Investigations Into Threats

I would like to comment on the article by David Reyes (March 25) about the extortion threats being investigated by the FBI, and the Westminster and Garden Grove police.

It seems to me that the reporter as well as the FBI and the police have problems distinguishing between a criminal act and a patriotic call for human rights and freedom in Vietnam. I am a supporter of many organizations fighting to liberate Vietnam from the Soviet-supported Viet Cong regime. But I have never seen or heard anyone from these organizations talking or even mentioning extorting money from individuals or merchants in Vietnamese business communities.

Sure, they talked about ways to collect donations from anyone who supports the cause. But to associate these fund-raising techniques with criminal acts is just like accusing the Republican or Democratic parties of extorting money from the people during election campaigns when telephone calls to potential voters were made by candidates’ supporters asking for support or financial contributions.

I totally support the police in their attempts to stop crimes committed by Vietnamese gangs against their compatriots, and I call upon all Vietnamese to give the police information that can lead to the arrests of these criminals. But for the FBI and local police to start an investigation based on unfounded, half-truth and half-lie rumors is a waste of taxpayers’ money and time when real efforts should be spending on encouraging the victims to stand up and fight back.

BINH VO

Huntington Beach