"This Is Alabama; We Speak English" Governor Candidate Says

http://news.yahoo.com/ ^ | April 29, 2010 | Liz Goodwin

[Biggirl]

Amid a national debate over Arizona's tough new immigration law, Republican Alabama gubernatorial candidate Tim James (and son of previous Gov. Fob James) vows in a new campaign ad that if he's elected, he'll give the state driver's license exam only in English, as a cost-saving measure. "This is Alabama; we speak English," he says in the ad. "If you want to live here, learn it."

[CitizenM]

I knew a woman who came here from Israel. She spoke no English when she arrived, but had school-aged children who spoke it as they learned it in school. However, to learn English she watched TV constantly, especially the soap operas, LOL. She would write down things she heard and then her children would help her with pronunciations and meanings of words.

In less than a year she spoke and read well enough that she could pass a driver's test in English, read all the road signs, converse well with neighbors, etc. All it took was DESIRE! She did not want special consideration, she wanted to be proud of herself and her accomplishment.

That is what most of these people who expect us and the government to make exceptions for them are lacking. They are lazy, and want to be pampered because we allow it.

[Blogger]

It’s not dumb. If you come to America, learn the language. Period. If you aren’t learning the language, trying to maintain your own culture to the extent that you can’t properly communicate - get out of our country. You are only setting yourself up as someone the rest of us is going to have to support with tax money and frankly we’re tired of it. If you are a new immigrant, don’t know the language yet, you’d better be in a class to learn. It is a privilege to be an American citizen. We want new people to love and protect that privilege as if they were native born.

[Constitution Day]

Another "gusty" governor.

Gusty? Well, blow me down!

[super7man]

He’s just play’n the odds.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Tim James is Shorty Price without the booze and hounds tooth hat.

Classic...

[ontap]

..make all Alabamians over the age of 65 take the test every five years and have a doctor sign that the guy over 65 is capable of driving. Get five thousand folks in Bama who are capable of killing people on the highway....off the road. But no....he won’t do that...because he lacks the guts.

If he did that he could kiss any chance of being elected to anything good bye. They can't even get drunks off the roads and you think they should go after seniors. according to this your premise is flawed. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070719115903.htm . http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070719115903.htm

[Quilla]

IIRC, the State of Alabama lost a law suit a while back and is bound by a federal court order on this. Not a bad tactic as far as vote pandering; certianly James is tickled to death with all the free publicity.

[Tax-chick]

And shut mah mouth!

[commish]

I just could not see myself in another country trying to live without a good working knowledge of the language. And to be honest, it must be tough to do, but again, learn the language, hell lessons can be found free.

Agree. While I never learned to speak german fluently, I made sure I knew enough of the language to read simple instructions, etc. and I could speak well enough to order dinner, ask directions, and get my face slapped by extremely beautiful ladies. hehee

[zeugma]

Think of all the money that is wasted printing things in seveal languages. Think of the paper, time, ink and think of the waste.

We can push it as a "green" measure!

Save a tree! Print it in english only!

[caveat emptor]

Yep, get those old potential killers off the road. .

Here's some stats. In US 2006 - age of driver by number killed:
Under 16 .. 2173
16-24 ....... 10359
25-34 ....... 7169
35-44 ....... 6361
45-54 ....... 6232
55-64 ....... 4178
65-74 ....... 2611
Over 74 .... 3406

Apologies in advance if formatting is poor. Table wouldn't copy, and this worked in my browser.