Under accusations that he and his trenchmen are using strong-arm tactics to silence critics in the Vietnamese-American community, Assemblyman Van Tran (pictured at the presser, with Andy Quach) yesterday held a press conference to explain his group’s side of the story. And, for good measure, he put up a guy to accuse Janet Nguyen, all over again, of being a communist.
This is a cannibalistic dispute between factions within the right wing of the Viets. Non-right-wingers are sitting this one out, watching from the sidelines, probably all smug.
Front and center butting heads with Van Tran is Do Son, a late night radio personality who is one of a longish list right-wingers who once were firmly behind Tran when he was on the Garden Grove City Council and during his first run for the Assembly, but who have since broken with him.
During the June primary elections, Do Son was firmly on Janet Nguyen’s side, belittling the candidacy of Dina Nguyen any time he got.
After the election, Do Son was also among the first to speak out in favor of the OC GOP against accusations by Van Tran’s representative Hung Phuong Nguyen. Nguyen had blamed Dina’s defeat on the OCGOP’s racism, accusing the latter of sabotaging the Vietnamese-American political structure built up by Tran, and instead propped up the “independent” Janet Nguyen that they could allegedly control better. (Doesn’t make any sense, but that’s what Hung said here and here – in Vietnamese.)
Do Son’s berating didn’t make Hung Phuong Nguyen very happy, so shortly after the elections, Nguyen went to the radio station’s owner and bought out Do Son’s air time contract, allegedly paying twice the going rate. One crazed right-winger was thus replaced by another – this one frequently featuring Mr. Protest-Against-A-Red-Belt-Buckle Trung Nguyen, and attack-dog Joseph Dovinh, who’s running for both the Midway City Sanitary District and the Coast Community College District.
Just last week, Do Son held his own press conference, reciting a litany of what he considered abuses by Van Tran. Read Chris Prevatt‘s report here. One thing Do Son said at his press conference that Prevatt didn’t report, was that he showed a $5,000 payment from Van Tran to Hung Nguyen, which Do Son said was used to force him out.
OK, fine, nothing wrong with that. But Hung Phuong Nguyen, again displaying a penchant to talk first and think later, went on the radio and said something along the line that – “I got that money months before the air time buyout, so that couldn’t be what it’s for.” The weak denial only made people more suspicious that hmm, maybe there is something wrong with that.
So, anyway, Do Son lost his air time, but he didn’t keep silent for long. Shortly after the City of Westminster voted down the bridge across Bolsa Avenue, Do Son went on other people’s radio program and joined in a veritable chorus of right-wingers accusing the Trannies of sabotaging the “Freedom Bridge,” which to them would have represented the pride of the Vietnamese-American community.
That accusation apparently sticks, and probably caused some real political effects felt by Van Tran, which led him to write a cease-and-desist letter to the station owner of these other radio programs too, trying to get them to rein in Do Son. (Apparently, in addition to Do Son, other cease-and-desist letters were sent out targetting others, including VNCR radio – an corporation with common ownership with Nguoi Viet Daily News – and Vo Cu Long, who frequently invites Ky Ngo the protestor.)
Which led to Do Son’s press conference last week.
Which led to yesterday’s press conference by the assemblyman.
In the press conference, Van Tran disputed the claim that he’s trying to silence his critics. In Tran’s view, Do Son went beyond criticism into the realm of defamation and that’s what Tran was trying to stop. A parade of characters from the Committee Against Resolution 36 (in Vietnamese: Lien Uy Ban Chong Nghi Quyet 36, named after a document from the Communist Party of Vietnam), the group led by Hung Nguyen, accused Do Son of defaming them.
Other Trannies present at the press conference also defended their opposition to the Bolsa bridge. And, for good measure, Van Tran had another Hung Nguyen (pictured, with, in the back, Hung Phuong Nguyen, Trung Nguyen and Dina Nguyen — none of whom are related) repeat the June election accusations that Janet Nguyen is a commie.
How is Janet Nguyen being a communist, even if true, relevant to the topic of the press conference, is a little hard to follow. But it sounds something along the line of — Van didn’t sabotage the bridge, Van’s troubles came from the real communist Janet Nguyen — something like that.
Joseph Dovinh (who used to write for the protest-incurring Viet Weekly, specializing in the paranormal such as haunted houses, exorcism, feng shui) took the podium to attack Do Son and saying that Do Son deserved to be have complaints filed against him with the station owner.
But then Dovinh had been the one trading barbs (and worse) with Do Son across the radio waves. And that’s when he got caught with his hands in the jar.
Whose hand shot up but his own editor at Viet Weekly, Etcetera. So Etcetera asked Joseph Dovinh: “Since you’re accusing Do Son of defamation, are you saying you’re not defaming him?”
Moment of silence.
Then Dovinh said, “Well, if I’m defaming him, he can complain about me to the station owner too.”
Jung Kim, are you helping out with Van Tran’s re-election campaign in 2010?
Yung Kim, I know the local politics, and I know you better than you know yourself, preying on the less fortunate, not as sophisticated, and not as informed. Traits of a coward.
Ok Jung Kim. I’ll let bygone be bygone. Let’s use your little political influence to broach another topic which may appear on the radar soon, Universal Healthcare.
Bolsavik, do you have any friends or associates who can provide some information on this topic for the Americans of Vietnamese ancestry residing in Southern California?
Jung Kim/Tomahawk/Pancake Face,
If you really want me, you need a real job…not one where you sit in your dark, hot room in front of a computer screen, writing pathetic hate-filled garbage, sweating profusely, and wearing nothing but your white Fruit-of-the-Looms undies.
Do the people of Westminster know what they’re getting into if they end up electing you?
And worst of all, creating a trifecta of you and the other Pancake Face brothers (Quach and Ta)! It’s starting to smell fishy in Little Saigon!
Here is the equation:
Diep + Andy + TriTa = backdoor dealing = corruptions
TomaJungKimPancakeFace,
Nice piece on you at Red County: http://www.redcounty.com/orange-county/2008/10/westminster-mailbox-ocea-targe/
You, with your friends Andy Quach, Tri Ta and Andrew Nguyen (Westminster School Board Janitor) cannot wait to pass Measure O, which will bring big bucks for many more opportunities to spread the wealth among the Trannies. Glad Frank Tran is opposing it and is the only candidate questioning Measure O’s dubious backers.
To Viet-Am voters in Westminster,
Please vote for the most qualifed candidate. I beg people to attend the Westminster council or watch it on cable TV. Your beloved TriTa is a clown. Im sorry if I offended you. I thought this councilman is deaf and dumb. I had never heard him speaking a word. People elected you to ask questions to voice your concern or ideas not to seat and nod your head and smile like an idiot. Know your limits and abilities. Don’t just run for anything like Trung Nguyen or Diep Truong. What’s a joke!!!
Wow, everyone wants to be me….the only official guru in Little Saigon!
If you are resorting to only ill motivated complaints of our hard working community leaders without good reasoning, use the exit door please.
You are worth little less than a scrap metal… least it can be exchanged for a few pesos but dunce with a loud mouth cloaking hungy rodent noises…you are a pure liability for our people!
I am sorry for your deeply tarnished brain cells lefted in the toilet water … completely decomposed with nasty odor still believes somehow I am Diep and you are wrong! Again here is my recommendations for Nov.4 election.
I am voting YES on Prop. 8
YES on Assemblyman Van Tran
YES on Trung Nguyen
For those absolutely interested in learning about real good politics with statesman principles, I am more than happy to recruit and train our young future community leaders.
@Jung Kim.
You said: If you are resorting to only ill motivated complaints of our hard working community leaders without good reasoning, use the exit door please…
Where do you get the idea that blogging is somehow undermining the hard working community leaders? You claim to uphold democracy to the nth degree but bloggers cannot contribute to this blog that serves this very reason due to democracy. The scary part is you say with a straight face.
As for political grooming, look at how you have belittled bloggers, and you realistically think you serve as a good role model.
Look at the acrimonious infighting in the community. Any rational person would definitely not dare to participate unless they were super rich with a heart of gold and an endless tolerance and patience that could be manipulated.
For the sake of the city, focus inward and find the solution.
Listen, I have known our leadership for many years without my own personal political motivations or ambitions …… and I have made a independent conclusive judgment on these people.
When a crooked outcasts ie. Art Pedroza, in an effort to discredit right Viet leaders coming behind the our computer screen with purely ill motives, he needs to be rejected with a stern language ………a method which he can only comprehend.
In short, I did it for our community’s sake.
To “Joe the Banh Mi”
You said “I beg people to attend the Westminster council or watch it on cable TV” but I went to their meeting many times at 8200 Westminster for Vietnamese community issues, I didn’t see what you said. I don’t say those councilman are the best but at least they did something for country, for community and special for our Vietnamese American in Orange county. Did you do anything for our community yet ? or just criticize people on keyboard.
If you don’t like the way they work, you can go to the city meeting, point directly their faces and say what you want. And next election let run for their position. If you are good like you thought you can kick them out of the Westminster city council. I think it is better than announce a untruth.
@Jung Kim.
I do not profess to be Mr. Smart Aleck Know It All and Mr. Can Do Everything. However, when the Americans of Vietnamese ancestry are being poorly portrayed by the few, I have to contribute to the cause to rectify the situation. I see the local citizens work so hard, sacrificing for the children to a better future, and their desire to a better community.
Seems as though we are getting the short end of the deal.
1) Acts such as displaying the Republic of Vietnam on par with the Country’s. I do not know what the local officials’ intention is. Is it to recreate the former social structure and all its trappings of the past to control these people? Can you all find a way to promote the Vietnamese culture in a personal and touristy setting, rather than formal? There is so much emotional attachment to the flag that it seems to hurt our image and business rather than help. Just think of other Americans fighting or having relatives die in the War and being reminded of their loss.
2) Please remove the communist talk. It sounds like the boogey man talk. In this day and age, it’s all about the money. Are you paying your income, property, state, and local taxes? If you are then you are an American with a political slant. Subversive elements are being tracked by security organizations, so the citizens can go about their daily routine. Is that not where our tax money go?
3) Be kind to one another and work together.
Take care and have a good day.
I see your concern…however, our youths have certain responsibility of respecting the patriotic feelings/pains suffered by the first Viet immigrants due to the past bloody war in Vietnam.
Yes, economy is big deal…. but this country also prohibits communist activity as a national policy and we must adhere/subject to US government’s anti-communist policy.
Let me clarify little….. we do not hate people living under communist regime but we are still rightfully against it’s unfair/dictatorial communist ideology indoctrinated government principles………. and many of our people would agree with me from their past experiences.
To Anh Tu and Joe the Banh Mi,
Do you know the law of karma? Whatever you throw at people, sooner or later it’ll hit you back ten times harder. So if you think criticizing the elected officials without showing evidences is fun and entertaining, go ahead! You’re the one who pay the price for what you said/did, not those you bad-mouthing about.
Bwt, Joe the Banh Mi, you probably watch the wrong chanel if you said Tri Ta doesn’t speak. Oh, I got it, maybe you’re deaf!
All three major Vietnamese language dailies carried the press conference alerting the public of media bias and personal attacks by couple of hired guns who call themselves radio programmers. It’s about time that the electeds speak up and expose some of these money-for-hire, say-anything radio programs.
The people of Little Saigon saw the truth and it was great stuff.
@Jung Kim.
I agree with your sentiment 100%, but to say that Communists are here to take over and throwing that claim around damages your own reputation and other Americans of VN ancestry who have never been exposed or met one.
Ok, for the record, straight from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 2007, the city of Garden Grove with a population of 166,414, there were a total of 645 VIOLENT offenses known to Law Enforcement, Murder and non-negligent manslaughter, 8, Forcibly rape, 35, robbery, 262, Aggrevated assault, 340, and PROPERY CRIME related offenses, 4152, Burglary, 866, Larceny-theft, 2,638, Motor vehicle theft, 648, and Arson, 34.
I do not see a legitimate or strong proof of Communism as you stress, unless there is another agenda.
To reiterate your opening statement regarding “our youths have certain responsibility of respecting the patriotic feelings/pains suffered by the first Viet immigrants due to the past bloody war in Vietnam”, it is also your duty to tell the very same people the truth based on facts, not play on their fears and emotions. Hence, you or your political group did not carry your job as an elected official (if you are one).
The word “communism” is not listed in our dictionary as a fairy tale or a imagenary fictional idea. Go take a look at world history…… too distant in our memories?
Go visit N. Korea today or simply try to conduct a business with communist states without their blessings and you will FEEL/SEE the true light….. appreciating our freedom here.
Mr Jung Kim
As a public official (if you are one), you should also be very careful about impeding the rights of others under the First Admendment under the Bills of Rights (see Wikipedia for a quick reference). Misguided invasion of anyone’s freedom of expression will land you in jail.
In addition, the Constitution and Bill of Rights allows individuals to believe what they want to believe as long as they do not interfere with other people’s livelihood and daily activity. You can rant and rave about these people, but don’t think for one minute you can enter their premises and personal space and start a personal crusade in search of whatever or insult. You will go to jail along with your conspirators.
@Jung Kim.
Go to those countries and give them hell. I support you 100%.
Thomas, first, I am not an elected official and second you can not goto jail telling people about our anti- communism national policy.
If you disagree with our country’s stance against communism… you are welcome to leave this soil and explore your dreams in other pro-communist states. Adios!
@Jung Kim:
Pro-democratic supporter but does not know the basic tenets of what it is and helps out the local leaders running Little Saigon.
By abiding the First Amendment, followers of the Bill of Rights and Constitution are Un-American and therefore pro-Communist. Perfect logic of Jung Kim and friends in high places.
Pro-democracy is empowerment of the people to ensure the true enforcement of created and interpreted laws, not based on whimsical definitions.
Citizens, get on the Internet and read the Constitution and Bill of Rights and read the Words of the Founders of Our Nation.
Also visit the governmental websites to substantiate claims made by officials.
We want better and more informed representation. I have been duped by these people, Jung Kim and his kind.
Take care Jung Kim.
Jung Kim/Tomahawk/Pancake Face,
Stop the denials. We know who you are.
Anh Tu said it best: “Diep + Andy + TriTa = backdoor dealing = corruptions”
Vote no on Measure O in Westminster, which would bring big bucks under the table for the Trannies.
Mr. Jung, most “yes” men don’t last until their use expires. Good luck on your future endeavors. All altruistic and malicious employers prefer knowledgeable and smart workers to bring value to any entity.
To Jung Kim,
Sounds like you and your cronies are the true communists. The very guy screaming fire is the fire starter, spreading lies and deceit. Boy, cowardice fits you and your band of brothers/sisters like a glove.
I can imagine this Jung Kim giving lessons on politics – Jung Kim: lie like the devil and hide as fast as you can. As long as you cover your behind for the moment, take a breather and continue lying some more.
These people are suckers; they’ll believe anything.
I can imagine why highly educated Viets do not contribute to these VN oriented blogs or participate in the local politics because these very bad people hold a monopoly on fear and intimidation.
@Jung Kim.
You are 100% correct and the other guy is completely wrong. You were espousing JungKimocracy – the whatever comes to my mind belief and the political bosses sign off on it.
What the heck? Like these citizens know the difference?
The primary concern is “UNITY “…..my friends.
Only then we will see the growth of our political might and I feel Assemblyman Van Tran is the right leader for our community……he has spent last 20+ years in effort to expand our political clout in central OC and beyond.
Bolsa Cute Girl,
Throw us a Janet Nguyen-Andrew Do gang sign, please!! You are such an ass after so many questions. Are you Janet Nguyen herself? Or are you Andrew Do in drag?
Jung Kim/Tomahawk/Pancake Face/Van Tran’s YES Man/Nip Family Member,
I’m all woman, baby. And admit it, you want some of this ass. I’m the woman of your dreams – cute, petite with a trashy mouth who can cut you with a knife. In reality, you wouldn’t even know what to do with me if I was right in front of you, except cry and whimper like a puppy to his mother. Keep dreaming about me though…never hurts to have higher standards.
“Diep + Andy + TriTa = backdoor dealing = corruptions”
Vote no on Measure O in Westminster, which would bring big bucks under the table for the Trannies.
Bolsa Ugly Girl,
Now you are getting uglyyyyyy!! I ain’t any one of the above. So don’t group me in with them.
Your real color is showing that you are just a Trannie hater and you camne down with Trannie envy. Small poxes are growing out of your once cute face!
You haven’t thrown me a Janet Nguyen Gang Sign from Santa Ana. Whaz up with that, bitch!?
I think Walking Bolsa Girl is suffering from the last stage of AIDS or something.. her blurred vision sees everyone in a one body.
Nip Family Member,
If you look like a duck, walk like a duck, and quack like a duck, then you’re a duck. You are Jung Kim/Tomahawk/Pancake Face.
Wow, a 35-year-old virgin who talks tough. You do have a love hate relationship with me, don’t you? Don’t get too angry though, honey, I’m just mirroring your ugliness.
And lastly, I don’t support any factions in our community. Just against incompetence, corruption and ugliness (people in our community who are not hot running for office).
“Diep + Andy + TriTa = backdoor dealing = corruptions”
Vote no on Measure O in Westminster, which would bring big bucks under the table for the Trannies.
Bolsa BK’d Pros…… let me tell you again I am not Diep or any other characters you are in love with.
Do not preach hate because it just reflect bad on you.
Personally I think it’s Janet who is underserving our community with grudge/hatred. Either you should get rid of her first.
Bolsa Ugly Bitch,
Yes, you are a bitch because you whine and you groan like one. I already told you I am none of the names you pasted on me. What part of “don’t” that you don’t understand.
I am not 35 years old nor am I a virgin. There’s no 35 year old virgin Nip Family members. How stupid can you get, bitch? Damn, I gotta talk down for you to understand. Just throw me a Janet-Andrew gang sign, bitch.
Nip Family Member and Jung Kim,
I am shocked you are calling a woman with different viewpoints from you a bitch, hooker, gang girl and someone with AIDS.
And you guys want to run for office? Where’s your moms. Learn some manners. SHame on you!
Ms. Mai:
That’s how they think of mother or frustrated by constant rejections by chicks; hence the bitter language.
Ms. Mai and Roger,
You are shocked with Bolsda Cute Girl not throwing a gang sign after repeated requests? Pleaseeeeee….. If this ** itch has any manners, I wouldn’t need to use language that she understands. Sounds like YOU understand my language very well.
Bolsa Cute Girl,
Why don’t you bring your buddies Andrew Do and Janet Nguyen over to my hood? We can kick back together and hang low. I heard they own a commie related sandwich shop by the name of Lees’ in Stanton. There’s one on Brookhurst too. Gotta get out of Santana sometime.
I don’t think Janet is an official communist per se but they say she does work very closely with some of the most well known commie crooks in town.
For Andrew Do….he is waiting to chow down on left over crums from Janet’s dealings…like a hungry street dog.
@Bolsa Cute Girl….Come over to my place…. I will show you such a wonderful time.. you will scream my name for hours in pleasure