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Is VFW Post Phone Message Offensive?
WNEP -- Newswatch 16 ^ | Aug 6, 2008 | Norm Jones

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aliens; englishonly; language; veterans; vfw
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To: astyanax

2nd thought:
Perhaps the author has a grudge against Ms. Arthofer.
What better way to humiliate her than to quote her?


41 posted on 08/14/2008 1:48:27 PM PDT by astyanax (All play. No work.)
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To: SkyDancer

*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 ........
*

The one place I can think of that fits your hypothetical polyglot C.F. is India. And do you know what second language they learn so they CAN communicate?

English.

Oh, the Irony.


42 posted on 08/14/2008 2:11:32 PM PDT by j-damn
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To: j-damn

I guess it’s because India is some sort of clearing house for the world in IT ... but then too, English is the language of aviation world wide .... don’t care what country’s flag is on the plane that pilot better be able to speak English ....


43 posted on 08/14/2008 3:01:18 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("What Our Enemies Couldn't Do To Us Our Liberal Democrat Politicians Will")
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To: Rick.Donaldson

“that guy from the article can pound sand!”

he’s probably been pounding something else for a long time.

(imho)


44 posted on 08/14/2008 6:40:09 PM PDT by ripley
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To: astyanax; ozarkgirl
I phrased my comment poorly. I meant that they had no Consitutional obligation to render their voice mail message inoffensive to everyone.
45 posted on 08/14/2008 9:40:11 PM PDT by Borges
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To: Borges

Ahhhhh! I completely misunderstood you. My apologies.
And I agree 100%.


46 posted on 08/15/2008 6:41:49 AM PDT by astyanax (All play. No work.)
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To: Turret Gunner A20

Freedom of association applies to voicemail, too.


47 posted on 08/15/2008 6:42:37 AM PDT by MortMan (Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. - Alexander Hamilton)
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To: astyanax

Roger that - it does remind me a bit of the gulls in “Finding Nemo”: “Mine! Minemine!” Have a great weekend.

Colonel, USAFR


48 posted on 08/15/2008 6:53:57 AM PDT by jagusafr ("Bugs, Mr. Rico! Zillions of 'em!" - Robert Heinlein)
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To: Turret Gunner A20; sit-rep; Squantos; Eaker; Travis McGee; Jersey Republican Biker Chick; ...
Some in Montrose wonder if it the right message.

Some in Montrose are idiots.

49 posted on 08/15/2008 6:56:49 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: jagusafr

Thanks. You too, Sir.


50 posted on 08/15/2008 7:07:23 AM PDT by astyanax (All play. No work.)
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To: Larry Lucido
Thanks for the Ping, Larry....

I love the message!!

51 posted on 08/15/2008 7:26:18 AM PDT by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Some days it is not worth chewing through the restraints.)
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To: Turret Gunner A20; Owl_Eagle; Sam's Army; Darksheare; pissant; najida; r-q-tek86; blackie; ...

Veterans are AWESOME people....PING!!!


52 posted on 08/15/2008 7:28:30 AM PDT by Jersey Republican Biker Chick (Some days it is not worth chewing through the restraints.)
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To: Turret Gunner A20
"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.

I'm unhappy hearing about her comment and call her an idiot.

53 posted on 08/15/2008 7:33:24 AM PDT by retrokitten ("That could be any mayor!" - Mayor Quimby)
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

Yes, yes they are.


54 posted on 08/15/2008 7:37:41 AM PDT by autumnraine
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick
Veterans are AWESOME people....PING!!!

Absoluely. And I LOVE the answering machine message. Guaranteed to annoy the heck out of any bleeding heart scumbag liberal.

The truth strikes a pain deep in the heart of any liberal.

55 posted on 08/15/2008 7:45:13 AM PDT by Allegra (Goodness me, goodness me, industrial disease...)
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To: lonewacko_dot_com

It is an answering machine, not an “activist” machine.

It answers phone calls with a canned message. It cannot go out and speak to people.

You have seen an answering machine before haven’t you?


56 posted on 08/15/2008 7:48:43 AM PDT by Eaker (I'm voting for McCain because he is white.)
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To: Larry Lucido

agree...


57 posted on 08/15/2008 8:08:47 AM PDT by sit-rep
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To: Jersey Republican Biker Chick

“She wasn’t happy hearing about the message, calling it unconstitutional.”

Well then she CLEARLY doesn’t know a thing about the U.S. Constitution. The VFW is NOT a governmental entity. End of “constitutional” discussion.


58 posted on 08/15/2008 8:32:57 AM PDT by WayneS (Respect the 2nd Amendment; Repeal the 16th)
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To: Borges

Aha, that is very correct!


59 posted on 08/15/2008 9:30:10 AM PDT by ozarkgirl (If McCain can vote on the basis of principle and conscience over party, so can I.)
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To: Turret Gunner A20

God Bless the VFW!


60 posted on 08/15/2008 9:45:31 AM PDT by tioga
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