Dear Editor,

I was reading story after story of the poor women who were comfort women. I had never heard of this before. I had heard of the wars, fierce battles, camps, but never these poor sweet souls also lost in the war. Is there anything that women from around the world can do for those that went through shame, pain, and mental and spiritual abandonment?

By CHIZU OMORI
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

I have been following the political rivalry between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama with great interest. After all, this is a historic election and we all should be vitally involved in its outcome. By the time this column is printed, the Pennsylvania primary should have taken place and maybe the political landscape will have changed. But I am concerned about a persistent note that Mrs. Clinton (and, apparently, former President Bill Clinton) have been hitting for some time now: her assertion that Barack Obama is unelectable.

Fred Oshima
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

JA POLITICS: A press release (April 3) from Capitol Bureau Chief Hank Shaw: "NAKANISHI PULLS AHEAD — IN RACE BEGINNING IN 2010."

Lodi Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi has pulled off a coup in the embryonic race for the state Board of Equalization.

The race won't begin in earnest until 2010, but the termed-out lawmaker appears to have the Republican nomination for the open seat on the tax panel all but sewn up. How? Nakanishi dropped more than $344,000 of his campaign money to ensure that his name appears on vital "slate mailers" scheduled to appear on voters' doorsteps in two years.

In a low-interest contest like the Board of Equalization race, slate mailers can make or break a candidate.

As leaders of the Buddhist Churches of America we support the efforts of the Dalai Lama to bring the recent conflicts between the people of Tibet and the Chinese authorities to a non-violent resolution.

file photo

By KERWIN BERK
Nichi Bei Times Columnist

Baseball in Japan dates back to 1878 but the seminal date in its history is 1934, when a team of American All-Stars led by Babe Ruth toured the country to promote the sport. Baseball's popularity took off after that, and Ruth is considered the game's first goodwill ambassador.