When we recently toured Manzanar with Elderhostel I found the presentation mostly informative but out of context with the period and cause of internment. The video gave the impression of President Ronald Reagan sallying forward 60 years after the fact, on a white horse correcting the mistakes of that nasty administration who got us through the great depression, World War II, provided for many of our national and state parks, the Marshall Plan, Social Security and financial safeguards. This view has a familiar political slant. Singling out these Japanese Americans was cruel and unfair to the large majority who were good and loyal citizens but this was not a punishment or reprisal. If this issue came up today President Roosevelt would have certainly viewed the idea of internment as absurd. Unfortunately the circumstances could not be mitigated on a Universal or Paramount set. Roosevelt had to make the best of bad choices. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Pacific fleet was destroyed and America was thrust into total world war against three of the most powerful, ruthless countries of that time. Admit it or not, Japan had no compunctions against coercing intelligence from west coast Japanese Americans, using their overseas relatives as bargaining tools. President Roosevelt could not allow this to happen, either to the American fleet or to those Japanese Americans who would be subject to reprisals by civilians. It's always easy to second guess after the fact when we are all safe, comfortable and secure. Considering the time, circumstances and FDR's track record we can deduce he conscientiously discharged his authority and took these extraordinary measures to provide for the safety and common good, as President Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus during the Civil War. We need to honor those Japanese who served honorably and heroically in the armed forces but also those who suffered the indignity and financial loss of internment. They also served who stood and waited. This should not be diminished by current political opportunism. I was pleased to hear these internees at least had a PX and better health care than many citizens have today and that some who had no other place to go, wanted to stay longer. This was not an American Auschwich and shouldn't be inferred as such. Victims of Singapore, Nanking and Bataan would have given anything to trade places, as would Mrs. Sullivan who lost all five of her sons at sea. This was not a perfect solution but the scope and magnitude of the conditions at the time of this decision were overwhelming and the consequences for defeat unthinkable. This was a terrible time which was cruel and unfair to everyone. I thank God for the people who got us through it and saved the world. Thank you.

Submitted by Lou at: October 24, 2008