A worried GOP learning Spanish

Chicago Tribune ^ | January 21, 2002 | Jeff Zeleny

[expose]

AUSTIN, Texas -- The intensified drive to draw Hispanic voters to the Republican Party isn't a voluntary mission of political correctness, but a matter of sheer necessity at the ballot box.

Worried that legions of campaign workers across the country can't speak the fastest-growing language of political importance, the Republican National Committee is sending key workers to intense Spanish language classes. For up to two weeks, GOP officials from selected states will immerse themselves in vocabulary and conversation at the Berlitz Language School in Washington.

[BUSHdude2000]

El Cenizo is the name of the Texas town.

[Joe Hadenuf]

¡No puedes siquiera hablar ingles muy bueno! ¿Y no te gustan personas que aprenden hablar español? ¡LOL!

-.-. .- -. - / ... .--. . .- -.- / . -. --. .-../ . /... /.... / -.. ..- -- -- -.-- / ..--.. ? LOL!

[Poohbah]

OPH, in most polls, if you ask the generic question, "Do you favor controlling illegal immigration?" 80% of Americans will say "Yes."

The problem for the folks like t-shirt, Joe Hadenuf, and expose is what happens when you get past that (very generic) attitude and start asking detailed questions.

t-shirt and expose both oppose any sort of national identification card. Never mind that positively IDing who is and who isn't legitimately here is the absolute first step in ending illegal immigration--they oppose it. And so do most Americans.

Some folks favor putting the military on the border as if that is some sort of magical panacea. Only one problem: most Americans do NOT favor such a solution once you explain how the military would have to organize and conduct itself in order to effectively control the border.

Also, most Americans do not support draconian penalties against individuals and businesses who hire illegal aliens.

In short, the people concerned about illegal immigration can't get from the general to the specific. Welcome to America, where everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to buy a ticket.

[Caipirabob]

My wife is first generation American from Colombia but has painfully strived to learn her English. I have my languages but use them only as a courtesy or for more privacy in conversations in a public area. English should be the only language used by the United States government. Any other approach only disunifies us as a people.

On the other hand, the use of other languages is often a wonderful extended courtesy. In the case of people who only know that language, it would be the only way to reach them.

Still, as guests in our home, foreigners who want to be "Americans" should be compelled to learn English or encourage their children to do so as soon as possible.

[VoodooEconomist]

Republicans have been AWOL on immigration policy and are now paying the consequences. In other words, it's too late. The cat is already out of the bag. So, the only hope now is to act like RATs - i.e. pander based on ethnicity. Gender and race can't be far behind.

[BenR2]

Name that town. After you've named it, please post the names of people who have needed government services performed in English, and were refused. Then show me where any court, once notified, let such a situation stand.

With all due respect, sir, who are you? He doesn't need to show you anything. The situation described is well known, and it doesn not bode well for America. How many German towns bordering France do you suppose conduct all official business in French?

[GrandMoM]

bump

[Joe Hadenuf]

Republicans have been AWOL on immigration policy and are now paying the consequences. In other words, it's too late. The cat is already out of the bag. So, the only hope now is to act like RATs - i.e. pander based on ethnicity. Gender and race can't be far behind.

You bet!

[Catspaw]

I get all my Spanish language knowledge from watching Univision. I can't understand squat, but the women are nice to look at.

So THAT'S why my hubby watches Univision? I thought he was using it to sharpen up his Espanol. I just couldn't figure why he was watching Sabado Gigante with such avid interest.

[BUSHdude2000]

And you find that acceptable for a town in the USA to decide it doesn't need to speak English? This city is a harbor for illegal immigrants. Read this

[AmericanInTokyo]

Resident Aliens (INS green card holders) and new US citizens should be given a comprehensive, one-day intensive annual English proficiency test, ranking conversational and written comprehension.

Those who do not pass or fail to participate will be put in a higher tax bracket and be taxed at a higher rate for federal taxes. Such a tax bracket will remain that way until such a test is passed.

Those who endeavor to and succeed in mastering English will be awarded; those who do not will be punished.

[Poohbah]

With all due respect, he DOES need to prove his claims. That is the basis of rational argument.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Great post. Right in the 10 ring!

[Republican Wildcat]

-.-- . ... --..-- / .. / ... .--. . .- -.- / . -. --. .-.. .. ... .... / ...- . .-. -.-- / .-- . .-.. .-.. .-.-.- / -.-. .- -. / -.-- --- ..- / ... .--. . .-.. .-.. ..--.. / . -. --. .-.. . ... .... ..--.. / .-.. --- .-.. .-.-.-

[BUSHdude2000]

I agree with you. I'm in Houston and I'm seeing problems here that I never could have imagined. I especially like it when the local "news"papers go along with illegals to see how they get jere illegally and how they get work illegally.

[BUSHdude2000]

I agree with you. I'm in Houston and I'm seeing problems here that I never could have imagined. I especially like it when the local "news"papers go along with illegals to see how they get here illegally and how they get work illegally.