More Profs/Profnl's Spoke Up

A supporter emailed 80-20 relating his court experience, ". . . not always focused on the discrimination as such but on esoteric you need to point out that the legal challenges are personal issues which have nothing to do with the case."

He continued, "The companies play dirty and are nothing like the ethical, honorable companies that they represent themselves to be. It is about war and the only thing is winning for the company and their legal team. The companies have the upper hand. They have unlimited resources to throw at the case. They can unleash 10 or more lawyers and other people (investigators) on the case and you have one or two attorneys on contingency with limited money in the bank and 20 other cases to work on. . . . .H. Lum"

Want to go through that gauntlet? 80-20 offers a choice. Read below.

THEN & NOW:

Time WAS when the only way Asian Ams can fight back, when we have suffered the most blatant discrimination in our workplaces, was to go to court. But everyone knows that going to court is
1) time consuming,
2) money consuming, and
3) extremely humiliating, when your employer's lawyers will dig up anything you've ever done that APPEARS wrong to muddle the case, and make you seem the most incompetent/irresponsible employee in the entire company.

For most Asian Ams., it is like NO RECOURSE at all.

Time IS that 80-20 strategically perceived that the accumulated suffering of numerous Asian Ams had resulted in
1) irrefutable statistical evidence of the glass ceiling,
2) which can be shattered easily and painlessly by the enforcement of Exec. Order 11246, done for all Americans except for us, and
3) has already obtained President Obama's promise to enforce Exec. Order 11246 for us.

The enforcement of E.O. 11246 is based on STATISTICAL evidence. The Labor Dept. would write a university/industry asking why are there so few Asian Am. managers but so many workers? It'll ask for a written plan with specific goals to remedy the situation next year, OR have all its federal contracts terminated. It worked like magic for blacks/women/Hispanics in the past. So it should work for us.

So sacrifice* $35/$50 or more to join 80-20, because 80-20 offers you a faster and much less painful way to become EQUAL CITIZENS. Be cool. Be a pioneer. Be on the frontier ad 51d vancing our rightful interests.

Using a credit card, go http://www.80-20initiative.net . Or send your check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110. We love NEW members, since there is a matching fund for new members.

Best Regards,

S.B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director (a volunteer), 80-20PAC. Inc.

*The Asian Am community used to pay attention to Asian Ams with impressive government titles ONLY, whether they've helped or hurt our community. However, we are politically more mature now. We now value deeds. Although I don't deserve the honor, Asianweek, for one day, named me, "Chinese American hero: S. B. Woo" 
 If interested, visit http://www.asianweek.com/2009/06/23/chinese-american-hero-SB-Woo

Please view my profile on LinkedIn.com and join my network there. Visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/sbwoo.

Asian Am. Profs. Spoke Up in Response to 80-20

In response to 80-20's e-newsletter "Speak up, AsAm Professors," many did. 2 sad stories are shared. We have Asian Ams early in their careers in mind - know the real world, before too late. Under (3), 80-20 explains how it'll win equal opportunity for Asian Ams. - indeed soon, if we'll each do our share.

(1) Sharing My Painful Experience--Speaking Up

The glass ceiling is hard to prove because the hiring agency will always find something to defend why someone was not hired. Here, I may be showing you a few examples.

Last year I was among the final two candidates interviewed for two senior public health positions with the same federal agency. For one position, the agency hired an in-house female staff who had agency specific experience but had only a MPH as academic credentials even though the expectation was for a PhD, which I had. The second case involved a more grueling process where I passed an interview with an expert panel drawn from other federal agencies; and then flown in for a face-to-face interview. Again, I was passed for a female staff from another federal office (who was a disgruntled former worker who had left the agency a few years earlier and was aspiring to come back under the new director.) One panel interviewer anonymously shared with me that I was the top pick of the panel. Interestingly, the selected candidate was an African American lady and one of the top hiring executives was also an African American lady. Specifically in this case, I suspect discrimination since I brought state level pragmatism and substantive experience that were expected of the job but the other candidate lacked even though she was a good researcher.

I was also seriously vested the third time with the same agency where I was among three finalists but was not invited for an interview. I am glad they did not because they would not have taken me and hence spared me the agony. Interestingly though, the seriously considered candidate was a Chinese American who, based on the inside scoop, was a prolific scientist. He was allegedly not hired for two reasons: (a) doctorate degree outside the US; and (b) not very articulate in spoken English.

Despite an agonizing 10 months ordeal and impending frustrations, I will continue to try since not doing so would allow such practices go unchallenged. To me, the fact that many of Asian Americans had to be twice as qualified, twice smarter, speak English proficiently and with almost impeccable accent, and be the unique minority professional is simply intriguing. Equally sad is the reality how easily we are shortchanged for someone who is less qualified.

(2) From a Math Prof. who took his case to court

I have had the bitter taste of it and fought against it in court. My case had so much merits that an organization of professionals supported me with legal services including that of an attorney. …. I lost the case in a federal court. Nevertheless, I am happy that I did what I had to do. . . . . . .

I have a couple of suggestions to 80-20.

1. Form a committee to make a list of undesirable colleges/institutions for Asians to work there, it functions sort of like Better Business Bureau.

2. Provide legal services on a contingency basis pending evaluation on merits. Asians need Asian lawyers who are compassionate about discrimination against Asians. (80-20 is indeed working on a partnership with a well-known Asian Am. Legal Center for the said purpose.)

(3) 80-20's Program to Win Equal Opportunity For Asian Ams.

Subtle discriminations are very hard to prove in courts. However, the accumulation of numerous discriminatory acts against us in workplaces had resulted in irrefutable statistical evidence of the glass ceiling against us. See how our bars are much shorter than those of all other Americans in chart 1 of the picture.

Hence, 80-20 chooses to get the Department of Labor, DOL, to enforce Exec. Order 11246* for us -- a law that had been enforced for all except Asian Ams. DOL had traditionally used statistics to confront universities/industries with the need to remove the glass ceilings from blacks, women, & Hispanics. If an institution failed to comply, DOL is empowered by E.O. 11246 to terminate all federal contracts to that institution! A powerful law!

See Pres. Obama's unequivocal commitment to enforce E.O. 11246 for us. In one move, 80-20 aims to help all 14 million Asian Ams win equal opportunity in workplaces painlessly. Compare that to consuming huge amount of time, money, and personal dignity struggling for one verdict in court.

The enforcement should begin soon, especially if there is a dramatic increase in membership for 80-20. Do your share. Effective politics depends on clout! YOU can help give 80-20 clout.

To join 80-20, go http://www.80-20initiative.net. Clink on the red button in the lower right corner. Or send a check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110. 80-20 gets paid double for NEW members, owing to a NEW matching fund of $3,500.

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director (a volunteer), 80-20 PAC, Inc.

* To know more about E.O. 11246, visit http://www.80-20initiative.net/news/preselect2008_eo11246.asp

Record Membership AGAIN!

Thanks to you, 80-20 sets membership records again.

At the end of last month, 80-20 had a larger membership than ITS ENTIRE 2007 roster, and established a 5-month record for a historic high.

By the middle of this month, 80-20 has a larger membership than ITS ENTIRE 2008 roster, and sets the 6-month record for a historic high. All those records were set during a weak economy!

Implications? (1) More Asian Ams. have confidence in 80-20, after seeing what 80-20 got done through the 2008 election. (2) Ultimately, however, the only lasing impact is "More Power to YOU!"

Each Asian Am. has relatively less political power than that of another average Am. In addition, our number is so much smaller than other groups. So, PLEASE, keep on joining. 80-20 would love to DOUBLE YOUR power by doubling its 2007 membership by year's end. Do you want to be "Equal Citizens NOW?"

What is required? It will require 6 more Asian Ams. deciding to practice Enlightened Self-Interest and join as dues-paying members each day.

Lead! Time is ripe. Join or donate. Others will follow.

Using a credit card, go http://www.80-20initiative.net. Clink on the red button in the lower right page corner. Or send a check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110. 80-20 gets paid double for NEW members, owing to a NEW matching fund of $3,500.

Respectfully yours.

S. B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director (a volunteer), 80-20 PAC, Inc.

Acknowledgment:
Woo's Foundation to 80-20 Educational Foundation (EF) $7,550
Anonymous to EF $3,500
S. B. Woo to PAC $3,500
Chung Yu Ting of Los Altos Hills, CA to PAC $1,000
Margaret Wong of Cleveland, Ohio to EF $1,000
Rowland and Benjamin Chang of Chicago, IL to PAC $405
Wei H. Sun of Chester, Ohio to EF $250
William L. Pak of West Lafayette, IN to PAC $250

To Join or Not to Join?

To Join Or Not To Join 80-20?

The 14 million Asian American will enjoy EQUAL citizenship a lot earlier, IF 80-20 can double its dues paying members. Why? It is the implied doubling of 80-20's grass roots strength!

Aiming to double its membership, 80-20 did a survey. It revealed 4 main reasons why people have not joined 80-20. Please pass this e-newsletter to your friends. We want to double YOUR political clout.

(I) Number one reason for not joining 80-20
Fearful that joining a political org. may hurt one's career

Quite to the contrary, getting involved only empowers individuals. Allow me to share my career paths and time lines as examples.

Physics Professor (Univ. of Delaware) 1966 to 2001;
Testified before the US Senate Foreign Relations Comm. (regarding the dispute of the Tiao-YuTai Island (Senkaku) I was an Asst. Prof. & a P.R. then. '71;
Founding President of the Faculty Union & its Chief Spokesman & Chief Negotiator (U. of D) '71 - '73;
Trustee (U. of D.) '76 - '82;
Lieutenant Governor or Delaware '85 - '89.

My elders & friends advised 
me to avoid such involvement. However, empirical results showed that each involvement empowered me. Admitted, being a Lt. Governor is not a big deal, and luck was an element. However, if I didn't take the first step to be empowered, there would not likely be the 2nd step. "There is nothing to fear, except fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

(II) Some people prefer a "free ride"

If one's economic situation is poor, please keep the money for your family's needs. However, for those who want a free ride, shame on you. Use the following humiliating joke as a mirror for yourself:

"Barber & Asian Americans"

There is this barber in the US. One day a Caucasian florist goes to him for a haircut. After the cut, he goes to pay the barber. The barber replies: "No charge today. I am doing community service." The florist is happy and left. The next morning the barber finds 
a "Thank you" card and a dozen roses waiting at his shop door. 
 An African American cop goes for a haircut and got the same 
"community service treatment." The cop is happy and left. The next morning the barber finds a "Thank you" card and a dozen 
donuts waiting at his shop door. An Asian Software Engineer goes 
for a haircut and he also got the "community service treatment." 
The next morning when the barber goes to open his shop, guess 
what he finds there. A dozen Asians waiting for a free Haircut.

(III) Apathy -- politics doesn't affect me

Like it or not, politics is already involved in every aspects of our lives. How do you think the glass ceiling was removed from all others except for the Asian Ams? Our political apathy. How do you think we are goin b19 g to get ride of the glass ceiling? By supporting organizations like the 80-20!

(VI) 80-20 is not party neutral

True! 80-20 favors the Republican Party to induce its support. There are two concrete examples. A) Only 24% of Asian Ams. are registered as Republicans, although 80-20 gave Republicans 33% of the delegates to 80-20's Convention to endorse a presidential nominee. B) We gave Sen. McCain & Pres. Bush more time to answer 80-20's questionnaire.

That 80-20 has never endorsed a Republican presidential nominee was the fault of the Republican nominees -- didn't care enough about us to answer 80-20's questionnaires. If they didn't care to help us gain equal opportunity, 80-20 was proud to have rallied our community for a bloc vote to punish each of them. Just watch, the GOP will soon improve it attitude towards us.

(IV) Don't know enough about 80-20's goals & accomplishment

Goals: Equal opportunity & justice for Asian Americans.

Accomplishment: See the two pictures below. Picture 1 tells our present situation. See the shorten bars for Asian Ams in Chart 1 when compared with all other Americans. That is how much we are being discriminated presently. Picture 2 tells you what 80-20 has accomplished for YOU. It displays the equivocal commitments by President Obama to the Asian Am. community through 80-20 Educational Foundation to give you equal opportunity and justice. When the promises are fulfilled, our bars in chart 1 will be lengthened to reach the national averages. Is that not an impressive accomplishment?

Again, to join or not to join? I hope it is to JOIN! To double our clout, go http://www.80-20initiative.net. Or send your check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110.

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director, 80-20 PAC, Inc. (a volunteer)

Acknowledgment: 12 more NEW members responded to our call to help get the $3.5K matching fund, although we hoped only for 8. SO PROUD OF YOU! They are: Aravindan Rolands, Meg H. Chang, Raymond W. Chiu, Gene Wu, Zuemin Chi, Elayne Chou, Bangzhi Liu, Simone Shen, Ayako Yasuda, Feng Zhang, Monica Y. & hsien K. Chang, Philip Yang, Andy P. Ng, Wen-Chouh Lin.

Speak up, AsAm Professors

Speak up & Act, Asian American professor!

This email came from an Asian Am. professor who is about to retire. He has been a Dept. Chair, a grant reviewer in a government agency and has already negotiated his early retirement plans with his university. Below he shares his experience and observation on subtle discrimination on campus with his younger Asian Am. colleagues.

On Grant Reviews:
"Advancement in academia often depends on getting extramural funding. I have served on government agency panels that review grant proposals. For course development grant, my perception is that it's harder for Asian Americans to get funded. Many of the reviewers are not Asians and the reviewers come across tougher on proposals submitted by non-Caucasians without the benefit of being underrepresented minorities."

On Hiring:
"Furthermore, during the hiring process, my previous colleagues stack the deck in their votes for non-Asians. Part of the concern is the clarity of speech. However, even for ABCs, the criteria are different. These kind of behavior is very hard to prove. Having worked as the sole Asian in my building for more than 25 years before another Asian was hired in a different department, I can definitely say that the treatment is very different from many administrators and from my contemporaries. The older faculty were actually less prejudiced than the younger ones to my
surprise."

On Negotiating Early Retirement/Rewards for External Funding:
"Furthermore, when it came to negotiating early retirement, the deals were secret and done on a case by case basis. Had I not been previous chair of my department and knew about one particular case, the college was going to deny me health insurance after retirement. Rewards from extramural funding were also handled very differently for me from that of my Caucasian peers, all three of whom I outranked in terms of years in service and years in the professorial rank."

His Concluding Remarks:
"My perception is by no means scientific but if you get enough of this, you might have some basis. I am just about retired and am not saying this to advance myself. I am sending a check for $35 to become a member. Your message resonated with me."

80-20 thanks this professor, who prefers anonymity, for passing on his life experience to others of the Asian Am. community. It should awaken those young Asian Am professors who otherwise might have no idea of how the real world is like. Universities are considered the basin of liberalism. Alas! The fact is Asian Ams in private industries have 55% of the chance of all other Americans to rise to management, while those in universities have ONLY 41% chance of all the other Americans." See Chart 1.

Joining 80-20 will NOT hurt your career. If anything, it'll empower you. Need an example? Please allow me to share my experience. Under my name, a few lines 502 below, are shown a part of my career as a professor. I was involved in projects that my elders & friends considered imprudent, and advised me to avoid. Instead, getting involved liberated & empowered me. Please note the time periods of each involvement, and how each involvement had empowered me to go further.

"There is nothing to fear, except fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Go http://www.80-20initiative.net to join 80-20. We need 8 more NEW members to receive a $3,500 matching fund. Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

S.B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director, 80-20 PAC, Inc. (a volunteer)
Professor ('66-2001), Founding Pres. of Faculty Union, Chief spokesman & chief negotiator ('71-'73), Trustee ('76-'82), all at the Univ. of Delaware; Lt. Governor of Delaware ('85-'89)

Data on which Chart 1 is bases have been verified by EEOC, and entered into the Congressional Record by Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware

Speak up, AsAm Scientists

Emails poured in urging 80-20 to help publicize the article that is in the current issue of the Science Magazine.

Topic? The very low glass ceiling against Asian American scientists!

The above is course NOT news to 80-20. 80-20 started it all in showingthe very low glass ceilings against Asian Americans EVERYWHERE -- private industries, universities, the federal government, and the state and local governments.

We are just delighted that prestigious organizations have checked ourdata & statements and are joining our ranks! Science Magazine, EEOC, and The Chronicle of High Education are with 80-20 in asking for change.

80-20 is proud to point out the two of the prominent persons speaking out in this article are key players of 80-20. Dr. Alice Huang, the President-elect of AAAS, is on 80-20's Board, and Dr. Kuan-Teh Jeang is an 80-20 Honorary Life Member.

Please read about it and then speak up against the discrimination. Or join 80-20 to support its voice, go http://www.80-20initiative.net and click on the red button "JOIN 80-20." Or, send a check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110.

Speak up against the glass ceiling above you. It's good for you, us and the United States of America.

(The article URL: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2009_05_29/science.opms.r0900072)

Record Membership!

The economy is weak. However, a record number of people joined 80-20 as dues-paying members. What does it mean?

Thanks to you, 5 months into the year, 80-20 already has a larger membership than ITS ENTIRE 2007 roster. Indeed, our current membership is a 5-month record for the historic high. At this rate, we'll double our membership of 2007.

Implication? First, Asian Ams now have more confidence in 80-20, after seeing what it got done through the 2008 election. Secondly, political awakening! Less and less Asian Ams are like the selfish characters in the humiliating joke entitled "Barber and Asian Ams."

You have emboldened 80-20 to set 2 more goals for this month. First, a historic 6-month membership record; & secondly, to have more members by June 30th of 2009 than its ENTIRE 2008 roster!

Why are these aims important to you?

Political clout comes from the ability to deliver as large a swing bloc vote as possible. In the next election, 80-20 may finally be able to deliver 80% of the Asian Am vote to its endorsed candidate - 80-20's name sake. This big increase in membership in a weak economy therefore means "More Power To YOU!"

Once we get there, we'll get sufficient political support to make YOU & YOUR CHILDREN "Equal Citizens NOW."

Dare you dream with us for our children's sake?

With those goals, we need even more members. Using a credit card, go http://www.80-20initiative.net and click on the red button "JOIN 80-20." Or, send a check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110.

We particularly need NEW members!!!! The membership fee is $15 for students, $35 for s or $50 for a family of 2 members. Act! Citizens & permanent residents may join. Does one need to be "famous or prominent" to join? No! That was a vicious rumor. 80-20 is grass-roots!

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo (a volunteer)
Acting Executive Director, 80-20 PAC, Inc.

Has S. B. Lied?

A person who has been on 80-20's email list doubted the truthfulness of one of my statements. He emailed,

"(You said,) ". . . are each pledging $3,500 to match the dues of any NEW member. Why $3,500? . . . ' It is touching, but can you swear that it is the truth and nothing but the truth before God? Each member? Paul Hsiao "

Paul sent the above after I sent out an e-newsletter on May 12 which ended with a postscript. The postscript stated:

"PS: 80-20 needs NEW members. A donor gave $3,500 as a matching fund 
to double 80-20's intake, whenever a NEW member joins. After that I will 
give $3,500 for the same purpose. Why $3,500? …. "

Since 80-20 always strongly believes that our supporters'/detractors' questioning of our motives and/or truthfulness is a healthy pratice in democracy, I tried to answer Paul. I first emailed the anonymous donor who gave $3,500 and got the donor's permission to give out his name and e-address so that Paul may email this donor directly to verify.

Next, I struggled with how to prove to Paul that "after that I will 
give $3,500 for the same purpose,"since I've NOT given the money yet? I decided to ask Paul to check how much money I've donated to 80-20 PAC in the past so that he may see that I didn't need to lie for the relative small amount of $3,500.

Thank Heavens that political donations, which giving to 80-20 PAC is, are a matter of public records above $200.

I asked Paul to go to a site maintained by the Federal Election Commission, since it reports such donations on its website: http://www.fec.gov/finance/disclosure/disclosure_data_search.shtml. He needed to click on "individual search" in the middle of the page, then type in the various versions of my name. (Note that I always sign my name as S. B. Woo in the check, but the government employees have different preferences on how to enter my name in the official record.)

Woo, Shien-Biau (So now you know what S. B. Woo stands for. ☺ )
Woo, Shien (Some gov. workers consider Biau as a middle name)
Woo, S.B., Woo, SB, Woo, S. B., Woo, Shien Biau, Woo, S B

My total donations to 80-20 PAC over the years are in the high 5 figures. Fortunately, after that Paul was satisfied. :-) He emailed:

"Your letter shows your sincere heart. I do not doubt you, I just think it is touching that you want to contribute yourself for a purpose."

You may check the sum of my donations to 80-20 PAC yourself, if you want. The above is also an objective lesson on why transparency is
desirable. TRANSPARENCY builds TRUST!

To join 80-20, using a 
credit card, go http://www.80-20initiative.net and click on the red 
button "JOIN 80-20" in the lower right hand corner. Or send a check to 80-20 PAC PO Box 22509 Philadelphia, PA 19110.

Thanking you in anticipation for your sacrifice.

Respectfully yours,

S.B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director (a volunteer), 80-20 PAC, Inc

Judy Chu Won

THANKS TO YOU, Judy Chu won.

Although she still faces a general election against a Republican, she shall win since the district is heavily Democratic. Judy Chu is an 80-20 member.

2 days ago 80-20 quoted, "as little as 16,000 votes might give her the victory." Judy won by having received 15,000 + votes -- another good demonstration of 80-20's political know-how.

Are you now convinced that 80-20 knows what it is doing? If yes, then YOU need to help. 80-20 needs help that only YOU can provide.

Pres. Obama has been great for us, but he has NOT fulfilled all his commitments to the Asian Am. community yet. Remember the "Great News 1, 2, & 3?" We are talking about immense gains for you & your children, when the promises are fulfilled.

The gentlest plea YOU can enter to Pres. Obama to fulfill his promises to us early is to help 80-20 set RECORD membership numbers. Using a credit card, go http://www.80-20initiative.net and click on the red button "JOIN 80-20" in the lower right hand corner. Or send a check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110

Can you afford $35 (1 Basic member) or $50 (2 Family members)? If not, then we'd rather that you keep the money for your family. Thanks.

TOGETHER, we shall become EQUAL CITIZENS SOON.

Respectfully yours,

S.B. Woo (a volunteer)
Acting Executive Director, 80-20 PAC

Help Judy Chu Win On Tuesday!

Experts said that as little as 16,000 votes might give Judy Chu the victory in her race to represent CA's 32nd Congressional District on May 19th (TUESDAY). Therefore, every vote you can manage to direct to Judy Chu will be crucial. See http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_131/politics/34910-1.html

Judy Chu is favored.

The respected Roll Call reports: "Still, Judy Chu has institutional advantages in the contest. She has been endorsed by the California Democratic Party and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. . . . .

Chu also has a history of attracting voters of all ethnicities, and that’s reflected in some of the endorsements she’s picked up. Her backers include most of Solis’ family (though the Labor Secretary is staying neutral), Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers Union with the late Cesar Chavez."

Phone your friends and relatives who live in that district which covers East Los Angeles, El Monte, Monterey Park and West Covina. Call now! There are only 2 days left.

When elected, Judy'll be the first Asian Am. Congressional representative who is also an 80-20 member.

80-20 needs NEW members. A donor gave $3,500 as a matching fund to double 80-20's intake, whenever a NEW member joins. After that I will give $3,500 for the same purpose. Why $3,500? To show that we are willing to sacrifice 100 times more than what we ask of others. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net and click on the red button "JOIN 80-20" in the lower right hand corner. Or send a check 80-20 PAC PO Box 22509 Philadelphia, PA 19110

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo (a volunteer)
Acting Executive Director, 80-20 PAC, Inc.

Support Judy Chu for Congress today

Please support Judy Chu today. She is the odds on winner of CA's 32nd Congressional seat. Her special election is only 8 days away.

She is supported by CA's Democratic Caucus, many well-known Hispanic political figures and Emily's List. However, we must NEVER relax in any election.

When elected, she will be the first Congresswoman who is also an 80-20 member.

In a splendid victory, she was endorsed by 100% of the delegates in the Democratic Caucus in CA, while her main Democratic rival didn't even bother to contend for the endorsement.

Party endorsement in an intra-party primary is highly unusual. It is normally because
1) the party thinks that Judy is extraordinary good, and/or
2) her opponent may be facing a big scandal, if elected.

You can support Judy in two important ways.
a) Donate to her via http://www.judychu.net/donate.php, and
b) emailing your friends/relatives who lives in CA's 32nd Congressional district which covers Monterey Park, San Gabriel Valley, and neighboring regions. Ask them to vote for Judy Chu but not the other Asian Am., who is running in that same special election aiming to confuse voters and defeat Judy. That candidate is, in effect, helping Judy's Dem. rivals, and working against Asian Am community's aspiration to have one more voice in the Congress. That candidate has NO chance of winning, because CA's 32nd is highly Democratic.

United, we shall overcome. Help Judy so that Judy may in turn help us.

Respectfully,

S.B. Woo, Acting Exec. Director, 80-20 PAC, Inc.

PS: 80-20 needs NEW members. A donor gave $3,500 as a matching fund to double 80-20's intake, whenever a NEW member joins. After that I will give $3,500 for the same purpose. Why $3,500? To show that we ourselves are willing to sacrifice 100 time more than what we ask of others. GO http://www.80-20initiative.net if using a credit card. Or send a check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Only citizens & permanent residents may join. Thank you.

Impossible? Easy? You?

When 80-20 was first formed aiming to deliver an Asian Am bloc vote, many Asian Ams said that it was impossible.

Now that 80-20 has established the bloc vote and attained the rightful commitments from Pres. Obama, many said that it was easy.

Is it possible for a project to begin as impossible and end as easy???

It was NOT impossible. We have proved that.

It was NOT easy. It was dedication, dirt, sweat, and tears, which are our privilege to give and shed on your behalf.

However, what good are the commitments if they are NOT completely fulfilled by the Obama Administration yet. So we are working harder than ever.

YOU can best help by joining 80-20 as a dues-paying member, if not already.

We particularly need NEW members. A donor promised $3,500 to match the dues of any NEW member, which are only $35 for 1 and $50 for 2 family members.

We know most Asian Ams are not like those described below:

Barber & Asian Americans

There is this barber in the US. One day a Caucasian florist goes to him for a haircut. After the cut, he goes to pay the barber. The barber replies: "No charge today. I am doing community service." The florist is happy and left. The next morning the barber finds a "Thank you" card and a dozen roses waiting at his shop door. An African American cop goes for a haircut and got the same "community service treatment." The cop is happy and left. The next morning the barber finds a "Thank you" card and a dozen donuts waiting at his shop door. An Asian Software Engineer goes for a haircut and he also got the "community service treatment." The next morning when the barber goes to open his shop, guess what he finds there. A dozen Asians waiting for a free Haircut.

So please join by going to http://www.80-0initiative.net. Click on the red button "JOIN 80-20" at the lower right page. Or, you may send a check of $35 or $50 (2 members) to
80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110.

We need 40 more NEW members to cash that $3,500 check!

Respectfully yours,

S.B. Woo
Acting Executive Director (a volunteer), 80-20 PAC, Inc.

PS: After that I will donate $3,500 for another matching fund for the next 100 NEW members.

Swine Flu & YOU

The following information came from a government site, under "Swine Flu and You."

1. What are the symptoms of having swine flu?
Fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea

2. How to avoid getting swine flu?
WASH YOUR HANDS!!! Avoid having your eyes, nose or mouth touched by any hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

3. Other things about swine flu that is good to know:
a) you cannot get it by eating cooked pork,
b) avoid a closed place with a lot of people,
c) there are effective medicines to cure the flu when discovered early, and
d) For more details, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm

Pass this email to your loved one please.

Join 80-20. Our volunteers and staff of 80-20 knock ourselves out to serve you. We have gotten a lot of goodies for the entire community. Support us back PLEASE. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net & click on the button "JOIN 80-20." To send a check, mail to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Be sure to include your email address in the check. If you are a NEW member, 80-20 gets twice the amount you pay owing to a matching fund.

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director (a volunteer), 80-20 PAC

PS Thank you, Ken Fong of SF, CA, for a $2,000 donation to 80-20 Educational Foundation.

Great News (3) - Fed/State/Local gov. employees

GREAT news (3) --
if you work for the federal/state/local government

How many Asian Ams. will benefit from the great news?
90,000 Federal employees,
160,000 State employees, and
540,000 local government employees. A total of 800,000!

What is their situation today?

Sad! I have received so many complaints from government workers that he/she trained Caucasian/African-Am colleagues. A few years later, that person became his/her boss. I've received many inquiries about the rules of initiating an EEOC complaint or the names of lawyers who are known to handle Asian Am. cases.

HOWEVER, Asian Am. government workers are NOT without faults.
1) Our culture made us think that we'd "lose face" when others discriminated against them. So we'd hide such incidents from even our spouses.
2) We are easily intimidated by stories of how painful a law suit against our employers could be.
3) Worse, we are not willing to pay "dues" - time and money wise - to organize ourselves to fight discrimination via GROUP political clout. There are organizations like the FAPAC (Federal Asian Pacific Am. Council). Support these orgs. Pay your dues!
4) Worst, those who have "made it" don't care enough to help the ones who are facing discrimination in government jobs. What a shame for those Asian Ams who have "made it."

"When in Rome, do as Romans do." Adopt the American way.

What is the Good News?

A presidential Order is on its way to right the wrongs against Asian Am. federal employees. It was recommended by EEOC on 1/9/09. See http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/report/aapi.html

The report stated:
"Strong leadership and personal commitment to diversity comes from the top down. To that end, the workgroup recommends that an Executive Order be issued by the President . . . . . . "

The recommended Executive Order (not to be confused with EO 11246) is very specific, has teeth and provides the funding to get the job done. See Appendix A of that report.

Will the Order benefit state/local gov. employees?

YES. There were precedents showing powerful indirect impact. Earlier presients had issued amost identically worded Orders for African Ams. and Hispanics. Those order triggered actions from Governors, County Executives and Mayors to right the historic wrong at the state/local levels. 80-20 is confident that the same will occur for Asian Am. state & local gov. employees.

How did this GREAT news come about?

80-20 contributed greatly. Here is what we did:
1/9/06 80-20 visited with EEOC Chairwomen Cari 
Dominguez & 6 of her staff.
4/5/06 80-20 visited with Sen. D. Akaka of Hawaii, ranking member of the Senate Subcomm. on Federal Employees, and his staff.
11/7/06 Sen. Akaka became the Chairman of that Senate Subcomm. He wrote to EEOC inquiring about possible discrimination against Asian Ams. in the Fed. Gov.
1/31/08 Sen. Obama answered 80-20's questionnaire with single-word answers -- 6 YESES.
11/4/08 Sen. Obama became President Obama.
1/9/09 EEOC released the said report.

"Success has a thousand fathers." Other individu 232 als and Asian Am orgs. might have contributed to the above success. We thank them.

Please learn from our past mistakes. Pitch in & support 80-20 to support YOU. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net. Click on "JOIN 80-20." Pay your $35 or $50. Together, we shall overcome. Thank you.

Respectfully,

S.B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director (a volunteer), 80-20 PAC

GREAT News (2), if YOU work for "Private Ind. or Univ.?

GREAT News (2) -- if YOU work for Private Industries (PI) or Universities (U)

Too good to believe? How about the following facts? Pres. Obama appointed Asian Ams to be:

1) 2 leaders in the 16-member Transition Team,
2) 3 of the ed7 15 Cabinet Secretaries,
3) 10 White House Senior staff, a few with significant power,
4) 2 legal counsels with the rank of Deputy Sec., 1 Undersecretary, and 2 Asst. Sec., and
5) The Acting Chair of EEOC.
Indeed, many more will be appointed!

Did you see that many significant appointments coming BEFORE they happened? If not, then have more faith in OUR OWN ABILITY to change destiny.

So listen up! Please absorb the info. presented to you below and try to help your own good fortune along.

If YOU work for PI or U, you have been discriminated against for promotion to the managerial/administrative levels. When 80-20 first dug up those statistics (see the Washington Post ad below), some gov. officials disputed them. Now they are no longer controversial.

Pres. Obama has promised to eliminate such discrimination by the enforcement of Exec. Order 11246 for us which worked effectively for blacks, women & Hispanics. See his signed reply to 80-20 below.

When Executive Order 11246 is finally implemented for Asian Ams, if shall be we assure you, after decades of benign negligence, your chance of being promoted to the managerial level will increase by 81% if your work for PI, and by 150%, if you work for U.

Specifically, we will benefit?

In PI, they will be those who are classified as "professionals," "Sales workers," and "technicians." There are about 940,000 such Asian Ams.

In U, they will be those who are classified as "faculty," and "professionals." There are about 67,000 such Asian Ams.

How many more Asian Am Managers in PI & U?

In PI, there are currently 160,000 Asian Am. managers, out of a total employment of 1,900,000. In an estimated 10 years, the 160,000 number will increase to 290,000 or 130,000 MORE Asian Am managers, assuming no change in the total number of Asian Am employees.

In U. there are currently 3,500 administrators out of a total employment of 71,000. In an estimated 10 years, the 3,500 number will increase to 8,800, or 5,300 MORE Asian Am administrators, assuming no change in the total number of Asian Am employees.

Your Best Option?

80-20 understands your frustration with the discrimination against you. We understand the tough choice before you today -- going through the court procedure for discrimination is money and time consuming, painful, and often humiliating.

Joining 80-20 may be your best option. The more you support us, the more we'll have the strength to work for you. We'll fight for your equal opportunity to live to the maximum of your potentials. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net & click on "JOIN 80-20."

Please practise "ENLIGHTENED SELF-INTEREST."

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director, 80-20 PAC, Inc. (a volunteer)

Announcement:
GOOD news (3) will be for the 790,000 Asian Americans who work for the federal/state/local governments.

Please view the Washington Post ad.

CLICK HERE to view President Obama's solemn commitment to the Asian American community.

GREAT NEWS (1) - Obama Appointments

YOU are breaking through the glass ceiling.

Indeed, the next 2 e-newsletters GREAT NEWS (2) and (3) will address YOUR own brighter future -- doubling you chance to become an administrator/manager/head in almost any profession you happened to be in.

Let's first look at

ASIAN AMS. APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA THUS FAR:

2 top Leaders in the 16 member Transition Team (TT):
Pete Rouse - a Japanese Am., one of 3 co-chairs of the TT
Chris Lu - Executive Director of the TT

About 10 Senior White House Staff
Chris Lu - Asst to the President and Cabinet Secretary
Pete Rouse - Senior Advisor
Vivek Kundra - CIO, Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Tina Tchen - Head, Office of Public Liaison
Sonal Shah - Head, Office of Social Innovation
Madhuri Kommareddi - Associate Staff Secretary
A few more whose names we'll publicize later.

3 of the 15 Cabinet Secretaries:
General Eric Shinseki -- Veteran Affairs Dept.
Nobel Laureate Steven Chu -- Energy Dept.
Governor Gary Locke -- Commerce Dept.

A Labor Secretary: with the background to understand our concerns. Hilda Solis' old Congressional District includes Monterey Park Her parents are both immigrant workers. She and Judy Chu are good friends.

An Acting Chair of EEOC -- Stuart Ishimaru

Many Sub-cabinet Level Appointments Now and To Come

2 Legal Counsels in important Cabinet Depts.
Ivan K. Fong -- General Counsel (Deputy Secretary in rank), Homeland Security Dept.
Harold Hongju Koh (고홍주) -- Legal Counsel, State Department

These appointments exceed the sum of Pres. Clinton's and Pres. Bush's appointments in their 16 years in terms of significance & numbers. Credit must be given when credit is due. We thank President Obama.

80-20 was once in conflict with the Obama campaign if you'll recall. That President Obama chooses to place so many Asian Ams in such important positions in his Administration is a wonderful comment on the American democracy and a magnificent reflection on President
Obama.

Notwithstanding the above good news, 80-20 will NOT be content unless, YOU, the millions of Asian Ams working in private industries, universities, local/state/federal governments get YOUR equal opportunity to become managers/administrations/heads. We'll report to you via GREAT NEWS (2) & (3).

80-20 delivers. Give credit where credit is due. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net and click on the button "JOIN 80-20." Or send check to 80-20 PAC, PO Box 22509, Philadelphia, PA 19110

Respectfully yours,

S.B., Acting Exec. Director, 80-20 PAC, Inc.

PS: Texas State Rept. Betty Brown has apologized. Together, we've overcome!

Change Your Name, She suggested.

A Texas Republican State Representative, Betty Brown, asked during a House testimony on voter identification legislation if Asian Ams should change names so that it is “easier for Americans to deal with.”

She asked, “Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese — I understand it’s a rather difficult language — do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?” See Houston Chronicle http://www.chron.com/d cc6 isp/story.mpl/front/6365320.html

That of course has created a fire-storm in the Asian Am community. Besides the suggestion to change names, there are plenty of hints that she doesn't think Asian Ams are American citizens. How otherwise is one to understand "your citizens" and “easier for Americans to deal with.”

For those of us who think that the "perpetual foreigner" image against us is attenuating, think again! If your compatriots think you are a foreigner, can you get good jobs?

A number of organizations have asked for an apology. 80-20 supports that.

However, unlike others, if words & reasons fail, 80-20 acts!

80-20 punishes those politicians who don't share our rightful concerns when they run for an office again.

In Betty Brown's case, her fellow Republicans are likely to be so embarrassed by her that a good Republican believing in "diversity" and that "We are all Americans" will want to replace her for the glory of Texas in 2010. If so, 80-20 may want to create a "Victory for a Republican" fund to help elect that good Republican.

If you like our style and effectiveness, join as a dues paying member. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net and click on the button "JOIN 80-20."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A Related Story

A reporter emailed to ask:

"WE WERE IN CHINA LAST YEAR. MANY OF THE CHINESE WE SPOKE WITH HAD ADOPTED AMERICAN NAMES SO PEOPLE COULD TALK TO THEM EASIER. WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH THAT? IT IS A REALITY!!
LARRY SMITH"

My answer:

Dear Mr. Smith:

There is not a thing wrong with people voluntarily adopting names to make things more convenient for themselves and others. What is wrong is for others to suggest that.

If I say why don't you adopt a Chinese name in emailing me to make things easier for me, you might think me uncivil, to say the least, and perhaps uneducated and arrogant to the point of being Barbaric.

When you were in China, if a Chinese had suggested to you to adopt a Chinese name to make things easier for him/her, you'd probably write an article reporting a growing arrogance among Chinese now that they are economically doing well. Or if the Chinese government had suggested that non-Chinese naturalizing to Chinese citizenship need to consider adopting Chinese names, you'd probably write an article condemning the entire Chinese government.

Well, Betty Brown is an official, speaking in an official capacity.

Thanks for asking the question. It gives us a chance to exchange views.

Regards,

SB

Two Political Announcements

(A) Judy Chu, Vice Chair of California's Board of Equalization and a multi-year 80-20 member, is running for Congress in CA's 32 Congressional District. Her chance of winning is good. She has a very impressive list of endorsements.

(1) She is running for the seat vacated by Hilda Solis who became Labor Secretary under President Obama. Judy was endorsed by Hilda Solis's sister. Hilda Solis won her last election by 100%.
(2) She had also been endorsed by The Emily's List -- a powerful political org. that specializes in endorsing female candidates.
(3) She was also endorsed by Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. A large fraction of the voters in the 32nd are union members.
(4) She was also endorsed by Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder, United Farmworkers in a district where about 50% of the voters are Hispanics.

She faces a primary on May 19, 2009. You can help nail down her victory by visiting http://www.judychu.net. 80-20 PAC sent her $1,000. If she wins the primary, she will become the next Congresswoman from that district, since the district is strongly Democratic.

(B) Two Other 80-20 Members Are Running for High Offices.

Besides Judy, we have
a) Ted Lieu, an 80-20 Life member, is running for CA's Attorney General. Help him by visiting http://www.tedlieu.com/ . Ted is leading a valiant fight to give our children a level playing field in admission to Univ. of California. He'll face an election in 2010. See http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-rape3-2009apr03,0,7522775.story which is an LA Times editorial lauding Ted Lieu for his legilation on DNA evidence.
b) Sam Yoon, an 80-20 family member, is running for Mayor of Boston. Visit http://www.samyoon.com. Sam will face a primary election on Sept. 22, 2009. The Mayoral race is non-partisan.

80-20 has already donated to both wonderful candidates.

Practice "ESI" or enlightened self-interest. Derive happiness and self respect from plowing back to enrich your community. Join 80-20. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net and then click on the button "JOIN 80-20." United, we shall overcome.

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo
Acting Executive Director (a volunteer), 80-20 PAC, Inc.

Salute to the Magnificent 11

You may agree that 80-20 calls a spade a spade.

When government officials are not treating our community fairly, be they Asian Ams or non Asian Ams, whether they hold high or low office, 80-20 takes them to task.

However, we love to give credit when credit is due.

An extremely significant trend has developed among the elected Asian American Assemblypersons and Senators in CA. The 11 members formed a Joint Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. They

1) openly and responsibly share the rightful concerns of the Asian Am. community, and
2) exercise the clout of their offices as all other elected officials would.

In other words, these elected officials have come of age, and they are our heroes and heroines and are roles for other elected Asian Americans.

Who are they? They are:
CA State Senators: Carol Liu & Leland Yee.
Assembly-persons: Mike Eng, Paul Fong, Warren Furutani, Mary Hayashi, Ted Lieu, Fiona Ma, Alberto Torrico, Van Tran, and Mariko Yamada.

80-20 salutes them.

The following article by Peter Schmidt of The San Francisco Chronicle will make clear why 80-20 salutes them. The issue is the change of admission policy by the U. of Calif, Berkeley. The implicit issue is about whether a higher admission bar is set for Asian American students to enter first tier universities or not. Whatever UC Berkeley decides to do will impact other first tier universities. 80-20 has reported this matter to you earlier in its 2/19/09 e-newsletter entitled "UC Changes Admission Policy & Reactions to It."

"Asian-American Lawmakers Pressure U. of California Over New Admissions Policy" By PETER SCHMIDT

Two panels of the California Legislature that deal with Asian-American issues plan to jointly hold a hearing next week to scrutinize a new University of California undergraduate admissions policy that could lower Asian-American enrollments. The State Senate's select committee on Asian and Pacific Islander affairs and the state's 11-member Joint Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus plan to hear testimony from Asian-American activists, a member of the university Academic Senate who helped develop the policy, and a legislative analyst who examined the policy's impact, Andrew T. Medina, a consultant on the caucus's staff, said on Monday.

The university system's own analysis of the likely impact of the new admissions policy, adopted last month, had projected that it would cause a decline in the share of admitted students who are Asian American or Pacific Islander, with white students accounting for most of those who take their place.

University officials had argued, however, that such projections of the policy's impact on various racial and ethnic groups should not be given much weight because the system's estimates were based on outdated student data, from 2007, and did not take into account expected changes in student behavior or the uncertainty of the admissions process.

Speaking last month at the Education Writers Association conference in San Francisco, Mark G. Yudof, the university's president, called the new admissions policy "fair" and said, "I think Asian Americans will do well. That is my prediction."

Such statements have done little to reassure Asian American members of the State Legislature, who had responded to the concerns of many of their constituents by urging the system's Board
of Regents to postpone its February 4 vote on the policy change to allow more time to study its likely impact on minority groups. In a letter sent to the board the day before its vote, the leaders of the Joint Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus accused the system of doing nothing to solicit feedback on the policy from the caucus or the ethnic groups that it represents, and said the policy "has not received the proper vetting it deserves"

In a recent interview, State Assemblyman Ted Lieu, a Democrat who serves as co-chairman of the caucus, said the Asian-American community "feels it was blindsided by this decision." He said he objects to the policy change partly because the university's analysis of its impact had lumped all Asian-American populations together into what he called "one monolithic block," thus failing to tease out how specific ethnic groups would be affected. He also complained that the policy change will do little to diversify the university's enrollments or to tackle the inequities in elementary and secondary education that have left the university's campuses with enrollments that do not reflect the racial and ethnic composition of the state. Mr. Lieu acknowledged that, under his state's Constitution, the Legislature has little direct say over the University of California's policies, which are set by the Board of Regents. But, he said, "Lawmakers do determine how much financial support the university receives in the state budget, and now "you have 11 upset legislators looking at this."

Ted Lieu, one of the 2 co-chairs of the Caucus, is running for Attorney General in CA. Checks are payable to "Friends of Ted Lieu 2010" and mailed to

Friends of Ted Lieu 2010
Attn: Campaign Accountant
1212 S. Victory Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502

For more information, please visit his site: http://www.tedlieu.com

If you think 80-20 is doing the right things, please consider joining 80-20 as a dues paying member. Go http://www.80-20initiative.net & click on the "JOIN 80-20" button.

Respectfully yours,

S. B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director (a volunteer), 80-20 PAC, Inc.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our website is back up! Go http://www.80-20initiative.net and click on the "Join 80-20" button.

If you are a new member, your payment will be matched by a recent $3,500 pledge from an "anonymous."

YOU and YOUR children benefit directly or indirectly from 80-20's hard-earned political clout. However, that clout may disappear after the first generation volunteers of 80-20 have faded away. To survive that transition, 80-20 must begin to have broad-based support. Do your share PLEASE!

Announcements:

1) Vivek Kundra was named the Federal Chief Information Office at the White House.
2) John Liu of NY City has announced to run for Comptroller of NYC.
3) Carol Liu is ALSO a Calif. State Senator. 80-20 was wrong in not recognizing that in an earlier report.
4) Dr. Jim Yong Kim will become the President of Dartmouth. He'll thus be the first Asian Am president of an Ivy League School.
5) Ted Lieu, an 80-20 Life Member, is running for Attorney General of CA. 80-20 PAC made a $2,500 contribution to him.
6) Sam Yoon, another 80-20 member, is running for Mayor of Boston. Boston law prohibits Sam from accepting donation from national PACs. So S. B. Woo donated $250 to Sam's campaign personally.

Respectfully,

S. B. Woo
Acting Exec. Director, a volunteer for 80-20 PAC, Inc.