Regarding the Ted Tanouye Memorial Proposals

There has been a great deal of discussion in the city of Torrance about renaming Columbia Park after Torrance's hometown hero, Ted Tanouye.

Initially, I was all for it. He showed great bravery and honor for our country, even though the federal government had interned his family along with 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II.

That selfless service deserves great honor.

The city has released a survey for residents to share their thoughts and vote for possible preferences to honor Tanouye. (Click here)

Some arguments and opposition have emerged in the city regarding whether the proper protocols have been followed to name--or rename--public spaces in Torrance.

This discussion matters because the city council attempted to move the Armed Forces Day parade to the Torrance Airport, near Skypark Drive, and they attempted this move without first getting input from the city.

Transparency matters, and it must be consistently applied and respected, even for commemoration efforts.

Besides that, what is the history behind the naming of Columbia Park? Should that be removed so quickly? We need to take all these questions into consideration.

I reached out to another resident to get more feedback about the Columbia-Tanouye proposal.

I submitted the following question to her:

Would you mind explaining to me why the Ted Tanouye Foundation opposes renaming Columbia Park after the veteran?

I would like to understand. Thanks!

Here are the extended remarks that she shared with me:

There is already a wonderful and beautiful memorial to Ted at 2200 Carson Street, directly across the street from Ted's Alma Mater, Torrance High School, dedicated in 2004. 

The site was the favorite of Ted's only surviving brother. That area was once a part of Torrance High School when Ted attended. Students at the time Ted attended assembled there every school morning to say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem. Ted, as Captain of the Varsity Football team and also as President of the Japanese Club, would lead those two traditions. 

Columbia Park had no meaning to Ted's life when he was alive. That area was first farmed by the first native California tribe, and before WWII it was farmed by a Japanese American family that is not related to the Tanouye family.

It should to be renamed after one of those two groups. The person who proposed it was looking for glory to save his council seat. He is originally from Gardena and graduated from Gardena High. One of our board members was informed of his interest and why. We investigated the plan and knew it was not needed, as we had already honored Ted in the area of Torrance where he lived and attended school. until his enlistment in the Army.

Again, his only living brother worked with us and the Torrance High School Alumni Association to honor our fellow TARTAR. Also, there is another place named after Ted. The California National Guard Army on Cabrillo and Lincoln is the only CSNG [California State National Guard] building to be named after a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and hometown hero.

Again, neither Ted nor his family had anything to do with North Torrance or that area. Ted has been honored properly at the memorial at Torrance Blvd and Maple in front of City Hall. His name is above all others, and in gold we made sure of that. Hope that answers your question. We will protect Ted and his name from all political ploys.

This argument makes a lot of sense to me.

I wasn't aware until I received this message that the National Guard Armory in Torrance was named after him, as well! I could see how further efforts to name other locations after Tanouye would politicize or diminish his namesake. A person's name and legacy should not be turned into a commercialized effort, nor a narrow political end.

Councilman Jon Kaji shared these remarks with me when I asked more questions about the Columbia proposal:

Arthur:

Since first introducing the recommendation to rename Columbia Park after Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Ted T. Tanouye, the proposal was submitted with the full support of the Tanouye family.

The family’s position remains unchanged, in spite of opponents who have proposed an “expanded” park on the opposite side of Carson Street.

For your information, I asked City staff for an estimate for each option.

A new sign at Columbia Park would cost from $10-$15,000.

An expanded park would run from $850k - $1.5 million.

Additionally, CM Gerson failed to disclose that the City hired a consultant and staff time totaling more than $15,000 in preparation of his Torrance High School proposal.

The survey that appears on the City website is open to anyone who chooses to respond, whether Torrance residents or outside individuals.

The cost is considerable, and I don't think a consultant should have been hired to look into this matter so extensively, either. 

On another note, the person who informed me about Ted's brother told me that Kaji was proposing the Columbia Park renaming effort out of political gain. Based on his inappropriate remarks about his opponent David Kartsonis earlier this month, I have sadly seen this pattern of exploitation of the Internment of Japanese-Americans. It's very unforunate that Kaji would do this.

Also, based on what I have received from one of the contacts I spoke with, I finally submitted my decision, and I am asking the Torrance City Council to do nothing (Implement Option Three) at this time regarding any proposed changes to city locations or memorials in the city.

I would invite everyone in the city to also consider Option Three, and reject the Columbia proposal as well as an updated memorial in front of Torrance High School.

Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi: Please Recognize Boys' Day and Girls' Day

Dear Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi:

My name is Arthur Schaper, and I am one of your most active constituents. 

I am certain that you are very familiar with my concerns and efforts in your district.

I believe we have a chance to find common ground on a sound, very easy legislative idea.

Last session, you passed a bill which recognizes surfing as the official sport of the state of California.

I am also aware that you have introduced legislation to recognize the contributions of Japanese-Americans and Japanese culture in California. I am further aware that you are taking steps to draw attention to the civil rights violations which Americans of Japanese descent endured during World War II.

I would like to suggest another idea:

Following the tradition practice in Japan, the state of California should recognize:

1. Girls' Day, otherwise known as "Hinamatsuri" which would be commemorated on March 3rd, just like in Japan.

Here's more information about Girls' Day:

https://savvytokyo.com/hinamatsuri-a-japanese-girls-day-celebration/

Hinamatsuri: Japan's Girls' Day Celebration - Savvy Tokyo savvytokyo.com One of the most beautiful Japanese holidays, Hinamatsuri is a day dedicated to girls and their families' hopes for a bright and happy future.

2. Boys' Day, otherwise known as "Tango no Sekku", which would be commemorated on May 5th, just like in Japan.

Here's more information about Boys' Day:

https://www.hisgo.com/us/destination-japan/blog/tango_no_sekku_-_boys_day.html

Tango no Sekku - Boys' Day www.hisgo.com

I think this a unique, welcome tradition, and we are very well aware of the contributions of Japanese-Americans to the state of California.

I would like to see comemmorations like this recognized in the state of California.

City councils and county boards could issue proclamations recognizing these two holidays, for example, although I would not suggest that any legislation, proclamations, or resolutions require the institution of state holidays to postpone government services and private businesses.

Please let me know what you think of this idea.

I hope that on this one issue, we can find a point of agreement.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Arthur Christopher Schaper

Democrats' Use and Abuse of History to Push Open Borders Agenda

The Democratic Party has completely lost its mind, if that political party ever had a mind. They care more about MS-13, illegal alien lawbreakers, yet they have no problem with American citizens living like poor, downtrodden refugees in their own country.

They are now comparing ICE agents and border security to Nazi tyranny.

This is just untenable, outrageous, insane.

The Jews, Gypsies, and other targeted groups were not illegal aliens, foreign nationals in their own country. They had been born, grew up, lived, and thrived in their countries, then Adolph Hilter, the SS, and the rest of his murderous bureaucracy launched the Final Solution to get rid of all European Jewry.

Last time I checked, I do not see border patrol agents killing people.

Last time I checked, the people streaming across our borders are not citizens of the United States.

Last time I checked, the people who are facing arrest and removal from the United States have not been targeted because of their race, but because of their actions: illegal entry and unlawful presence.

Last time I checked, ICE and other executive departments along our southern border have not set up massive gas chambers.

It is beyond disgusting to see elected officials and the corrupt media class dumb down the Holocaust and other Nazi aggression to score political points.

Now the Democrats are switching off their rhetorical flourishes. They are comparing the detainment of illegal aliens, including the separation of families, to the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

This is not just a stretch, but outrageous on so many levels.

Again, Japanese-Americans were Americans, but of Japanese descent. They were citizens, living in the United States, and their rights were trampled upon because of their nationality. That is wrong.

In spite of this heinous treatment at the hands of the Roosevelt Administration, many Japanese-Americans would continue to serve this country. These Americans were not lawbreakers.

The foreign nationals crowding our borders--they are criminals, regardless of their reasons for coming to the United States.

The Democrats' misuse of history is beyond corrupt. It's disgusting, and it harms our proper respect and appreciation not just for our past, but for the rule of law.

Is it any wonder why Democrats are struggling politically? They dishonor our veterans, they reject the needs of citizens and put illegal aliens first. They don't care about the working-class or the American poor. The press spends more time propping up their corrupt liberal agenda, and they refuse to confront them for taking advantage of previous (Democratic) presidents' abuse of minorities.

How will this end?

Not well.