Neilo

Join Date 04/2006

+128

George Takei Blog, a must read!

I follow George Takei in his blogs and general web presence and his blog today speaks of the American Internment camps during WW2 and his experiences in them. George is apart of a new musical that will try and tell the story of these camps, i'm disappointed only that i won't get to see the show here in Aus.

For those that like George, it's a must, and for those that don't it's a very sombre look at a dark past, one that he speaks of from experience.

Check it out.

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DrJBHL

Join Date 04/2002

+4053

Neilo, I agree that it was a truly dark period in our past.

I do not agree with Mr. Takei's conclusions from reading the appropriate section of the Bill.

Mr. Takei stated:

"Now a bill proposed in the U.S. Senate, S. 1253 (McCain/Levin) would authorize a similar sweeping authority, granted to the President, to order the detention–without charge or trial–of any person even suspected of being associated with a “terrorist organization.” " - Takei blog (your link)

What is stated in section 1031 is as follows:

SEC. 1031. AUTHORITY TO DETAIN UNPRIVILEGED ENEMY BELLIGERENTS CAPTURED PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE.

(a) In General- The Armed Forces of the United States are authorized to detain covered persons captured in the course of hostilities authorized by the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) as unprivileged enemy belligerents pending disposition under the law of war.

( Covered Persons- A covered person under this section is any person, including but not limited to persons for whom detention is required under section 1032, as follows:

(1) A person who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored those responsible for those attacks.

(2) A person who was a part of or substantially supported al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces.

(c) Disposition Under Law of War- The disposition of a person under the law of war as described in subsection (a) may include the following:

(1) Long-term detention under the law of war without trial until the end of hostilities against the nations, organizations, and persons subject to the Authorization for Use of Military Force.

(2) Trial under chapter 47A of title 10, United States Code (as amended by the Military Commissions Act of 2009 (title XVIII of Public Law 111-84)).

(3) Transfer for trial by an alternative court or competent tribunal having lawful jurisdiction.

(4) Transfer to the custody or control of the person's country of origin, any other foreign country, or any other foreign entity.

(d) Constitutional Limitation on Applicability to United States Persons- The authority to detain a person under this section does not extend to the detention of citizens or lawful resident aliens of the United States on the basis of conduct taking place within the United States except to the extent permitted by the Constitution of the United States.

Please note (d).

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Philocthetes

Join Date 10/2003

+153

I'm no fan of fame, but I like Takei for a few reasons and there's no doubt that more folks in the U.S. need to know our own history when it comes to 'making the world safe for democracy.'

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"Extent permitted by the constitution of the United States" is a pretty big caveat.

But George is not 100% correct in comparing it to Japanese internment in WW2. It's something significantly different- I think it's something scarier because it gives the military wider latitude and more responsibility to make decisions (as opposed to them having clear-cut, if absurd civilian government orders to round up all Japanese people and put them in specific locations), but it's different nonetheless.

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Neilo

Join Date 04/2006

+128

Quoting DrJBHL,

reply 1

Also, please note that politics are not a valid topic in the Forum where you posted, per Stardock: https://forums.wincustomize.com/414995

I will try to get this post moved to an appropriate subforum.

I don't consider this post political at all Doc. I was more interested in and focusing on the historical content and of George's own experience's.
i'm certainly not trying to make a political thread by any means, just hoping to help spread the word so that others might learn a little about history and George himself.

I believe it's important to remember the past, until a few years ago i was unaware that these camps existed, and to be honest, i don't think many people do, or at the very least it's not sopke of.
Any conduit to tell the story and experiences of those camps and the effect they had on their inhabitants deserves to be highlighted and explored, and George with his intellect and integrity i think will give that story a deserving voice.

Of course Doc, i don't mean to be inflammatory, and if the political content is enough in the linked blogs to deem this a political thread, then please see if a mod (Kryo i think is the only GC2 mod left) can move the thread.

I'll be disappointed though if the only thing people focus on from those blogs is the political content. History is a powerful learning tool.

Quoting GW Swicord,

reply 2

I'm no fan of fame, but I like Takei for a few reasons and there's no doubt that more folks in the U.S. need to know our own history when it comes to 'making the world safe for democracy.'

Generally i despise when a celebrity of any kind uses their name to promote whatever cause of the day they happen to be involved with. Anytime though it's a person like George, who i admire and respect, and generally is well liked, uses his fame for something so important, i pay attention.
I love history, especially when there are people who have lived through it to tell the story in their own words from their own experiences. I have not read enough about these camps and the other factors surrounding them (other than the obvious Japanese connection) but i'll be surprised if not too many Americans are aware of them.

I hope George does make it to Broadway with this tale, I'm sure it will be a real eye opener and may even help to heal old wounds.

<edit> Doc, there are very limited forums under Everything Else on GC2, there was no more appropriate place. <edit>

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Neilo

Join Date 04/2006

+128

My intent with this thread was to share and discuss George's experiences and the historical nature of such. It seems i have caused offense, in which i am sorry for. My intent was not to be political in any way

My OP contained no political overtures and i was only trying to help tell a historical topic.

No offense intended Doc. this thread was not meant to be political by any means. I was hoping to discuss the historical aspects of the blog. I apologize to you if my post offended you in anyway/

I apologize for posting what some may deem to be inappropriate material, that was certainly not my intent.

I'd just as soon have the thread nuked please Stardock, I in now way what to enter into or start a political debate, hardly one i'm qualified to even partake in, being a non-american and all. I've never liked the direction political threads take and i'll have no part in one.

My apologies once more.

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Jafo

Join Date 03/2001

+1813

Neilo...no dramas, mate.

"Everything else" doesn't include political posts...and this one is essentially that.

Best option is to post these topics from JoeUser - your login will suit there too by default....and it has a full set of options for subject topicality...

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