One Reporter's Opinion: Can We Talk?

It is this reporter's opinion that America's national security is not the only thing being compromised by the invasion of illegal aliens. The lack of enforcement of our nation's immigration laws has threatened our national media, our language ... indeed, our ability to communicate with each other as America is under attack.

There are actually measures before Congress that would force privately owned television and radio stations to broadcast in foreign languages. For example, HR-3027 would literally mandate a multilingual U.S. media market, would force the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to monitor the ownership and control of broadcast stations used to "SERVE" language minorities. It would force the FCC to oversee the sale of any TV or radio station that caters to minority language groups.

Let's face it: The real purpose of HR-3027 is to set in stone policies of the multilingual crusade - to make government the enforcer of a multilingual marketplace - and to pander to those who come to this country and refuse to learn English.

This reporter, a veteran of 70 years of radio and television broadcast experience, has recently felt the results of our media invasion. Having been employed as a radio and television news reporter/commentator, I now face unemployment.

The 50,000-watt radio station that is this reporter's employer initially attempted to establish a Catholic radio network. It proved unsuccessful. Recently, the key station was sold by the Catholics to a Jewish-dominated organization, which, in turn, has been placed in the ownership of an all-Spanish-speaking 24-hour round-the-clock program. As a result, this reporter and associates are out of work.

But this is only one such transfer of ownership to foreign interests. In the greater Los Angeles area, there are more than 22 foreign language broadcasters, all broadcasting exclusively in a foreign tongue. This has, amazingly, been approved by the FCC.

It is difficult, as one scans the radio dial, not to conclude that you're listening to radio in a foreign land. We know the problems we face with the illegal-alien invasion. The challenges by these foreigners, mostly illegal, to our very existence don't treat lightly the long-term threats upon our basics. Our sources of water are being threatened, areas devoted to food growth, housing, the repeated power threats, strangling transportation, education, law and order, crime, pollution, health care, the importation of diseases that were all but nonexistent in this country ... and the list goes on.

How can one emphasize the power of the media to those of us who lived through the '30s when Adolf Hitler took over Germany through just such power? He used the newspapers and radio stations to spread the venom of the Nazis. How can one question the power of media - in this case, foreign media - within our own country?

But it all comes back to the media and communication. Sadly, no longer is it necessary for a person coming to this country to learn to speak the English language. Upon arriving here - legally or illegally - he or she can choose from a wide array of newspapers and publications printed in his or her own language, radio and television stations are broadcasting solely in foreign languages, and on to the movies and bilingual considerations. Add to this our generous welfare, the burden caused by misuse of visas, fraudulent identification, misuse of Social Security, amnesty and work plans.

And yet when we attempt to counter all this misuse of our precious sovereignty, as we Californians did with Proposition 187 10 years ago, we are either reversed by the courts or manipulated. Law 187, revoked by recalled Gov. Gray Davis, is now supported by California's present governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's bad enough that California has just been through the battle over giving driver's licenses and thus widespread identification to illegal aliens. Today California's Latino residents number 12-14 million, making up 45 percent of the state's Hispanic labor force; and the next step on the Latino agenda is to seek the right to vote and to move toward controlling the legislative process. All of this flies in opposition to possible assimilation, yet how can they be assimilated if they aren't able to communicate with us and we with them? The late Professor S.I. Hayakawa repeatedly stated, "A common language is the glue that holds a people and a nation together." Years ago, it was a source of great pride for an immigrant to immediately learn the English language. Now it's to be avoided. I recently dusted off our own state constitution and on page 98 it states very clearly that English is our official language. How often are we reminded of that?

All of which brings us back to the Congress of the United States. Unlike Tom Tancredo, the inimitable congressman from Colorado, far too many fear taking the right stand - the strong stand - on our disastrous illegal-alien situation. Congress chooses instead to look the other way; our representatives fear repercussions at the polling place.

And yet survey after survey shows that the public, by an 85 percent majority, stands shoulder-to-shoulder on the illegal-alien invasion. THE PEOPLE WANT SOMETHING DONE. And yet the Senate, the House, immigration authorities and the White House all refuse to make a strong stand.

As an example of where the administration stands on the issue, when Rep. Tancredo visited the Oval Office and spoke of his fears concerning the illegal-alien situation, he was insulted by the president's top assistant on the matter, Karl Rove, and was told to "leave the office and don't darken our doorstep again."

Afterward, Congressman Tancredo, a Republican, was told that he was being cut off from all financial support by the Republican National Committee and every effort was being made to find another Republican candidate to run against him in his re-election.

One can only conclude, as one early Chicago ward heeler said, "The fish stinks from the head." "... Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindred and tongues." - Thomas Jefferson's Prayer "And while you bring all countries with you, you come with a purpose of leaving all other countries behind you - bringing what is best of their spirit, but not looking over your shoulders and seeking to perpetuate what you intended to leave behind in them." - Woodrow Wilson, comments to new citizens, 1915 "The tie of language is perhaps the strongest and the most durable that can unite mankind." - Alexis de Tocqueville

"English is the key to full participation in the opportunities of American life." - S.I. Hayakawa

The legendary George Putnam is 89 years young and a veteran of 69 years as a reporter, broadcaster and commentator ... and is still going strong. George is part of the all-star line-up of Southern California's KPLS Radio - Hot Talk AM 830

"Congressman Tancredo, a Republican, was told that he was being cut off from all financial support by the Republican National Committee and every effort was being made to find another Republican candidate to run against him in his re-election"

Shame on you! Mr. Presidente.

I thought I heard on George's last day that he was invited back home to KRLA?

The next day I did hear what replaced George not knowing who took over. I didn't know it was going to br taken over in Spanish.
I heard their remarkable entertaining stick as they read off the names of California cities (Like it was their goal to take over).

Yep, Gray Davis and our activist courts betrayed the will of the people in 187. Davis decided to give 187 no defense in court which got it over-turned.

I think Arnold could take that back to court for a challenge.

If the states are going to insist that there be illegals allowed here and elsewhere, I would suggest we drop the income tax and go with a use/consumption tax.
The only taxes these folks pay is on beer, the food they eat out and on gas if they stay here. They don't pay income tax at all in most cases.

Did George go back to KRLA as he said?

So the Catholics couldn't make it, they sold it to the Jews who then sold it to the Spanish... just great!

I heard him make specific mention of it on his last day at K-Illegal LA.

I can only guess with the full scheduel, he's looking to start on weekends now.

He's 89, but still sharp enough to take interest in. He's a good guy.

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