U.S. citizens should speak English, but this is too far

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
I could be wrong, but I think Garcia is just baiting you. Where in Billerica can his kids go to school all in Spanish? I don't know of any school in the area, not even a private one, where this is possible. Could be wrong, but I think he is trying to **** people off and he's probably some a mutt.

You might be right but I do know some people think that way, there was an editorial in USA Today a while back, written by a guy who was born and raised in Brownsville, TX. Served in the Army but still considered himself Mexican first. He is not alone and they are not the only group who think that way. I am all for immigration but you have to choose, if you want to be American first, welcome, if you want to be something else first, please leave and free up a seat.

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
Wrong again. I AM an immigrant.

That doesn't make you a friend of immigrants. Is Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton really a friend of the African American population or just trying to fill their own pockets. You seem to express yourself well. Why not demand that all immigrants do and put rule sin that require them to use English? It is financially worthwhile for them to do it. And it seems tough love and not is enabling is required sincetoo many don't work on their language skills after being here for years.

mike westford wrote:

<quoted text>sorry a couple if keys stick

Oh. I had that problem. It's probably that you have accidentally turned on your "sticky keys" function (no kidding). Google "sticky keys" and it will tell you how to turn this function off permanently from your control panel. Good luck.

Interested Observer wrote:

<quoted text>
That doesn't make you a friend of immigrants. Is Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton really a friend of the African American population or just trying to fill their own pockets. You seem to express yourself well. Why not demand that all immigrants do and put rule sin that require them to use English? It is financially worthwhile for them to do it. And it seems tough love and not is enabling is required sincetoo many don't work on their language skills after being here for years.

Nice try, but now you are stretching it. Every single immigrant I know WANTS to learn the language. We are terrified of not understanding what is going on or of having a problem and needing help. But, it takes time and some people just stink at it. I'm lucky, I seem to have a talent for it. But I still walk around nervous all the time, especially when people treat me badly (which happens at least once a week). You can't make it a law for someone to speak a language they are just learning or can't seem to master. Cut people a break and give them time and encouragement instead of bashing them. Since Mexicans have been coming to America as immigrants for at least a hundred years, do you really think none of them have learned English? The ones who don't speak English yet didn't arrive a hundred years ago. It makes no sense to be mad at these people and only adds to their stress and frustration. All of their children eventually learn English (parents can't teach them a language they haven't mastered yet) and the cycle of immigration and integration continues as it has for centuries in America.

Eric Stratton III wrote:

<quoted text>
You might be right but I do know some people think that way, there was an editorial in USA Today a while back, written by a guy who was born and raised in Brownsville, TX. Served in the Army but still considered himself Mexican first. He is not alone and they are not the only group who think that way. I am all for immigration but you have to choose, if you want to be American first, welcome, if you want to be something else first, please leave and free up a seat.

I can't really comment on the USA Today article since I didn't see it, so I'll take your word for it. But I can say that the Irish, French-Candians and Greeks saw themselves as Irish, French-Candadian and Greek first for generations. Ethnic identity was an important part of American history. People who come from a history of intermarriage and people who know longer see this as relevant have a hard time understanding what it means to others. But it is also unrealistic to expect a black, asian, or even a very Mexican-looking person to not see themselves this way since the rest of society sees them this way first? I have a biracial friend who sees herself as either "white" or doesn't think about it at all. But everyone else in America sees her as black, she can't escape these labels. We do come from different backgrounds and shouldn't be ashamed of it. But one can be a patriotic Mexican American, Irish American, or any other multiple identity. Or you can just be a plain American, but please don't tell others they can't be proud of their heritage and have it as part of their identity.

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
I can't really comment on the USA Today article since I didn't see it, so I'll take your word for it. But I can say that the Irish, French-Candians and Greeks saw themselves as Irish, French-Candadian and Greek first for generations. Ethnic identity was an important part of American history. People who come from a history of intermarriage and people who know longer see this as relevant have a hard time understanding what it means to others. But it is also unrealistic to expect a black, asian, or even a very Mexican-looking person to not see themselves this way since the rest of society sees them this way first? I have a biracial friend who sees herself as either "white" or doesn't think about it at all. But everyone else in America sees her as black, she can't escape these labels. We do come from different backgrounds and shouldn't be ashamed of it. But one can be a patriotic Mexican American, Irish American, or any other multiple identity. Or you can just be a plain American, but please don't tell others they can't be proud of their heritage and have it as part of their identity.

Sorry, totally dis-agree. I have Irish heritage in me, I am not Irish and the Irish that did come here did think in those terms and that is who T. Roosevelt was talking about specifically when he spoke about a person loving another country as much as his own is akin to a married man loving another woman as much as his wife. HERITAGE is one thing, priority for what you consider your nation is another and all to often people want to live here but not be American first. I will tell people to choose and will continue to do so. Heritage is history, a part of your past. Saying that they should hold onto it forever and not assimilate is silly and dangerous. By your reasoning the various ethnic slavic groups who come over here should bring the hatred they have for each other to the states since it is part of there "heritage". Maybe since the many very conservative muslims who come over who have a very different view on how woman are held up, we should allow them to continue to arrange marriages, marry multiple wives, abuse them, I mean, it is part of there "heritage" and a cultural norm in many Middle Eastern Countries, so why not right? Perhaps you would like to allow other groups to bring over other parts of the culture they have that are totally counter-productive to a Western Society too? Where does it end?! Your whole view is a silly PC version of the "tossed salad" over the "melting pot". I am a strong melting pot person, you can come here and no matter where you are from as long as you embrace our ideals and eventually assimilate you are an American, does not matter your skin color or place or birth or what God you worship. That is what is great about this county. What people like you want to do is have a bunch of various ethnic "tribes" who just happen to live in the same country. Does not work and is counter productive to what this country is about and if you read a little thing called history it does not bode well for the nations that try to have ethnic tribes without common cause and views for long.

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
I have been speaking a foreign language for ten years now and I WILL NEVER BE FLUENT ENOUGH to understand complicated medical terminology, especially when I am sick, nervous, and in the emergency room. You are just angry and want people to die. Luckily, American doctors and their hospitals have more generous hearts and want people to LIVE, no matter what language they speak.

Hahah, you are an idiot. I don't want people to die, nor am I angry. Life is too short for that.
My point is, speak the language or leave.
Live it, learn it, speak it!

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
Oh. I had that problem. It's probably that you have accidentally turned on your "sticky keys" function (no kidding). Google "sticky keys" and it will tell you how to turn this function off permanently from your control panel. Good luck.

thanks it works haa ha

It has made me increasingly saddened by all the veiled (and not so veiled) racist and prejudicial comments I've read in these comments. While I am glad that people are open (I've always preferred the devil I know instead of the devil I don't)...I can't believe in a country where immigration is the only way that over 99% of you are here is so jaded. If we really want to think about this issue properly...we should all change our names to Native American names and learn to speak THEIR tongues/languages. Anglos (from varied European countries) came to this country and not only killed of the people who lived here but made everyone adapt to THEIR ways. Since that time anyone who came here was told to adapt or be mistreated, enslaved, killed, etc.(slaves, Ellis island immigrants, etc.) Can I ask what is an American name...because anything ending in "kos" is clearly Greek (or a country nearby), "ski" clearly Polish/maybe German...so what is American enough a last name?

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
I can't really comment on the USA Today article since I didn't see it, so I'll take your word for it. But I can say that the Irish, French-Candians and Greeks saw themselves as Irish, French-Candadian and Greek first for generations. Ethnic identity was an important part of American history. People who come from a history of intermarriage and people who know longer see this as relevant have a hard time understanding what it means to others. But it is also unrealistic to expect a black, asian, or even a very Mexican-looking person to not see themselves this way since the rest of society sees them this way first? I have a biracial friend who sees herself as either "white" or doesn't think about it at all. But everyone else in America sees her as black, she can't escape these labels. We do come from different backgrounds and shouldn't be ashamed of it. But one can be a patriotic Mexican American, Irish American, or any other multiple identity. Or you can just be a plain American, but please don't tell others they can't be proud of their heritage and have it as part of their identity.

It's fine to be proud of your Heritage, it's fine to speak your native tongue. In fact, I think that it's admirable and anyone that is proud of who they are and where they came from should be commended. But, when you move to any country, you need to learn their primary language and not expect others to learn yours. If you want to speak your own language that bad, stay in your native country or use it to speak with those that know your language. Don't be arrogant and entitled and expect everyone to accomodate you. There are just too many cultures in the USA to accomodate everyone and English is the most widely spread language and has been spoken since the founding of this nation.

With that said, You should not move to any country anywhere in the world from wherever you come from and expect that country to make special accomodations for you - NEVER! When you are in another country, you are a stranger in a strange land and you need to acclimate yourself to their culture and language. You don't have to let go of your own, but don't be so arrogant as to expect them to change for you. If you need to be surrounded by your native culture, you need to go back to where that culture is practiced. You can't just move into a new country and expect them to change their culture to suit you, that would be an arrogant, entitlement mentality and is unacceptable.

In a nutshell, If your native culture and country were so good that you want to take it all with you, then why did you leave it in the first place? If it was flawed enough for you to leave and go to another country, then why try to force it on the new country? You'll just end up right back where you were when you left. Then where you going to go? Are you going to find somewhere else to ruin?

As far as the original story goes, that Hotel owner is a complete dolt. Asking anyone to "Americanize" their name is completely moronic.

Split Decision wrote:

<quoted text>
It's fine to be proud of your Heritage, it's fine to speak your native tongue. In fact, I think that it's admirable and anyone that is proud of who they are and where they came from should be commended. But, when you move to any country, you need to learn their primary language and not expect others to learn yours. If you want to speak your own language that bad, stay in your native country or use it to speak with those that know your language. Don't be arrogant and entitled and expect everyone to accomodate you. There are just too many cultures in the USA to accomodate everyone and English is the most widely spread language and has been spoken since the founding of this nation.
With that said, You should not move to any country anywhere in the world from wherever you come from and expect that country to make special accomodations for you - NEVER! When you are in another country, you are a stranger in a strange land and you need to acclimate yourself to their culture and language. You don't have to let go of your own, but don't be so arrogant as to expect them to change for you. If you need to be surrounded by your native culture, you need to go back to where that culture is practiced. You can't just move into a new country and expect them to change their culture to suit you, that would be an arrogant, entitlement mentality and is unacceptable.
In a nutshell, If your native culture and country were so good that you want to take it all with you, then why did you leave it in the first place? If it was flawed enough for you to leave and go to another country, then why try to force it on the new country? You'll just end up right back where you were when you left. Then where you going to go? Are you going to find somewhere else to ruin?
As far as the original story goes, that Hotel owner is a complete dolt. Asking anyone to "Americanize" their name is completely moronic.

Well said and in English Too!

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
Nice try, but now you are stretching it. Every single immigrant I know WANTS to learn the language. We are terrified of not understanding what is going on or of having a problem and needing help. But, it takes time and some people just stink at it. I'm lucky, I seem to have a talent for it. But I still walk around nervous all the time, especially when people treat me badly (which happens at least once a week). You can't make it a law for someone to speak a language they are just learning or can't seem to master. Cut people a break and give them time and encouragement instead of bashing them. Since Mexicans have been coming to America as immigrants for at least a hundred years, do you really think none of them have learned English? The ones who don't speak English yet didn't arrive a hundred years ago. It makes no sense to be mad at these people and only adds to their stress and frustration. All of their children eventually learn English (parents can't teach them a language they haven't mastered yet) and the cycle of immigration and integration continues as it has for centuries in America.

If they want to then why don't they? You see 2nd generation here without good English skills. Many first generation immigrants here for 5 or 10 or 15 years don't have English skills. I think if they wanted to learn they could and would. We make it too easy for them not to learn and in fact many don't even want to.

Eric Stratton III wrote:

<quoted text>
Sorry, totally dis-agree. I have Irish heritage in me, I am not Irish and the Irish that did come here did think in those terms and that is who T. Roosevelt was talking about specifically when he spoke about a person loving another country as much as his own is akin to a married man loving another woman as much as his wife. HERITAGE is one thing, priority for what you consider your nation is another and all to often people want to live here but not be American first. I will tell people to choose and will continue to do so. Heritage is history, a part of your past. Saying that they should hold onto it forever and not assimilate is silly and dangerous. By your reasoning the various ethnic slavic groups who come over here should bring the hatred they have for each other to the states since it is part of there "heritage". Maybe since the many very conservative muslims who come over who have a very different view on how woman are held up, we should allow them to continue to arrange marriages, marry multiple wives, abuse them, I mean, it is part of there "heritage" and a cultural norm in many Middle Eastern Countries, so why not right? Perhaps you would like to allow other groups to bring over other parts of the culture they have that are totally counter-productive to a Western Society too? Where does it end?! Your whole view is a silly PC version of the "tossed salad" over the "melting pot". I am a strong melting pot person, you can come here and no matter where you are from as long as you embrace our ideals and eventually assimilate you are an American, does not matter your skin color or place or birth or what God you worship. That is what is great about this county. What people like you want to do is have a bunch of various ethnic "tribes" who just happen to live in the same country. Does not work and is counter productive to what this country is about and if you read a little thing called history it does not bode well for the nations that try to have ethnic tribes without common cause and views for long.

The Greek American Veterans of Lowell and the Polish American Veterans of Lowell (and the thousand who have belonged to these organizations all over at least the northeast) would strongly disagree. Nationality is not the same as ethnicity/race, just as gender is another part of one's identity. You insult the very men who fought in America's wars who were proud of ALL of who they were; they are/were patriotic men who risked their lives. And, of course, Teddy Roosevelt prided himself on his Anglo-Saxon heritage which he felt made him superior.

White Power!!!

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
The Greek American Veterans of Lowell and the Polish American Veterans of Lowell (and the thousand who have belonged to these organizations all over at least the northeast) would strongly disagree. Nationality is not the same as ethnicity/race, just as gender is another part of one's identity. You insult the very men who fought in America's wars who were proud of ALL of who they were; they are/were patriotic men who risked their lives. And, of course, Teddy Roosevelt prided himself on his Anglo-Saxon heritage which he felt made him superior.

Nice try to say it is an insult, I am in the service right now sweety and they would not disagree. They are from a bygone era and are as outdated as your ideals. The concentration on ethnicity and race is a problem that we should attempt to move beyond in the country. A country of immigrants needs to concentrate on what makes us alike and what we have in common, not what makes us different. As for TR, he was American first, never called himself anything but and the Irish are pretty much 100% assimilated, as are the greeks, etc...that should be the goal. Yet, we still have Greek Restaurants, Irish Bars, etc..wow, you mean you can be assimilated and not have things go wrong?! lol I like how you try to persuade and bring up red herrings like TR's bigotry or maybe that Hyphenated Americans have there own Vet lodges, makes it easier than looking at the point that you have to choose, have to make a call about where the loyalty lies and that your ideals are defunct, have never worked in history and that in the United States we need to work on being One Nation, not a bunch of tribes who live in the same place which you seem to want. People like you are the reason the pols can play to ethnic divisions and play sides against each other instead of what is good for the country as a whole. The Germans are still the largest ethnic group in the US, what if they had not wanted us to enter WWII? They and the Irish did not want us to enter WWI and many were against going into WWII, what if we didn't? Your views need to go into the dustbin of PC history. Knowing your ancestory and family history, where you came from is one thing, owing loyalty to more than one country is another. If you are so concerned with keeping your culture and heritage, why are you here? Why are you not living in whatever country you came from? I will answer that for you, because America is one of 3 countries in the world that you can move to that will accept anyone. It offers the most freedom and opportunity of any place in the world and in the end, after traveling to Europe, Africa, over N. America and other places, nothing comes close to us. That is why you live here. Embrace the ideals and culture of this country over your past, if you are not willing to do this, please give up your seat for the many people I have seen that are.

Dr Mo wrote:

<quoted text>
I could be wrong, but I think Garcia is just baiting you. Where in Billerica can his kids go to school all in Spanish? I don't know of any school in the area, not even a private one, where this is possible. Could be wrong, but I think he is trying to **** people off and he's probably some a mutt.

I work in Billerica. I commute from Boston.

Eric Stratton III wrote:

<quoted text>
Nice try to say it is an insult, I am in the service right now sweety and they would not disagree. They are from a bygone era and are as outdated as your ideals.

Look, you wrong. Look at this way. American is system based on majority. We're becoming the majority. When we become the majority, the spanish will become representative of most Americans, so the spanish will then be the right language. You see? You must have more babies than us. You are not as many as before. It is like that man darwin says about natural selection. Its not our fault. Its not your fault. It just is reality of situation. We speak the spanish, we have more of the babies, we pushing you out by the accident. America is proper for seeing this. The majority is represented rightly.

If you don't like, then you can go to law and change and make the english right language. If you just sit there and complain and do nothing, then be quiet. You don't take part in the system of the government...BUT I DO. I go to the vote. I read the news. I pay attention to the politics. You just sit here and complain and do nothing about it...just like majority of you...enjoy while lasts, soon the spanish will be the right language and the majority will be us.

Split Decision wrote:

<quoted text>
It's fine to be proud of your Heritage, it's fine to speak your native tongue. In fact, I think that it's admirable and anyone that is proud of who they are and where they came from should be commended. But, when you move to any country, you need to learn their primary language and not expect others to learn yours. If you want to speak your own language that bad, stay in your native country or use it to speak with those that know your language. Don't be arrogant and entitled and expect everyone to accomodate you. There are just too many cultures in the USA to accomodate everyone and English is the most widely spread language and has been spoken since the founding of this nation.
With that said, You should not move to any country anywhere in the world from wherever you come from and expect that country to make special accomodations for you - NEVER! When you are in another country, you are a stranger in a strange land and you need to acclimate yourself to their culture and language. You don't have to let go of your own, but don't be so arrogant as to expect them to change for you. If you need to be surrounded by your native culture, you need to go back to where that culture is practiced. You can't just move into a new country and expect them to change their culture to suit you, that would be an arrogant, entitlement mentality and is unacceptable.
In a nutshell, If your native culture and country were so good that you want to take it all with you, then why did you leave it in the first place? If it was flawed enough for you to leave and go to another country, then why try to force it on the new country? You'll just end up right back where you were when you left. Then where you going to go? Are you going to find somewhere else to ruin?
As far as the original story goes, that Hotel owner is a complete dolt. Asking anyone to "Americanize" their name is completely moronic.

Look, you wrong. Look at this way. American is system based on majority. We're becoming the majority. When we become the majority, the spanish will become representative of most Americans, so the spanish will then be the right language. You see? You must have more babies than us. You are not as many as before. It is like that man darwin says about natural selection. Its not our fault. Its not your fault. It just is reality of situation. We speak the spanish, we have more of the babies, we pushing you out by the accident. America is proper for seeing this. The majority is represented rightly.

If you don't like, then you can go to law and change and make the english right language. If you just sit there and complain and do nothing, then be quiet. You don't take part in the system of the government...BUT I DO. I go to the vote. I read the news. I pay attention to the politics. You just sit here and complain and do nothing about it...just like majority of you...enjoy while lasts, soon the spanish will be the right language and the majority will be us.

Troll alert!!!

Just ignore him, his mother should be home soon and make him get off the computer.

Garcia wrote:

<quoted text>
Look, you wrong. Look at this way. American is system based on majority. We're becoming the majority. When we become the majority, the spanish will become representative of most Americans, so the spanish will then be the right language. You see? You must have more babies than us. You are not as many as before. It is like that man darwin says about natural selection. Its not our fault. Its not your fault. It just is reality of situation. We speak the spanish, we have more of the babies, we pushing you out by the accident. America is proper for seeing this. The majority is represented rightly.
If you don't like, then you can go to law and change and make the english right language. If you just sit there and complain and do nothing, then be quiet. You don't take part in the system of the government...BUT I DO. I go to the vote. I read the news. I pay attention to the politics. You just sit here and complain and do nothing about it...just like majority of you...enjoy while lasts, soon the spanish will be the right language and the majority will be us.

Yeah, OK. The Mexicans thought that from 1846 to 1848 too. Ive got 4 words for you:

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Go research that and while you are at it:

http://tinyurl.com/yl4u2wz