[Vnbiz] Today's Editorial - Little Saigon

[Tran Dinh Hoanh]

Dear Brother Phong,

Yes this vocal group is small in number but if you do not realize that they
dictate overseas Vietnamese politics to a great degree then obviously I
can't explain much to you at all.  Things have been so obvious for more than
3 decades ....

Great day!

Hoanh

On Fri, Feb 22, 2008 at 12:55 PM, <Hong-Phong_Pho at ita.doc.gov> wrote:

> [ Vietnam Business Forum ]
>
>
>
> Dear anh Hoanh,
> I feel you've gone a bit too far with your characterization of the bully
> tactics of a small but vocal group in San Jose and others like them as
> "overseas Vietnamese politics".  It's too broad of a brush you are using
> that is a disservice to the community as a whole.
> It's also inaccurate to call them "extremist anti-commies".  Extremist,
> yes.  But their tactics and approach to power are decidedly more communistic
> than democratic.  And the fight over the names, both Saigon (not Saigon vs.
> HCM City) can hardly be cast as anti-communist.
> So the fight is about just about everything else but communism.   Are
> there business interests involved?  Are there other ethnic groups who are
> not happy with either Saigon Business District or Little Saigon?  Some
> people may just be mad because they feel they weren't consulted.  Perhaps
> chi Madison or chi Kieu Linh can elaborate on the local angles I am too far
> away to know.
> Like it or not, these extremists are a part of the community.  They give
> voice to an organic disorder that may be akin to PTSD affecting all members
> of the community to varying degrees.  That's why there are people still
> attending the meeting.  Most people have managed to overcome the trauma by
> simply moving on with the mainstream and becoming more interested in things
> like the Clinton-Obama debate.  But it's also important to remember that
> nmost members of the community didn't arrive 3 decades ago.  In fact the
> tactics and languague of many of the extremists echo those of the repressive
> regime they had lived under.
> Ly Tong is a hero in the context of his time and circumstances.  But time
> has moved on.  Now he is just being used, willingly, I might add.
> When facing a "brother enemy" with a disorder that cannot be reasoned
> with, the only practical approach would be to avoid confrontation, which is
> precisely what he is trying to provoke, and thrives on.  Nothing deflates a
> bully more than being ignored.  So on this inaction may just be the right
> medicine?  If there is anything useful to be done, it's just to get more
> facts out there so those among the demonstrators who don't will know what
> they are demonstating for/against.
> HPP
>
>
> --
> Tran Dinh Hoanh, Esq., LLB, JD
> Washington DC
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