"No one gave Hispanics an English test before they sent them to Iraq...

[Bluebear]

to fight for America!!!"

GO AL!

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Beautiful!!!!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------
An open letter to John Kerry, John Edwards, and the DNC:
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/OpenLetter.htm

[Disandra]

2. WOW...

So, all Hispanics should be tested to see if they speak English?

I must be in the minority because I am not only able to speak the language, but read and write it as well.

[Cybergata]

4. Haven't you heard of the English on Bills?

A group tried to get the bill introduced here in New Mexico. Haaa.. The New Mexico Constitution states that we are a bilingual state. They would need to pass an amendment before they could get English only laws passes. It will be a cold, rainy day in hell before that happens.

:hippie:

[Disandra]

5. Yes I have...

And (I know I'm gonna get flamed for this), but it is my belief that if you live in a country, you should learn the language. After all, if I went to go live in France, Germany, Mexico, Panama, etc. I would damned well be sure I did everything I could to learn to speak the native tongue.

Now, before anyone gets on my butt about this, please read what I have to say carefully:

1) I'm sick and tired of people assuming I don't speak English. This statement (maybe taken out of context, I do not know because I haven't seen the speech) is a prime example of what I am talking about. It is a racist statement from mine, and many other "brown" (I hate the term "Hispanic" but that is for another rant at another time) people. The attitude is: "Oh, you are a brown person, you don't speak English and even if you wanted to, you are a dumb ass and couldn't learn it. Now go and mow my lawn." My dad, in an effort to make my life easier, never taught me Spanish (which, I'm a bit miffed at right now, but I am learning *g* and I understand his reasoning) because of this attitude.

2) I believe in funding quality English As A Second Language classes. I don't believe in forcing people to give up their culture and way of life just because they come to the States. I do believe, however, that in order to take advantage of the opportunities here, you must learn to speak the language properly. Learning a second language does not take away from one's own cultural legacy. Encouraging new immigrants to learn English is not racist. In fact, it may be one of the most welcoming of gestures. (See #3).

3) I believe that most immigrants, given the chance, would jump at the opportunity for these classes. When my dad first came here, he and his family were given an opportunity to learn the language from classes given at a local church. Their experience (and many others) has been "WOW! These people not only welcome me into their country, but are willing to take the time so to teach me to communicate with them."

However, some will not. I work in a retail sales job and some guy cursed me soundly in Spanish (I knew enough to understand what he was saying) because I didn't speak his language today. This is not an isolated incident. Why should those people who come to this country and don't bother to learn the language be catered to? I also have people who come to me, and who are learning the language and trying very hard to communicate their needs. They rock, not only because they are in a foreign country trying to understand foreign ways, but it kicks ass when you are able to help them out (through very broken English, Spanish and a weird sign language). They are the ones that we should spend money on education as opposed to making sure that the others are catered to.

Furthermore, there is the safety issue. Not every fire, police, etc. department have translators for every language there is. Now, putting myself in their shoes for a moment, I would want to know the primary language spoken so I could get aid to someone in need (or myself).

/rant mode off, putting on flame-proof underware

[Cybergata]

6. Please don't forget..

that Spanish has been spoken in places in the U.S. Southwest close to 200 years before the U.S. occupied this areas. I agree that people need to learn to speak English, but the English Only Laws are far more racist than compelling people to learn English.

I have taught many students who came from south of the border and believe me they want to learn English. But for a country that has been built by people from some many countries to have a racist English Only Law is a smack in the face to all those people. Americans aren't just English.

:hippie:

[Misunderestimator]

7. F*ck that! Other countries give great latitude to our narcissistic idea

that everyone should speak English.

[dsewell]

3. My moronic congressman disagrees

Virgil Goode, who introduced a bill this session to make English the official language of the country.

One more reason we need to get Al Weed into his seat this November.

www.alweed2004.com

[UTUSN]

8. Kick and Kick Again n/t