By W.T. WIMPY HIROTO
Sagittarius: You’ll do the right thing at the right time, which sometimes happens to be the wrong thing.
[Sometimes, thankfully not very often, the question of fitness to reprint something raises its pointed head. Is a response necessary? Of interest? Identification and request for anonymity also comes into play. Adding to the quandary is the aggravation that follows if subject is controversial. Ah shoot, why beat around the mulberry bush, I have to respond!]
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“Your (sic) an arrogant asshole and your (sic) also full of it . . . Horse Yoshinaga is twice a writer, that’s why he’s in The Rafu two times a week! All your fancy B.S. means squat to me and a whole lot of other(s) . . . I (also) hate your use of Jappo, we are Japanese Americans, Nisei . . . you did not fight with 442 so who cares your (sic) a vet and got a free ride to go to USC. I went to Trade Tech and beat your ass in softball . . . Just wanted to let you know that your lady friends (readers) must all be stupid . . . /s/ Guess Who.”
Classic, no? You can see why I had to mull over reprinting even an edited version. When confronted by less harsh critics, I’m often told, “I don’t know what you’re talking about sometimes.” My usual response, “Sometimes I don’t know what I’m writing about, either.” That always gets a laugh though my feeling is they don’t know what they’re missing.
But getting back to “Guess Who”: I have no way to answer your anonymous slo-mail since you choose to hide. That’s cool. I would too, if I were you. Old CR2S is like Old King Cole, a merry old soul, but rather than fiddlers three, I have readers. If writing your diatribe (that means your letter) made you feel better, be my guest, anytime; although email is cheaper and faster. Meanwhile, my best to your spouse (which means “wife”). I’m elated she likes me, but can’t help but feel sorry for her.
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Remember my recent plaint regarding mochi? How, because I no longer have a toaster-oven (or old-fashioned asbestos thingamajig), preparation of the frozen stuff posed a problem. Helpful readers (most smart and lovely females) once again came to the rescue. I can’t always thank individuals in print but always make a point to answer all CR2S letters and email.
It turns out I was a wee bit tardy acknowledging one piece of advice, although I think the lady was a wee bit impatient. At any rate, Gladys E. (of Carpinteria) solved my frozen mochi woes: She instructed me to place it on a piece of parchment paper and zap in the microwave. Then use the paper to hold the hot pieces, which prevents singeing fingertips while dunking in shoyu/sugar. She concluded with a p.s. that asked to let her know how I managed.
Well, before I did/could, Carpinteria Gladys goes out and buys a box (45 sq. ft.) of genuine Reynolds parchment paper and needs an additional $3.65 in postage to mail it. Tell me, doesn’t that just zap the cockles of your heart? Now I can still be fingerprinted if asked by the FBI. Obviously I’ve thanked her (and others who suggested a similar approach). I mean to tell you, like I’ve said before, CR2S readers are a whole bunch of know-it-alls, meant in a complimentary way. You can’t Google this kinda stuff, right?
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Journalistic integrity was touched upon last week. Which reminded me of another skirmish with ethics and doing the right thing. It ranks a smidgeon below the nomiya adventure revisited. It also involved a refusal, which again, didn’t turn out very well.
Li’l Tokio was abuzz as never before. Two factions were fighting for control of Western Pioneer Insurance Company. Based in Oakland, it was one of the first to service Japanese insurance needs after The War. Many Nisei were agents, several were officers and fortunate stockholders. Its success made it a target. A growing number of influential agencies and brokers felt it should be owned and operated by Nisei.
The dispute turned into a bitter proxy battle. Local vernaculars welcomed full-page advertisements, pro and con, but did not take an editorial position. Which was par for the course. The Crossroads, ever the peripatetic orphan, did. Said position brought about a face-to-face meeting with three of the leading Li’l Tokio insurance agency moguls seeking control. Their offer: Guaranteed weekly newspaper advertising (none was a current advertiser) in exchange for an editorial cease-fire. Their offer was turned down.
Well, folks, “they” won the proxy battle and Western Pioneer became one of the early Japanese American business success stories. Taking control also meant a whole lot of money. [Upon reflection, it would appear CR2S’s record of backing losers has no end.]
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Red Alert (Pronounced “Read”): “The sale of Keiro Senior HealthCare has not been consummated,” according to an authorized spokesperson. CR2S had stated, “according to an unreliable source,” in defense of alleged misinformation.
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W.T. Wimpy Hiroto can be reached at williamhiroto@att.net Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.
What is this all about; two Nikkei writers committing Hara-Kiri? Of all the writing of Wimpy – this article reaches the low point in journalism; in fact it is oxymoran to think that readers appreciate the mud slinging of this article.
The Nikkei affter the Camps, prded themselves as stickig together and got through all the hardships which starting over all-over agai entailed; for the writer that wroteto Wimpy to blast him for his effort to provide articles of interest to all his readers and to use obnoxious, repugnant terms is out of character of the Nikkei community.
We are now n the final phase of the Nikkei movement; at the time of internement there were 79,000 Nisei and early Sansei; today there are fewer than10,000 and we are dying at the rate of 800 per year and in ten yearswe all all be gone except for a few who live to 100 years old.
The Editor should refraqin from mud sliging by the writers as it detract the cohesiveness of the Nikkei movements, and we need unity as we pass the final goal post..