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Show EZEPHYR/FEBRUARY-MARCH 2003 If there had been attempts at sabotage why didn’t they occur? Especially in the period between Pearl harbor and the removal. None did and the Japanese-Americans served our country well in the Pacific and Europe. I think someone needs toadjust the outlook of those bigoted few with regard to these events of World War II. Sincerely, Lloyd M. Pierson Moab MOAB’S "CONCENTRATION CAMP" UPDATE A couple years ago in The Zephyr, you reprinted my article on the Japanese-American concentration camp at Dalton Wells during 1943. It brought about a letter condemning me for my analysis of the imprisonment of our people of Japanese ancestry and the writer suggested I read the revisionist historical account by David D. Lowman entitled, "Magic: The Untold Story of U.S. Intelligence and the Evacuation of Japanese Residents from the West Coast During WW II." I finally got to read it and must say that my opinions haven't changed. Lowman’s book details the breaking of the Japanese diplomatic code before Pearl Harbor and other intelligence activities at the time. Yes, there was evidence that some Japanese residents were recruited to supply information/espionage or whatever. Much of the information could have been obtained from local newsp:* st as we did when studying German Order of Battle at the Military Intelligence Trauu. . iter. We found the, New York Times was far ahead of the military in reporting location and disposition of German military units. Lowman indicated that the FBI and military intelligence units were well aware of those involved and arrested most of them. Certainly all 110,000 were not spies; women especially were rarely mentioned in the reports. Children? Who knows? One naval intelligence expert, Commander Ringle, estimated those involved at 3,500, a far cry from the 110,000 or more locked up--he argued against their removal. There is no indication of planned sabotage by Japanese residents in the documents Lowman presents. African-Americans were to be approached to possibly carry out these duties as the Japanese Government was well aware of the bigotry toward the Nisei and Issei. Blacks were in a worse case scenario than Japanese in those days of legal, economic, and social discrimination. We must face the facts that in our great country, true liberty was only for Whites in those days, although Asians and Blacks were expected to fight for it. Lowman does not address those problems of bigotry and I believe that this was the principle motivating factor for the removal of the Japanese residents from the West Coast. The author seems to have had an axe to grind because his opinions were not taken seriously by the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians. Even our military was heavily bigoted before and during the war. Black units and Japanese-American units were segregated. The Navy and Marines had no Blacks and Filipinos were relegated to waiter jobs. Marines used Japanese-American interpreters but never would admit it. Our ultra conservative bigoted military was a big factor in the removal of the JapaneseAmericans. All nations practice espionage, as even our friends the Israeli intelligence people have demonstrated. In an open society like ours, it is easy to pick up information on military, social, economic and political matters that help the enemy. Japan would have been derelict in not doing so. We even spied on our own citizens during the war and since. While in the 12th Armored Division, I was recruited to report on my fellow soldiers as to whether or not there were rabble rousers or people with too much money attempting to spread dissatisfaction. After four or five weeks I gave up in disgust and quit sending in reports. COW CANYON TRADING POST E Mail Your Feedback Comments: If youd like to send us some Feedback via e mail we can be reached at: cczephyr@frontiernet.net Please specify whether your comments are in tended for publication. MAROON BELLS TOILET CONTROVERSY Dear Jim, On my semi-annual migration between Aspen and Arizona, I picked up one of my favorite papers and one of my favorite book stores (Back of Beyond) and read Scott Silver's piece on the Maroon Bells toilet (On-line in the Oct/Nov issue). The 15 hole composting toilet is on a former paved parking lot in a very active avalanche zone. It is earth-sheltered, dug into and covered with soil, so it will not be destroyed during avalanches. Buses, which all visitors MUST ride from Aspen, drop people here. The toilet shields the view and sounds of the buses, across a large meadow, from people at Maroon Lake and trails above and beyond the lake. Visitors getting off the bus walk about 100 feet to a-full view of the lake and the Maroon Bells. Primarily the main group of toilet detractors was a small group of local bike riders that didn’t want to have to get off their bikes and walk a few feet to the view, because of the cleats on their riding shoes. I spend a lot of time in the area as a full-time Forest Service volunteer, checking the alternate energy systems that power the Maroon Creek Valley and commonly get unsolicited comments from visitors about the toilet building--the vast majority of their comments are favorable. Design solutions are subjective. It’s probably not what I would have done, but it’s not that bad either. As to cost, avalanche-proof buildings are expensive, particularly with Aspen’s high construction costs. A standard non-earth sheltered building could have been built back in the trees for less money, but of course, the view of the Maroon Bells would have been obscured by the trees. You should understand something about Aspen. Everything is controversial and has been in the years (45) that I have lived here. People are involved--great for our democracy! (Katie Lee was my next door neighbor and bike-riding companion). Sincerely yours, Jon Chapman Aspen, CO * TEx’s RIVERWAYS vVvVVVVVVVVVVVY 3-D RIVER VISIONS, INC. Bluff, Utah Dirk & Devin...in the middle of a 6Os acid flashback? Or anticipating the start of another season? 435.672.2208 CANOE OUTFITTING & RENTALS SHUTTLE SERVICE JETBOAT TOURS |