February 19, 1942...

[ViperPilot]

Sunday February 19, 2012 marked an anniversary of sorts, but one that wasn't marked with ceremony or pomp; it passed quietly for many, but must surely have been on the minds of others... myself included.

This day marked the 70th Anniversary of a document that was the prelude to one of the darkest chapters in American History, with repercussions that resonate to the present day.

The document was Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of approximately 120,000 persons of Japanese Ancestry, 62% of whom were American Citizens.

I only mention this because a few months back, on November 2, 2011, the members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Infantry Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) were awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal for their legendary service during World War II. These men volunteered from Hawai'i and from internment camps in the US, where their families were held behind barbed wire, guard towers and machine guns that pointed inward instead of outward. The 442nd RCT, including the 100th Inf. Bn. were, for their size and length of service, the most decorated unit in the history of the US Armed Forces.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_9066

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/442nd_Infa ... _States%29

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/157860-1

[Webb]

American presidents (and congress and courts) have always viewed the constitution as an impediment to doing whatever they want.

Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus. Yet he is regarded as a great president.

After September 11, 2001, congress, presidents (both parties) and (so far) the supreme court have repealed most of the Bill of Rights.  Security is more important than freedom.

[Webb]

Remember that "free speech" thing that was so important for 200 years.

[GlobalHobo]

"They who give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
                    ~Benjamin Franklin

This country has lost its compass.

[Webb]

America has become the antithesis of freedom.

I don't mind walking through gauntlets of soldiers at foreign airports.

[Strategic Retreat]

American presidents (and congress and courts) have always viewed the constitution as an impediment to doing whatever they want.

Government snooping everywhere and now I can't even protest it.

You know... the two quotes above really got me thinking...

Hereabout the Constitution is never respected where the interests of our politicians are regarded and is only trumpeted about to stop common people from doing the same as they do. And you're free to speak, as long you do it where your words do not rock the boat, because if the government finds you trying to make your voice heard... you may just live long enough to regret it.

We're a democracy. Indeed. And, hearing you here, so it seems you've become as well.

But... is it better never having had, or having had and then lost?

You beyond the pond at least for a while have enjoyed some freedom... you know what freedom is... hereabout the only freedom we ever had was to obey the orders from above, and if you renounce that freedom you do it at your risk and danger.

Welcome amongst us damned. Welcome.

[ViperPilot]

BUMP

It's incumbent upon all of us, as American citizens, to insure that the values of the Constitution are upheld, and that no American citizen is unjustly targeted for discrimination due to their ancestry, religion, color or creed.

In memory of those who experienced the injustice of internment, and as a reminder of what happened, I offer this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW2Dmy0buFU

GO FOR BROKE.