and what it means to sacrifice for the love of one’s country. And we will stand with the leader who lives and leads by such values and who inspires us all to serve a cause greater than our self-interest.
We have found such a leader in John McCain. Senator McCain’s life symbolizes the timeless quintessential American story. A man of courage and compassion, McCain has the character and leadership of the next American president. Like the South Vietnamese struggle for democracy, McCain epitomizes our community’s values of patriotism, compassion, hope and freedom.
We seize upon his candidacy with immense pride – yet we haven’t discussed it often with individuals outside of our community.
The future of our democracy lies with our young citizens who honor the sacrifices of those who stand ready when their country needs them. As a young American naval aviator, McCain fought heroically in Vietnam to protect American honor and values; in doing so, he fought for our freedom as well. Captured by the enemy and badly hurt, McCain rejected the Viet Cong’s offer of an early release and demanded that every man arrested before him be released. As a result, he was imprisoned and tortured for five and a half years. In making that first courageous choice, McCain has shown his unwavering faith, strong character, and leadership ability early on in his life.
McCain’s qualifications extend beyond his character. As testimony to his “Country First” political philosophy, McCain led a bipartisan group of Republican and Democratic senators that worked tirelessly to resolve the stalemate in Congress on issues such as campaign finance reform, tobacco, health care, immigration policy, and judicial nominations. Senator McCain’s political courage and fiercely independent personality has earned him tremendous respect from independents and Democrats alike.
Our country is in a time of war, with ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Through our own hard-earned experiences, we understand the consequences of losing a war. The recent Russian invasion of Georgia threatens the future of democracy and freedom in that region and reminds us once again the dangerously volatile nature of foreign affairs and the necessity of a strong and wise American leadership. With substantial experience in military affairs and foreign policy, McCain is best qualified to confront the threat of radical Islamic extremism and to delivery victory in Iraq. His refusal to play politics with the Iraq war and his support for the “surge” strategy shows a rare combination of vision, judgment and principled leadership during a time of crisis.
As Vietnamese Americans who believe that Senator John McCain is uniquely qualified to lead our nation, we have been handed an unprecedented opportunity to express our gratitude for his sacrifices. Recognizing this opportunity also demands us to act.
We can begin by announcing our support for Senator McCain and the sources of its inspiration to our friends, our co-workers, and our neighbors; by registering to vote, writing editorials to the newspaper, and organizing people to volunteer for his campaign. We can become better Vietnamese-Americans and begin to voice our concerns in politics at the national stage.
In this election, we are given the chance to speak up in one voice and tell the world of our struggles and of our success in a freedom-loving nation.
With President McCain, America will move forward with strength, prosperity, wisdom and compassion. A victory for McCain is also a victory for our community and for the advancement of human rights and democracy in Vietnam. We humbly ask you to vote Senator McCain for our next president and join in the nationwide effort to secure a total victory on Election Day.
Shandon Phan, 29, is the Founder of Asian Americans for McCain and a Maryland delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention. Jessica Vu, 22, is a native of San Jose and a student at Harvard Law School.
Dear Shandon Phan
& Jessicaz Vu:
This reader is impressed by the relative coherence and cohesive merits of your arguments in favor of John McCain on behalf of the emigre South Vietnames refugee community.
And particularly moved by your references to martyred parents and colleagues.
BUT . . .
I also find your rewriting, well, reinterpretation for sure, of “history” to be singularly narrow and, in the instance of your identification with invaders who had no legal OR moral right to intervene in your internecine war more than bizarre.
I commiserate your personal losses, but what about the million civilian dead, on BOTH sides, and the two millions of warriors, your opponents equally certain of THEIR cause and THEIR rights?
Would you endorse and support and cheer a renewal of that fratricidal struggle?
Are you certain your compatriots still living in both North AND South Vietnam share your views and vision?
More to the point here, and centrally, your “read” on both the man and his record, not to mention this nation’s history, of which you are latterday arriviste, is, to me and in a single word, “absurd.” To anyone who is conversant with the facts of the matter.
You are entitled to, welcome even, to your views and alarums and proselyting, but the sad fact of this matter is that most if not all of your references AND interpretations thereof are, at best, tortured, and, at worse, disingenuous.
Frank Eng
P.S.: You should also read Michael Wong’s contribution on another kitetail here. He makes a much better case than I can in re this election and the two men running for office. And I hope all APAs read both your and his input. And, by the way, are you aware of your peers who invaded a newsroom and assaulted its staffers? And do you believe the Vietnamese American community should embrace such intolerance?
“Let’s take a picture with my Vietnamese American friends!” You mean the people you referred to as “gooks” not so long ago, McBush? We haven’t forgotten your use of a racist epithet to describe people of Vietnamese origin, and neither should anyone in this race. While you continue to dine out on your prisoner of war story, you blithely ignore the five million Vietnamese who lost their lives during that conflict, the use of rape and torture as but two means by which to terrorize the Vietnamese people into submission, U.S. murderous incursions into Laos and Cambodia, the carpet bombings ordered by your own father, the use of napalm and Agent Orange, etc. etc. The behavior of the U.S. military in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia was nothing short of savage. I am appalled that Vietnamese immigrants and their children would support you in your bid for the presidency, since you’re nothing but a racist warmonger.