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Home | National and World News Section
July 6 - July 12, 2000
Home | National and World News Section
POWs Waiting for Apologies
(in National News)
API Advisory Commission Visits S.F.
(in Bay Area News)
Asian Food Markets in the Bay Area
(in Business)
Lampo Leong's Forces • Contemplation
(in A&E)
Reasons to Celebrate
(in Opinion)
Washington Journal
Norm Mineta: An Appreciation
By Phil Tajtitsu Nash
It’s impossible to write about Washington politics without mentioning Norman Mineta, President Clinton’s choice for Secretary of Commerce. Almost every API who has worked in D.C. can recall an event at which Mineta spoke; or has benefited from a group Mineta started or lent his assistance to; or has interacted with people Mineta has mentored. He has accomplished much and continues to be a player in almost every happening here.
A consummate politician, Mineta is, nevertheless, tremendously popular even in this politically-divided town. Everyone genuinely likes him. Republicans, Democrats, independents. Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. Gays and Straights. You can see why he was such a successful politician by the way he works a crowd, exuding warmth and showing care for people, no matter what their politics, religion or sexual orientation. Never a phony or political hypocrite, he’s well respected as a tireless advocate for causes he believes in.
Mineta is clearly qualified for the Commerce post. But aside from his personal reputation and his record of service, he has been chosen for other reasons as well—partly because the Democrats want to reach out to Asian Americans, and also because he’s a ]emocratic partisan who can help Gore win California in the upcoming presidential election.
My hope is that the Senate will move quickly to approve President Clinton’s nomination of Mineta. And if Al Gore wins the White House, he will keep Mineta in the post.
Another even brighter scenario is that the Democrats, looking for a running mate for Gore, will consider Mineta as a Vice Presidential nominee at their convention in Los Angeles this August. Mineta has strong connections to California, a key state, and has the ability to galvanize the Asian American electorate, which is a swing vote in several key states.
But that’s the future. For now, let’s savor this major achievement for a remarkable man and for the Asian American community as a whole.
Two examples from my own experience exemplify the kind of person Mineta is.
A few years ago I went to a Day of Remembrance activity at the Smithsonian Institution, where Mineta spoke. He was busy, as usual, and was rushing out after the program to go to his next engagement. When he passed by me, he asked to be introduced to my wife and children, whom he had not met before, and asked my sons what they had thought of the program.
When my younger son asked Mineta how old he had been when he went into the Japanese American internment camps in 1942, Mineta got down on one knee and had an animated discussion with the boys for several minutes. He looked the boys in the eyes and, judging from their expressions, it seemed that to them there was no one else in the room.
When he was done talking, he straightened up, adjusted his tie, and hurried on his way. To this day, my sons talk about “that nice man” they met at the Day of Remembrance. Those three minutes of genuine engagement made a lasting impression on kids who, in the era of video games and pervasive phoniness, are not easily impressed.
In another incident a few months ago, the former Congressman showed his political acumen and gentle manners. I had written a piece that Mineta disagreed with. He called me at my office, wishing to discuss it. He started out with the usual pleasantries, and even was polite enough to ask if I were busy or had time to talk. He laid out the reasons why he differed with me. He listened while I defended my position.
At no point did he raise his voice. He was never threatening or vindictive, as some people of his stature can get when debating. As we talked, I saw the merits in his point of view, and I agreed to make some concessions. Though we agreed to disagree on one issue, we appreciated each other’s opinion. After that, he never mentioned the disagreement again. In fact, he has been extremely warm and supportive in the several times I have seen him since.
Taking my experiences and multiplying them by several thousand times, it’s easy to see why Mineta has a reputation for being principled and persuasive, yet so popular on a personal level.
POWs Waiting for Apologies
(in National News)
API Advisory Commission Visits S.F.
(in Bay Area News)
Asian Food Markets in the Bay Area
(in Business)
Lampo Leong's Forces • Contemplation
(in A&E)
Reasons to Celebrate
(in Opinion)
Washington Journal
| POWs Waiting for Apologies (in National News) API Advisory Commission Visits S.F. Asian Food Markets in the Bay Area Lampo Leong's Forces • Contemplation Reasons to Celebrate |
Norm Mineta: An Appreciation
By Phil Tajtitsu Nash
It’s impossible to write about Washington politics without mentioning Norman Mineta, President Clinton’s choice for Secretary of Commerce. Almost every API who has worked in D.C. can recall an event at which Mineta spoke; or has benefited from a group Mineta started or lent his assistance to; or has interacted with people Mineta has mentored. He has accomplished much and continues to be a player in almost every happening here.
A consummate politician, Mineta is, nevertheless, tremendously popular even in this politically-divided town. Everyone genuinely likes him. Republicans, Democrats, independents. Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. Gays and Straights. You can see why he was such a successful politician by the way he works a crowd, exuding warmth and showing care for people, no matter what their politics, religion or sexual orientation. Never a phony or political hypocrite, he’s well respected as a tireless advocate for causes he believes in.
Mineta is clearly qualified for the Commerce post. But aside from his personal reputation and his record of service, he has been chosen for other reasons as well—partly because the Democrats want to reach out to Asian Americans, and also because he’s a ]emocratic partisan who can help Gore win California in the upcoming presidential election.
My hope is that the Senate will move quickly to approve President Clinton’s nomination of Mineta. And if Al Gore wins the White House, he will keep Mineta in the post.
Another even brighter scenario is that the Democrats, looking for a running mate for Gore, will consider Mineta as a Vice Presidential nominee at their convention in Los Angeles this August. Mineta has strong connections to California, a key state, and has the ability to galvanize the Asian American electorate, which is a swing vote in several key states.
But that’s the future. For now, let’s savor this major achievement for a remarkable man and for the Asian American community as a whole.
Two examples from my own experience exemplify the kind of person Mineta is.
A few years ago I went to a Day of Remembrance activity at the Smithsonian Institution, where Mineta spoke. He was busy, as usual, and was rushing out after the program to go to his next engagement. When he passed by me, he asked to be introduced to my wife and children, whom he had not met before, and asked my sons what they had thought of the program.
When my younger son asked Mineta how old he had been when he went into the Japanese American internment camps in 1942, Mineta got down on one knee and had an animated discussion with the boys for several minutes. He looked the boys in the eyes and, judging from their expressions, it seemed that to them there was no one else in the room.
When he was done talking, he straightened up, adjusted his tie, and hurried on his way. To this day, my sons talk about “that nice man” they met at the Day of Remembrance. Those three minutes of genuine engagement made a lasting impression on kids who, in the era of video games and pervasive phoniness, are not easily impressed.
In another incident a few months ago, the former Congressman showed his political acumen and gentle manners. I had written a piece that Mineta disagreed with. He called me at my office, wishing to discuss it. He started out with the usual pleasantries, and even was polite enough to ask if I were busy or had time to talk. He laid out the reasons why he differed with me. He listened while I defended my position.
At no point did he raise his voice. He was never threatening or vindictive, as some people of his stature can get when debating. As we talked, I saw the merits in his point of view, and I agreed to make some concessions. Though we agreed to disagree on one issue, we appreciated each other’s opinion. After that, he never mentioned the disagreement again. In fact, he has been extremely warm and supportive in the several times I have seen him since.
Taking my experiences and multiplying them by several thousand times, it’s easy to see why Mineta has a reputation for being principled and persuasive, yet so popular on a personal level.
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