93-year-old man’s last duty – voting!

93-year-old man’s last duty – voting!

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One of the questions in the week 3 ethical dilemma is, “If you knew you were going to die before the end of the semester, what one thing would you like to do before you die?”  Not one student ever said, “I’d like to vote.”  Yet, Frank Tanabe, a 93-year-old World War II Veteran, diagnosed with inoperable cancer, made a decision to stay alive until he could vote just one last time. A few days later he died. Mr. Tanabe saw voting as a right, a duty and a responsibility as an American citizen. 

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/22/picture-wwii-vet-3-casting-ballot-in-hawaii-captures-hearts/

A Short History Lesson: After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941, which essentially brought America into WWII, over 100,000 Japanese-Americans were forced into “internment camps” during the war.  The US Government was fearful that these Americans were loyal to Japan.  Frank Tanabe and his family were among these thousands of Japanese-Americans forced from their homes and their lives. Frank was forced to withdrawal from the University of Washington and locked up. Yet, while at the internment camp, he decided to enlist in the US Army and played a key role in interrogating Japanese prisoners during the war.  He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal last year for his service to his country.  

Author’s Perspective: Many of you are still too young to vote, but please take a moment to understand the importance of your right to vote in this country.  This right should not be taken for granted. Women were not allowed to vote until 1920. Study the Civil Rights movement in the South to understand the history of African-American voting in this country. Voting is a civil liberty and many have fought and died to protect this and other liberties. 

American Voter Turnout: In 2008 we saw the largest turnout of American voters ever – 64%. That’s right, 36% of Americans with the right to vote (18 or older, not in prison, not previously convicted of a felony and sane) decided not to vote. Was it a burden? An inconvenience? Apathy? My opinion is that if you give up your right to vote, you also give up your right to complain!

Please learn the issues. Read up on the candidates and the proposals. Watch CNBC and then watch Fox News to get both sides. Don’t believe a 30 second advertisement designed to sway uninformed voters. Do your own research. The only thing worse than a a non-voter is an uninformed voter. 

Your Turn:
1) If you could vote in this year’s election, would you? why or why not? Would you be an informed voter or an uninformed voter? Would you still vote if it was a cold and rainy day?
2) Do you find Frank Tanabe’s story to be inspiring? Despite all the discimination he faced, why do you think he felt so strongly about voting? 
3) Mr. Tanabe saw voting as a right, a duty and a responsibility as an American citizen. Do you agree? Do you think it’s your right not to vote?

Mr. Tanabe died shortly after filling out his absentee ballot. 

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  1. Yes I would vote because I have the right to vote and in other countries people don’t have this privilege. I would want to be an informed voter to make sure I am voting for some on with character and values I believe in. Yes I would vote as long as it was safe for me to travel to the voting location.

    Yes I do because he was sick and only thing he wanted to accomplish was to vote. He felt strongly because it is a right that he had as an american and other countries do not.

    Yes I do agree because if you don’t help to decide you shouldn’t complain. It is also your choice not to vote, but then your voice is not heard.

  2. Yes I would vote because I have the right to vote and in other countries people don’t have this privilege. I would want to be an informed voter to make sure I am voting for some on with character and values I believe in. Yes I would vote as long as it was safe for me to travel to the voting location.

    Yes I do because he was sick and only thing he wanted to accomplish was to vote. He felt strongly because it is a right that he had as an american and other countries do not.

    Yes I do agree because if you don’t help to decide you shouldn’t complain. It is also your choice not to vote, but then your voice is not heard.

  3. Yes I would vote because I have the right to vote and in other countries people don’t have this privilege. I would want to be an informed voter to make sure I am voting for some on with character and values I believe in. Yes I would vote as long as it was safe for me to travel to the voting locations.

    Yes I do because he was sick and only thing he wanted to accomplish was to vote. He felt strongly because it is a right that he had as an american and other countries don’t.

    Yes I do agree because if you don’t help to decide you shouldn’t complain. It is also your choice not to vote, but then your voice is not heard and is not counted.

  4. 1.Yes, I would vote in this years election.I would vote because I have the right to vote and no one can judge me on who I chose,I also don’t care because I have the courage to do what I need to do.Yes,I would be an informed voter because I would need to know if they were good presidents or not in order to vote.Yes,I would vote if it was cold and rainy because I need to do what I am supposed to do.

    2.Yes, I find his story to be inspiring.He felt strongly because it is a right that he had as an american and other countries do not.

    3.Yes, I agree that it is an American citizens right to vote and theirs responsibility.He felt so strongly about voting because he was sick and all he wanted to do was vote.

  5. 1. Yes, because some people don’t have the right to vote and I need to take advantage of this privilege. I would be an informed voter because I want to choose somebody that I believe in. I would still vote if it was a rainy day because I have a chance to choose which president I want for the next 4 years and I need to choose now or never.
    2. Yes I do find Frank Tanabe’s story to be inspiring. I think he felt so strongly about voting because he had a privilege to choose who he wanted for president and he thought it was a responsibility.
    3. I do agree. It is your choice to vote or not but if you don’t vote then you do not have a right to complain.

  6. 1. Yes I would vote because some people can’t and I would want to be grateful that I can. I would be an informed voter because I would on the person that I believe in. Yes I would still vote if it was a cold and rainy day.
    2. I do believe that his story was inspiring. I think he felt so strongly about voting because so many people have fought and died to give us this freedom to vote.
    3. I agree with Frank. You do have the right to vote but if you don’t then you can’t complain.

  7. 1. yes because i would want to have the chance of someone i belived in to be the leader of this country . By the next election i’ll be able to vote and i’ll vote even if that means i’ll have to walk in the mud.
    2. yes he wanted to have his opion matter if he didn’t then then things might have been different .
    3. theres no reason to complain if you didn’t even vote.

  8. 1. Yes i would vote because I want To have the leader I want to be the leader. I would be an informed voter because I want to know who is the best choice. Yes because It is important everyone that can vote does.
    2. Yes he want everyone to know his opion and it mattered.
    3. Yes i agree that it is are right to vote.

  9. 1)I would vote in this years election, and I would be an uninformed voter because I don’t want any hate from people.
    2) I do find this inspiring because no matter what he faced he put his voice out there.
    3) I do see voting as a right even if your a criminal and yes I do have the right to vote.

  10. 1. Yes because, i want to help choice our leader of the country.
    2. Yes he want everyone to hear his opinion.
    3. Yes i highly agree that it is our right to vote.

  11. 1. no because i do not like politics and i would rather not be judged by being engaged in it
    2.yes he wants to have a voice
    3.yes i agree that it is our right to vote, and it is not mandatory

  12. 1.I wouldn’t vote because no matter who you vote for your gonna get hate and im to tired to brush off the haters right now.
    2.i think his story does give people inspiration to vote it gave me inspiration now im not tiered so i can brush off the haters.
    3.yes i think i have a right to vote you go MR. Tanabe

  13. 1. Yes, I would vote because it’s my right and I want to be able to choose our leader.
    2. Yes, because he overcame things to vote.
    3. Yes, I agree.

  14. Yes I would vote because I have the right to vote and in other countries people don’t have this privilege. I would want to be an informed voter to make sure I am voting for some on with character and values I believe in. Yes I would vote as long as it was safe for me to travel to the voting location.

    Yes I do because he was sick and only thing he wanted to accomplish was to vote. He felt strongly because it is a right that he had as an american and other countries do not.

    Yes I do agree because if you don’t help to decide you shouldn’t complain. It is also your choice not to vote, but then your voice is not heard.

  15. 1. Yes, I would vote because it’s my right and I want to be able to choose our leader.
    2. Yes, because he overcame things to vote.
    3. Yes, I agree.

  16. 1. Yes I will vote. My family if very political and my grandma is the secretary of the state.
    2. yes he wanted to have his opinion matter. Everyone deserves to hear it.
    3. theres no reason to complain if you didn’t even vote.

  17. 1) I would absolutely vote. I believe it is my duty to be an informed voter and vote regardless of outside circumstances.
    2) Yes, I feel that him as a veteran made it all the more inspiring.
    3) I completely agree and feel that if you do not take the initiative to vote, then you have absolutely no right to complain about the government or about any issue because you haven’t done your part to help.

  18. Yes I would vote because I have the right to vote and in other countries people don’t have this privilege. I would want to be an informed voter to make sure I am voting for some on with character and values I believe in. Yes I would vote as long as it was safe for me to travel to the voting location.

    Yes I do because he was sick and only thing he wanted to accomplish was to vote. He felt strongly because it is a right that he had as an american and other countries do not.

    Yes I do agree because if you don’t help to decide you shouldn’t complain. It is also your choice not to vote, but then your voice is not heard.

  19. 1. yes i would vote because it is my obligation and it is my right. I would want to be informed and vote for someone who i support and share the same beliefs. As long as it was safe to go to that location i would go.
    2. all he wanted was to vote. it is his right.
    3. If you are not a part of the solution you don’t get to have an opinion.

  20. Yes, I do agree because if you don’t help to decide you shouldn’t complain. It is also your choice not to vote, but then your voice is not heard.

  21. Yes I would vote because I have the right to vote and in other countries people don’t have this privilege. I would want to be an informed voter to make sure I am voting for some on with character and values I believe in. Yes I would vote as long as it was safe for me to travel to the voting location.

    Yes I do because he was sick and only thing he wanted to accomplish was to vote. He felt strongly because it is a right that he had as an american and other countries do not.

    Yes I do agree because if you don’t help to decide you shouldn’t complain. It is also your choice not to vote, but then your voice is not heard.

  22. 1) Yes, because I would have the right to vote.
    2)Yes, because he was a sick man that just wanted to pursue his dream to vote one last time.
    3)Yes, I agree that it is our right to vote.

  23. 1) Yes, because I would have the right to vote.
    2)Yes, because he was a sick man that just wanted to pursue his dream to vote one last time.
    3)Yes, I agree that it is our right to vote.

  24. 1.Yes, I would vote in this years election.I would vote because I have the right to vote and no one can judge me on who I chose,I also don’t care because I have the courage to do what I need to do.Yes,I would be an informed voter because I would need to know if they were good presidents or not in order to vote.Yes,I would vote if it was cold and rainy because I need to do what I am supposed to do.
    2. Yes I do because he was sick and only thing he wanted to accomplish was to vote. He felt strongly because it is a right that he had as an american and other countries do not.
    3. If you are not a part of the solution you don’t get to have an opinion.

  25. 1. I would vote because it is the chance to put your opinion on what you feel would be best for this country. Yes I would vote even if it was cold and rainy.
    2. Yes because he held on just to vote and some people don’t even want to vote and they have the chance. He felt it was his duty and he wanted what was best for thus country so he did what he could before his time came.
    3. I am not sure. I have never really looked into this stuff so I don’t have an opinion. I do think that we shouldn’t take voting for granted when we have the chance though, because not all places have the opportunity.

  26. I would vote because it is something to do to help something and I would be informed before I did it.

    Yes I would vote if it was cold or rainy even though it would suck.

    Sure, because it is something we shouuldnt take for granted.

  27. Yes I would vote because I have the right to vote

    Yes I do because he was sick and only thing he wanted to accomplish was to vote.

    Yes I do agree because if you don’t help to decide you shouldn’t complain.

  28. This 93 year old man; Frank Tanabe, chose to be loyal towards his country, and voting for all of those years. It was duty to him, and a responsibility.

  29. 1)If I could vote in this years election I would because it is important that I do what I can to vote a person that has my best intentions in mind. I would be an informed voter I would read up on both people. Yes I would.

    2) Yes, I think that he felt so strongly about voting because he fought for all American’s to be able to vote and be free from discrimination.

    3) I do agree I believe it is a responsibility for Americans to get out and vote in all elections that they can so we can have but I also think that we always have the right to not choose but if we arent going to choose I feel like we should not complain about the outcome because we did not vote to skew it.

  30. 1.No, because I’m not educated on the people to vote or not to vote for and it would seem like a tough decision to make. If this was different I definitely would no matter what
    2.Yes, it said that he seen voting as a right and duty for the people of the country important to make.
    3.Yes and no cause I’m not an American citizen but also yes because I also think its super important to vote for your country.

  31. The loyalty you have to your own country inspires people and will make people want to stand together and be loyal to their country.

  32. 1) If you could vote in this year’s election, would you? why or why not? Would you be an informed voter or an uninformed voter? Would you still vote if it was a cold and rainy day?
    no, I’m not experienced in life enough to give my vote yet. but in a few years of being an informed voter. I would stand out in the rain.
    2) Do you find Frank Tanabe’s story to be inspiring? Despite all the discrimination he faced, why do you think he felt so strongly about voting?
    I think he has a strong and good to know the point of view, to be able to understand others’ perspectives and rights.
    3) Mr. Tanabe saw voting as a right, a duty, and a responsibility as an American citizen. Do you agree? Do you think it’s your right not to vote?
    Yes, if you are born in the united states you have access to the rights of the united states.

  33. This post is a great show of loyalty, due to showing his commitment to the value he holds to be important.

  34. no i do not wat to vint i see no pint if i vindt and the pueing i cies dues tieping it ies i my suew cues of pint he it that is no i see no pint

    yes

    yes i arey

  35. no i do not wat to vent i see no pint if i vent and the pueing i cies dues tieping it ies i my suew cues of pint he it that is no i see no pint

    yes

    yes i array

  36. 1.Yes I would, because it would change the country and perspectives. I would be an informed voter. Yes I would vote for a cold or rainy day.

    2.Yes, because he wanted change.

    3. Yes, it’s fine if people don’t vote.

  37. let this story inspire you because voting is important and if he can do it on bad condition you can do it too especially in good conditions. Every vote matters and your vote can change how the world is ran.