Posted on 08/14/2008 11:32:33 AM PDT by Turret Gunner A20
Is VFW Post Phone MessageA VFW in Susquehanna County is drawing some attention because of its answering machine message. Some in Montrose wonder if it the right message.
The VFW near Montrose is a busy place along Route 706, a place where many in the area come to socialize. But some folks are questioning the post's answering machine message, saying it's not very social at all.
"Hello, this is Montrose VFW. We are an English speaking, American establishment. If you do not speak English or believe in America, please hang up," the message says.
"Racist. I mean, that's like, this is a free country, isn't it? That's what my understanding is," said Teresa Arthofer of Montrose. She wasn't happy hearing about the message, calling it unconstitutional.
"Does it say English speech? It just says freedom of speech. No where in there does it say freedom of English speech. It just says, freedom of speech," Arthofer added. [Boy!! now there's a whiz kid for ya!!]
"What do I think? I agree. If you're going to be in America, speak English," said Helen Warner of Springville. She added her grandparents had to learn English, why not everyone else.
"I mean, I have a hard time understanding some people and I think that if you live in a country, you should be able to speak the language and acclimate yourself to the country you're living in but I also think we need to have some patience and respect and understanding," said Laurie Farley of Montrose.
Newswatch 16 talk with VFW Post Commander John Miner about the message. "We are living in America, we should be able to speak English," he said. Miner added the message is meant for telemarketers who he said call all the time, often in broken English.
When asked if there was any chances they would change the message Miner said, "I don't believe so. I don't believe so. We're veterans of America."
The VFW post commander said the message has been on the machine for several months and so far, they have received no complaints.
“People are free to speak whatever they want. Just like we are free to listen or NOT.”
My take as well - You have no right to be heard, and especially have no right to make ME provide someone who understands your language.
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Amen!
I take it Ms. Arthofer doesn’t frequent her local VFW?
And I’d bet she called “Newswatch 16” to inform them of this huge story.
That and to flaunt her ignorance...
Susquehannah county - where is that ?
Are they a bunch of antipathetic, bitter Pennsylvanians?
That message would also discriminate against Scandinavians and Germans who are the racial ancestors of many of us “white” people.
Sounds like the town of Montrose still hasn't lost their idiot.
The VFW is not a Government subsidized agency. It is self funded - so the 1st Amendment DOES apply.
They get their money from dues, bingo, donations, etc. I do not believe they get any government money. Was trying to look it up, best I can tell, they get nothing.
I was a little confused about the question myself. Hard to figure out the double negatives.
You misunderstand me.
They are a private organization.
They can say whatever they like on their answering machine.
Just because some clown thinks it’s “racist” doesn’t make a bit of difference.
Just another comment from Liberal Bizzaro World.
Unfortunately, “unconstitutional” has become a euphemism for “,I don’t like it and think it should be illegal,” by people who have never read the document and don’t have any idea what it actually says. I’ve heard people claim that all sorts of silly things are unconstitutional, not only things that the Constitution is silent on but (like this idiot woman) but things that the Constitution clearly says are permitted.
I like your style.
The phone message is stupid because it’s counter-productive. Those who oppose illegal immigration need to get a clue and realize that the correct way to do things is to discredit people who support illegal immigration. Just leaving comments here isn’t going to do much good. You have to either get out there and ask politicians real questions (not rants), or you need to go to other sites and leave comments discrediting those on the other side.
For a tangible example, see my comments (”NoMoreBlatherDotCom”) here:
time-blog.com/swampland/2008/08/re_scholarship.html
If you want to have an impact, do things like that. If you just want to preach to the choir, do things like the VFW did.
Nope - why should we have to learn seventeen different languages and 252 dialects just to have someone communicate with us??????????
This is America - not England ........
Well, yeah - you don’t check your rights at the door when you enter the military. Military members retain the vast majority of rights that civilians have, and those we “give up” involve readiness and good order and discipline. The VFW isn’t a branch of government, it’s a private entity that’s given special tax treatment as a military fraternal order. There’s simply nothing legally wrong with their voicemail message.
Colonel, USAFR
No— illegals, the churches that help them, the politicians who help them, the scumbags who hire them are ALL offensive.
I agree completely.
It was just a bit of a generalization regarding swapping the Bill of Rights for the U.C.M.J.
And obviously nothing is illegal, I assume the writer is just trying to ignite a “public outcry” of fellow like-minded morons.
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