another lazy link roundup

Various bits of news from around the community...

Dogfight over taken relics: In Boston, two historic "foo dog" statues were apparently removed from their resting spot in Chinatown by a contractor who used them to decorate his suburban home. He just took them. Yeah. What the hell? Hey man, Chinatown wants them back.

Unemployed artist strangles young woman after date: In New York's Chinatown, 29-year-old Michael Chin Lenahan, an unemployed artist, was charged with murder after strangling a woman to death in his grandmother's apartment. The victim was identified as Lorna Santiago.

Federal judge delays Watada trial: Last week, a federal judge in Tacoma granted an emergency stay to delay the court-martial of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, the army officer who refused to deploy to Iraq on moral objections. Watada's first court-martial earlier this year ended in a mistrial, and his lawyers argue that a second court-martial would amount to trying him twice for the same charges.

'Saving someone' hero cop Gregory Chin's priority: People are calling NYPD transit cop Gregory Chin a hero for his role in stopping a suspect's bloody stabbing rampage last weekend.

Asian comedian from Hawaii wins international contest: Comedian Paul Ogata recently won $25,000 and first place in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. Not bad, considering that the competition has previously boasted comics like Dane Cook, Robin Williams and Ellen DeGeneres in the finals. Visit his official website here.

Don't Open This Cookie (Disastrous Day Inside): Beware the fortune cookie with an ominous message. Wonton Food in Queens has recently gotten some attention for manufacturing cookies containing some downbeat, less-than-optimistic messages.

Koreans, Hispanics Work for Harmony: The Washington Post reports on Koraen and Latino communities working—and sometimes clashing—at groceries in the DC area. Sounds a lot like the communities in Los Angeles' Koreatown.

Girl who came to U.S. for school busted at illegal sweatshop: Jung Ryu and his wife, Ji Young Ryu were busted last week in New York running a sweatshop manufacturing bootleg clothing, with workers as young as sixteen begin paid less than minimum wage. Caught, suckas.

Billboard campaign targets Vietnam's government: A Vietnamese American organization uneviled a billboard in Little Saigon criticizing the Vietnamese government's treatment of a Roman Catholic priest during his trial. The billboard features a photo of a priest being muzzled in court.

Antonovich Seeks Stamp For Japanese American Soldiers: The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael Anotonovich to send a five-signature letter to the United States Postmaster General in support of a commemoriative stamp honoring the sacrifice and patriotism of Japanese American soldiers during World War II.