Posted on 10/06/2006 1:34:08 AM PDT by ruination
LOS ANGELES - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said that some Mexican immigrants "try to stay Mexican" when they come to the United States, and he urged them to assimilate into the fabric of American society.
Recalling his own experience emigrating from his native Austria, the Republican governor said Thursdya that immigrants should learn English and U.S. history and "make an effort to become part of America."
"That is very difficult for some people to do especially, I think, for Mexicans because they are so close to their country here so they try to stay Mexican but try to be in America. So there's this kind of back and forth," he said.
"What I'm saying to the Mexicans is you've got to go and immerse yourself and assimilate into the American culture, become part of the American fabric. That is how Americans will embrace you," he added.
Schwarzenegger's comments were condemned by several Democrats supporting the candidacy of his rival in the November election, Phil Angelides. They depicted his remarks as part of a pattern of statements revealing insensitivity toward immigrants and others.
The governor's "comments today were a calculated political insult to all immigrants," California Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres said in a statement.
Democratic Rep. Hilda Solis said in a conference call organized by the Democratic Party that "it's not the governor's place to tell immigrants to abandon their language and their culture."
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Uh oh...stick a fork in him; he's done.
Arnold is just telling the truth that other politicians don't want to...
Finally, someone tells it like it is.
It worked for him. Now all immigrants should be inspired to make movies, marry a Kennedy and become governor.
I'll bet his critics cited by the media all spoke in English, and attained positions their assimilation into American society (or that of their ancestors) prepared them for. The critics are hypocrites for refusing to acknowledge assimilation and the English language made a better way of life possible for them here.
"Arnold is just telling the truth that other politicians don't want to..."
if he wanted to tell the real truth...then this would be about Legal immigrants....if he wanted to tell the "real truth" for the illegals..he should just tell them to go the f'ck home!...that is the real truth that everyone wants..but no politician will say!
Actually, the comment by Art Torres is an insult to all real Americans.
I am no big Schwarz. fan but I agree with him here and commend him for daring to say what might be an unpopular truth. No doubt the howls of racism accusations will follow.
Simply put in language we can all understand:
We cannot afford to be "two nations" locked in a dance of pleasing everyone with two languages and two flags.
Those who cannot speak English must learn. They are holding back this country having to accommodate their needs, and keeping uni-lingual bright people from being hired to service Spanish speaking customers who refuse to integrate.
Yesterday I took an hour battling with my local cable company to take off some charges for the four Spanish-language cable channels which I could not use.
The argument about "lots of channels you don't use" was "used" and I countered - that would be a matter of choice - having channels which I don't elect to watch - but I have no "choice" in being excluded from four channels and being charged as they are cabled into my home.
I won - they are removing a minimal amount from my cable bill each month .... we have to start somewhere.
I am not doing this out of prejudice. I am doing this because until the migrants integrate and learn our ways and our language (as other immigrants do), they will never succeed, but seek to stay within their own groups, electing their "own" leaders who keep them oppressed in their own groups and they will never be free to fly as all immigrants should expect to do....
In the U.S.A. - as Americans.
ping
Why bother? America is falling all over itself to assimilate to the Mexican culture.
PING!
BUMP
B U M P
Hey, Torres at least he bothered to learn English to succeed in our society, unlike your ilk, creating slums to feel just like Home.
Have a look at Huntington Park, East LA etc.
Third World dumps if you ask me...
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