Singer's remark riles Hispanics -- Greeley debates 'English' comment

Denver Post ^ | July 9, 2002 | Michael Riley

[Jhoffa_]

Those are really funny, and very clever. Do one for AL Sharpton and Hillary.

Oh geez.. I honestly don't think I can channel the antichrist without a d behind my name..

[FreedomFriend]

Last night, I happened to be flipping channels, and there was a news program on PBS.

The topic was in reference to Aids in Africa, etc. A guest on the show, via satellite, projected/inadvertantly stated that vaccines and humanitarian aid needs to be sent to Africa. She then went on to say that a structure needed to be put into place to pull them out of the doldrums.

She then went onto talk about the "Global Economy", and how insinuated that we as Americans must think of ourselves in a global context, and not necessarily American-only, for we're living in this global economy.

If you ask me, it sounded like she was supporting wealth transfer via wealthy countries to poor countries. It flipped my top when she kept mentioning the "global economy" as justification for this.

[Jhoffa_]

Oh!

Okay, then I was going to say that I like your #232..

Otherwise I was going to scold you for (unknowingly) glomming our FReepers Screen Name.

[Jhoffa_]

Tom Daschle.. Screaming up at you.

Sure, he does it in english. But by the time it reaches your ear you have no idea what the hell he's saying.

[jwalsh07]

America HAS a common language...it's English, and nothing has ever changed that.

Well, we agree here although I might have changed tense from has to will.

Here's my question. How do do you enforce a common language?

You don't, you require immigrants to become proficient at some level before making them citizens. After that or if they choose not to become citizens, they can speak whatever language they please.

Are you willing to monitor people to assure ourselves that they are speaking the Federally mandated language?

You're strawman expired in the previous sentence Luis. But, good try!

The children of immigrants will strive to speak English because they do not wish to remain outsiders, and the American culture is too strong to be denied.

That has been my experience as a youth and a young man. I see evidence of that changing in the conclaves formally known as the melting pot of New York.

This is a subject that I happen to be an expert in. I lived it.

So did I Luis but not in the same sense. Two of my best friends when I grew up were named Marrero and Conde and neithers Madre's, who I adored, spoke English.

[amstaff1]

There has never before in past immigration been anything even remotely like the immavasion going on today in this country. Prior to the civil rights movements of the sixties, social pressures(todays civil rights violations and hate crimes)insured rapid assimilation. Every culture coming to these shores took their lumps before being accepted even if it was grudgingly so. Perhaps it wasn't the nicest way of getting people in line, but it was very efficient and the whining was kept to a minimum.

As has been noted, the hispanics flooding the country now have no need to learn english for the most part. Between the politicians and big business, the spanish language is served to them on a silver platter. It's all about the money dontcha know.

If I were an anglo living as a small minority in Mexico for whatever reason and I was witnessing the crashing of the Mexican borders by hordes of anglos wanting in legally or not, I'd be their apologist and cheerleader also. Every thread of this type has one or two who hold dissenting opinions and thats no big surprise. It's human nature. We're happiest with our own and it's my guess that's their way of showing it.

[Torie]

Should war heroes that did not speak English be denied citizenship after they met the requirements, including the expedited Bush requirements? Again it is a prudential issue in the end, although since the progency will be citizens in any event, this brouhaha seems to me to be rounding error over the longer term. Should Luis' parents be denied citizenship assuming they can't speak English? I don't think so.

[jwalsh07]

Should war heroes that did not speak English be denied citizenship after they met the requirements, including the expedited Bush requirements?

If you don't speak English at minimum proficiency, you can't get in the US military Torie. It is a requirement.

[Twodees]

See how you are, Luis? In response to one post, you go back to an earlier post. That's why people always just shake their heads at you. Comparing apples to oil pumps is what you usually try to do.

Go back and answer the post instead of pouting over that first little jab I took at you. 'Course if you'd rather whine and pout, go ahead. You make as much sense one way as the other.

[Torie]

Maybe, but I suspect it was shaved when LBG needed bodies for his bathtub. I met actually a couple of those types in Rome when I was young, and there was to savor, well I won't get into that.

[Twodees]

Should Luis' parents be denied citizenship assuming they can't speak English? I don't think so.

Oh, by all means, let's make an exception for the parents of people we know. Yes indeed, learning English should be a requirement of citizenship. And, BTW, there aren't any US military "war heroes" who don't speak English. You have to speak English to be allowed in the US military.

[Doctor Stochastic]

They have been speaking Spanish and living here long before your ancestors (or mine for that matter) showed up on this side of the pond. Why do you think you have the right to tell them how to speak?

Attacking people's language as Brock did (not suggesting that one might learn English too) is extremely insulting. Instead of just attacking Hispanics, why not try to convert them to vote for your ideas? Politics is personal. I know many Hispanics (and quite a few Asians since the Cox report) that hate the Democrats's policies but they hate the Republicans's personalities. I get comments like: "I fought at Bataan; this isn't good enough for the Republicans." And similar comments from other groups.

[Torie]

Ya John explained that to me. I reverted to interior lines of defense. Lawyers always have interior lines. It is a survival technique.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Funny, I use english on pool balls. I do speak English, though.

[Doctor Stochastic]

I should point out that Texas law has recognized wills in English, Spanish, German, Czech, and newly arrived languages too. You might start by telling the Texas legislature to remove the validity of the other documents.

[Torie]

Are you getting ready to blow me away on that kiss I blew Daschle's way, or heaven forbid, do you agree with me?

[Doctor Stochastic]

Don't worry about the personal attacks. It's a sign that the bigots haven't anything constructive to say.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Please refrain from telling me what I think. I have made no argument about the legality of the incorporation of NM into the US.

[rmlew]

I believe that the proper British term is billiards ball.

[rmlew]

I should point out that Texas law has recognized wills in English, Spanish, German, Czech, and newly arrived languages too. You might start by telling the Texas legislature to remove the validity of the other documents

Texas isn't the only state that does this. None should. Were it up to the voters, there would be English only laws. Unfortuinately, special interests and PC politicians pass all sorts of garbage.