Far East

Papers Please!

Fun is in the air. I actually agree with the Taiwan News editorial board for once:

Fingerprint plans trample on rights Beginning July 1, every citizen will have to be fingerprinted when they exchange their old identity cards for new one based on a law approved by the Legislative Yuan nearly 10 months ago. In our view, the policy of requiring citizens to leave finger print (or, more accurately, thumb print) files is not only rash but also exposes the government's unfortunate neglect of human rights in stark contrast to the government's touted promise to "build a human - rights state." According to fundamental democratic and liberal principles, citizens should have the freedom not to be arbitrarily suspected of being criminals or of having criminal intent.

Link

And yes, Virginia, ferengi will be subject to this, too. This is going to cause major protests, even riots. A lot of folks remember the White Terror and will be none too happy to comply.

Rest In Peace

Fred Korematsu

who unsuccessfully fought Japanese American internment camps during World War II before finally winning in court nearly four decades later, died Wednesday of respiratory illness, his attorney said. He was 86.

Korematsu died at his daughter's home in Larkspur, attorney Dale Minami said.

Korematsu became a symbol of civil rights for challenging the World War II internment orders that sent 120,000 Japanese Americans to government camps. His conviction for opposing the internment was finally overturned in U.S. District Court in 1983.

Korematsu helped win a national apology and reparations for internment camp survivors and their families in 1988.

Link.

400 Years...

Jah Ras Ta Fari! At long last, no more megaphones blaring from 7 am to 10 pm, touting this or that candidate. The campaign season is finally over. Of course both parties have informed everyone that if the other side gets in, armaggedon will follow. Yawn.