Tuesday, October 31, 2006

History Beckons

80-20 salutes the political responsiveness of Asian Americans. I was deeply moved by YOUR promptness, generosity and dedication. See below.

[A] 80-20's Appeal:

Subject: History Beckons

Dear XX:

History sometimes calls upon an individual to do MORE to change things for the better. As an 80-20 member living in IL/WA/TX/NJ, you are that individual. A historic moment has arrived.
Recently 80-20 asks both major political parties to help with our battle to win Equal opportunity at work. The Republican Party ignored us. The Democratic Party through its Chair Howard Dean has written 80-20 to promise specific help in our battle to win EQUAL OPPORTUNITY at work. To create a win-win situation, 80-20 has decided to go all out to help Democrats win Congressional leadership in the 2006 election.

80-20 will focus on 4 tight races. One of which is located in YOUR HOME STATE. Please volunteer for these campaigns …..

In addition, please email/call your friends & relatives in her/his district to ask them to vote for …….

A great individual steps up to the challenges of a special circumstance in history, and feels proud, win or lose. For the one who doesn't, he/she asks retrospectively: "WHY DIDN'T I?"

HELPING this candidate in your state IS INDIRECTLY HELPING YOUR OWN CHILDREN WIN EQUAL OPPORTUNTY IN WORKPLACES.

S. B.,

President of 80-20 PAC, Inc.

[B] The Great Responses (Sorry for not publicizing all.)

(1) From Illinois 6: Tammy Duckworth is running for Congress:

(a) $20,150 received. The following individuals gave $500 to $2,000: Sanghun Song, Alex New, Ming Jeang, Larry Ho, Julia and Frederic Wan, S. B. and Katy Woo, Peter W. Chen, Henry Lee, Steve and Rosiland Hsia, Bill Tao, Kathleen To, Kelvin and Nain Lai Chen and Dongzi Liu. Tens of smaller amounts have either gone to Duckworth's campaign directly or to 80-20 to be Fed Expressed to her campaign later. Estimated $$ raised in one email: $25,000!

(b) I will go to the rally to support her. Thanks for the email. Great great job in getting Howard Dean to respond!!!!! Brian Chen

(c) I do not live in Illinois any more. I have moved to St. Louis, Missouri. …. I will let my friends and family members know who live in Illinois about this link to support her. Thanks. Kim H. Song

(2) From Washington 8: Darcy Burner is running Congress You may want to read the series of correspondence between Sherman Hu in red and S. B. Woo in black.

On Oct 28, 2006, at 3:46 PM, sherman hu wrote: she's not in my district, but i am going to donate.. Sherman

S. B. replies: Great. Make sure you note in your check or in the website that you are an 80-20 supporter. She is actually financially quite adequate.

On Oct 28, 2006, at 8:41 PM, sherman hu wrote again: also i am going to help the doorbell service for her tomorrow. Sherman

S. B. replies again: Wonderful, Sherman. You are a role model for us.

On Oct 29, 2006, at 10:27 PM, sherman hu wrote yet again: thanks! i went to help today, will do next weekend if they need me. Sherman

S. B. replied yet again: I Salute your dedication, Herman.

(3) From TX 22: Nick Lampson is running for Congress

(a) Rogene*, this is Eva Chu and I think you remember me. SB sent out an email asking us to help. What can we do? Hope talk with you soon. *Rogene Gee Calvert is Chair of our Houston chapter. That chapter has done a lot for Lampson already.

(b) S. B. Although he is not in our district, we will do our best. Jacky So

(4) From NJ: Senator Bob Menendez runs for re-election

Rally for Senator Menendez: 5 p.m., 2/11 (Thur.) across from Hoboken Terminal, Hoboken, NJ. ATTRACTION: Sen. Obama

80-20 SALUTES the political responsiveness of all you Asian Americans! A new era has arrived. Join 80-20. Visit http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership.html

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Asian Americans Gaining A Political Voice

For Immediate Release (10/24/06)
Contact Person: S. B. Woo (302 366-0259)

80-20 announced today that it has received a historic commitment from
the Democratic Party to help Asian Americans (AsAms) win equal
opportunity in workplaces. To create a win-win situation, 80-20, a non-
partisan organization, is urging Asian Americans to donate and vote for
Democratic Congressional candidates ONLY in the 2006 election. Two
Republican candidates who have been friendly to Asian Americans are
exceptions. See http://www.80-20initiative.net/gopcandidates.html

Howard Dean, Chairman of Democratic National Comm., wrote
S. B. Woo, President of 80-20 PAC, statin

1) "I look forward to working with you and other interested members of
Congress to encourage the US Labor Department to enforce Executive
Order 11246 for Asian Americans in the same way that the Clinton
Administration did in the 1990s."
2) "I will work with you and other AAPI community leaders to encourage
Congress to hold public hearings on the statistical evidence showing that
a glass ceiling exists in the workplace for Asian Americans," and
3) "Democratic Platform for 2008. I welcome input from you and
other leaders of the AAPI community, such as DNC Vice Chair Mike Honda
and DNC APIA Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, as we develop the Platform."

S. B. Woo said, "Never before has a major political party stated
specifically how its intends to help Asian Americans, much less specific
ways to help us win equal opportunity in workplaces. 80-20 is proud to
have induced that commitment."

He also said, " Our decision is to help Democrats in order to help
ourselves. The party that has a majority controls the Congress. The
Democratic Party has promised to help Asian Americans win equal
opportunity by holding public hearings on and enforcing Exec. Order
11246. We can help the Democratic Party gain control of Congress by
winning tight races where Asian American votes and money can make a
difference."

80-20 plans to focus on 3 tight House races and 1 tight Senate race in
which our population is relatively large. They are Illinois Congressional
District 6, TX 22, WA 8, and the NJ senatorial race of Robert Menendez.
The race in IL 6 of Tammy Duckworth, an Asian American female pilot who
lost both legs in Iraq, will receive particular attention. All can send money
to Friends of Tammy Duckworth, 416 West 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois
60148. Specify in your check "At the suggestion of 80-20."

Getting a major party to recognize Asian Americans' rightful concerns
in writing is historic and significant. "We must do all we can to ensure the
continuation of that concern. How? By making sure that we help back the
party that helps us." said Woo.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

A Historic Breakthrough in Political Voice

Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) wrote S. B. Woo, President of 80-20 today. He said he saw our Washington Post ad and heard from Senator Tom Carper. As a result, he wrote:


1) "I look forward to working with you and other interested members of Congress to encourage the US Labor Department to enforce Executive Order 11246 for Asian Americans in the same way that the Clinton Administration did in the 1990s."

2) "I will work with you and other AAPI community leaders to encourage Congress to hold public hearings on the statistical evidence showing that a glass ceiling exists in the workplace for Asian Americans," and

3) "... Democratic Platform for 2008. I therefore welcome input from you and other leaders of the AAPI community, such as DNC Vice Chair Mike Honda and DNC APIA Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, as we develop the Platform."


The above is a historic breakthrough. Never before has a major political party made such specific commitment to Asian Americans.


To create a win-win situation, 80-20, a non-partisan organization, is urging Asian Americans to donate and vote for Democratic Congressional candidates ONLY in the 2006 election. Two Republican candidates who have been friendly to Asian Americans are exceptions. See http://www.80-20initiative.net/gopcandidates.html . The above decision was unanimously approved by 80-20's Board.


Help Democrats in order to help OURSELVES!


The party that has a majority controls the Congress. The Democratic Party has promised to help Asian Americans win equal opportunity by holding public hearings on and enforcing Exec. Order 11246. We can help the Democratic Party gain control of Congress by helping to win tight races where Asian American votes and money can make a difference.


With your help, 80-20 plans to focus on 3 tight House races and 1 tight Senate race in which our population is relatively large. They are:

Illinois Congressional District 6 (Chicago area) : Tammy Duckworth,

TX 22 (Houston area): Nicholas Lampson,

WA 8 (Seattle Area): Darcy Burner, and the

NJ Senatorial race: Robert Menendez.


The race of Tammy Duckworth, an Asian American female pilot who lost both legs in the Iraq war, will receive particular attention. 80-20 will be writing big checks. More important, YOU must help. Send check to


Friends of Tammy Duckworth, 416 West 22nd Street, Lombard, Illinois 60148. (Specify in your check "At the suggestion of 80-20.")


Do you have you friends & relatives living in those areas? FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO THEM. WE MUST DELIVER, IF WE EXPECT THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES TO PAY ATTENTION TO US IN THE FUTURE. TOGETHER, WE CAN ACHIEVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. COUNTING ON YOU.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Wow! Asian Americans Outraged!

EVERY part of the Asian American community wrote (see the diversity of readers' names) to EXPRESS THEIR OUTRAGE. They either condemned the intimidation tactics used by the Executive Director of The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders or praised 80-20 for serving our community. Most did both.

SOME asked for the e-mail addresses of Jimmy Lee and his boss e.g. see "reactions 7 and 9." Others found on their own how to express their outrage at Jimmy Lee directly e.g. see "reactions 1, 6 and 8."

Jimmy Lee has not only shamed himself but also gotten the Republican Party into a lot of trouble 4 weeks before a crucial election. He has turned off not only Democrats but Republicans and Independents, e.g. see "reactions 1, 10 and 21."

Again, we apologize for not publicizing all the emails which poured in. However, just in case some Republicans are so insulated as to think that 80-20 has manufactured the reactions, we encourage you to express your outrage directly to

"Jimmy Lee" http://us.f569.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jimmydlee@gmail.com Better yet copy it to RNC chairman Ken Mehlman: http://us.f569.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Chairman@gop.com who is the one who needs to know.

Please take a minute to write. This could be the historic moment when all Asian American political figures know that if they exploit instead of serve our community, they will be rejected by our community. Your taking a moment to write helps create that HISOTORIC MOMENT.

READERS' REACTIONS

(1) Dear Jimmy D. Lee,

I recently read your email correspondence to President Roselle and Provost Rich, regarding S. B. Woo's request for Republican members of 80- 20 initiative. … I have sat around and thought about what possible motives you could have for sending this email. But I could not think of any possible reason you would have except for wanting to somehow silence S.B. Woo's message. To describe this tactic as downright disrespectful of S.B. Woo and the majority of Asian Americans, is an extremely gross understatement. ….

With all due respect, you are supposed to be fostering a better understanding and relationship between the White House and the Asian American community. What you did directly contradicts what you are suppose to be doing! Christina Fong

p.s. Before you write me off as some partisan Democrat, let me tell you I am a registered independent, and my father was a lifelong Republican who regularly contributed to the Republican party until George W. Bush came along.

2) Keep this movement up, wishing you a great success. Pramood Kr. Sinha

3) Not only are we empowered, but encouraged and with more power! Theresa

4) Jimmy Lee just further perpetuates the image that politics and politicians are just slimy, weasel-like characters. It's ridiculous to say that just because an email address contains a university tag that your message implied views endorsed by the university. You're right--it seems all he was trying to do was intimidate you by flexing his muscles (by using his title) a little. Yuri Saito

5) Your demeanor, your forthrightness and your ability to teach the next generation come through everything you do for our community. There is an _expression we use in the Vietnamese community to refer to the substance of those who suffer anomie: "mat goc". Cao Anh Quan

6) To Erik Wong; copied to Jimmy Lee: Why is Jimmy Lee trying to intimidate SB Woo, one of the trailblazers in the Asian Pacific Islander community? I would like to know. Ted W. Lieu California State Assemblymember, 53rd District

7) I would suggest you to ask all of us to send this email responds to the White House. Hence let the White House knows what kind of people they hire to represent Asian Ams. They have to make changes if they still want to have supports from Asian Ams. Mijad Lee

8) Please find below my email that I posted onto the White House Initiative Office on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders' website. http://www.whiaapi.org/contactus/ I will forward to you any feedback that I might receive. David

9) Do you have Jimmy Lee and his boss' email addresses. We should flood them with our point of view. Peter

10) You are a very honorable person who has courage and vision for advocating Asian American's rights of equality. Yet, Jimmy Lee is such an ashamed partisan that conducted a dirty political trick. As a registered Republican voter, I condemn his shameful conduct. Would you forward his e-address and his boss's, so I'd copy this to them? Joseph Zhou

11) What's wrong with GOP? Does GOP now stand for Gas, Oil, and Play- boy of the dirty tricks?! We 80-20 are not partisan but legitimately fight for our equal rights in this "most democratic" country. … This is what the 80-20 all about. So let's stand up for your rights and side-track the partisan stuff. …May Lord bless you all to have the right, but not right- wing vision! Xing Wu

12) This Jimmy Lee is outrageous ! He is supposed to help the cause of Asian Americans not to intimidate the person who is doing that ! I'm going to remember this name. Wen Lee

13) Thank-you. Lotus Do Brooks

14) I can't help wondering why GOP hired this guy to serve as "Executive Director" of this "White House blah blah on AAPI". That just drives AsAm further away. The only reason that I can imagine is that AsAm Republicans with good hearts do not bother to be associated with current GOP leadership anymore. Dongzi

15) You are doing a wonderful job. Our current and future generations will thank you. Steve Kuo

16) I greatly appreciate your dedication to the cause of Asian Americans. Whatever intimidation should not deter you from doing so. You have my support. Ramon Lim

17) Thanks for letting us know the story! And many thanks for your hard work! Youxue Zhang

18) Even if Jimmy Lee's email does not represent the White House and the views of President Bush's leadership, the impression is out there (through his use of the title Executive Director, The White House Initiative) that the White House is just as ignorant about academic freedom and is supportive of the thoughts portrayed through this email. KY Tsang

19) Frankly, I don't know why anyone would be surprised by the Republican party's dirty tricks.
Pauline Rossen

20) you have done a good job, particularly in advocating correct values as demonstrated in the current email. Yu Leuk Choi

21) Shame on Jimmy Lee. I say we ditch the Republicans and vote straight Democrats (I am an independent). M. Jeang

22) We fully support you, you did a wonderful job for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I-chih Wang

23) Good for you. Is there such an office as Executive Director, The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and if so what have they done to help Asian Pacific Americans? Cliff

Join 80-20. If not now, when?Help push the memberhsip over 2,000 this month! Using a credit card, visit http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership.html(easy to use) or
http://www.80-20initiative.net/paypal.html

PERSONAL checks are payable to "80-20 PAC", mailed to:
Jing-Li Yu Director of Projects
P.O. Box 527340 Flushing, NY 11352-7340 .

Write down your E-MAIL address & PHONE no. on the BACK of the check. Life membership is $1,000; Family (2 voters) is $50; Basic Membership is $35; Student membership is $15.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Intimidation Against S. B. Woo Backfires

The following may EMPOWER you and our entire community. It illustrates what America is all about -- not the partisan view of a person with a fancy official title but what is right or wrong.

BACKGROUND:

80-20 called on the AsAm Republicans on its 700,000 e-mail list to send a message to Republicans headquarters (RNC, NRCC and NRSC) urging them to pay attention to the rightful interests of AsAms during the 2006 election.

A huge number responded. They sent emails stating that "if you don't meet with S. B. Woo, I will vote for all Democrats, and ask all my friends and relatives to do so." They signed off with their names and addresses.

Instead of responding positively to the request, a few Republican AsAm operatives paniced. They decided to intimidate S. B. Woo personally. One operative used his title (Executive Director, The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) to boost his complaint to the President and Provost of the University of Delaware, where S. B. once worked & served as a Trustee. S. B. was copied in the complaint.

THE INTIMIDATION:

"President Roselle and Provost Rich:

Our office received this email* from one of your faculty this past weekend. I am forwarding this to your attention. I hope that his views and his perspective is not representative of the university. I imagine that your university shares our vision of working with all communities and all parties in this country and we are here to serve the people of this country.

Even if Professor Woo's emails do not represent your university and the views of your leadership, the impression is out there (through his use of the university email address) that your university is supportive of his work and the thoughts portrayed through this email.

Our office asks that you respond promptly and look into this matter. Thank you.

Jimmy D. Lee
Executive Director
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders"

INTIMIDATION BACKFIRES:

From: "Roselle, David"
To: "Jimmy Lee"

"S. B. Woo is a retired member of the University of Delaware’s faculty. As such, he is entitled to have limited access, including E- mail, to the University’s computing facilities. All users of these facilities are governed by certain policies, none of which would seem to have been violated if Professor Woo did, in fact, author and send the memo* you attached to your note."

MORAL OF THIS STORY:

The above exchange of emails best illustrates what America is all about. It is not about official titles, it is about right and wrong. Dirty politicians, from both political parties, have used their titles to intimidate AsAms for decades, particularly recent immigrants, for financial contributions or for partisan political advantages.

Stand up for justice and your rights, fellow Asian Ams. Don't let unethical politicians intimate you ever again.

80-20 hopes that this email has empowered you. Write 80-20, if you are facing intimidation by an official. We'll look into it for you.

This incident is a big strike against the Republican Party. It also shames "The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders."

To join 80-10, visit
http://www.80-20initiative.net/membership.html
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* The following is the email referred to in the correspondence:
Dear Kam: Greetings. Thanks for copying me in your correspondence with Jimmy Lee, whom I assume works for the GOP. His email to you illustrates the great difference in our value systems.

His email: "Kam - hope that you're well - I think that you and also the community reading this needs to realize that the RNC has contacted Mr. Woo and that we said that we would have our political folks sit down and meet with him but he said no thank you. My guess is that he wants to go and tell people that he has met with the Chairman so he looks good in front of his constituents. But if he is going around and saying that no one responded to his request that is false and he needs to be honest about what he is saying and telling people."

According to that person's value (Jimmy Lee), I wanted to see Mehlman because I could publicize it and it'd make me look good. By that logic, not been given a meeting with Mehlman should makes me look bad. Why would I publicize this bad news then Jimmy Lee simply doesn't understand a higher value system -- the desire to serve and the will to fight the wrong. I and my colleagues in 80-20 fight for Asian Americans' equal opportunity because we believe it will be good for Asian Americans and America. I am beginning to think that the Republican party has attracted a lot of selfish people without the right value. They support GOP simply for their own selfish appetite. Therefore they misjudge others' motives. They think all?people are like them -- vain glorious and selfish to the core.

Both D and R responded to my first request for a meeting by sending low ranking folks to meet with me. I rejected both offers, because such people didn't have the authority to make the big deals -- 80-20 doesn't sell Asian Am. votes?cheaply. To my second letter to both D and R. Democrats adjusted. The Republicans didn't.

You may forward this reply to Jimmy Lee if you like. It may cause him?to re-examine his value. The poor soul refers to Mehlman as Chairman only. He didn't even dare to use Mehlman's name. Doesn't he realize that this is America, and a party chairman is no big deal. The issue could settle easily. Mehlman could simply announce a date that is convenient to both on which we'll meet. The climbers in GOP may think Mehlman is a big deal. I only respect Mehlman's office, since I don't know anything about him to decide whether to respect him as a person or not. Thanks, Kam. I am glad ?that?our community has a leader like you. Best, SB

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Call To Action

CALL TO ACTION

It all depends on our Republican supporters now. You alone can get the Republican leadership to pay attention to Asian Am interests and in return get our support in the 2006 election.

Background:

(1) This year's election is crucial. The leadership of both the House and the Senate are at stake. 80-20 wants both parties to compete to serve our rightful interests in order to get our votes. So 80-20 contacted both parties.

(2) DNC (Dem. Nat'l Comm.) responded. 80-20 wants the Dem. party to help us win equal opportunity, whie DNC wants us to vote for then in return. Fair enough. But no deal is made yet.

(3) RNC didn't. 80-20 president S. B. Woo couldn't get a appointment to see RNC leadership after repeated tries. 80-20 sent almost identical letters to DNC and RNC on the same day, and made identical calls.

What you can do, if you are a Republican:

E-mail or fax (more effective):
1) Chiar of RNC, Ken Mehlman: Chairman@gop.com; 202 863-8820 -f
2) Nat'l Rep. Congress Comm.: website@nrcc.org; 202 863-0693 - f
3) Nat'l Rep. Senate Comm: webmaster@gopsenators.com; 202 675-4730

Use your own words but express the following sentiment: "I am a Republican voter. Why aren't you meeting with S. B. Woo, President of 80-20 Initiative, to create a win-win situation for both GOP and Asian Americans? If we lose the leadership of one or both branches of the Congress, I'll hold you responsible. I will vote for all Democrats, and ask all my friends and relatives to do so, if you ignore my request." Print your name, address and title (optional).

Do it NOW. You have the right to demand the service from your Party. Exercise it. If you don't fight for yourself, no one will. Election time is the best time to get politicians to listen to us.

Enjoy the inner satisfaction of having done YOUR share! THANKS.
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YOUR ad received International Coverage: YOUR ad in Washington Post ad was reported in Central China TV in the international news segment in Beijing, China on September 28. Wow! First, YOUR ad got into the U.S. Congressional Record. Now, YOUR ad received international coverage. Why? People recognize shocking truth! It is indeed the central reason (raison d'etre ) for our fight to win equal opportunity in workplaces. To review the ad: http://www.80-20educationalfoundation.org/wpad.jpg