A day that should never leave our collective historical memory, February 19, 1942. FDR signed Executive Order 9066 which resulted in the military forcing relocation and incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans. Driven by wartime hysteria and a racist advisor, who reported false claims of planned espionage, we held captive our fellow countrymen for over 3 years. The order did impact some German and Italian American’s as well. The families were forced to abandon businesses, homes, and property without any compensation. In l944 the order was rescinded and over time those detainees were allowed to return home to begin again. In l988, The Civil Liberties Act offered a formal apology and $20K in reparations to survivors. No amount of money could repair the heartache and loss suffered. I had friends and clients whose parents spent time in the Minidoka intern camp. When asked how they describe themselves, “I am an American of Japanese descent.” The Japanese community is an important contributor to the culture of our communities. Our country would never let that happen again?!
As you are well aware the current Regime is bound and determined to round up immigrants and place them in detention facilities. It has been very encouraging to see so many towns across our country just say “no” to these proposed Government internment camps. There has been no Pearl Harbor event to prompt this profiling of immigrants. In fact, Haitian immigrants do not dine on our house pets. Rather it is driven by a philosophy of “nationalist populism”, with the belief that America is under threat from high immigration levels especially those from non-European countries.” If this sounds like white nationalist rhetoric, I think you get the point. We are not ridding the country of illegal immigrants who are murders and thieves, they are just using that as the threat of an “911” event to justify the cruelty. Keep up the fight to protect our democracy, we cannot let history repeat itself again.
I would like to say that Idaho is a shining beacon of diversity, equity and inclusion. Forsooth, our light has dimmed to a faint glimmer. North Idaho extremists are boycotting Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort over inclusive activities. The group prides itself on being a “last bastion of Christian Conservatism.” One of the North Idaho groups invited Matt Gaetz as a keynote speaker. We have the pastor of a Moscow church who feels “household voting” where the head of household, a man, would cast a single vote. This pastor was invited by Pete Hegseth to lead a worship service at the Pentagon, knowing his belief that we should repeal women’s right to vote and homosexuality should be a crime. Our legislature invests time in trying to keep Boise and other Cities from flying a Pride Flag and dictating bathroom use.
This brilliant group has cut taxes to the point that we can no longer offer full medicaid benefits, properly fund public schools, or maintain our deteriorating infrastructures. To further add to my ire, some group has invited the Orange Wanker’s son to speak in Boise. Let’s all get together and peacefully protest.
I am a fan of Colbert and Kimmel especially now that they are under attack by the Tangerine Taco’s team. Growing up everyone thought my dad, Ed, looked just like the President. So the picture is appropriate as a reminder to not take ourselves too seriously and for me, is a fond remembrance. Take good care. Mike