quote:

---

Originally posted by MinutiaeMan posted July 27, 2002 03:52 PM:
You know what's really sad? History is repeating itself here. Or has the majority of the country forgotten about that little incident regarding the internment of Japanese-American civilians during World War Two -- many of whom were natural-born American citizens?

Coincidentally, I recently finished taking a college course on the Great Depression and World War Two. Part of one night's lecture dealt with the internment camps from 1942 to 1945. We also had some assigned reading, in the form of two essays written which either supported or opposed the internment process.

But the kicker is the name of the author of the article which supported the "military necessity" of interning Japanese civilians and American citizens. The author was none other than Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. (ref: Presidents and Their Decisions: Franklin D. Roosevelt -- "The Internment of Japansese Americans was Justified", page 174-185.)

I would not be too surprised if such a thing were attempted again in the future, in a scenario similar to the one described above. Not only have many people forgotten what's happened, but most others would consider it to be a crucial measure to prevent further terrorist attacks. And the scary thing is that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would likely support such a program.

---