Posted on 08/14/2008 11:32:33 AM PDT by Turret Gunner A20
Is VFW Post Phone MessageA VFW in Susquehanna County is drawing some attention because of its answering machine message. Some in Montrose wonder if it the right message.
The VFW near Montrose is a busy place along Route 706, a place where many in the area come to socialize. But some folks are questioning the post's answering machine message, saying it's not very social at all.
"Hello, this is Montrose VFW. We are an English speaking, American establishment. If you do not speak English or believe in America, please hang up," the message says.
"Racist. I mean, that's like, this is a free country, isn't it? That's what my understanding is," said Teresa Arthofer of Montrose. She wasn't happy hearing about the message, calling it unconstitutional.
"Does it say English speech? It just says freedom of speech. No where in there does it say freedom of English speech. It just says, freedom of speech," Arthofer added. [Boy!! now there's a whiz kid for ya!!]
"What do I think? I agree. If you're going to be in America, speak English," said Helen Warner of Springville. She added her grandparents had to learn English, why not everyone else.
"I mean, I have a hard time understanding some people and I think that if you live in a country, you should be able to speak the language and acclimate yourself to the country you're living in but I also think we need to have some patience and respect and understanding," said Laurie Farley of Montrose.
Newswatch 16 talk with VFW Post Commander John Miner about the message. "We are living in America, we should be able to speak English," he said. Miner added the message is meant for telemarketers who he said call all the time, often in broken English.
When asked if there was any chances they would change the message Miner said, "I don't believe so. I don't believe so. We're veterans of America."
The VFW post commander said the message has been on the machine for several months and so far, they have received no complaints.
good for you, fellas. if they don’t like it they can switch to another channel.
complaints? complaints? we don’t take no stinking complaints!
there’s nothing wrong with being american, either. (i’d like to hear the complainers’ definition.)
“She wasn’t happy hearing about the message, calling it unconstitutional.”
She is a poster child for the utter ignorance, combined with unreasoning defense of individual rights (and to hell with everybody else) that’s being pumped out of our secondary schools. Something about freedom of association...
Colonel, USAFR
Those are men and women who fought overseas (hence the name of the group) to protect our nation, constitution & society. They, above all, should have the 1st Amendment right to say anything they damn well please!
Is the VFW goverment funded? If it isn’t then the Bill of Rights doesn’t apply does it.
Wonder if they’ve been forced outside to smoke yet..
Veterans have earned the right to say things like that on their messages. Kudos to the VFW.
They will find these military fraternal organizations are not ruled by affirmative action, or political correctness.
People are free to speak whatever they want. Just like we are free to listen or NOT. Many want all the “freedoms” except the freedom of association. You should be able to associate with whoever you wish. If the VFW does not want to associate with non-English speakers, that is their right.
Not here.
If they don’t speak English to start with, will the message even make sense?
Also: Go VFW. When my dad died, they did the honors for his funeral. He had been an active member for decades, but they do it regardless. Dedicated patriots, all.
Wonderful people.
Like who gives a flying rat’s a$$ if someone is offended. There are a great number of folks out there who take pleasure in being offended and seek every opportunity to voice their outrage. I call these sad folks “Offense Whores”, and when I find one, I go out of my way to give them great pleasure and happiness. I try to offend them in every way I can think of.
Wow! Being an American and SPEAKING ENGLISH is RACIST NOW?
That guy from the article can POUND SAND!
Unconstitutional?...........What a MORON!..........
Liberalism is the arrested development of rational thought.
I always liked this phone message: “Press 1 for English. Press 2 if you don’t, hang up, and call back when you can press 1.”
And still most can not figure it out, American’s speak English for the most part, Spanish speak Spanish, at last check this is AMERICA, Veterans of Foreign Wars, yep fought on foreign soil came home, SPEAK ENGLISH, Sounds right to me.
I personally have no problem with it, but my guess is that the person who made the message has recently had a "bad experience" regarding the English/Spanish issue.
Here's a tee shirt I saw once. I think it's funny!
"For English - Press '1' ... For Spanish - Hang up and learn English!"
My best salute to them.
Er... it's mind-blowing to see someone claim that the VFW speaking their minds is a violation of the right to free speech. So, in essence, she's saying this chapter of the VFW should be censored because no one should be censored. :-/
“People are free to speak whatever they want. Just like we are free to listen or NOT.”
My take as well - You have no right to be heard, and especially have no right to make ME provide someone who understands your language.
*************************
Amen!
I take it Ms. Arthofer doesn’t frequent her local VFW?
And I’d bet she called “Newswatch 16” to inform them of this huge story.
That and to flaunt her ignorance...
Susquehannah county - where is that ?
Are they a bunch of antipathetic, bitter Pennsylvanians?
That message would also discriminate against Scandinavians and Germans who are the racial ancestors of many of us “white” people.
Sounds like the town of Montrose still hasn't lost their idiot.
The VFW is not a Government subsidized agency. It is self funded - so the 1st Amendment DOES apply.
They get their money from dues, bingo, donations, etc. I do not believe they get any government money. Was trying to look it up, best I can tell, they get nothing.
I was a little confused about the question myself. Hard to figure out the double negatives.
You misunderstand me.
They are a private organization.
They can say whatever they like on their answering machine.
Just because some clown thinks it’s “racist” doesn’t make a bit of difference.
Just another comment from Liberal Bizzaro World.
Unfortunately, “unconstitutional” has become a euphemism for “,I don’t like it and think it should be illegal,” by people who have never read the document and don’t have any idea what it actually says. I’ve heard people claim that all sorts of silly things are unconstitutional, not only things that the Constitution is silent on but (like this idiot woman) but things that the Constitution clearly says are permitted.
I like your style.
The phone message is stupid because it’s counter-productive. Those who oppose illegal immigration need to get a clue and realize that the correct way to do things is to discredit people who support illegal immigration. Just leaving comments here isn’t going to do much good. You have to either get out there and ask politicians real questions (not rants), or you need to go to other sites and leave comments discrediting those on the other side.
For a tangible example, see my comments (”NoMoreBlatherDotCom”) here:
time-blog.com/swampland/2008/08/re_scholarship.html
If you want to have an impact, do things like that. If you just want to preach to the choir, do things like the VFW did.
Nope - why should we have to learn seventeen different languages and 252 dialects just to have someone communicate with us??????????
This is America - not England ........
Well, yeah - you don’t check your rights at the door when you enter the military. Military members retain the vast majority of rights that civilians have, and those we “give up” involve readiness and good order and discipline. The VFW isn’t a branch of government, it’s a private entity that’s given special tax treatment as a military fraternal order. There’s simply nothing legally wrong with their voicemail message.
Colonel, USAFR
No— illegals, the churches that help them, the politicians who help them, the scumbags who hire them are ALL offensive.
I agree completely.
It was just a bit of a generalization regarding swapping the Bill of Rights for the U.C.M.J.
And obviously nothing is illegal, I assume the writer is just trying to ignite a “public outcry” of fellow like-minded morons.
2nd thought:
Perhaps the author has a grudge against Ms. Arthofer.
What better way to humiliate her than to quote her?
*Nope - why should we have to learn seventeen different languages and 252 dialects just to have someone communicate with us??????????
This is America - not England ........
*
The one place I can think of that fits your hypothetical polyglot C.F. is India. And do you know what second language they learn so they CAN communicate?
English.
Oh, the Irony.
I guess it’s because India is some sort of clearing house for the world in IT ... but then too, English is the language of aviation world wide .... don’t care what country’s flag is on the plane that pilot better be able to speak English ....
“that guy from the article can pound sand!”
he’s probably been pounding something else for a long time.
(imho)
Ahhhhh! I completely misunderstood you. My apologies.
And I agree 100%.
Freedom of association applies to voicemail, too.
Roger that - it does remind me a bit of the gulls in “Finding Nemo”: “Mine! Minemine!” Have a great weekend.
Colonel, USAFR
Some in Montrose are idiots.
Thanks. You too, Sir.
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