Lawyer who spoke out on Vietnamese sovereignty arrested
June 15th, 2009
The lawyer who wrote the bar association’s proclamation, asserting Vietnamese sovereignty over disputed islands off the country’s central coast, has been arrested by Vietnam’s government.
OK so this is not strictly a Vietnamese-American issue, but I felt compelled to speak out. This is, after all, my blog. (Note also that I’m not speaking in the third person.)
On Saturday, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, acting under what it called an “urgency,” arrested attorney Le Cong Dinh (Lê Công Định in Vietnamese spelling). The purported reason was for “acts against the State” and “libel of the Prime Minister and other comrades in the leadership of the Party and State.”
A closer reading of the news of his arrest, however, shows that the Vietnamese government could not even adequately allege, let alone prove, any of the charges. The same, almost identical “news story” appeared throughout the country’s media, all of which are owned directly or indirectly by the state. Here’s one sample.
Successful professional
Educated in Ha Noi, Saigon, and at Tulane University - Columbia, the 39-year-old Dinh is highly successful and wealthy. He owns a house in the exclusive Saigon South new development, and has his solo practice in the high-rent District 1 area. (It’s the Vietnamese equivalent of living in Westchester and working in Manhattan.)
Dinh is married to one of the prettiest and smartest women of Vietnam, beauty queen Ngọc Khánh. (That’s Dinh and his wife in the photo above.) In a country where most positions of prominence go to older men and women over 50, Dinh was elected the Vice-President of the Bar Association of Ho Chi Minh City, the umbrella organization for all lawyers in the 9-million-people metropolis.
And yet, he’s taking risks that a wealth-maximizing rational being would not take. In the restrictive and risky environment that is communist Vietnam, Dinh has dared gone against the grain, 
representing clients that other lawyers would not touch, and speaking out on issues that many others, lawyers or not, would not speak.
These taboo issues include the assertion of Vietnamese sovereignty over the Spratlys and Paracels, and also issues of human rights and religious freedom.
Represented activists
Among clients represented by Dinh are his colleagues Nguyen Van Dai and (Ms.) Le Thi Cong Nhan. Both are attorneys based in Hanoi, and they were most prominent as lawyers specializing in human rights, representing Christians, mostly Protestants, seeking the right to practice their faith. In the picture is Dai in suit in front and Cong Nhan in red behind him.
The two were arrested and charged with acts against the State, and Dinh represented them. Dai was sentenced to 5 years and Cong Nhan to 4 years for their work on behalf of Christians. Yes, we know the actual charge was something like “acts against the State” - but what other “acts” were there, other than representing Christians?
That was in May 2007. Later that year, on news that China has formally annexed the Spratlys and Paracels, thousands of young Vietnamese took to the streets of Hanoi and Saigon in protest. (See, for example, AFP report here.) Police came out in force. No arrest or confrontation was made on the day of the protest, but they were taking names, and in the ensuing days, hundreds were called in for questioning.
Among those being harassed the most, by the Vietnamese government, for asserting Vietnamese sovereignty (if you understand how this works, please do elucidate) was my friend Điếu Cày. Read more about him in previous entries here, here, here, here.
Dieu Cay was eventually arrested and charged with tax evasion. (In restrospect, it may have been a short-lived experiment in charging dissident with something other than acts against the State.) In September of last year, he was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. Representing Dieu Cay was none other than Le Cong Dinh.
The Bar Association’s proclamation
Long before Dieu Cay was arrested, though, there was an unwritten order, enforced by brute force at every level of government, to prohibit discussion of the Spratly and Paracel islands.
And yet, at a plenary meeting of the bar association, attended by the city’s top communist officials, the association’s president Nguyễn Đăng Trừng moved, and the assembled attorneys voted to approve, a proclamation asserting Vietnamese sovereignty over the islands.
The author of the proclamation was Dinh. That’s Dinh at the meeting in the photo to the right. Ironically, one of the few sources for the text of the proclamation and for this picture is Dieu Cay’s blog, here.
Arrested for criticizing the Prime Minister
In announcing Dinh’s arrest, the Ministry of Security specifically cited the Spratlys and Paracels issue, stating that Dinh has “taken advantage of the Spratlys and Paracels issue” to act against the State.
The announcement also claims that Dinh libeled (read: dared to criticize) “the Prime Minister, a few comrades in leadership position of the Party, the government.”
Even that allegation, however, is preposterous. The cited evidence was not that Dinh “libeled” anyone, but more like Dinh was “participating in discussion” of publications by someone else, and it was those other publications that were supposedly “libeling” the high-ranking comrades.
Tags: human rights, Le Cong Dinh, Vietnam
June 15th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Mr. Bolsavik,
This case is just another outragous act of oppression of human rights by the current regime. I strongly urge you, Mr Bolsavik, and fellow blog participants to take emmediate actions to help this gentleman.
1. Please contact local Bar Chapters to dispatch statement of protests, and to establish monitoring group/committee to follow up on further actions.
2. Please contact Tulane University Law School faculty and student associations to intervene.
3. Please contact other well-known law schools such as UCLA ( your alma mater) Harvard, Yale to publicize the case.
4. Since his wife is a former beauty queen, Donna Trump’s Miss America organization, and Miss Universe organization should be approached for assistance.
5. Please form a local committee to launch a public campaign for his release.
June 15th, 2009 at 9:43 am
A dictatorship commie regime must be destroyed.
Let’s help out this lawyer.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am
ĐOÀN LUẬT SƯ THÀNH PHỐ SAIGON TUYÊN BỐ :
Hoàng Sa và Trường Sa đã, đang và sẽ mãi mãi là lãnh thổ không tách rời và bất khả xâm phạm của Việt Nam cả về phương diện pháp lý (de jure) lẫn phương diện thực tế (de facto).
June 15th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I know a person who used to run a weather station on Hoang Sa in early 1970s.
Those islands belong to Vietnam.
June 15th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Where has you been man? By the time you posted this story here, the guy would have been executed by the regime.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Funny how these VietNamese Communist clowns are quick to arrest and prosecute concerned Viets but sell their own country (probably their mother) to China. What a bunch of cowards.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:39 am
Please see http://www.seapabkk.org/newdesign/alertsdetail.php?No=1103 for assistence on how you can help.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Mr. Roby Alampay, Executive Director
Southeast Asian Press Alliance :
I strongly urge your organization to approach the following dignitaries for diplomatic assistance :
1. Al Gore. He is intimately involved in the negotiation for the eventual release of the two American TV reporters by North Korea.
2. Bill Richardson, who has had success in the past in freeing Americans held by North Korea. In 1996, a 26-year-old American whose mother was Korean, Evan C. Hunziker, was accused of spying after he swam across the Yalu River from the Chinese border. Richardson, then a congressman, negotiated his release. He is an expert in dealing with dictators.
I would also like to suggest you to expand your petition targets to include not only the Vietnamese embassies, but also members of cabinets, legislators, university faculties and student organizations, lawyers and professionals, Korean and Japanese embassy in Vietnam.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Vietnam’s tourism expo to take place in October 1 - 3, 2009
As many as 450 travel and tourism companies from all over the world are expected to take part at Phu Tho Exhibition Centre in October.
This is such a tantalizing event to publicize the arrest of attorney Le Cong Dinh.
Green Peace has an excellent trick for publicity stunts. Learn from them.
June 16th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Clash of submarines in Pacific Ocean, between US and Chinese in June 2009.
U.S. Navy is constructing a new generation of very sensitive underwater sonar detecting apparatus on the floors of Pacific Ocean. However, the US vessels have been shadowed by Chinese submarines. Parts of the sonar network have been sabotaged or damaged.
China has called the latest collision between Chinese and U.S. naval vessels an accident, but many of the elements echo previous altercations that have raised concerns that China’s navy is growing increasingly aggressive in its patrols of the waters off its coast.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am
China’s growing military might is one of major concern for the US gov’t today.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:51 am
It is also a concern for Viet Nam as well. Viet Nam brought 10 attack submarines and a number of fighter jets from Russia to China’s military growth.
@Pillar Point Man, great point. appeasement by selling off your land is not a good foreign affair policy.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:11 am
All the immoral things come from the immoral Viet communist party. The solution for our beloved country now is to disband this evil party. The question is HOW. Will all the Viets please preserve our energy and intelligence for trying to find the answer! (Protesting on the streets, oprressing free speech, infightings among ourselves, etc.. haven’t provided an answer.)
June 16th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Country First quoted ĐOÀN LUẬT SƯ THÀNH PHỐ SAIGON :
Hoàng Sa và Trường Sa đã, đang và sẽ mãi mãi là lãnh thổ không tách rời và bất khả xâm phạm của Việt Nam cả về phương diện pháp lý (de jure) lẫn phương diện thực tế (de facto).
The VNmese government repeately made the same claim, so I don’t know why you quoted it here ?
They arrested Mr. Dinh not because he made a different claim about those islands, but because as they said, he used it as a cause to entice unrests.
The VNmese government very much aware of the Chinese threat, I think at this monet they’re working with the US, trying to contain the Chinese. But until they’re ready they don’t want to provoke the Chinese prematurely. They want to fight on their own terms and time table, so they want the dissidents to shut up.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
His wife is a hottie. Just thought I’d throw that in.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Mr. Tien Huynh,
It has always been my pleasure to chat with you. I am glad you here with me again.
From my vantage point, I do see some green shoots of grass root democratic movements sprouting all over the landscape. They are public discussions and forums in Santa Ana and other places.
Do not be confused with the wild weeds.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
SwineQueen,
I must admit your question confuses me a lot, pardon me for my tardiness.
The accusation that Le Cong Dinh used those claims as a cause to entice unrests appears to me preposterous.
As you said the regime had issued similar statements; therefore, regime’s claims could also entice unrests. If the same remarks are being released by two different sources, then either both are legal or both are not.
June 16th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Country First,
That’s why I told you the claim by Mr. Dinh about those islands is not significant, every Vietnamese citizen can make that claim
anytime & anyplace in VN without any problem from the Vnmese government. So there is no need for you to post it here.
I’m sure to get into trouble Mr. Dinh was doing a lot more than making that claim. For now, we haven’t seen much details but the VNmese government will present evidences in court to back up their accusations.
Anyone knows how his wife is doing lately ? Has she made any statements about the case ? she is such an intelligent, articulated, and good looking woman !
June 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Tien Huynh wrote : “The solution for our beloved country now is to disband this evil party”
Ha ha ! doesn’t sound like a good solution until you tell us HOW ?
This solution have came up thousands of times among the genius oversea politicians and political groups in the last 4 decades. Have we seen any slightest results ?
Oh men … I’m tired of those empty & ancient rhetoric !
My ugly & poor younger brother’s forever dream is to marry Paris Hilton. But since he is ugly and poor, the simple solution is he needs to make Paris Hilton to madly-fall-in-love with him. But HOW ?
June 16th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Everything has a price and the real question is ….. who has his/her guts to pay for it?
Who is going to give up his/her life to achieve greater good?
We don’t need politicians but real MAN to step up and put end to this pathetic commie regime.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
>Who is going to give up his/her life to achieve greater good?
I volunteer Ly Tong & Jung Kim.
June 16th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
@ Country First, which weeds are we referring to? Questionable bloggers or the vegetation certain people inhale?
@ SwineQueen, are we on the topic of politics or beauty pagaent?
June 16th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I pay deference to the above bloggers and do not intend to overstate my position and be misunderstood in any manner. In my limited view, there is most likely a game plan in mind for the US policy maker.
The best course of action for VN is to adhere to what Tien Huynh keeps repeating, uphold one’s morality. The Communist policymakers should follow the US lead and not use this opportunity to further their own personal end. This would be construed by the US as a means for the current leaders to maintain their stranglehold on their own people.
What would the rest of the world think about the US and Viets in VN and abroad?
June 16th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Pillar Point Man,
We talk politics but the striking beauty of that lawyer’s wife can’t be ignored. I can’t help it but keep thinking about how this woman is dealing with the difficult situation since her husband now in custody. Before his arrest, she has always been a darling of the VNmese media : intelligent, smooth talker, pretty & always with a cheerful manner. But does her attitude & manner changed now ?
what is her political stand regarding this situation ? was she aware of what her husband has been doing ? was she a part of his political affiliation ?
And for Mr. Dinh, most men who have a beautiful wife like her, and with their combined profesional, economic, and social successes, would not risk it all by involving in any dissident acts.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
@ Elaine Mai, good point.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:29 am
The rise of protectionism policy :
“China has introduced an explicit “Buy Chinese” policy as part of its economic stimulus programme in a move that will amplify tensions with trade partners and increase the likelihood of protectionism around the world.
In an edict released jointly by nine government departments, Beijing said government procurement must use only Chinese products or services unless they were not available within the country or could not be bought on reasonable commercial or legal terms”
June 17th, 2009 at 7:15 am
New Weapons of Democracy :
Have you been following the explosive revolution in Iran in the past few days ?
It is about the new people’s weapons against oppression.
Cell phones are the main network of communication.
Facebook becomes the center of community.
Twitter is the new public park.
These new technologies are the infrastructures of democracy!
Thirty years ago, the Shad of Iran was brought down initially by mostly college students; then, the radical Islamic extemists to took over the uprising.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:31 am
The impact of the Internet :
Can the Internet Bring Democracy to China?
Interviewee: Xiao Qiang, Director, China Internet Project.
Xiao says strong Internet voices are emerging in favor of democratic reforms in China. He notes that this strain of opinion can at time conflict with nationalistic voices in the country, such as those that emerged in response to last year’s pro-Tibet rallies, which have also been amplified by the Internet. But Xiao says nationalistic and reform-oriented voices also overlap. “The same people who are very nationalistic” on issues like Tibet can be “very vocal to support political reform,” he says. Xiao says the “jury is still out” on what China’s experience with the Internet says about the medium as a democratizing factor. He stresses, however, that the Internet has proved to be a liberal force for the Chinese society, and could, in the long run, lead to a less repressive government in the country.
Podcast: http://www.cfr.org/publication/19385/
June 17th, 2009 at 7:38 am
A Proposed Video Project on Freedom :
Please watch the following youtube first :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKziIkMl7aU
Vietnamese media networks could sponsor a similar video project.
June 17th, 2009 at 7:41 am
SwineQueen to be roasted, your mouth will be smothered with hot sauce for 30 minutes before dumped into a BBQ pit.
A gutless swine can satisfy many hungry homeless people.
June 17th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Rep. Loretta Sanchez Calls for Release of Vietnamese Attorney :
“The recent arrest of lawyer Le Cong Dinh by Vietnamese officials is further evidence of Vietnam’s continuing disregard for basic civil and political liberties. The U.S. and international community cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the oppression of individuals like Mr. Dinh, who bravely and non-violently protest for freedom and democracy.
“Time and time again, the Government of Vietnam has taken actions that suggest it is unwilling to improve its abysmal human rights record and for that reason I am continuing to push to have Vietnam relisted on the U.S. Department of State’s list of Countries of Particular Concern. I urge my Congressional colleagues to support me in a letter calling for the release of Mr. Dinh and other activists who have been persecuted for practicing their right to free speech and expression.”
June 17th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
@ Country First: Gone fishing lately? Do you mean Shah or bait?
June 17th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Pillar Point Man,
Thanks for your correction. The Shah of Iran.
He was overthrown by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979.
I like fishing, but fish does not like me. I have not caught any yet for 20 years.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
The Shah was also the one who purchased a lot of US military hardware. The country owned F-14s, then very sophisticated fighter aircraft. He was also the one who commissioned Mercedes to design and produce the famous SUV G-class.
June 18th, 2009 at 7:52 am
China’s new sea map :
Three countries being effect with this new claim : Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia.
June 18th, 2009 at 7:55 am
June 18th, 2009 at 7:56 am
http://media.photobucket.com/image/china sea map/ralphrepo/PopularAsians/ChineseClaimToSouthChinaSeaMap001.jpg?o=1
June 18th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Mr Le cong Dinh was ‘ shown ” on TV reading a prepared text , admitt wrong doing and asking for leniency
Another brave man succumbed to the brutally oppressive regime
June 18th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I beg to differ from your opinion. He did not succumb to the pressure.
Mr Le Cong Dinh did exactly what he must to show the world that it was a carefully crafted statement by the regime, and that he was coerced to read.
A common practice by terrorists of having hostages read “confessions”.
June 18th, 2009 at 8:32 am
As I told you 2 days ago : the claim by Mr. Dinh on Vietnamese sovereignty has nothing to do with his arrest, and I also said “I’m sure to get into trouble Mr. Dinh was doing a lot more …”
Today, according to VietnamNet : Mr. Dinh has confessed that he is a member of a Democracy Party (Dang Dan Chu) and he also had connection with the Viet Tan Party. (You all know that a few Viet Tan’s members have been arrested before). For more details please read here :
http://vietnamnet.vn/xahoi/2009/06/853725/
June 18th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Forced confession is a common terrorist practice :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB8uNwcQB_0
June 18th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Country First said : “Forced confession is a common terrorist practice”.
But why Le Cong Dinh ?
This good looking, rich, and well educated intellectual (with a pretty wife, who is a public & media’s darling) should be the positive showcase for the regime.
There must be something that made them considered him a threat !
June 18th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Theo người phát ngôn Bộ Ngoại giao Việt Nam: “đảm quyền tự do ngôn luận, tự do chính kiến của công dân và khuyến khích người dân đóng góp ý kiến và tham gia tích cực vào mọi mặt đời sống của đất nước”.
Theo thông tin do Bộ Công an cung cấp, Lê Công Định đã có hành vi vi phạm pháp luật Việt Nam, câu kết với một số đối tượng ở nước ngoài hoạt động nhằm chống Nhà nước CHXHCN Việt Nam. Việc bắt giữ Lê Công Định được tiến hành theo đúng trình tự của pháp luật Việt Nam.
SwineQueen, quyền tự do ngôn luận is a threat for the regime.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Statement from Congressman Cao regarding the arrest of Le Cong Dinh:
Mr. (Madam) Speaker,
Mr. / Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute to revise and extend my remarks.
Mr. / Madam Speaker, recently the US Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Michael Michalak, holds the position that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam need not be put back onto the U.S. Department of State’s CPC list because, based on his views, Vietnam has made sufficient improvements to its human rights policies.
Recent developments show how wrong the Ambassador is. Not to mention Vietnam’s other numerous human rights violations against people of different religious persuasions.
Just days ago, they arrested Mr. Le Cong Dinh, a prominent lawyer in Vietnam, for openly defending human rights and for using the internet as a medium to express the principles of freedom and democracy.
Vietnam’s arrest of Mr. Dinh contradicts its own alleged commitment to internationally-accepted criteria of human rights.
Today, I call upon the members of this body to join with the U.S. State Department to release Mr. Dinh immediately and unconditionally, as well as all other prisoners in detention for peacefully expressing their views.
His immediate release will be a significant step in affirming the sincerity of Vietnam’s intention to respect the rule of law.
I yield back my time.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:46 am
SwineQueen & Country First,
>> There must be something that made them considered him a threat !
Intellectual capacity + social influence + political activism = GREAT THREAT TO THE VCP.
If Mr. Dinh simply exercised his “freedom of speech” on non-sensitive matters, such as economic development, cultural affairs, etc. and stay content as a successful lawyer, he would be fine.
He chose to embark on the political path, seeking to bring more freedom to his people. He has been smart and careful since the beginning, fighting with the current law on his side, but I suppose new circumstances demand more involvement. Once you embark on that path, danger is always around the corner.
I’d say Mr. Dinh earned my utmost respect for despite many other safe options, he chose to do what he did. The new generation of Viet lawyers like Le Cong Dinh, Le Thi Cong Nhan, Le Quoc Quan, Nguyen Van Dai truly made me proud as they have courageously and effectively taken the lead in the struggle to develop and advance the rule of law and democratic reform in Vietnam.
In Mr. Le Cong Dinh, I see much potential of a new leader for democracy in Vietnam. I wish him strength during this difficult, but unavoidable, time.
Every struggle has a cost. Those who aspire to be leaders must not only inspire with their words but also must serve as an example.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Publius,
I am glad you come back. Here is my recent comment about you on a different topic “Nguyen Cao Ky is commie all over again”
…
Recent comments on this blog have brought my attention to a particular writer “PUBLIUS”.
I am at awe with his eloquence and temperament, regardless of his predisposition.
http://bolsavik.com/2008/06/nguyen-cao-ky-is-commie-all-over-again/#comments
June 18th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
watch Le Cong Dinh’s “confession” video here: http://dantri.com.vn/c20/s20-331962/luat-su-le-cong-dinh-thua-nhan-chong-pha-nha-nuoc.htm.
June 18th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
This video of forced confession is another indication that the regime might have under-estimated public outcry.
Having hostage read from a prepared text is a common terrorist practice
, for propaganda purposes.
Mr Le Cong Dinh did exactly what he must to show the world that it was a carefully crafted statement by the regime, and that he was coerced to read.
This forced confession is probably part of a negotiated “face-saving” settlement which eventually lead to his “rehabilitated” release.
These tactics are in the terrorist’s repertoire of extortion and intimidation.
June 18th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Country First wrote on June 16 (to the Director Southeast Asian Press Alliance) :
“I would also like to suggest you to expand your petition targets to include not only the Vietnamese embassies, but also members of cabinets, legislators, university faculties and student organizations, lawyers and professionals, Korean and Japanese embassy in Vietnam.
It’s pathetic that VNmese-Americans always ask for helps from American lawmakers and American Officials. Can we fight our own battle without crying for help like little babies ? Everytime we asked those Americans for help, the Vnmese government simply respond by giving that dissident a heavy sentence then immediatelly ship him/her out of VN.
I think Mr. Dinh’s fate will not be much different from his predessors. Soon he’ll be a permanent resident of Little Saigon like most of us, and soon he’ll be another Vietkieu amrchair politician, regularly chatting with us on this Bolsavik blog.
June 18th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
** It has always been my belief that the struggle for freedom must be borne by the Vietnamese people.
And the Vietnamese people have responded tremendously and enthusiastically, the peasants, the villagers, the city folks. Those who want freedom from corruption, and liberty from arbitrary arrests.
The people have responded with small rallies in the village against local corruptions, many protests in the cities against unfair land takeover.
The people of Vietnam have spoken. Do you hear their cry for justice ?
June 18th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Country First : “It has always been my belief that the struggle for freedom must be borne by the Vietnamese people”
But very often your actions have deviated from your words, and you’re not alone. The majority, if not all, of the so called oversea freedom fighters and political organizations have shamelessly cling on to American officials/lawmakers like toddlers hopelessly depend on adults for physical and mental assistances.
Didn’t we learn anything from the past war ? we totally depended on Americans’ material, logistic, & manpower support, and when those supports were cut off, we complained loudly but then we quickly collapsed.
An American writer compared us to a kid just learning how to ride a bicycle, the kid needs an adult to hold on to his bike, he can ride by himself by a short distance but as soon as he turns around and doesn’t see that helping hand, he’s panic and quickly falls off the bike.
Please stand on your 2 feet, please fight your battle like a man.
I wonder how those American officials and American public feels about our Vnmese community oversea ? we fight among ourselves like cats and dogs. Each group claim that it’s the sole rightful torch carrier for freedom, but then we run into them begging for assistances whenever we see the smallest obstacles.
Bad habit dies hard ! it has been with us for the last 50 years.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
@SwineQueen:
Your point is true. Do you think that it has to do with the culture or the lack of education/sophistication in the Viet people? I think Viets as individuals are quite effective, but get them all together and you get the biggest cowards/morons/psychopaths/deviants running the show and leading the rest of the people to purgatory.
What is sad is we don’t learn from our mistakes…
June 19th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Let us remember history,
not to glorify the thunders of war, or to redress old wounds,
but to reclaim the freedom promised,
the dream of liberty,
and justice for all.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:45 am
* Green shoots of people’s determination are sprouting all over the landscape of Vietnam.
* The wild weeds of Boslaland opportunistic groups are the inevitable fringe elements of any political movement.
* The people of Vietnam are much smarter to distinguish the differences.
* This battle for freedom are waged on two different fronts, there against old regime and here against new tyrants.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:03 am
* The reading of a “prepared text” by the hostage was a publicity stunt staged by the regime.
* Mr Le Cong Dinh showed NO emotional attachment to the text. Reading from a prepared text. His demeanor was calm and deliberate.
* Where is justice ? where is the law ? Just a theatrical display of regime’s brutal oppression on an individual.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:14 am
The cruelty and temptation of the Darkside :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxvYpfWJn1o
A lesson for all.
Mr Le Cong Dinh is the new Luke Skywalker.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Mr. Bolsavik, I just read your article on BBC. Thank you for expressing very well what I was feeling but couldn’t put into words!
June 19th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Pillar Point Man :
If we want to fight Communism effectively then we should learn from the … VC. They were the masters of grassroot movements and self reliances. During their struggles, they asked for material supports from Russia & China, but they themselves did all the fighting and they did their best to prevent their foreign allies to interfere/
meddle in their struggle.
Through-out our Vnmese history of fighting for national independence, we VNmese always consider “co?ng ra(’n ca(’n ga` nha`” (invite foreign snakes to attack domestic hens) is the most horrendous act of all.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:32 am
@TurboMate:
The VN commies benefitted from the previous efforts to drive out foreign invaders and forced those people to joing their cause. Since taking over VN, they clearly have not demonstrated any real leadership, and that is a fact! Now, the people in power do not want to lose a good gig, so they have to rely on foreign powers to help them protect their gravy train.
Don’t think for one second that these people really give a hoot about their country and people. How much more land can they sell? How much money have they invested in foreign lands, rather than their own? There is nothing to praise about these marauders and extortionists. They are mostly crooks in uniform.
If the decision between being dominated by a foreign power that provides economic stability and a band of thugs stealing from the people, the Viets would choose the former any day.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:46 am
A winning strategy :
Most of the anti-communist movements in Bolsaland are engaging in a strategy of power play, of party politics. It is a zero-sum game, one party wins what the other loses. Command structure is a top-down vertical pyramid. This political strategy is doomed to fail, given how the game is set up with one side possessing all the power and means.
* This freedom issue must be a GRASS ROOT political movement which must be built from bottom up. It is a political process where decision-making process is shifted to the movement’s lowest geographic level of local communities.
Each locality determines its own message, its own forum, its own deliberation. Its command structure is bottom-up vertical pyramid. Grassroot movements are the green shoots of participatory democracy.
* A example of using petition as a means of protest.
For power politics, the receivers of the petition are the target of the battle. Your opponents might have as much power to decide (much more power, in this case) than you.
For grassroot movements, the “petitioners” become the rivets and the beams of a much wider bridge, the participants become part of a bigger organic network.
* In this grass root strategy, you WIN the war of justice even when you LOSE many battles of power.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:59 am
@Country First:
You speak like a person with a full stomach and live in a modern society.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I do, therefore, I am !
June 19th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Your approach is more text book based. Simple people do not grasp such concepts; hungry people seek more simple goals, such as the next meal or physical security for themselves and their family.
My half a cent opinion is to 1) use the western influence as leverage to western culture exposure leading to 2) more rights and equity to the common VeitNamese and 3) allowing western countries to invest in VN and 4) thereby protecting their investment and the common Viets indirectly.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Yolo Walker,
Your opinions are most valuable, regardless of what others think.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:50 am
SwineQueen,
>> It’s pathetic that VNmese-Americans always ask for helps from American lawmakers and American Officials.
There is nothing wrong with Vietnamese Americans (not Vietnamese living overseas) exercising their collective voice,influence and political power to affect American foreign policy in promoting for democratic reform in Vietnam. Jewish Americans, Cuban Americans, Chinese Americans, all immigrant communities have done this to various degree of effectiveness. Your statement reflects a very superficial understanding of the role of Vietnamese Americans in their own society as well as towards the betterment of Vietnam. Perhaps, living in Orange County (too far removed from the sun and too embedded in petty politics does affect one’s having such pessimistic perception). Nonetheless, your statement dissing your own community is both immature and false.
>> Can we fight our own battle without crying for help like little babies ?
How do you define your role? What do you mean by “fighting our own battle”? Isn’t organizing ourselves into a political force, developing capable candidates for public office, and building alliances with local/national/international power players themselves not the key aspects of the fight we are and should be engaging in? This is a political struggle (both inside and outside Vietnam), not an armed resistance. And if by fighting, you mean every Vietnamese American who cares about Vietnam should return to Vietnam to play the role of an “imprisoned dissident,” that is simply nonsensical.
Being a Vietnamese AMerican should not be mistaken with being a Vietnamese living overseas. The first is an American citizen whose true allegiance lies with the U.S.A. and who is sympathetic about/supportive of the struggle for democracy in Vietnam. The latter, by his own choice, only owes allegiance to Vietnam (the land) and fighting for Vietnam takes precedent over his allegiance to the U.S. ONce we make this distinction, then we will recognize that our duties and available options “to fight” will vary. I would think that we Vietnamese Americans have begun to embark of that path of political organizing to wield our political influence and social and politicial institutions have started to emerge with some basic amount of capacity.
>> Everytime we asked those Americans for help, the Vnmese government simply respond by giving that dissident a heavy sentence then immediatelly ship him/her out of VN.
“Those Americans”? I think they are our public servants, our elected officials, our voices in Congress. By your language, you have identified yourself as a Vietnamese living overseas, not a Vietnamese American, sir.
And your opinion that ” the Vnmese government simply respond by giving that dissident a heavy sentence then immediatelly ship him/her out of VN” is simply NOT TRUE. As a matter of fact, from Father Nguyen Van Ly to Doan Viet Hoat to Le Thi Cong Nhan to Nguyen Van Dai, America’s response has more often than not, if not most of the time, has a positive impact - pressurizing the Vietnamese gov to control themselves and resulting in reduced sentences/early releases. Dissidents from China, Iran (most recently), Vietnam, Cuba, Burma, etc. have always counted on America and the Western world to stand with them. Quite contrary to what you asserted, the cause of hte problem is the free world’s slow reaction and hesitation (like Obama’s approach right now regarding the situation in Iran) to stand with these voices for freedom.
June 19th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
The intellectual capacity of Nguyen Minh Triet and the current Vietnamese government:
Ông Triết nhắc lại hai cuộc chiến trước đây của Việt Nam là “đấu tranh để giành quyền con người.”
“Còn chúng ta, họ nói chúng ta vi phạm nhân quyền. Nước nào cũng có luật pháp. Ai vi phạm luật pháp thì chúng ta xử. Tại sao chúng ta xử vụ này, vụ nọ họ nói chúng ta vi phạm nhân quyền,”
“Cho nên chúng ta phải đấu tranh cái này, phải đấu tranh một cách quyết liệt, một cách tự tin.”
Trong một lần phát biểu sau đó tại Việt Nam, ông Triết khẳng định rằng “bỏ điều 4 Hiến pháp’
“Ở Việt Nam không hề có chuyện bắt bớ, xét xử vì lý do bất đồng chính kiến,”
“Những người này vi phạm pháp luật Việt Nam và phải được xử lý theo pháp luật Việt Nam,” về quyền lãnh đạo chính trị tuyệt đối của đảng CSVN là “tự sát”
My comment: Nhung tro he kech com nhat tren doi va trong lich su cua mot dan toc kem may man!
June 19th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Pillar Point Man Says: “If the decision between being dominated by a foreign power that provides economic stability and a band of thugs stealing from the people, the Viets would choose the former any day.”
Talking for yourself Pillar Point Man. If most Viets choose the former then the French didn’t loose their colony & later Americans didn’t loose their longest and most painful war.
There are thugs in the current VNmese government, but there are thugs in governments everywhere.
Who stole hundred billions of dollars from Americans retirement funds & lifetime saving accounts ? who shipped millions of American manufacturing jobs oversea in order to buy cheaper foreign products (and eventually fill their own pockets) ? who responsible for hundred of trillions dollars of national deficit that turns this nation into the world biggest debtor ?
Yes, there are thugs in governments everywhere but I believe the biggest thugs are here in the heartland of America.
You don’t think there is any kind of real leadership in the current VNmese government ? I’m a bit confused here ! I thought they are “real leaders”
(with too much power as some people often complains). You might not agree with the way they run the country, but they are not puppets, they have strong determination and they have clear vision of what direction they want to lead VN. (Ofcourse you would yell : “wrong direction!”)
Yes, there are rampant corruptions, wastefull spending of public funds,
horrible policies that caused great harms to national resources and environments … but IMHO, as leaders of a warn torn & very poor nation, they’re doing OK, when you compare them to other leaderships in third world countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
For anti-commie extremists, ofcourse there is nothing good come out of VN, so you jump up and down hysterically often & you just want to overthrow this current regime. But for others, hey, they must do something right since even George Bush praised VN’s economic & social achievements during his visit a few years ago.
Economic, financial, and social reports done by international independent agencies are also indicated that VN is doing relatively OK.
So back to the main subject, it would be very interesting to hold a general election in VN today for the VNmese to choose between “a band of thugs” (as Pillar Man defined it) and some foreign powers.
Ofcourse, the Pillar Man would say most people would choose foreign power, but I would doubt it since, looking back in VNmese history since the birth of our nation, our Vnmese historical lessons have taught me otherwise.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Attorney Le Cong Dinh on Vietnamese Legal System :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KfPBnFyxG0
Procedure for appeal.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
The real reason for the arrest of Attorney Le Cong Dinh
Amnesty International
In November 2007 he represented human rights lawyers Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan, two other prominent prisoners of conscience, at the appeal court hearing against their sentences. At the hearing he and other lawyers argued that Article 88, under which the two were charged, is unconstitutional and contravenes international human rights treaties that Viet Nam has ratified, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and should therefore be reviewed. He also represented Nguyen Hoang Hai, a blogger known as Dieu Cay, who was tried in September 2008 on politically motivated criminal charges for writing critical articles and calling for human rights.
Le Cong Dinh has also been an outspoken critic of recent bauxite-extraction in the Central Highlands
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA41/002/2009/en/8484be67-45bb-4e34-8585-435a28830b47/asa410022009eng.html
June 19th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
@TurboMate:
Your reference to the French and US occupation is completely out of context to the current commie government. Then, VN was seeking autonomy, so their was a cause. Since the take over of VN by commies, has this group done anything significant for the common folk? Very little when there could be more. People who gained wealth are the relatives of these commie leaders.
Without Viets abroad sending money back to their relatives in VN, how would VN survive? Uneducated and crooked as the commie leaders are, you would expect us (Viets abroad) to believe that the commie VN leaders turned VN’s economy around?
Viets abroad sent back billions and billions of dollars annually, and the commie scums don’t even thank us. Now, they are talking big…
June 20th, 2009 at 6:22 am
The International Bar Association’s (IBA’s) Human Rights Institute sent a protest letter to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
It expressed concern that the arrest of Le Cong Dinh, 40, “is directly linked to his work as a lawyer who has defended pro-democracy activists” and who was involved in a complaint over controversial bauxite mining.
“Furthermore, we are concerned that the arrest could be linked to the fact that Mr Le Cong Dinh has expressed critical views on the Vietnamese government,” said the letter signed by the rights institute’s co-chairmen, South African Justice Richard Goldstone, and Martin Solc of the Czech Republic.
The rights institute is a division of the London-based IBA which represents 30,000 lawyers around the world.
http://www.ibanet.org/
June 20th, 2009 at 6:24 am
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned Saturday’s arrest of Le Cong Dinh
“The arrest of Le Cong Dinh demonstrates a disturbing but familiar pattern,” said Michael Cromartie, USCIRF vice chair, who recently led a USCIRF delegation to Vietnam. “Peaceful advocates for religious freedom and related human rights are intimidated, harassed, and jailed. Le Cong Dinh’s arrest demonstrates that no human rights, including the freedom of religion, are secure in Vietnam.”
http://www.uscirf.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2531&Itemid=126
June 20th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Pillar Point Man says : “Your reference to the French and US occupation is completely out of context to the current commie government”
I don’t think so, the personnels are different but it’s exactly the same power structure/organization/spirit/ that kicked out the French and defeated the US. Their greatest achivement was gaining independece and reunited VN, they’re very proud of this achievement and so they run the nation on this platform. Hence, they always suspect of foreign interference since the extreme bloody struggles against foreign domination are still fresh in their minds.
>Since the take over of VN by commies, has this group done anything significant for the common folk?
It depends who you’re talking to. For me I think they performed terriblelly in the first 15 years after the war, and they have been doing OK after Doi Moi, but it could have been a lot better.
>Viets abroad sent back billions and billions of dollars annually, and the commie scums don’t even thank us
VN has been benefitted greatly from the huge financial contribution by Viet Kieu, at first, the leadership didn’t mention it publicly, but in the last 10 years they’ve praised the VietKieu’s contribution. The government even called us “bo phan khong the tach roi” (inseperatable part) of VN.
>and the commie scums don’t even thank us
Didn’t you get a “thank you” note from from the VNmese gorvernment a few years ago ?
just kidding … there were express of appreciations from various government officials on TV & Press. Ofcourse, they don’t intend to say thank to Viet Tan Group or to people who called them “commie scums”.
But the financial contribution by VK is not the sole factor for economic achievements in VN. I think the most important factor was the “Doi Moi” policy. Government’s allowance of free enterprise was the biggest “stimulus package” that revised the business & entepreneur spirits in the VNmese. It was the turning point for VN. This policy also allowed big
corporations and governments around the world to invest hundred of billions of dollars into VNmese economy.
Another important financial contribution is the Vnmese workers oversea (lao dong hai ngoai), they’ve sent back billions dollars each year to their relatives in VN.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:32 am
What happen to the Vietnamese Bar Association in Orange County? I did not hear any condemnation from them. Look like they are afraid to offense the regime who could bar them from entering Vietnam
June 20th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
@TurboMate:
The way these commie leaders approach their leadership is the following:
1. I am Vietnamese and rule VN and its people…check.
2. I know their relatives abroad are sending back real currency (because toilet paper is more valuable than VN currency) to support my lavish lifestyle for me and all my relatives…check.
3. If I need more money, all I have to do is tighten the rope around the necks of their relatives in VN and watch more currency flow in…check.
4. Let me shift all the money to countries where I vacation and plan to retire…check.
5. Shite…I outspent money coming in. I better get off my fat arse and do something before creditors from China and elsewhere come and make my parents, siblings, wife, children, and family pet join the sex shows in Thailand.
6. Oh great idea, let’s copy the rest of the world and put on this dog and pony show called free market…what the hell, I can bribe more people since foreigners are dumb enough to believe me…check.
7. Wow, what another bold move, let’s sell off as much of VN’s natural resources and show the people how industrious I am…check.
8. Since I have procrastinated for twenty plus years of doing nada, creditors are really coming for my hide. That’s ok, I can always fall back on the people defending my arse in the name of patriotism…check. After all, it’s their home they are defending, not mine. I’ve got homes around the world…those people in VN are knaves.
Yeah, from Viet Kieu to Viet Tan, the title for the VN commie leaders is still the same…scum in universal languagge. These guys are spiritually empty, amoral (they learned nada, so nothing to gauge their action. Anything that is expedient and practical is ok).
One more thing, the US did not lose VN; it was an agreement (back in ‘68) that the US had to leave VN. Read the Geneva agreement; it’s was merely a matter of time. Also, warefare is waged differently nowadays. Occupation is too costly. If you don’t know the new way, then I intend not to tell you.
There is a local Viet d–che bag in office who goes around calling fellow Viets the same…he must belong in that scum group.
June 20th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
“Most codes extend their definitions of treason to acts not really against one’s country. They do not distinguish between acts against the government, and acts against the oppressions of the government. The latter are virtues, yet have furnished more victims to the executioner than the former, because real treasons are rare; oppressions frequent. The unsuccessful strugglers against tyranny have been the chief martyrs of treason laws in all countries.” –Thomas Jefferson: Report on Spanish Convention, 1792.
June 20th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
“It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.” - Benjamin Franklin
June 20th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Any single man must judge for himself whether circumstances warrant obedience or resistance to the commands of the civil magistrate; we are all qualified, entitled, and morally obliged to evaluate the conduct of our rulers. This political judgment, moreover, is not simply or primarily a right, but like self-preservation, a duty to God. As such it is a judgment that men cannot part with according to the God of Nature. It is the first and foremost of our inalienable rights without which we can preserve no other. - John Locke
June 20th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
“It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens, and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The freeman of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise, and entangled the question in precedents.
They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle.” - James Madison
June 20th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
What set the American people apart from other peoples around the world?
Is it the painful & humble beginning of our ancestors being refugees escaping religious persecution from England which brought us such firm determination in keeping that fire of liberty?
Vietnam needs more men like Le Cong Dinh.
And the Viet community needs less conformists and apologists like TurboMate.
June 20th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere.” –Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 1787.
June 20th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Many of us have made the big mistake of blending the human right issue with the “re-establishing the former regime of South Vietnam”. While most democratic governments are open to fighting for the first, they simply yawn when we wave our pre-1975 flag and ask for another war.
Now, it seems like we might do more harm than good for Mr. Le Cong Dinh and his fight for democracy by considering him anti-Vietnamese government. I am afraid of the day when they slap the former South Vietnamese flag on his photo. That would be the final nail on the coffin of his democracy cause. Why can’t we allow democracy activists in Vietnam be who they are instead of framing them accordingly to our self-centered agenda?
As long as we make the world feel like we are still interested in Vietnam War Part II, they will look at these noble activists like another lunatic. Soon Le Cong Dinh will have no choice but moving to Little Saigon and get high on flags!
June 20th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
As for the Christians who are oppressed in VN, my heart goes out to them and hope their hardship will end soon. I also hope that this hard time will inform them how it feels to be oppressed and demonized by others, they way they (the Christians) have oppressed and demonized others such as non-believers and homosexuals.
June 21st, 2009 at 6:34 am
Le Cong Dinh _ A real dilemma for the regime.
* The regime’s video showing of hostage’s FABRICATED confession turned out to be a disastrous publicity blunder.
* A real dilemma for the regime in the face of worldwide condemnation of the arrest:
Releasing him too early would expose internal miscalculation.
Keeping in jail him too long risks more political damages to the regime’s image.
* Being arrested by the Vietnamese regime is becoming a badge of honor for freedom activists.
June 21st, 2009 at 6:45 am
@Smoke and mirror
The sacrifices of our forefather MUST NOT BE forgotten by our thirst of vengeance for past wars.
The sacred treasures of our motherland MUST NOT BE traded away by greed of fortune.
June 21st, 2009 at 11:34 am
Smoke and mirror wrote : “Soon Le Cong Dinh will have no choice but moving to Little Saigon and get high on flags!”
“Get high on flags! ” ha ha ! that’s very funny but it’s also kind of sad and very true.
Some people gets high on meth, some on glue, and some get high on flags.
June 21st, 2009 at 3:45 pm
@Pillar Point:
“The way these commie leaders approach their leadership is the following:
1. I am Vietnamese and rule VN and its people…check.
2. I know their relatives abroad are sending back real currency (because toilet paper is more valuable than VN currency) to support my lavish lifestyle for me and all my relatives…check.
……….”
Most of your points have to do with Vietnamese politicians being richer than most people…… how is that different from American politicians?
Pretty much all American Senators are millionaires or multi-millionaires, which probably puts them in the top 2-3% in terms of net worth.
Do you know how much of that money comes from lobbyists and other sources not accessible to most Americans? A ton.
So in other words, your points against Vietnamese politicians can be applied to American politicians, European politicians, etc……
Take any government around the world and generally speaking, the higher you go (in terms of power) the better off the politician will be……. that occurs in both democracies and non-democracies.
June 21st, 2009 at 4:49 pm
A wise activist would demand a multi-party system in VN instead of dismantling the VCP. Working to overthrow any government is considered off the limit by most democratic governments. Even in the US, that would guarantee you a lengthy sentence, never mind a terrorist charge. So, please, people, get real!
June 21st, 2009 at 11:31 pm
@ Xu:
Great point! And we all can see that these VN leaders are putting up their ill gotten gains to increase military protection for VN and repel the naval fleet from China, and the US warships are there on vacation.
Whatever happens in the US does not affect the country’s power, and the system has its own check and balance. I suppose these commie VN goons do a good job of controlling their thieving habits. If you believe that, then why come here? Go back and bask in their glory because there is no difference between VN and the US. Both countries have equal lifestyle, and the Viets from VN risking their life to come to the US are doing it out of boredom.
Remember Tien Huynh’s stress on morality? Your logic is right in line with the commie logic…if it ok for others, I should do it too. Amigo, that is amoral – a non-standard belief system. Being immoral is acting not moral, knowing what is right and wrong. See the difference?
Back to your beautiful logic, the act of stealing $100 from Bill Gates holds the same weight as stealing from a group of starving people possessing $500. Also, your logic supports the concept that if group A does it, then it is ok for group B to do the same.
Let’s apply it to real life. I hope that you and your spouse do not lose both jobs. If that happens then the both of you have to sell your house and downgrade to an apartment. Money keeps running out, so the both of you are down to $500, and it is held under a mattress. A bunch of VN thugs pull a home invasion, and fortunately, your wife is not home. So, you bitch and complain to them that you and your wife just lost everything and the only money left is $500.
The VN thugs say to you that their white partners cheated Bill Gates out of $500 from stealing the stereo out his new vehicle. By your logic, it’s ok because Bill Gates got cheated by a bunch of white thugs, and you by VN thugs. And everything is fair and equal. Just hope these guys don’t take liberties with your private organs…haha.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:38 am
Why am I in the US? Same reason why so many Indian people are in the US. Same reason why so many Filipino’s are in the US.
(Both democracies by the way).
Because the US has a huge, huge market. A lot of oppurtunities to make money.
Way, way, way, way more oppurtunities than India, the Philipines or Vietnam.
The Phillipines is a democracy….. so why do so many filipinos want to come to the US? Oh yeah, it must be because of those VN government thugs.
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:25 am
It’s a 2 ways street now : some foreigners/Vietnamese Americans college graduates and professionals are working in VN now. Ofcourse not too many, but in the last 10 years we have seen some traffic on the opposite lanes.
People goes where there are economic opportunities.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:16 am
Again, I think we should call “corruption” or “dictatorship” by their correct names. By using the terms “commies” non-discriminately, it smears the real objective of achieving human rights and democracy. Most governments in the world will have nothing to do with assisting us if they feel that this is another crusade against communism, a very dated ideology.
If someone steals your money, then tell the police they need to arrest a thief, don’t waste the police’s time by telling them at length how you hate the way he combs his hair!
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
@Xu:
There are three types of people who can come and work here: 1) people with work visa, 2) people who had to pay money to be here, and finally, 3) refugee or people with political reasons. Most Viets fall under the third category.
Don’t tell me that you squirm by as a refugee, collected social assistance such as an education and other social benefits, and now talking how you came here for employment reason.
If so, you are a worthless being! I hope you don’t find decent employment here and are forced to go back!
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:34 pm
@Pillar Point Man:
My ***PARENTS*** came here as refugee over 35 years ago.
Just because my ***parents*** came here as refugees (again over 30 years ago) doesn’t mean ***I*** have to think and act like a refugee.
My parents made their choice and I think it was a good choice. But I am a different person, living in a different time under different circumstances thus my choices will be different.
Some people (like you) chose to act like political refugees (maybe you are; if so, I feel sorry for you) but I don’t chose to act and think like a political refugee or a political activist.
Its a personal choice, its always a personal choice.
Until about 10 years ago, most Vietnamese couldn’t even visit Vietnam (due to diplomatic issues between the two countries). But relations improved (ie circumstances changed) and now a lot of Vietnamese go back to Vietnam to visit.
And some of these Vietnamese who go back to visit actually fought for the South 30+ years ago.
BTW, a lot of people became US citizens through marriage and family programs….. you totally forgot about that.
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
@ Xu:
Don’t feel sorry for me… The way I see it is that being non-white in a white world, I stand out regardless how hard I try to blend in. Whatever I do, I try to promote 1) Viets and 2) Asians in things I do. There seems to be more supply of labor than jobs, so I try to promote a positive image of the yellow race and give the next person an advantage.
Remember Xu, you may have been born here and the law states that you are a citizen, but there is always the acceptance of being American as well. See how long other groups had to struggle to be accepted as a part of the American (US) social fabric…
If you cannot be passed off was western European in origin, then you will most likely not be deemed as one of the guys. If you do, you generally have to pay a lot of $ for that image.
That choice you speak about may be denied in time of desparation, so don’t speak so convincingly. Keep up the good blogging.
June 25th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Who’s that girl?
July 5th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
37 U.S. Senators Urge Vietnam to Free Imprisoned Priest Nguyen Van Ly :
The group of 37 senators, who were led by Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, and Sam Brownback, Republican of Kansas, urged President Nguyen Minh Triet of Vietnam to free Father Ly, calling his trial “seriously flawed.”
“We request that you facilitate Father Ly’s immediate and unconditional release from prison, and allow him to return to his home and work without restrictions on his right to freedom of expression, association and movement,” the senators said in a letter.
“Father Ly’s longstanding nonviolent activities to promote religious freedom and democracy in Vietnam are well known in the United States,” wrote the senators, who included Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, and Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah.
Michael Cromartie, vice chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, was permitted to visit Father Ly in prison in May, 2009. Father Ly was “in solitary confinement for reasons that are not clear,” Mr. Cromartie said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/world/asia/02vietnam.html?_r=1&ref=asia
July 21st, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Chưa hết vụ thằng luật sư luật sãi Cù lách, lại xảy ra vụ thằng Luật sĩ ấm ớ gì đó bị bắt.. Mẹ thiệt tình, xem cái cảnh nó thú tội, ngồi một mình trống trơn, chẳng thấy tí “luật” nào.. Chẳng có đại diện pháp lý, nhân ch1ng đôc lập lời lẽ thú tội cũng vớ vỉn..
Theo kinh nghiệm của Tôi.. cũng từng bị bắt, bị khủng bố tinh thần, với tội tổ chức chống phá lật đổ nhà nưóc Phỉ CHXHCNVN,…. thì …….cái màn cải lương hạng bét này An Ninh VC hớ nặng… Tôi đồ đoán, theo cách tự thú và cảnh ngồi đọc lời tự thú, thì bọn an ninh Phỉ…Cực nhọc cài độ cho được gã mặt trắng bụ bẫm VÀO làm phản gián… cuối cùng quảng cáo không công cho Việt tân… Nhưng lại HÈN MẠT ở chỗ ĐẾCH DÁM TỐ CÁO sự dính líu của NHÂN VIÊN và CÔNG DÂN MỸ thuộc NGOs và tổ chức Tài Nguyên Quốc Gia cho Dân Chủ (NED)….
Này nhé -hhehe heheh ít nhất ĐÁM VIỆT TÂN chính là CÔNG DÂN MỸ, đầu nậu nằm ở Mỹ , như vậy:
1- Theo nguyên tắc Bang Giao Việt Mỹ, lẫn Công Pháp… Phỉ Cộng có quyền đưa bằng chứng để Mỹ dẫn độ Đảng Việt Tân- Công Dân Mỹ KHÔNG ĐƯỢC PHÉP THAM GIA HAY HÀNH ĐỘNG CHỐNG PHÁ NHÀ NƯÓC BẠN CỦA MỸ…
2-Và nếu đủ bằng chứng, đảng Viêt Tân sẽ bị luật Mỹ xử và lên danh sách là KHỦNG BỐ, SẼ BỊ TRUY TỐ và CẤM HOẠT ĐỘNG NGAY TẠI MỸ … 3- Sau đó, dĩ nhiên các quốc gia đồng minh của Mẽo như Anh úc Pháp Đức v.v cũng sẽ đưa Việt Tân vào danh sách KHỦNG BỐ..
NHƯNG!!!!! Hehhehe, khổ một điều, Phỉ Cộng cũng biết thừa cái nhóm Tài Nguyên Quốc Gia cho Dân Chủ là “bàn tay cưng” của nhà nưóc Mỹ . đếch dám nêu đích danh.. Đám Việt tân cũng biết thế nên cũng bám HƠI NED … chỉ dám nhắc khéo đến “cách mạng mầu”…
–Trong chuyện này hai kẻ ăn mừng là:
1- bọn nhà nuóc Phỉ ra cái vẻ “An Ninh giỏi” và có “pháp quyền”, DĨ NHIÊN là trong TẦM mắt và bộ não KÉM CỎI của quần chúng Viêt Nam…
2- Đám Việt Tân, nhờ Phỉ Cộng quảng cáo được TIẾNG TĂM CÓ “KHOẢNG TRỜI ĐẤT HOẠT ĐỘNG” RỘNG RA ĐẾN GIỜI.. Dĩ nhiên, cũng theo con ,mắt và tầm trí của đám NGỤY NGỤC..
Chỉ có tổ tiên, giòng họ nhà con giời Luật sĩ luật sải gì đó là nhục vì có thằng con cháu “ăn học” mà vừa ngục, vừa hèn..Nếu đúng là phản gián thì phạm tội ĐẠI NGU Nhắm mắt làm tên gián điệp cho một chế độ đồi bại.. Không nhìn gương Phạm Xuân Ẩn..Vũ Ngọc Nhạ.
Còn khôn,g thì rõ ràng là NHỤC tập tễnh làm “chính chị” với bộ óc và hòn dái teo bằng hạt đậu…còn tệ hơn cả tên gì Nam Hải xin “hưu non” vì bố hăm dọa cắn lưõi, cắn môi, lăn đùng đòi chết …
Mẹ tiên sư, đúng là đất nưóc Viêt đã mạt cùng.. cách đây mới khoảng 100 năm, dân tộc này có những Ông, những Bà tuổi mới chỉ trên dưới 20, xác lập được chí hướng lý tưởng, đi làm chính trị, , chấp nhận hậu quả, như Nguyễn Thái Học, Bà Nguyễn Thị Bắc, Bà Nguyễn Thị Giang, Bà Đỗ Thị Tâm.. Đời nay, tiền đồ đât nước đang như chỉ mành treo chuông, mà con cháu, những thằng, những con ngoài 30-40, thậm chí có cả nhũng thằng, những con văn gia, nhạc sĩ..ngoài .60-70-80-90… mà lý tưởng, chí huớng lá gan chưa được như đúa trẻ lên ba…Sợ khổ, sợ khó tham sinh úy tử như bày nô lệ..
Chỉ biết ngửa mặt thở dài!!!
ôi DÂN TRÍ, DÂN TRÍ , DÂN TRÍ ôi DÂN KHÍ, DÂN KHÍ ….(NKPTC.)
December 6th, 2009 at 8:33 am
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March 4th, 2010 at 3:33 am
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