Demand Justice for Danny Chen

       Did we forget Danny Chen's tragic death? NO!!

Danny Chen was American by birth AND by choice. He defied his 
parents' objection to join the Army. But he was RACIALLY & physically brutalized
to committing suicide by 8 of his superiors in his Company.

   Sgt Jeffrey T. Hurst will be tried from Nov. 5th to 9th. He is largely responsible for the suicide of Danny Chen. Our government's charge transcription states, "Hurst . . unlawfully killed . . Danny Chen . . by hazing and maltreating and negligently allowed (subordinates) to haze and maltreat .." 

   o Hurst, a sergeant, could have stopped his subordinates like Spc. Offut (6 months in jail & kicked out of the army) and Spc. Curtis (3 months in jail and reduction by 3 ranks from E-4 to E1) from abusing Danny.
   o Hurst not only didn't stop the E-4s from racially and physically abusing Danny Chen, he led both abuses. It is dereliction of duty, reckless endangerment, maltreatment of a subordinate, violation of of lawful general regulation, and negligent HOMICIDE.
   o Hurst led racial abuse by calling Danny "racially disparaging terms including "dragon lady," zipperhead," and "fortune cookie" or words to that effect." He also "negligently failed to prevent …Spc. Offutt and...Curtis from using ..terms including "Jackie Chen," "Fortune Cookie,"  . . "Soy Sauce," and "Dragon Lady," . . as it was his duty to do."
   o Hurst led the hazing of Danny Chen. He "unlawfully tied a sandbag to the wrist, or arm of … Danny Chen . . ." The above quoted paragraph was in the government's original charge sheet, but was dropped on April 23, 2012. However, the charge that "Hurst hazed Danny" still stands, except that it is not longer so explicit.

   o Quoting the government's charge sheet, "HURST . . negligently caused Private (E-2)Danny Chen to take his own life with a firearm, . . ." and "conduct likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm to Private (E-2) Danny Chen, . . "

   LOGIC & JUSTICE DEMAND that Hurst be penalized more than Spc. Offutt.

Hurst is higher in rank. He failed to stop the racial and physical tormenting of Danny Chen by Offutt and others. Indeed, Hurst led!

   Demand Justice! Our national se 4ce curity depends on a just court in the military system. Stay focused! Two more trials will be coming soon.

   Post your comments at: 

http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp .


Sincerely,
S. B. Woo. A volunteer
President, 80-20 National Asian Am. Educational Foundation, Inc.

Post Supreme Court (SC) Oral Arguments Analysis

   Summary: The current "race-conscious" college admission policy remains, post SC oral arguments, in a very weak position. We are in good shape.

   Don't relax though. It's a long time between now and next June, when the SC will announce its decision. Be vigilant. Forward this e-newsletter to your friends.

                     Encouraging Developments
(1) Thinking liberals are
        "Rethinking Affirmative Action"!

   See an article, of the SAME title, by David Leonhardt who is the Washington bureau chief of The New York Times. Click on http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/14/sunday-review/rethinking- affirmative-action.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&hp&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1350208893-/sD9Q35HoX2H9zC6PEQa%20g&pagewanted=all

   This article, written post SC oral arguments, begins with:
"The founding principle of affirmative action was fairness."
Well said!

   The author then goes on to describe how the university community has over the years redirected AA to mean diversity. He points out that although Americans like diversity, we like fairness more. The university community has let "diversity trump fairness." Therefore, it may be time to rethink AA.

   He gave a superb illustration of how the Supreme Court Justices were upset by "diversity has trumped fairness."

   "In court on Wednesday, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. attacked the political underbelly of this system. The University of Texas argued that diversity within racial groups was also important, citing "the African-American or Hispanic child of successful professionals in Dallas." Skeptically, Justice Alito asked the university's lawyer, "They deserve a leg up against, let's say, an Asian or a white applicant whose parents are absolutely average?"

   "Justice Kennedy followed up by telling the lawyer, in one of the most quoted lines of the day, "So what you're saying is that what counts is race above all."

   Need I say more?

(2) Will the Asian Am organizations like AACJ, AALDEF, APALC begin to rethink?
   AACJ even tried to organize a demonstration before the Supreme Court to support "race-conscious" admission. See a video below.

                Video from outside the US Supreme Court
   Michelle Fields, a political journalist, was outside the US Supreme Court during the Fisher arguments today and asked supporters of affirmative action some pointed questions, you might be surprised by their responses in this must-watch video: http://michellefields.com/2012/10/10/affirmative-action-supporters-rally-outside-of-supreme-court/

   Did you chuckle? Did you then shake you head?

   Seriously, now, our nation needs a FAIR college admission that'll help qualified students of ALL races who for one reason or another can't get into manageably challenging schools. The current "race-conscious" admission will NOT cut it. It is, if anything, wasting many of the best African and Hispanics students in STEM & law fields and is particularly unfair to Asian Am students. It should be replaced!

   Post your comments at:
 http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp.

Sincerely,

S. B. Woo, a volunteer,
President, 80-20 National Asian Am. Educational Foundation, Inc.
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/

MORE GOOD NEWS on the Supreme Court Front

    In 2 days, the Supreme Court (SC) will hear oral arguments on "race-conscious" college admission. A lot of related good news popped up recently.

   To sense how things have apparently been turned around, read the following quotes:

    (a) "Racial Affirmative Action in Higher Education May Be on Its Way Out" -- subtitle of Section I of a recent Century Foundation Report: http://tcf.org/publications/pdfs/ABAA.pdf

    (b) "To be clear, I believe that race-conscious affirmative action is necessary, and often beneficial — though I am not hopeful that the court will agree." -- taken from a recent NY Times article entitled, "Moving Beyond Affirmative Action." Click on http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/05/opinion/moving-beyond-affirmative-action.html

   Specifically, The National Law Journal will feature 80-20 EF's amicus brief to the Supreme Court, as the "appellate brief of the week" this week. That brief was written by our lawyer Alan Gura, and submitted jointly to the SC with Brandeis Center of Human Rights.

   It will be excellent coverage during the week of argument. To view YOUR amicus brief, in English , or Chinese or Korean, please click on the name of the language.

   Did YOU think that so much could have changed for the better since 80-20 EF started to advocate a "race-neutral" admission policy several months ago?

   EF works very hard and effectively for YOU! 

   Help us back when YOU can please. :-) Your donation is tax deductible, click on http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/donate/donate.asp

   Post your comments at:
 http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp.

Sincerely,

S. B. Woo, a volunteer,
President, 80-20 National Asian Am. Educational Foundation, Inc.
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/ 

An EPOCH Changing Article in Atlantic?

   Asian Ams are urged to read this article and pass it around, especially to your elected officials. http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/10/the-secret-to-us-growth-in-the-21st-century-more-asians/263161/ . It was published in The Atlantic by Noah Smith on Oct. 2, 2012. It may have an epoch changing impact on America.

   The article first states, " . . America was the 'Alternative Europe' . . . Political and religious dissidents who were dissatisfied with the ruling regimes in their homelands, oppressed ethnic minorities, and poor people who couldn't get a good job -- all made their way to the United States. . . American benefited greatly from that inflow, . . " The author called it the ALT-Europe period of America.

   It then advocates that for America to continue to grow, it needs an ALT- Asia period.

   The article's last subtitle is "50 Million More, Please." "Asians want to come to America. According to the most recent Gallup survey, the United States is the desired destination for 22 million Chinese people, 10 million Indians, 8 million Bangladeshis, 5 million Filipinos, and 3 million people from Vietnam. These are the kind of numbers we need to keep our economy young and growing."

   It ends by stating: "This, then, is the "Alternative Asia Plan." America began as a nation of Europeans and Africans; it is now a nation of Europeans, Africans, and Latin Americans. It must become a nation of Asians as well. Failing to do this would mean shutting ourselves off from the master narrative of the 21st Century."

   It's a short article. Click on http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/10/the-secret-to-us-growth-in-the-21st-century-more-asians/263161/

   The above is consistent with what futurist John Naisbitt predicted in his 1996 book "Megatrends Asia":

   "The pivotal players in the new global configuration of East and West will be Asians living in America and Asians born in America. It is in America where East and West truly meet."

   Post your comments at:
 http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp.

Sincerely,

S. B. Woo, a volunteer,
President, 80-20 National Asian Am. Educational Foundation, Inc.

EF gratefully acknowledges generous donations from
    Henry Kang NY, NY:        $5,000
    Bik Kee Vuong Vienna, VA:        $1,000

    Shing-Jen Huang & Kenwin Zhou Chelmsford, MA:        $500
We thank Dr. Stephen Ko and A. Dai for donation between $100 and $499.

Winning "Race Neutral" fight for YOU?

   On October 10, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments over the "race-conscious" admission policies. 80-20 EF's entry into this battle was commonly recognized as a major element helpful towards possibly upending the "race-conscious" admission. The petitioner's main brief mentioned "Asian Ams 22 times." The Supreme Court is expected to announce its decision next June.

   Will 80-20 EF win the battle for you? It's a huge and very difficult battle. We are only 5.5% of our nation's population. 80-20 EF is trying valiantly.

   See quotes from a very informative article on this matter: http://www.thehartfordguardian.com/2012/09/17/fate-of-affirmative-action-hangs-on-fisher-v-univ-of-texas/comment-page-1/#comment-207505

      

       Veteran education reporter Scott Jaschik, who was the editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education from 1999 to 2003, was interviewed by New America Media.
      

New America Media: How will this decision affect college admissions policies throughout the country?

Scott Jaschik: I think this will have a large impact in different ways.
There are places like the University of Texas, other flagship universities
and also elite private universities that consider race in admissions. These
institutions are very hard to get into, places that typically make their
admissions decisions based - in large part - on test scores and course
grades. On average - and it's very important to say on average because
there are exceptions to this - if they eliminated the consideration of race,
most of these institutions would admit fewer black, Latino, and Native
American students. Many of them might see an increase in Asian-American
students.* In fact, when affirmative action was eliminated in California,
there were initial spikes in Asian-American enrollments more so than
white enrollments.
So, first of all, the decision will be important for the highly competitive
admission institutions, but it [may have] other impacts. It could well affect
the way many colleges, and not just the elite institutions, administer
financial aid or how their summer programs operate.

*NOTE: 80-20's purpose in the Supreme Court fight is to ELIMINATE THE DISCRIMINATION against Asian Am applicants in college admissions. It is NOT to increase the no. of AsAm students in elite colleges, although that may come as a result of our winning the case. Indeed, S. B.'s personal view is that an education from elite colleges is helpful towards advancing AsAm graduates' careers only, not necessarily their value system. He said, "I hope we'll see more AsAm IVY graduates fighting for equal opportunity for our weak & powerless Asian Am community."

NAM: What's your sense of where court is headed?

Jaschik: Most experts think the current court isn't generally sympathetic
to affirmative action. The court could scale affirmative* ("race-conscious" admission) back partially or fully. You really don't know until the decision comes out. Even then, if it's a decision that drives a major change in current policies and the colleges start to adjust accordingly, there will probably be more lawsuits and court decisions. I think the ramifications of this decision could be
quite dramatic over a period of time.

*NOTE: "Race-conscious" admission is only a small part of the affirmative action. Indeed, the so-called affirmative action in college admission is actually ANTI-affirmative, so far as Asian Ams are concerned. Recall that Asian Ams need to score 140 points higher than whites to have an equal chance to enter elite colleges. We believe Mr. Jaschik is talking about "race-conscious" college admission only.

   Together, we shall overcome. Post your comments at:
 http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp .

Sincerely,

S. B. Woo. A volunteer
President, 80-20 National Asian Am. Educational Foundation, Inc.

WARNING:
Have you donated to EF recently and yet NOT received a "thank you" from S.B.? If so, tell S.B. about the amount, and the approximate date of your donation. He'll get in touch with you. Thanks.

More Good News for AsAm. College-bounds

   Fisher of the "Fisher v. Univ. of Texas" in the Supreme Court case mentioned "Asian Americans 22 times" in her main brief. Can our Supreme Court Justices still not be aware of the injustice suffered by Asian Am. college bounds?!

                             More Good Coverage!
   A CONSERVATIVE columnist, John Rosenberg, reported in a 9/2 blog: 

“The excellent brief filed by Woo’s organization (along with several others) in Fisher eloquently states its principled opposition to admissions policies 'in which disfavored minority groups, such as Asian Americans, face more stringent admissions standards than either whites or African Americans.'” Click on http://www.discriminations.us/2012/09/whats-good-for-the-jews-new-jews-asians/
   In another article, Mr. Rosenberg wrote: “Indeed, reflecting both the "new Jew" identity and the break from the traditional Asian-American position, S.B. Woo, a retired physicist who heads the 80-20 organization of Asian-Americans that signed on to one of the briefs . . (80-20 told the) David versus Goliath (story) . . with a new twist.” Who are the Jews blocking David's path? AALDEF of NY and APALC of LA. Go 
http://www.mindingthecampus.com/originals/2012/06/affirmative_action_starts_to_unravel.html

                     The Unique Competence of 80-20 EF
   80-20 found help from rock-solid Republicans on the college admissions issue. 80-20 also found help from Democrats to more than double the number of Asian Am federal life-tenured judges in 4 years. What do those cases tell you about 80-20?
   NOTE: Asian Ams should always pay back favors done for us by others. Otherwise, no one will help us in the future. Does that make sense?
        An Eloquent Letter by Jack Yang of San Diego to Heads of AALDEF & APALC - the Jews who block our path.
      "My daughter is in high school right now. She knows even if she finishes high school within top 5 of the whole grade, she is not assured of a spot with top schools. On the other hand, if she has a different skin color, she can enter a top school with a much lower ranking.
       It is so ironic that the school teachers tell the students that this is a race blind society, at the mean time the students clearly know they face different standards because of their color of skins. . . .
       As an Asian, I just do not see how you are representing my interest.          

 Jack Yang, San Diego, CA

   Forward this email. Let people know how 80-20 fights effective battles on OUR behalf and that every Asian Am NEEDS to consider helping back.

       So respond to 80-20's CALLS, will you? 

Sincerely yours,
S.B. Woo, a volunteer
President, 80-20 National Asian Am. Educational Foundation, Inc. 

   Post your comments at: http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp.

EF gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of
Charles & Lynn Zhang, Portage, MI:     $4000
Mitchell Zhang, Portage, MI:     $1,000
    (Mitchell is 17, he donated a large part of his summer pay.)
Wenyu Wu, San Jose, CA:      $1, 000
Bik Kee Vuong, Vienna VA:     $1,000
Maxwell & Siu-Ching Wong, Hemdon, VA:     $500
We thank Tishan Hsu, Xiaoling Chen, Lingru Li, Lily Lawn & Joseph Tsao,
Peter and Helen Yu, Julia H Low, Charles and Becky Shao, Priscilla Wong,
and Julia Wei Simmons for donation between $50 and $499.

A Note From Fort Bragg: The trial of Sgt. Jeffrey Hurst has been posted.

Good, Neutral & Bad News

[A] Good News - 80-20EF's Work Recognized Internationally

   Reuters International published a long article on the US "race-conscious" college admission issue. It recognizes 80-20's importance in speaking up for Asian Americans. See a few quotes:

o  "Fisher's main brief . . . mentions Asian-Americans 22 times and argues that they are victims of a race-based system that favors blacks & Hispanics. "

o  " Edward Blum, . . the principal architect behind the University of Texas lawsuit. He said Asian-Americans will likely remain front and center in the case. "An empirical case can be made that the group that has suffered the most from racial preferences (in the affirmative action era) has been Asians," Blum said."

o  " a nonprofit called the 80-20 National Education Foundation, ...decided for the first time to oppose race-conscious admissions. . . . 80-20 enlisted … (3 of the largest Indian Am. orgs and a Jewish group) to sign onto an amicus brief."
Go http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/Legal/News/2012/08_-_August/Asian-American_rift_over_Supreme_Court_affirmative_action_case/

   Perhaps influenced by the Reuters' article, The Asahi Shimbun, a leading paper in Japan, will be interviewing EF this Thursday. In addition, AP had a long TV interview of EF on the college admission issue. It'll be released soon.

[B ]Neutral News - Pres. Obama endorsed by 80-20 PAC

   The political establishments in both political parties are beginning to discount 80-20 PAC. To reverse that, we need to

       o  be more willing to sacrifice self for the good of the whole,
       o  be better doers.

   Otherwise, the precious GROUP political clout which we won through so many tough fights, will fade away. Good luck with the endorsement.

[C] Bad News - Injustice in our Military Justice System

   5 of the 8 soldier who racially and physically tormented Danny Chen to death have now being tried & sentenced:

1. Sgt. Holcomb: One month in jail, no pay for that month, reduction by 1 rank. Outrageous!
2. Spc. Offutt: Bad conduct discharge (losing most veteren benefits), 6 months in jail, reduction by 3 ranks to E1;
3. Staff Sgt. Dugas: 3 months in jail (all commuted by the military judge. A mockery of justice! ), reduction by 1 rank; 

4. Sgt. Carden: 1 month in jail, no pay during that month, reduction by 1 rank
5. Spc. Curtis: 3 months in Jail, reduction by 3 ranks to E1 (Why should such a cruel person be kept in the service?)

   We appreciate the valiant effort of Maj. Toman to uphold justice. However, many of the military judges don't seem to know what justice is. They harmed the military justice system, the Army & our nation.

   3 more trials to go. Lt. General Daniel B. Allyn, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps is yet to decide the final sentence for each of 8 culprits. After that, 80-20 will recommend how we TOGETHER will react to this outrageously tragic episode.

S. B. Woo, a volunteer
President, 80-20 Nat'l Asin Am Educational Foundation, Inc.

* For a large mount of domestic media attention to EF's contribution in college admission, visit http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/projects/colleges.asp .
Go see item 5.

Post your comments at:
http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/politicaledu/posterboard.asp .