“Why is it that only Hispanics have a hard time learning English? I don’t hear; ‘press 3 to continue in Japanese,’ ‘press 4 to continue in Chinese,’ or ‘press 5 to continue in Hindu.’ The immigrants of these countries don’t seem to have a hard time learning English. I see the children of these immigrants winning spelling bee contests all over America. English is much closer, language-wise, to Spanish than it is to these other languages.”
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“Why do I have to be visually attacked by these people waving signs on street corners. Some of them are even dressed in cheap costumes. How ridiculous. Surely there must be some city ordinance forbidding this type of advertising. Enough already!”
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“People complaining about fireworks, loud music, barking dogs, etc., but nothing is more annoying than eating in a restaurant with ill-mannered people having no consideration for others by letting their kids run around screaming or gabbing on their cellphones so loud for everyone to hear.”
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“Beware all you elected candidates, we the people are watching and listening! You will bring back our core values and rule by the Constitution or there will be more change. We the people rule America. Remember, you work for us.”
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Your chance to sound off: E-mail Vent submissions to vent@evtrib.com
Dale Whiting posted at 7:40 am on Thu, Jan 20, 2011.
First Venter:
Perhaps Leon can explain. Leon, did you have to learn English as a second language? Perhaps we do not have as many Japanese, Chinese or Hindu and therefore accommodation is not justified. After all, most of these sorts of messages are heard on business lines [yes, some on government lines, too] and where business strives to accommodate the customer, “press 2 to continue” only makes sense! Now do you understand?
Second Venter:
On which corners do you see these signs and what do they read? Or do you pay attention? Where not, asking your question seems a bit narrow minded and short sighted.
Third Venter:
Try changing restaurants. Few of these sorts of problems occur in Gainey Ranch!
Fourth Venter:
Precisely who composes the group you label as “We the people?” And where you infer that this group will act to effect change, are you sure that they will vote? The most participatory group of voters are the elderly. They have sufficient time in hand to watch and listen. The rest of us are too busy trying to make ends meet. And precisely what do you mean by “Rule by the Constitution?” Were those Arizona legislators who voted in SB1070 abiding by the Constitution? As of now, key elements of SB1070 have been ruled as unconstitutional, not to the surprise of Constitutional Law authorities.
Freethinker posted at 5:13 pm on Thu, Jan 20, 2011.
Not having as many immigrants from other countries does not excuse the lazy attitude prevalent today.
My great-grandfather learned English at his own expense within weeks of arriving in this country.
Now we offer English learning courses for FREE, and these cockroaches STILL won't learn the language.
I would really like to know why, without the pro-illegal rhetoric.
Dale Whiting posted at 9:10 am on Fri, Jan 21, 2011.
Freethinker,
Did your great-grandfather come from a country which once owned this country? Thought not!
The decision to make accommodations for Spanish only speakers is an economic decision. Businesses can either make that accommodation or not, acting in whatever they preceive to be in the businesses best interests.
Freethinker posted at 9:04 am on Sat, Jan 22, 2011.
Dale Whiting wrote:
"The decision to make accommodations for Spanish only speakers is an economic decision"
That's all fine and dandy - but when businesses discriminate against hiring employees who only speak English, they are breaking the law.
Article 28 3B of the Arizona State Constitution:
B. A person shall not be discriminated against or penalized in any way because the person uses or attempts to use English in public or private communication.