If you have been reading my blog, you're aware of my love for the U.S. By following the simple rules of paying my taxes and obeying the laws, Barley and I are allowed to galavant as we please in America's wonderlands. Piece of cake!
That being said, I know my country makes mistakes. IE: requiring bear canisters, Operation Plumbbob (testing the effects of nuclear blasts on U.S soldiers), the Republican Tea Party and sadly the internment of Japanese Americans (without due process) from their west coast homes and businesses after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.
I felt compelled to make a stop at Manzanar in the Owens Valley to see the historical remains of America's less then stellar moments.
In February 1942, FDR issued Presidential Order 9066, authorizing the removal of those who might thwart the war effort. In other words, Japanese Americans who were guilty by association.
At Manzanar's peak, 10,000 evacuees resided in an Army barracks type of living situation. Often times, strangers lived with strangers. Personal space went out the door. Sanitation was an afterthought. These people were robbed of there rights!
After nuking Japan, the war in the Pacific ended. The internees were free to leave. For their troubles, they were handed $25 each. Not even a sorry for the inconvenience.
It wasn't until 1988, the U.S. Civil Liberties Act awarded the survivors $20,000 each and a formal apology. Too little, too late.
BTW: No Japanese American was ever accused or arrested for espionage during WWII.
If one individual loses their Constitutional rights, we all lose.
Goodnight from Lone Pine, CA
