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Philly Officials Eye EateryÂ’s English-Only Sign (City To File Complaint)
MSNBC ^ | 6/12/06 | MSNBC

Posted on 06/12/2006 11:46:35 AM PDT by Dallas59

PHILADELPHIA - City officials are expected to file a complaint Monday against an English-only ordering policy at Geno’s Steaks, one of Philadelphia’s best-known cheesesteak joints that has entered the national immigration debate.
Situated in a South Philadelphia immigrant neighborhood, Geno’s has posted small signs telling customers, “This Is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ‘SPEAK ENGLISH.’” “We’re alleging that the sign itself is enough of an unwelcoming message that it may violate the Fair Practices Act,” Rachel Lawton, acting executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Owner Joseph Vento, 66, whose grandparents struggled to learn English after immigrating from Sicily in the 1920s, said he posted the sign about six months ago amid concerns over immigration reform and the increasing number of customers who could not order in English when they wanted Philly’s gooey, greasy specialty — fried steak, sliced or chopped, in a long roll, with cheese and fried onions.
“They don’t know how lucky they are. All we’re asking them to do is learn the English language,” said Vento. “We’re out to help these people, but they’ve got to help themselves, too.”

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: constitution; criminal; democrats; english; invasion; pandering; pcbs; political; racism; usenglish
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It may become criminal to speak English only in Philly...
1 posted on 06/12/2006 11:46:38 AM PDT by Dallas59
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To: Dallas59

well ya know, possibly hurting people's feelings is now a human rights violation. :)


2 posted on 06/12/2006 11:49:00 AM PDT by Rakkasan1 (Illegal immigrants are just undocumented friends you haven't met yet!)
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To: Dallas59

Can't he post an "unwelcoming message" if he wants to???


3 posted on 06/12/2006 11:49:14 AM PDT by Shimmer128 (I've seen the village, I don't want it raising my children)
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To: Dallas59
...an unwelcoming message

A message that you have to know how to read English to understand. :)
4 posted on 06/12/2006 11:51:46 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: Dallas59

I didn't realize "Wizz wid" was English, I thought it was Esperanto.


5 posted on 06/12/2006 11:52:05 AM PDT by stop_fascism
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To: Dallas59

SO!!!! The customers won't have to order in English, but the city wants to make the owners learn how to understand their menu in ALL other languages???? Stupido!!!


6 posted on 06/12/2006 11:52:12 AM PDT by Ecliptic (Keep looking to the sky)
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To: Dallas59

WHY DO I have to press 1 to hear English when this is the United States and English is the language. I am really tired of all this Spanish crap everywhere I go and if possible I will not buy from anyone who places signs in Spanish in their stores.


7 posted on 06/12/2006 11:52:54 AM PDT by YOUGOTIT
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To: Rakkasan1

There is a live poll going on. Go to the link and click on "what do you think?"

Poll numbers:

88% think it is the owner's business and he is absolutely correct!

WTG!


8 posted on 06/12/2006 11:55:13 AM PDT by i_dont_chat (I defend the right to offend!)
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To: YOUGOTIT
WHY DO I have to press 1 to hear English when this is the United States and English is the language

Actually, the United States has no official language...
9 posted on 06/12/2006 11:56:36 AM PDT by Stone Mountain
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To: Dallas59

For those concerned about the illegal immigrant problem, consider this. Local law bends over backward in a lot of places to screw up the concept of the melting pot.


10 posted on 06/12/2006 11:56:45 AM PDT by Tribune7
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To: Ecliptic

If they can't speak English, then the sign won't really bother them, will it.


11 posted on 06/12/2006 11:57:10 AM PDT by Holicheese (Stanley Cup's new home will be North Carolina!)
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To: Dallas59

if they don't understand English how do they know the sign is offensive?


12 posted on 06/12/2006 11:57:36 AM PDT by Republicus2001
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To: Dallas59

He should post it in Spanish too. That would REALLY tick them off.


13 posted on 06/12/2006 11:57:54 AM PDT by b4its2late (I love defenseless animals, especially in a good gravy!)
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To: Dallas59

WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE! I'd make a bigger sign.


14 posted on 06/12/2006 11:58:15 AM PDT by wolfcreek
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To: Republicus2001

He also needs to post the sign that says "this establishment retains the right to refuse service to anyone"


15 posted on 06/12/2006 11:59:31 AM PDT by princess leah
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To: YOUGOTIT
WHY DO I have to press 1 to hear English

If you don't press one and instead just wait, it will default to English in most cases, to an Operator in others. If it is an 800 number, that is all the better. :)
16 posted on 06/12/2006 11:59:57 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: Dallas59

The city officials are being jerks, as are all whose deity is multiculturalism.

However, maybe things would go better for the owner if he just took the sign down and, if someone tried to place an order in a foreign language, just stared blankly and moved on to the next customer.


17 posted on 06/12/2006 12:00:03 PM PDT by JillValentine (May Murtha's safe district be as safe as Zarqawi's safe house.)
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To: Holicheese
If they can't speak English, then the sign won't really bother them, will it.

That's brilliant. And true!

18 posted on 06/12/2006 12:02:56 PM PDT by D-Chivas
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To: Rakkasan1

"well ya know, possibly hurting people's feelings is now a human rights violation. :)"

The only way a persons "feelings" can be hurt is if they hiding from the truth and it bites them!

feelings are for shrinks, not humans!


19 posted on 06/12/2006 12:04:21 PM PDT by dalereed
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To: P-40
A message that you have to know how to read English to understand. :)

Which reminds me; why do they have braille on ATM machines?

Cordially,

20 posted on 06/12/2006 12:09:17 PM PDT by Diamond
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