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Well, this turned out well. Boundlessly ambitious Supervisor Janet Nguyen’s carefully laid plot to hijack Little Saigon’s beloved Black April ceremony came to an ignominious end at tonight’s Westminster City Council meeting. And the people rejoiced!
But it would have been glorious. For Janet, that is. And it would have shown Van Tran and his adherents who the queen bee really is in America’s largest Viet community! Her application was filed last August, for Christ’s sake, and should have been a slam dunk.
Who could have foreseen that the people of the community might have resented her turning a nearly sacred commemoration of the Fall of Saigon into a purely personal and political platform for Janet and her chosen guests? Who could predict the public outcry when it was discovered she had reserved Westminster’s Freedom Park for a crowd of only 300 with a small sound system, when for years the event has drawn over a thousand?
How was Janet to know that the folks would not take kindly to her plan to be the mistress of ceremonies, speaking first and introducing each of her invited, mostly Republican political guests? Or that they’d take exception to the high-handed way she treated the usual organizers when they tried to negotiate with her, snapping that she “couldn’t just jump at the beck and call of whoever!” Didn’t it count for something that she planned to give an award to Nick Berardino of OCEA to show her bipartisan statesmanship?
The best part is the MEG WHITMAN part! Now this is still just an unsubstantiated rumor which I can’t prove, but EVERYBODY heard that she was expecting to have the thick-necked billionairess gubernatorial hopeful at her lovely Black April shindig, and it makes such perfect sense that it’s just GOT to be true. Hitching herself to e-Meg’s wagon right now – showing Meg she can deliver the Viet vote, cozying up to a Ms. Moneybags who MIGHT end up running the state – a brilliant career move and it would really, REALLY show Van Tran who’s queen, but… as things turned out tonight, not so much.
When my buddy/interpreter Trung Ta and I arrived at City Hall, there was absolutely no way to get in. There were 150 people filling the hall, and 150 angry citizens outside in the dark misty cold, leaning forward to hear reports from inside. I only saw one obvious Janet supporter – a forlorn old gentleman sitting with a sign reading “Approve.” (Approve Janet’s permit that is.) Everyone else sported signs that read “REVOKE!” or “Revoke Janet!” or “Black April is not a Janet event!” I shivered and strained to hear snatches of English, and consoled myself by towering over everyone else (and also finally meeting cool people Hugh Nguyen, Quang Pham, and Tammy Tran.)
(Picture Courtesy of Nguoi Viet)
It was the biggest angry crowd I’ve been in – and the biggest overflow crowd from a City Hall – since November’s Costa Mesa Town Hall that Solorio and Tran held to discuss the sale of the Fairgrounds. More than one English-speaking Viet was heard to say, “This is the VIETNAMESE TEA PARTY!”
(Picture Courtesy of Nguoi Viet)
After about an hour of suspense, someone burst through the doors, hollered a few Viet words, and the crowd erupted in cheers! The initial impression was that Janet’s permit had been revoked; but actually the council’s compromise solution was possibly more humiliating: Janet gets the park from 9AM to 4PM – this is on a FRIDAY, Friday April 30th, I’d say she’ll have to bust ass to get her crowd of 300 – and the people get it after that. And they rejoiced.
(Picture Courtesy of Nguoi Viet)
Any casual observer can see this has been devastating to Janet’s popularity in the Viet community – a black April indeed, and not the kind she was looking for. Both before and after the council’s decision all the chatter was about recalling the Supervisor, who I understand was never that popular in the Viet community to begin with – her electoral victories have always been mainly due to white voters, and her only dependable allies on the council were the two white members. I think Zorro is right – this is the beginning of the end for her and her cabal – a Twilight of the Jannies, coinciding with the already-advanced Twilight of the Trannies. And the people rejoiced!
It appears that Ms. Nguyen (and maybe Ms. Whitman) are living examples of “those who forget history are doomed to repeat it”.
To all aspiring political wannabes I offer this:
1) My sympathies
2) My belief that you should never try to take (over) what doesn’t belong to you. The voters don’t like it.
The forget history part?
Fallout from a Memorial
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,388903,00.html
Great post Vern!
It certainly was a Viet Tea Party – but they tossed Janet overboard instead of dumping the tea.
I wonder if Andrew Do was the one who concocted this whole failed scheme?
Nice job on this Vern.
Did someboday say “RECALL JANET”? Where do I sign?
“she planned to give an award to Nick Berardino of OCEA”
An award for Berardino? Perhaps this is why we won’t hear a word about this on the FibOC and if we do they will spin it as an attack on Quach, Diep and company.
Ya think, Sean? I’ll tell you this much – my pajarito tried to give the story to Prevatt first, and he wouldn’t bite.
Meanwhile our numbers just keep going up (mostly between deaf, teacher-strike, and Viet stories) – if this continues I’ll have to do a Pedroza-style chest-beating post.
Outstanding reporting, Vern.
Give Beradino an award? That is even worse than accepting union money in the first place. Beradino gets his award every day he has a pay day. That’s more than enough.
Great post! I think we all rejoice when we see elected officials get a small taste of their own medicine. I think I’ll go brew a nice hot cup of Vietmese tea!
P.S. to the Jannies…
đi ăn cứt
Vern,
Just as I suspected Prevatt has written a post defending Janet already and ripping the councilmembers that stood with the people.
WOW. And a mere two or three days after Dan C wrote me an e-mail protesting the unfairness of our characterizing the LOC or Prevatt as “Jannies.” Chris’ post is pure spin right out of Janet central.
Like any good spin, there are so many true facts in it that it’s very hard for someone who doesn’t know better to take exception. But he recasts the whole story as a power struggle between Trannies and Janet. That was the mindset I actually showed up to the event with. But NUMEROUS smart Viets, of all political persuasion, rolled their eyes when I asked that, and said, “This has NOTHING to do with Van Tran. It’s Janet against the community and their traditions.”
Janet’s “A coalition of 38 groups.” Chime in on that, Viets. Janet’s had 8 months to twist the arms of that many grouplets to sign on. How many of them really exist or have more than one or two members? Or how many signed on because they thought there was no alternative, but then turned against Janet? Most tellingly, where the hell were these 38 groups last night, LMAO?? Help me out here guys. Janet’s big-ass coalition:
– Forces of Civillians & Militaries of RVN
– Vietnamese Nationalist Party
– Great Viet/Vietnamese Nationalist Party
– Vietnamese Community in Southern California
– Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners Assn in Southern California.
– Former Vietnamese Political Prisoners Assn in Los Angeles.
– Central Hoa Hao Buddhist Congregation
– Alliance for Democracy in Vietnam
– Airborne 81 Special Forces Assn.
– Friendly Assn of RVN Special Forces.
– Solidarity Assembly of the Nationalist Vietnamese Assn.
– Friendly Assn of RVNAF Ordinance
– Group of Thanh Nien Co Vang
– Group of Pho Duc Chinh Youths
– Group of Hung Viet Youths
– Group of Melinh Women
– Friendly Assn of Long Xuyen – An Giang.
– Struggle Front for Religious Freedom & Human Rights in Vietnam.
– Asian-American Senior Citizen Association.
– Elderly People Assn in O.C. Diocese.
– Friendly Assn of Lawyers in S. C.
– Friendly Assn of Refugee Students in 1954.
– Friendly Assn of Teachers in South West of the U.S.A.
– Friendly Assn of Officials in the Department Open Arms of RVN.
– Friendly Assn of Hai Duong province.
– Bach Dang Giang Radio Program.
– Vietnam Forum
– Female Ritual Group of Vietnamese Community in Southern California.
– Bloc of Vietnamese People in the common standpoints.
– Thanks America Assn.
– Forces of Vietnamese People overseas.
– Assn of Former Students of National Administration Institute
– Tay Son Binh Đinh Assn
– Lai Giang Family Assn
– Bloc of 8406 in Southern California
– Unified Committee to Oppose Communism in California
What a life. The Orange Juice siding with the people of the Vietnamese community against an out-of-touch Republican hack politician, while the “liberal” blog defends the said Republican politician.
While don’t forget, far from being Trannies, we piss off old Van so much that we’re a “leftwing blog” that lies about him and his friends. We must be doing something right!
Vern,
The bigger question is why are these self-described “liberals” siding with a Republican politician that is trying to undermine the candidacy of Phu Nguyen?
Do they stand with Phu or do they stand with Janet?
Great reporting, Vern!
I Appreciate this report…thank you Vern!
P.S. to the Jannies…
đi ăn cứt
That means = go eat caca Jannies.
How is it that Rice can legally abstain from this vote?
Great post Vern! Glad to see that you and others are on top of this to know that the Vietnamese community will not stand to have anyone attempt to control the community, not even a Vietnamese elected can do so… I obtained this information below from a friend so i thought i would share…
ANNOUNCEMENT
OVER 30 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORK TOGETHER TO ORGANIZE MONTH-LONG COMMEMORATION OF BLACK APRIL, FALL OF SAIGON
In order to mark the 35th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the Black April Commemoration Committee of Southern California will be organizing a series of annual and special events throughout Southern Calfornia. The committee consists of over 70 organizations representing community groups, associations, student, and youth organizations. The events will commemorate the Fall of Saigon and serve as a reminder to all of the continuing struggle for a free and democractic Vietnam.
This year, the committee has appointed Mr. Phan Tấn Ngưu, President of the South Vietnamese Armed Forces Association, as Chair of the Black April Commemoration Committee. Four young Vietnamese Americans were also appointed to be Vice-Chair: Bảo Trần, Union of Vietnamese Student Associations; Thu Hà Nguyễn, Vietnamese Young Marines; Christopher Phan; Sam Huynh, Phan Bội Châu Youth Association; and Đức Ngô, Đại Đạo Youth Association.
BLACK APRIL COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Following is the list of organizations and the representatives serving on the Black April Commemoration Committee:
1. The Coalition of Vietnamese Veteran Associations (Liên Hội Cựu Chiến Sĩ VNCH Nam Cali)
Ông Phan Tấn Ngưu
2. Vietnamese American Community of Southern California, Mr. Lac Nguyen, President
3. Vietnamese Refugees Community of Los Angeles County, Mr. Thanh Long Nguyen, President
4. Asian American Community of Riverside, Mr. Lê Quang Tích, President
5. Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California
Mr. Phong Ly, President
6. Vietnamese American High Schools Alliance
Cindy Luu, Internal Affairs Co-Chair
7. Vietnam Reform Party
Huy Bui, Southern California Representative
Bao Mai, Representative
8. Vietnamese National Party United, Mr. Nhan Huu Mai
9. Viet Nam Freedom Council, Mr. Phan Như Huu
10. Dan Xa Party, Ông Phan Kỳ Nhơn
11. Vietnamese American Senior Citizens Council, Mr. Phạm Ngọc Khôi
12. Voice of the Faithful, Ms. Tran Thanh Hien
13. Phan Boi Chau Youth for Democracy – Brian Vu, President & Ann Nguyen, Secretary
Ðoàn Thanh Niên Phan Bội Châu, Anh Brian Vũ, Cô Ann Nguyễn
14. Vietnamese Young Marines, Cô Nguyễn Thu Hà
15. Cao Dai Youth Organization- Ngô Thiện Đức
16. Quang Duc Buddhist Assocation, Mr. Lê Quang Dật
17. Ủy Ban Bảo Toàn Ðất Tổ, Ông Đoàn Thế Cường
18. Xuan Diem Choral Group, Mr. & Mrs.Xuân Điềm
19. King Hung Oversea Foundation, Attorney Nguyễn Xuân Nghĩa
20. Vietnamese Political and Religious Prisoner Friendship Association, Mr. Phạm Trần Anh
21. Vietanamese Catholic Youth Association, Mr. Nguyễn Mạnh Chí
22. Southwest Federation of South Vietnamese Veteran/South Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Trần Trọng An Sơn
23. Vietnamese Boat People Archive, Ông Nguyễn Văn Tấn
24. Committee to Fight Against Communism and Spys, Professor. Nguyễn Thanh Liêm
25. Forum for Democracy and Freedom, Mr. Nguyễn Duy Nghiêu
26. Military Brothers Association, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Hiền
27. Vietnamese American Oversea Association, Mr. Cao Xuân Vỹ
28. National Administrative Association of Southern California, Mr. Trần Ngọc Thiệu
29. Women Veterans Association, Ms. Phạm Diệu Chi
30. An Lac Service Group, Mr. Hoàng Văn Phong
31. Thu Duc Officer Preparatory Academy, Ông Vũ Đình Trung
32. Federation of South Vietnam Police Associations
Member associations in the The Coalition of Vietnamese Veteran Associations:
33. Vietnamese Navy Association
34. Vietnamese Ranger Association
35. Vietnames Airforce Association
36. Vietnamese National Police Association
37. Vietnamese Airborn Association
38. Vietnamese Artillery Association
39. Vietnamese Marines Association
40. Vietnamese Military Police Association
41. Vietnamese Military Academy Dalat Association
42. Vietnamese Military Intelligent Association
43. Vietnamese AET
Member associations in the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California
44. Vietnamese Student Association at Cal Poly Pomona
45. Vietnamese Student Association at Cal State Fullerton
46. Vietnamese Student Association at Cal State Los Angeles
47. Vietnamese Student Association at Cal State Long Beach
48. Vietnamese Student Association at Cal State San Bernadino
49. Vietnamese Student Association at Mt. San Antonio College
50. Vietnamese Student Association at UCI
51. Vietnamese Student Union at UCLA
52. Vietnamese Student Association at UCR
53. Vietnamese Student Association at UCSB
54. Vietnamese Student Association at UCSD
55. Vietnamese Student Association at USC
Member associations in Vietnamese American High Schools Alliance
56. Vietnamese Student Association at Alhambra High School
57. Vietnamese Student Association at Bolsa Grande High School
58. Vietnamese Student Association at Costa Mesa High School
59. Vietnamese Student Association at Edison High School
60. Vietnamese Student Association at Fountain Valley High School
61. Vietnamese Student Association at Garden Grove High School
62. Vietnamese Student Association at Irvine High School
63. Vietnamese Student Association at La Quinta High School
64. Vietnamese Student Association at Leuzinger High School
65. Vietnamese Student Association at Los Amigos High School
66. Vietnamese Student Association at Marina High School
67. Asian Student Association at Mater Dei High School
68. Vietnamese Student Association at Rancho Alamitos High School
69. Vietnamese Student Association at Saddleback High School
70. Vietnamese Student Association at Santiago High School
71. Vietnamese Student Association at University High School
72. Vietnamese Student Association at Westminster High School
Supervisor Janet Nguyen has learned a lesson on April 30th, 2010. Even if she advertised on Vietnamese broadcasting radio that free hotdog (99 cents each), free T-shirt, free music CD, free entertainment show with some best singers (actual not true, no famous singers show-up) the turn-out: about 500 – 700 guests, that compare to 3,000 at the same evening event.
Mayor Margie Rice and Mayor Pro-Tem Frank Fry presented in both events. Now they know, where they will get the voters? Ending up the wrong side will cost their seat on the upcoming election.
Janet tried to use her “powerless” to hijack Black April Commemoration from Vietnamese Community, but failed. The angry persons showed up at evening event to send her powerful message: You are wrong.
She claimed on her speech: “I am here to day as a boat people, not OC Supervisor.” However, on the podium her Supervisor logo displayed on the front, plus three OC sheriffs walked with Vietnamese color guards team?
I wonder, Friday is working day. All her staffs: Nick congle, Andrew Nguyen & his wife Pham took day-off or get paid by our tax money? Anyone can answer? This question include other personnel get involved like OC Sheriffs.
Janet Nguyen played dirty trick to gain political power in California Republic Party from Van Tran. But she may need a longtime to gain from her rival strong team. After this incident, she lost everything which Nick congle has built in last 2 years. Her dream on California Senator seat from Lou Correa is collapsed. Poor her on bad plot hijack plan. Andrew Do’s dream on 68th Assembly also gone on 2012.
HA! Thanks for the update, NPH! You know what else I heard? Loretta Sanchez was there, but Dana Rohrabacher, whose district includes most of Westminster, couldn’t be bothered. Of course his challenger Ken Arnold was there with his lovely Viet wife. The one and only time Dana bothered was when he was terrified of Debbie Cook beating him!
Vern Nelson ===> More update afterward for readers:
Janet Nguyễn failed to advertise her event. With free meal (actual 99 cents hot dog), Free T-shirt, Free music CD and free entertainment with “famous” Vietnamese singer.
The events turned-out about 500 – 700 people max. 3 Westminster council members, 1 state senator, 1 federal congressman, 2 monks.
She brought in 3 OC sheriffs who participated in Vietnamese Color Guard group.
Andrew Do & his wife Sherie Pham, Nick Lecong, Janet Nguyen’s husband, Matthew Harper, OC sheriffs are OC supervision employees. I wonder they took dayoff or sick leave or vacation to serve and support this event. Friday is working day and employees are paid by our tax money?
On Friday 7/5/2010 Andrew Do on-air VNCR radio and claim “Come-N-Get-it” hot dog as proof to count attendees. He said, 1000 spectators based on hot dog meals. But he did not mention about one person can eat more than 1 or to-go. One small hot dog is enough for lunch? May be not. So 1000 must divided into 2 = 500. Mr councilman, Poor your mathematics and logical thought. The more you say, the more worse thing. You are losers in this political war.
Janet Nguyen is facing Jose Solorio in 2012? Not Van Tran group.