GENO'S ('ENGLISH ONLY CHEESESTEAK') CRITICS THEMSELVES ASSERT USING & SPEAKING ENGLISH (website)

LA CASA, (Juntos) University of Pennsylvania website ^ | 10 June 2006 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

Mexicanos JUNTOS ( South Philadelphia)

"JUNTOS is a community center for recent Mexican and Latin American immigrants in the South Philadelphia area. At this center, they offer basic English classes for adults, cultural events, host a Mexican dance troupe, and generally seek to meet the needs of the community. They are particularly interested in students who would be willing to teach or assist ESL classes or work as homework aids with kids after school. In an effort to be sensitive to the community’s needs, JUNTOS usually asks for at least a semester-long commitment from volunteers so that students and community members can build trust and form relationships."

--From THEIR OWN WEBSITE

[AmericanInTokyo]

Just found the above about "JUNTOS:, the University of Pennslyvania-affiliated Hispanic illegal alien support group in South Philadelphia. This group and it's spokeswoman have been making a big stink on national TV in opposition to a "Speak English When Ordering" sign put up by a long standing South Philadelphia Cheesesteak outlet, GENO's.

What is the bleeding heart, pro-illegal alien South Philly libs "beef"? When learning foreign languages you urge those learning as quickly as possible to get off the reliance of their native tongue and 'into' the new language they are challenging. You urge students to go out into the community after their Juntos ESL courses, and put into practice their English--even if basic, struggling and fundamental--so they get confident and even better.

Their students should be down there at Geno's Steaks every day after courses, ordering in English, eating those delicious, unhealthy but fun cheesesteaks, and TALKING AMONG THEMSELVES AND OTHERS IN ENGLISH with their course homework out. If they do that, they will ASSIMILATE and they will make it.

GENO'S: FAIR, AMERICAN "TOUGH LOVE"

JUNTOS: WHAT A BUNCH OF WHINING, AMBULANCE-CHASING HYPOCRITES

[Dallas59]

RACISM!!!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yep. They yell that ad hominem all the time.

It is their little dank refuge of those with such puny intellectual minds, devoid of any legitimate debating points. Ann Coulter would have a lot to say about that.

[familyop]

Using more than one language or culture for business or government communication in the USA is too costly, time consuming and otherwise troublesome. We should also have only one common language in order to continue cohesion between Americans. Candidates for permanent residency or citizenship should be able to speak fluent English, be loyal to the USA and be comfortable with our traditional customs.

[larryjohnson]

Geno on Cavuto was priceless S Philly.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

People in the United States should use English. When , or if, you were in Japan, did you use Japanese, or at least try to? Spanish is close to English (indoeuropean and both heavily Latin influenced), so most Mexicans should be able to become fluent to some degree in English.

[JerseyHighlander]

This controversy has proven one thing, I haven't had a Geno's, Pat's or Jim's cheesesteak in too dang long.

Also, I've been unable to order in English at a McD's in New Jersey. Crazy thing was 10 years ago the staff at this McD's was all legal residents. I should know, my h.s. classmates worked there. I have no doubt that the franchise owner has been unable to find enough workers who want to work from the local high school population today. So this is how he makes up for the shortage of willing to work labor.

In 10 yeas Geno's will sell "Quesa con cons" without a qualm. This is a last stand effort here by Geno's owners.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Americans should have only one culture (or at least primary culture for first generation immigrants). At their homes, immigrants can use their native language, if they so choose, but in public they should use English (unless they are conversing with another immigrant who has yet to become fluent in English, etc.). A common language and culture can help bind together a people who are not closely related by blood (such as the Germans and others who formed their nations on genetic grounds).

[namvet66]

I'm sure my family's case is not much different than Joseph Vento’s or millions of other “Mature” Americans.

My Grandparents and parents (both sides) emigrated from Montreal to northern Vermont in the 1930’s.

The all spoke ONLY French.

I remember my mother telling me how difficult it was when she enrolled in school as a young child.

However, being immersed in English only curriculum, resulted in their becoming fluent and proficient within a matter of a couple of years

My Mother went on to become the Executive Secretary to the President of one of the largest Universities in Vermont--and you don't get to do that unless you can speak, read and write English, extremely well.

There was NO Multi Cultural ism; NO “English as a second language courses/classes; NO Affirmative Action, etc.

She and many others from different countries, with different cultures, speaking different languages, managed in ONE generation, to learn “The” language (English) and more importantly, “Assimilated,” became Naturalized Citizens, loved, respected and appreciated their new country and NONE, considered themselves (take your pick) “Hyphenated-Americans.”

Yes, while my family spoke both French and English at home (as did most other foreign-born) and kept and practiced many of their traditions from their former countries (such as ours celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve, with traditional French fare, following Midnight Mass) they considered themselves (and were VERY proud thereof) first and foremost, AMERICANS.

They went much further than just “assimilating,” as those of us who know the sacrifices they made and what they experienced as part of the “Greatest Generation.”

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

You bring up a point: immigrants should be encouraged or pressured to become proficient in English. A lot of immigrants could not be opposed to trying to become fluent, but if they have television, newspapers, radio, signs, etc. in their native language, they would probably be tempted to simply use the media in their native language rather than an English version. Such catering could only serve as a crutch to them, and not helpful to either the immigrant or the main American native population.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

....and not be helpful....

[backhoe]

Using more than one language or culture for business or government communication in the USA is too costly, time consuming and otherwise troublesome. We should also have only one common language in order to continue cohesion between Americans.

I will never forget the last paragraph in a Wall Street Journal article I read over a dozen years ago- it had the definitive argument against bilingualism.

The reporter asked a legal immigrant what he thought about the issue:

"In the schools, they teach my children Spanish, so they can become busboys, and maids, and gardeners...

In my home, I teach them English, so they can become Doctors, and Lawyers, and Engineers..."

BTW, in case nobody has noticed? English is the language of the computer world, said by some to be the future...

[synbad600]

Michelle Malkin has this on her website along w/ contact info for the creep councilman who is trying to pressure Geno to remove the sign.

[trooprally]

Do you know of this place?

[Mr] T

[mewzilla]

Here's the CBS story Malkin mentions on that city councilman...

Want A Cheesesteak? 'Speak English' Debate Breaks Out Over Sign At Philly's Best Known Counter

[RandallFlagg]

Is there any Philly FReepers who can get a close up of that sign? Folks here at work want some pics.

Thanks.

[tkathy]

The reporter asked a legal immigrant what he thought about the issue:

"In the schools, they teach my children Spanish, so they can become busboys, and maids, and gardeners...

In my home, I teach them English, so they can become Doctors, and Lawyers, and Engineers..."

BTW, in case nobody has noticed? English is the language of the computer world, said by some to be the future...

Well said.

The black people who teach their children "eubonics" are harming their future as well.

The southerners who allow their children to speak incomprehensibly are doing them a disservice as well.

OUCH!!!

[Abby4116]

http://www.nbc10.com/news/9345335/detail.html

This is a link to the local news story. If you click on the "slideshow" link you can see a close up picture. I tried to upload it here, but need some more lessons in html.

[angkor]

Geno is being interviewed live on Fox & Friends right now.

[angkor]

Whoops:

Geno Joey Vento (owner of Genos) is being interviewed live on Fox & Friends right now.