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TOKYO ROSE?
Contributed by
lovingcritters
on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 06:59:15 AM in AEST
Topic:
Grief
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"TOKYO ROSE?"
Over her fireplace a picture of art,
Beautifully painted, the message impart?
Burdened horse plainly enduring what?
Trudging forward, part of a portrait.
The artist, her paint brushes pursue.....
Tense muscles, torrid terrain--rescue?
As she entered her den, and caught me staring,
"I kept that painting to view when my heart was aching."
She said.....
I asked, "Does it hurt you to relate?"
She said, It used to, but time lifts the weight."
A petite woman, oriental, aged, still beautiful.
She added, "You're here for the interview,
I hope my story won't be dull!"
Very soft-spoken, shy, with determined chin.
I liked her immediately, where to begin?
I had carefully researched, she was born in Los Angeles.
From her birth on, she was entirely blameless!
This is her story.....
This picture was of her as a young woman.....
Slowly, very slowly, she begins to relate her tragedy.....
"My name is Iva Ikuko Toguri, I was raised in
California, and I'm not angry.
My birthday was on the 4th of July, then with a twinkle
in her eye....
You really can't get more American that!" was her reply.
"I graduated from UCLA in 1941, and was going to enroll
in medical school...(her mind wonders)
She asks.....
"Did you know there was no one called "Tokyo Rose?
A placeholder used by Allied troops to refer to any of the
two dozen voices on radio--much to my sorrows.
When my aunt fell ill, by family tradition,
they had to send me.....
I spent 3 weeks on an ocean voyage and landed in Japan,
I'd never been there before......you see."
"Then one day I was told that the Japanese had bombed
Pearl Harbor.....
There I was an American citizen trapped on enemy soil,
I was under censure!
I tried to leave for California, but the government bureaucrats
stalled my paper requests, and my ship left.
The Security Police repeatedly demanded that I renounce
my American Citizenship, I was treated like a thief!"
"When I refused, I was rewarded for my patriotism
by being categorized as an "Enemy Alien!
Then the neighbors began to treat my family badly.
How could this happen?
I was not eligible for food rations, so I had to find work.
I finally found a job transcribing American news broadcasts
in English, then I nearly went beserk!"
"They selected me as disc jockey for English-language
propaganda show called "The Zero Hour."
This was entirely against my will, it was a weapon
used to demoralize Allied troops, my heart devour!
More than 20 woman served as voice talent with me,
I was called "Orphan Ann."
They subverted my broadcasts in subtle ways, employing
appropriate pauses, and injecting tones of sarcasm.
It was all a part of their preplan!"
"After V-J Day, journalists from America swarmed Japan.
The greatest scoop of course, was to interview Toyko Rose,
I was only part of the clan.
Unknown to reporters at this time, no such person even existed!
Heasrt Media offered $10,000 for an interview, and I was thinking
I deserved the money as much as anyone else--
I was desperate, money I needed!"
"I answered many questions, then it was typed up, and
I signed the transcript.
During the interview, I was asked if I was the "One
and only Tokyo Rose?
I answered affirmatively, knowing there was no such person,
and mistakenly supposed she was regarded fondly......
much to my woe!"
"Walter Winchell in the 40's declared me to be a traitor.
Relentlessly urging his listeners to demand that I
be tried for treason, a trust breaker!
President Truman ordered his Attorney General
to proceed against me.
Held in San Francisco, the most expensive trial
ever opened in American history. A total of 9 million
dollars in today's money, I was not set free!!!"
This is Iva being led away after the trial, under guard.....
"The prosecution's case was a 'frame-up.'
Not one of the recordings I had done as "Orphan Ann"
contained treasonous statements, complete mockup!
Then perjury took over, former POW's testified they had
heard me making incriminating statements!
For this I was stripped of my U.S. Citizenship, fined
$10,000, and sentenced to prison without any penance!"
"I was sent to the Alderson Reformatory for Women.
They said that I was a model prisoner, but whenever I
came up for parole, I was turned down for certain!
However, on January 28, 1956, I was Prisoner 9380-W,
was finally released.
I got out three years in advance for good behavior,
my horrible ordeal ceased!"
"Or, I should say.....So.....I thought, but the government
soon began hearings against me again.
Luckily, I was able to prevail, and allowed to remain
in my home, and not the pen.
I was so sure they would force me to imigrate back to Japan!"
She looked so weary as she rose from her divan.....
"I almost forgot to explain my painting to you....
I neglected to tell you I was the artist, and that's
why I made it so blue.....for true......
The horse for me meant tenacity, forbearance, never giving up
no matter how hard the wind's of injustice blew!
It was very hard for me to continue my ride,
I nearly fell so many times, then she reached for her tissue."
I saw just one teardrop, imagine, just one teardrop!
I commended her for being one of the bravest woman
I'd ever known, and promised to shout her story from the housetop!
Finally in 1977, President Gerald Ford granted Iva a full
pardon after reading her newspaper article.............
But to this very day, she has received no restitution for
her false imprisonment, nor an apology from the nation
which disowned her.....isn't that just awful?
I created
this for Iva with love.
A beautiful woman
with faith unlike any
I've ever seen in anyone!
This is a true story.
Lovingcritters
ConSue
July 25, 2004
If you like, you can go to this link
to read Iva's story:
http://www.rotten.com/library/bio/entertainers/radio/tokyo-rose/
"Perhaps if we all write President Bush and tell
him what she was forced to go through......he
might commensate her......she deserves the Medal of Honor"
They give those for bravery........
I think I will write the President and send him this poem, Yes,
the more I think about it the more certain I am. That's
exactly what I going to do!"
Copyright ©
lovingcritters
... [
2004-07-26 06:59:15]
(Date/Time posted on
site)
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by AspenGlow on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 07:09:18 AM AEST
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I agree with those who placed this one on trial as they did for words alone. Orphan Ann had a choice, and made it alone.
You see if the Japanese had won their part of that war, a hero of sorts she would now be, and lavished and loved and not scorned by us, but then Axis Sally would be loved as well, who's to say how many of us would be without heads now, or up in smoke. No I have no pity for those who used selfish means to save themselves and now cry out foul.
As for the pardons of President G. Ford, well the pardon of Nixon says it all, done in the name of politics, whatever is the most popular thing to do at the time, disregard for what is right or wrong. |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Stitch on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 07:14:34 AM AEST
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Consue, That was really fascinating and informative---not to mention well written. I just love history and poetry. It's very cool that you combine the two!
Best,
Stitch |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Stitch on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 07:15:41 AM AEST
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Consue, That was really fascinating and informative---not to mention well written. I just love history and poetry. It's very cool that you combine the two! Cool write!
Best,
Stitch |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Stitch on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 07:16:18 AM AEST
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Consue, That was really fascinating and informative---not to mention well written. I just love history and poetry. It's very cool that you combine the two! Cool write!
Best,
Stitch |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by AspenGlow on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 07:33:36 AM AEST
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Yes there was a very grave injustice made by my country during that period in time. The internment of the Japanese Americans in the internment camps and stripping them of citizenship. Know also the the most decorated unit of our forces durning that horrible war was awarded to the 442 Division, for bravery above and beyond the call of duty, the 442 was the Japanese American Division made up of those Japanese Americans whose families were in those camps.
What they did and why, is what deserves the letters not what a tratior did to save her own life. It is because of her actions and the actions of others like her did, that blinded the eyes and hardeded the hearts and made a grave injustice to a patriotic and loving people suffer such horrible indiginities.
No write your letter on their behalf, restitution may never make it right, but to honor Ophan Ann with over what she received....and to say award her a medal of valor..this nations highest given mostly to those who paid with the ultimate....is so wrong.. history needs to be revisited...otherwise we forget.
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Ilhar on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 08:10:10 AM AEST
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well written and always 2 sides to a story...which is why we need to search farther for the truth
Shari |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Ilhar on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 08:10:12 AM AEST
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well written and always 2 sides to a story...which is why we need to search farther for the truth
Shari |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by BrandySwanson on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 08:16:07 AM AEST
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man this was absolutely a wonderful but sad poem. I'll be sure to look into that website and read about this. thank you for sharing this poem. [ great job ] I say go for it send this poem on to the president he may do something and if not it will be well worth the try.
Brandy |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 08:17:04 AM AEST
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| I never knew any of this....Thank you for enlightening me! |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by pixie on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 10:03:52 AM AEST
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wow., i am totally speechless Consue,
pixie xx |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 11:43:13 AM AEST
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This is by far one of the best pieces i have and am likely to read on this or any other site.
An amazing story and as you say entirely true.
You have written this up with sheer professionalism and if i had a hat i'd take it off to you! spellbindingly excellent.
wildejohnny |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 12:52:21 PM AEST
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I sit in awe of your vocal talent consue. You respect the unrespected, love the unloved and care when no one else does! You are a great woman. Thanks for sharing this informative write. May we all lend compassion,where compassion is but obscure.
Angel always...joni |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 12:53:04 PM AEST
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fascinating read, thanks for the information, written with care and insight.
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Former_Member on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 01:27:38 PM AEST
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Extremely well-written piece of work Connie. Probably one of your best, I think.
Rita |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by blueheart on
Monday, 26th July 2004 @ 08:53:10 PM AEST
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ConSue,
What an intresting tale you have shared. I for one have not heard of it.
This is a superbly written poem. |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by Elena on
Saturday, 31st July 2004 @ 01:19:59 AM AEST
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This is amazing (I see I'm not the first to say that). I think you should send the poem to Bush as well. Unfortunately, this rings very current. Thanks a lot for this poem and for the example of this woman.
All the best
E |
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Re: TOKYO ROSE?
(User Rating: 1 )
by emystar on
Saturday, 31st July 2004 @ 11:08:50 PM AEST
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Mom, please tell bro that I thank him from the heart 4 bringing this 2 our attention.
I never knew who she was but kneew the name as My mom-n-dad had brothers in the second world war. I probably heard here on dads baterry radio either while I was being ready to be born or shortly after.
Yes our president would impress me tremendiously if he'd take action in this womens life also all the ones that in Guam still waiting for Japan to rembuse them for the torture etc.
Don't get me started, mom.
This is a very awesome, strong, story, very touching.
Yes, She deserves 2 b treated with utmost respeect by all, as so do u 4 telling of her bravery and survival after the agony. Now thanks to u I know this brave, deserving, US citisson she is.
Very well done!1
By all means send it 2 our President!
Luv, hugss, smiles,
emy
U should send this to the press with your permission I can have it printed in our local paper. It will be warmly received.
Let me know what cha think.
I need permission before Monday noon. We only get a paper once a week here. |
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