READER COMMENTS

OMG
1. You insult Mr Vento's ethnicity?
2. You mandate how he runs his business?

1 - How can someone supply negative words towards someones ethnicity in a public forum and then question his 1st Amendment rights? You have asserted your 1st Amendment rights and I support that, but do not question the rights of others because you do not subscribe. If anyone were to question his grandparents about the problems they faced with language barriers, they would probably tell us horror stories, BUT I am just as sure that they made every effort to make sure their children spoke English as this was a key to success in their new country. (hopefully legally here)

2 - I find it very difficult that individuals are so easy to demand and eventually legislate how a Mom and Pop establishment run their business. I hope that Mr Vento continues his right to run such business as he sees fit. A very good reference is the Mom and Pop eating and drinking establishments that are being destroyed by the smoking ban. The prediction from the proponents of the ban that attendance would increase after the smoking ban??.......hmmmmm

As a reminder to anyone not have read the Bill of Rights lately, here is Amendment 1: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. "

(As an aside, notice there is no right to be heard. Only a right to speak. People do not have to listen.)

I would say that Mr. Vento is well within his consititutional rights to display that sign in the window of his business. That being said - If he refused someone service (and he has stated in numerous interviews that he does not refuse anyone service) based upon langague, they would have legal recourse.

Now, having traveled throughout the world I know full well the value of having the local populace being able to speak english instead of the local language. However, that is not reality in most places. The same reason why applies here. What other languages do you want displayed or spoken? There are several major world languages and dozens of minor languagues.
What about the largest world population - China and all their dialects, or India, or Spanish, or English, or French, or German, or Russian, or Arabic? The list goes on and on.

Also, do we what the societal problems that Canada has because it is against the law to use any language other than French in Quebec when doing any offical business while the rest of the country speaks English?

One of the earliest acts of the Continental Congress was to chose what language to use for offical business in the new country. They had main choices - English or German - They chose English.

Now, over 200 years later, we as country are faced with the same sitution. This time caused by a massive influx of Spanish speaking peoples who, it seems, do not want to learn the language of the country but want the country to bend to their will and have two language systems.

A country as large and diverse as this one needs a common language or we will not be a common country. If we decide on two languages (say English and Spanish), will this mean that all other speakers will have to learn one or both of this to live here? Or do we set up enclaves in all major metro areas for the various languages? Doesn't sound like a common country then does it.

"Now, over 200 years later, we as country are faced with the same sitution. This time caused by a massive influx of Spanish speaking peoples who, it seems, do not want to learn the language of the country but want the country to bend to their will and have two language systems."

You have any evidence of this? Or just another story about a boogeyman? Why don't you read some American history before mythologizing yesterday's immigrants and disparaging today's immigrants? You might find your story has been told before.

Dear Anderson - I could not help but notice that you did not provide any evidence to the contrary. Examples please.

Just One Americans thoughts on immigration within the last 200 yrs. This is not the entire speech but a small piece of that speech

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes
here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us,
he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is
an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or
birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's
becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an
American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he
is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We
have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but
one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room
for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American
people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Yeah, yeah. About 100 years ago (during our nation's greatest influx of immigrants) there were dozens of immigrant newsletters published in Denver (See Colorado: A History of the Centennial State-3rd Ed. Abbott, Leonard and McComb). There were two Italian newspapers for an whopping immigrant population of 15,000 (See Westward the Immigrants--Italian Adventures and Colonists in an Expanding America--Rolle). I guess that means they were all busting their butt to learn English.

Around this time, some German immigrants in America (e.g., in Texas and Kansas City) lobbied to form German-only public schools (Ibid)

Well, the immigrants newsletters didn't survive, and the German schools didn't get off the ground but let's mythologize about yesteryear anyway. Oh, and from that time (and before) the same arguments were made as today--that (whoever was the latest wave of immigrants) were going to wreck our language, and culture. Well, it didn't happen.

And for those who say "they" don't want to learn English, who are "they"? Does the fact you heard someone speak Spanish mean the entire Latino population doesn't know and want to learn English? Hardly. Immigration is a transitive experience. You don't get off the boat or cross the boarder and instantly speak English no more than we would start speaking French by flying into Paris. History tells us first generation some immigrants learn better than others (i.e., they're not all the same), but the next generation is fully acculturated and fully literate in English (how could they be otherwise)?

So what do you propose Anderson???? See I can answer a question or discussion with a question of my own. See it doesnt resolve the issue initially stated...........but hey dont think a solutions based agenda is in your best interests. So lets get to your points

You said last 200 yrs....well that was within 200 yrs (lets see 2007 - 1907 = 100....yep within 200 yrs)
Not sure where anyone in this specific forum claimed that people now did not want to learn English......... so cant answer your question there......... Now that we have been asked to be your research bitch.......anything else?

Now can we get back on track with what the original letter contained? or do we need to divert to side discussions and side questions to divert us from a focused conversation?/?

Anderson - I thank you for your thoughts on my speech. I was not intending a complete history lesson of immigration to the United States. Nor am I imaging a "boogeyman" to use your words. Being tri-lingual myself, English, French and Spanish, I have listened to Spanish language broadcast and read the Blogs and there is a growing minority of immigrants that are insistant that their culture, to include language, come first.

A major tenet of a triving country is a common language. This does not mean that there is no room for people to maintain cultural norms in their homes and communities.

I dont understand the big deal about the sign. Part of my family came from Italy and they had to learn english in order to function in the US. Just like everyone else at that time. Yes, it was hard but they are proud they overcame that hurlde. They spoke better english then most people these days. The other half of my family is Scottish and while they spoke english they had to work on the accent a little. Not the same but still. The sign didnt say they would refuse service and if anything, this might help a few non english speaking citizens improve their language skills by making them learn. It just seems like a situation blown way out of proportion. People complain about the littlest of things these days. Then you hear the dreaded "first amendment" excuse. I fully admit I dont know the whole thing but you would have thought this man had said "whites only" on the sign at the rate some are complaining. It's a sandwich store for crying out loud. Save the first amendment speil for something a little more important and let that man run his business how he wants. I tihnk some just wait for stories like this just so they can b*tch about something and cry fowl. I am the child of immigrants and hell, I say learn english if you live here. Or at least try.

Anonymous, I'm saying the desire for some immigrants to preserve their culture is nothing new at all. That's why there were Italian and Slovenian newsletters (as well as others) and Germans who wanted their own schools. There's a good discussion of this in the Westard Immigrants book (pps 295-337). I've seen no evidence that today's immigrants are any different.

Most of us who are now adults grew up in a world where there were fewer immigrants than there was at the beginning of the 20th century (when my Swedish grandparents emigrated), so it may be disconcerting to encounter those who express a different culture. But American history extends beyond just our lifetimes.

LouLee: I'm not going to comment on the writer's letter because I'm not sure what point he's making but as to the shop owner's sign (or any speech for that matter) one must consider context and intent--not just the literal expression. As for others "blowing it out of proportion", I think the shop owner probably wanted to make a big deal out his sign, and that's what he's getting.

Vento is a dork!

Geno's Steak House started doing this last June 2006. Where have you been Rob Weber??? The story is old news and has become totally irrelevant.

So now name calling? You may know Mr Vento personally and can make that accusation, but most of us do not. But he does reserve the same rights under the Constitution that you so brilliantly expressed in your comments

Anyone who is going to get as upset as Mr Weber is about a fellow citizen expressing an opinion might want to consider moving to a country where free speech is neither protected nor encouraged. As to whether Vento has made a wise business move, that is for his customers to decide, not us.

When Americans go overseas they often bring a phrase book to help with menus that are not in English. I get the impression that if Mr. Weber went overseas and found a restaurant that did not offer an English menu, he'd be so offended that his head would explode. It obviously wouldn't occur to him to just learn a few words of another language.

Immigration illegal or otherwise from the southern United States Border and legal immigration from over 3000 miles of ocean over 100 years ago is like comparing apples to doorknobs. Aside from the geographic and chronological difference, just take a look at the contemporary numbers, legal and illegal, mindblowing.

Comparing immigration(legal or illegal) from the southern United States border in this day in age to legal immigration from over 3000 miles of ocean in Europe over 100 years ago and past, is like comparing apples to doorknobs, not only geographically and chronologically ,but numerically.

Thank you Ben and, Mr. Anderson. I agree with you both and could not have expressed myself better.It is very refreshing to know that there are people like your selves who look beyond skin color. I being an american of hispanic decent,whose blood-line can be traced back seven generations when colorado was not even a state have been shouted down and told to go back to Mexcio... Well guess what ? I have never even been to Mexcio nor do I have family there. With all the hate being spewed by bigots these days, yes BIGOTS, I wonder how long it will be before they start calling for all the spanish named states and cities of the southwest united-states to be changed to english names ? As for Mr. Vento's sign, you all damn well know who he is targeting............Wet back???? Who are you calling a wet-back, Pilgram ????

Regarding Mr. Weber's letter:

It does apper that there are a tremendous number of people that, despite being in the United States, are uninterested in learning English. Encounters with such individuals, is to say the least, frustrating.

It should always be remembered that a common language is one of the principle threads that holds a nation together. Without a common language, it is nearly impossible for the members of a society to communicate amongst themselves and discuss important matters. Further, a language helps to define a nation and create a sense of commonality. With this in mind, the importance of learning English, if one plans to reside in the US, appears to be obvious.

The fact that so many seem unwilling to learn English is really more indictitive of the accomodations that are afforded to non-English speakers. Most of this accomodation takes place in the business community. In light of the situation, this has become a questionable practice.

as long as the illegals are only allowed to serve fries and work ard labor for cheap $$ i am just fine with that.

remember most of it all goes back to mexico anyway!

we should REVOKE ALL handouts to them and say if you want to come here and work, fine, but we will give you NOTHING for free.

I get no free health care, schooling ( just because I pay sales taxes )

Now, let me see if I have this straight here. Some 400 or so years ago, a bunch of white men, speaking Spanish, overran what today is known as Mexico, wiped out the Native cultures; destroyed as much of the Native equivalent of literature and art as possible by burning it - and a good many Natives as well - in "Holy Inquisition bonfires"; enslaved as many as possible of the Native population; and made Spanish the "mandatory language" in the Southern part of the Western Continents. But, that was just fine; since after all, it was white "Christians" missionizing the benighted heathen at the time.

And then, in the next 200 to 300 years, another bunch of white invaders came along to the Northern half of the Western Continents. And they too wiped out the Native cultures, insofar as possible; destroyed as much of the Native traditions as they could - including having their own form of "Holy bonfire" for those who would oppose them; enslaved a goodly number of the Native population to begin with; made "Treaties" with those not enslaved, which "Treaties" uprooted whole Native populations from what the white invaders wanted to grab in the way of land and resources, and thrust the Natives onto plots of land mostly unsuitable for basic living; violated every "Treaty" ever made, including wholesale kidnapping of Native children to force them into white run schools, where any form of Native expression was severely punished, and where ENGLISH was the mandatory language. But again,that was/is just fine; because here, it was after all, white Protestants missionizing the "benighted heathen" this time around up North.

So now, if I have it straight, the basic argument is, simply, Force, and Might, make "right"; and the outward display of a mandatory SINGLE LANGUAGE is the proof of it.

Gee Whiz! Government, sociology, and politics are really simple after all. One little 60 second sound bite, "Mandatory English", is the answer to everything!

But . . . just a little question here? In the South (Mexico) we have, for the most part anyway, a few centures of "mandatory Spanish" as the way of life. Why then, are people there seeking to come here for a better life?

Geno is old school. We need more of him. American culture has become complacent in it's defense.

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