Prologue at the funeral

bk400 said:
Respectfully, Orvet, there are many slang nicknames that were acceptable in past conflicts that are no longer acceptable today. It is simply the world in which we live. My grandfather was an American of Chinese descent and fought the Japanese in WWII. I served in the conflicts post 9/11. We have earned the right not to be called chinks. Yes, speech should be protected in the legal sense. I'm just saying that I find it highly inappropriate.
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bk400,
Thank you for your service to this country. IMHO it is the immigrants from all over the globe who have made this country great. Yes, you certainly have earned the right not to be called "chink" or any other denigrating term. You are an America, no matter what country your ancestors came from, both by birthright and, more importantly, (to me), by your service to this country. I sincerely thank you for that service. As a 100% service connected disabled Vietnam Veteran (Marine Corps) I appreciate your sacrifice and that of your grandfather in defending our country.

Just to set the record straight let me quote LT's original statement:
lt632ret said:
Just when you thought it was safe to buy that commy chink knife from Wal Mart San.
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I think, based on LT's previous posts, his indignity, (and mine) is not with the Chinese people but with the Communist government of China. Communist China is the one country that could possibly defeat the United States in armed conflict. My concern is that by buying products made in Communist China we are helping build the industrial base of the only country in the world (currently) that might defeat us. This is not sound military strategy.

I have a great deal of respect for the Chinese people and their many historic and cultural accomplishments. I do not count Communism among those accomplishments. The Chinese people I have personally known are wonderful people. I have nothing against them nor anyone of oriental decent. My first wife was from Thailand. I have great respect for Chinese Christians who have managed to thrive amidst severe persecution.

I have been to Japan, Okinawa (before & after reversion), Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and a handful of small Pacific Island (most of them sites of fierce battles in WWII). For the most part I enjoyed my time there and found the people to be delightful.
What I did not appreciate was being shot at by bullets, rockets and mortars made primarily by, and/or supplied through Communist China. I do not hold the Chinese people responsible for this, but I do hold their government responsible.

I have no problem buying products made in Japan or Taiwan. I know some of the people who left Kershaw and helped form Columbia River Knife and Tool, who import the majority of their products from Taiwan. I have some CRKT knives and find them to be decent products for the price. I know that even Les De Asis (Benchmade Knives) has had to go to Taiwan for a less expensive product line, though their better knives are still made here in Oregon City. My only complaint is that the jobs that provide those inexpensive products take away from the manufacturing base of our own country.

I took a disability retirement from the State of Oregon Employment Dept. two years ago as my service connected disabilities had worsened to the point that I could no longer do my job as a Veterans' Representative. I was working there when the North American Free Trade Act was passed. I saw first hand the effect of the jobs leaving the State of Oregon and going overseas or to Canada or Mexico. The Unemployment rate soared and the Oregon economy still has not fully recovered. It was my unfortunate duty to tell returning Veterans that the jobs they had before leaving to defend our country were now overseas, and that the best jobs available for the returning Veterans paid substantially less than the job they had before leaving to serving our country. In many areas of the State of Oregon, especially the coastal areas, It is not uncommon for a young couple to work 4 part-time jobs in order to be able to provide for their family. A lot of that is a result of fishing restrictions due to treaties with other countries and the fact that those other countries then violate the treaties and undersell our own fisherman. If you want to buy a fishing boat cheap, just visit the Oregon Coast. I have heard if fishing vessels selling for a two or three thousand dollars, vessels that were sea worthy and had been used for fishing the previous season.

My issue is that cheap imported goods, while saving the American consumer money and making billions for companies like Wal-Mart, in the long run hurt the American worker. The Oregon coastal area was a booming area 30-40 years ago. But with the sales of our logs to foreign countries, who mill them and sell them back to us, Lincoln County has dropped from 10 to 12 mills forty years ago to one paper mill today. When that mill hires for a $12/hr job there are 400-600 applicants. I know this because it was my job to screen the applications for qualified applicants. Most job openings in Lincoln County are part-time and pay minimum wage without any benefits. Pretty tough to raise a family there. This is primarily due, IMHO, to government treaties, regulations and the exportation of jobs overseas.

Oregon's primary industries 40 years ago were fishing, logging and lumber. The exportation of these jobs has left Oregon a poor state to try and make a living in. It is time the American public wakes up before all our jobs go overseas.

bk400, please pardon an old man for rambling, but as you may be able to tell, I do feel passionately about these issues. Passionate enough that I try to buy American products when they are available, rather than a cheaper imports. I believe LT's original comment of "commy chink knife" was a political commentary and not a racial one. I have never met LT personally, just through this forum, though I would love to go to his place and see his collection. I do respect his knowledge about knives, his opinions (even if I do not agree with him), and his right to express his opinion.

Please understand that I respect the Chinese people, it is their government I have the problem with. I recall watching TV coverage of the Tienanmen Square incident when it first started. My oldest daughter was in about 6th grade then and asked me why it was such a big deal and why was I so emotional about it? I answered because they were very brave people and it might cost them their life to stand up for freedom. I wept a few days later when the tanks rolled in and the slaughter began. I think then she understood.

Thank you bk400 for your service to this country and the service of your grandfather. I hope you can understand my feelings, or at least respect them, baring that I hope we can agree to disagree.

Semper Fi,
Dale
 
That would be correct, but with an "e" not a "y", The other company he was working with was G.A. Braun. I believe he is still chairman of the board there.
 
Part of the reason I have continued to irritate this wound was for information and I want to thank everyone for there contributions. You cannot correct the future without understanding as much as possible of the past. In spanish they say Saber es poder. If I seem or seemed harsh in my means of bringing forth people to elicite this information than it is entirely my short coming for not knowing how else to get it. MVP. Taylor , employees have all stepped up to answer my rude crude but sometimes effective procedures. I guess I still have to much peace officer in the blood. as I have said it is a multitude of reasons. Some more that others but all contributing. Perhapes my continued irriatation will turn into a pearl. While I found some of my tactics as offensive as a lot of others I must admit I did enjoy a lot of it ( which shows what a sicky I am.) Now how about continuing to let us know the real deal how about helping with the bill in the legislature to define how many. of these types of artifacts can be preserved how about those local people pulling together to insure the preservation of this history instead of puling in every direction with individual agendas. The exhibit at the museum was done solely by me for the honoring of Schrade and those who were part of this history. Now that I have you all weak and mauldlin ( Why can't we all get along ie Rodney King ) nope I put that in just to lighten the message. Still the point is, this can be turned into something positive and something for others to learn from. Mr Gardiner gave me the ULSTER corner stone and said that he felt I would ne the best one to care for it I have no intention of betraying that trust. LT
 
I know, I do. but I can live with it and asked for it. I truly hope you do not I found your input enlightening. Also you seem to truly mean and believe what you say I cannot ask for more from anyone. Even if I do not completely agree . Hey ah, were you aware there was a senate investigation regarding unfair business practices involving american firms such as Schrade which is directed at the Red Chinese government. I just thought I would mention it since it may confirm my contention that foreign interest had some illegal involvment in Schrades demise. I wasent sure if I mentioned it before any comments on it ??? I sure hope you have a sense of humor. LT PS If you ever wonder what my reasons are for subjecting myself and others to this scrutiny. I have known five generations of Huson valley cutlery people. All I seek is to secure them the place they deserve in history.
 
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