AWOL 2015 Issue 358 18th December | Page 15

Advertise here for as little as 40 baht per week to hull and back Mags Meanderings: From Som Tam To Mushy Peas when we want your opinion, we’ll give it to you On December 18th 1944 the US Supreme Court upheld an Executive Order which had been made following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941. The order had ruled on the forcible relocation of Japanese/Americans to what were known as War Relocation Centres. In reality internment camps. In the spring of 1942 around 120,000 mixed race men, women and children were relocated to the camps, situated in remote areas of the US. The camps were fenced and guarded but detainees were able to work, and had schools and hospitals which they staffed, (but never in supervisory roles.) Thankfully after the war the detainees were able to carry on with their lives as before, some becoming well respected figures in American politics, industry and the arts. But what had happened to them clearly shows the mistrust and fear in which they had been held, despite being American citizens. Back then of course we hadn’t heard of ‘political correctness’, and so those mixed race Japanese/ Americans could safely be assumed to be a threat, and dealt with accordingly. Now when someone dares to suggest that non American Muslim people should be banned from entering the States there are howls of protest from all over the world. Whatever you think of Donald Trump, with his perma tan and comb over, the guy is a contender for what is said to be the most important job in the world - President of the United States. A job which has in the past been been filled by a retired actor and an ex peanut farmer, Disclaimer All articles are published in good faith and based on information available to us at publication. Some articles are satire or ‘spoof’ stories intended as humour. No responsibility is accepted other than that stipulated by law. Although the information in this publication has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, AWOL cannot guarantee accuracy in all cases. Any opinions expressed are those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. All materials copyright. All rights reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced in part or in full without the previous written consent of the publisher. Neither can any part be stored in a retrieval situation, nor transmitted by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or any other means. AWOL is printed by Petchpoom Printing, and we can be contacted on info@awolonline.net or 081 614 8728. Please send any other communications to Mrs Chukamol James, Managing Director, AWOL Co. Ltd., 136/229 Emerald Hill, Soi 6, Mooban Borfai, Hua Hin, Prachuap Kiri Khan, 7110, THAILAND. Two 3 storey townhouses to let Next to The Dusit need repairs hence bargain rental price (offers invited) Contact David 092 927 7207 neither of whom brought the country to it’s knees. And yet Trumps’ idea of shutting down entry to the States of all non American Muslims has caused some extreme reactions around the world. He has been accused of racial/religious bigotry, and pretty much ostracised by the UK government - a power which at the same time is bombing Syria. Compared with what was happening in the early 1940’s, with those US citizens detained in camps, are Trumps proposals really so radical after all? Should such drastic ideas to try to protect a nation under threat be so vehemently criticised? Especially when that nation itself suffered such a huge terrorist attack in 2001. You will all have your own opinions, and it is after all around 70 years since those Relocation Centres were used. The world has moved on. We like to believe that we have become more tolerant of different beliefs and cultures, that we accept our racially mixed societies, and all the minority groups within them. But somewhere along the way to equality and human rights we seem to have lost our right to the freedom of speech, and have been gagged by political correctness. Is it now time for that to change? Along with Donald Trump there are other people prepared to speak out, including the new leader of the UK Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn. Branded as too ‘old Labour’ by his critics didn’t prevent Corbyn being elected. Perhaps we are seeing the start of a new order. One in which people can feel free to say what they really believe, particularly when it comes to deciding on matters as serious as terrorism which can affect us all. Next week we will take a lighter look at life during 2015 - simply because that is what everyone does at this time of the year - and will try to see what 2016 might hold for us. 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