English-Learn it!

[Jrob78]

Tim James is a gubernatorial candidate from the great state of Alabama. He's raised a lot of controversy with his new political add stating that the drivers license exam will only be given in English if he's elected.

Living in Texas this hits pretty close to home as we are faced with growing illegal immigration and a large group of people that seemingly wish to open the borders to whomever.

Obviously this country is made up of immigrants from all over the world. The difference is, those immigrants assimilated to form the U.S that we know today. Is it too much to ask that if you come to this country seeking work and a better life that you at least try to fit in? Doesn't it make sense that if you are going to get a drivers license you at least be able to read the street signs?

Not trying to start a heated political debate and I don't know anything else about Tim James but I think it is really refreshing to have someone say what many of us have been thinking for a long time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9ohsvJHkbY

[bassinbob]

It's coming. Street signs in English and Spanish. He'd get my vote if I lived there.

[zooker]

yep BELIVE it. it is going to happen..i had to learn spanish for work, had an ecellent el-salvadorian teacher..

remember there is something like 11+millon mexicans in the US.

zooker

[BassinNC]

It has gottin way out of hand. If they want a better life so bad they could atleast come here legally.

[BassMoJo]

This is a sensitive topic for many, but I know when I cross the border I expect to speak Spanish to the majority of people I see in south America. Where do we get as a nation with people who cant even speak our language? I have rather strong feelings about this so Ill keep it to that ....hasta manana

[WTL]

I don't care if the whole english thing is right or wrong, Tim James is the son of Fob James, a former several term guvunah of alabama. He is a political player who wants to illicit support cheaply, and is using a cheaply appealing gesture.

One guy says he likes the 10 commandments. One guy says he wants the mexicans to lurn english. One guy says he likes families.

And that is our republican primary in alubama. Depressing stuff.

[1/4 stick]

WTL is right. I wouldn't put too much faith in that. It's about the same thing as me telling my ex that I was only going to buy a 6-pack knowing full well the store on the corner only carried 12-packs. "It was out of my hands. I had no choice but to buy a 12 pack unless I wasted the gas to drive out of my way to get 6." A promise with a easy way out is all it sounds like it is.

[Bassboss]

Makes scene to me! If some one that speaks another language (and does not know English) should have to know some English. Not all of it, or the same amount we know. But a good amount in order to get by!

The Spanish & English street signs would not get my vote (if I could vote! ) Because what about Asians, Russians, Italians, etc.

[cassidyta]

Why are Canadian signs in both French and English?
Because that country has stated that they are both offical languages of the country. We however are without an official laguage.

BassBoss,
I have to disagree with your logic on why not to do it. You will never make it so that everyone can read them. (Side note, what is the language of Asia???)

[1/4 stick]

Originally Posted by cassidyta

Why are Canadian signs in both French and English?
Because that country has stated that they are both offical languages of the country. We however are without an official laguage.

BassBoss,
I have to disagree with your logic on why not to do it. You will never make it so that everyone can read them. (Side note, what is the language of Asia???)

Asianese of course! hehehe....

[WTL]

The chinese speak several different languages, mandarin, cantoneese and about 4 others. (random useless fact)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is nothing racist about insisting that people learn the common language.

But to suggest that we are going to save money by eliminating the drivers tests for any language other than english is bad policy. It will lead to a very predictable outcome.

If a guy in the state of Alabama who only speaks spanish wants to get a license, but cant read the test, then he wont go to the DMV. He wont get insurance. He wont be on the map. And should he get into an accident, the incentive will be for him to drive away.

What a mess. And sad thing is, this guy james might not be the worst of the lot.

[1/4 stick]

yep, not having a license doesn't stop anybody from driving. Just look at all the people who get DUIs one right after another. All driving without a licinse gets you is another charge and fine added to whatever offense you're charged with if caught.


On asian language, wikipedia says...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Asia

[Bassboss]

Originally Posted by cassidyta

Why are Canadian signs in both French and English?
Because that country has stated that they are both offical languages of the country. We however are without an official laguage.

BassBoss,
I have to disagree with your logic on why not to do it. You will never make it so that everyone can read them. (Side note, what is the language of Asia???)

Brain Fart!

[WaffleJaw]

Rosetta stone ''basic english'' should be given out with the citizenship test.

[Jrob78]

I've had the scene from Pulp Fiction in my head all day, "What ain't no country I've ever heard of before!" "Do they speak English in What?" "English !@#$ @!#%@#, do you speak it??!!!!"

[MallenManson]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

I've had the scene from Pulp Fiction in my head all day, "What ain't no country I've ever heard of before!" "Do they speak English in What?" "English !@#$ @!#%@#, do you speak it??!!!!"

One of the all time, best movie quotes right there!

[zooker]

Originally Posted by WaffleJaw

Rosetta stone ''basic english'' should be given out with the citizenship test.

waffle
the citizenship test could not be past by 25% of native born americans..and beside it cost $5k and 10 years before a mexican national can even get to take the naturaliztion test..after passing the test a naturalized citizen can/will be a deported for a dui..

however iffin ya don't know both porta rico and el salvador are territories of the US. both of which speak spanish both of which are consitered american citizens by immagration..

zooker

[Bassboss]

Just watch the video. I do not agree!

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by zooker

however iffin ya don't know both porta rico and el salvador are territories of the US. both of which speak spanish both of which are consitered american citizens by immagration..

Good to know....the next time I drive over to Puerto Rico, I'll know the traffic signs are in Spanish.

(I left out the drive to El Salvador, as it is a sovereign nation...they can speak whatever they want to there).

Frankly, I don't care why they learn English, just that they do. Speaking Spanish hasn't been the mark of a successful culture since 1588. Letting them continue to use Spanish as a primary language dooms them to mediocrity and failure.

[Jrob78]

Isn't making things easier on non-English speaking people just reinforcing a negative behavior? I mean the root of this is illegal immigration is it not? I would assume that people over here legally would be far more likely to try to learn English and fit in. Why are we making it easier for those who are here illegally? Last time I checked the word illegal meant something.

Take a look at what's going on in Arizona right now, it's completely absurd. I understand not wanting to profile and target a whole group of people but those here illegally shouldn't get a free pass either.

Interesting how the racial and civil rights climate in this country has shifted over the last 40 yrs.

[Bob Smith]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Isn't making things easier on non-English speaking people just reinforcing a negative behavior? I mean the root of this is illegal immigration is it not? I would assume that people over here legally would be far more likely to try to learn English and fit in. Why are we making it easier for those who are here illegally? Last time I checked the word illegal meant something.

Take a look at what's going on in Arizona right now, it's completely absurd. I understand not wanting to profile and target a whole group of people but those here illegally shouldn't get a free pass either.

Interesting how the racial and civil rights climate in this country has shifted over the last 40 yrs.

Perfect! I couldn't agree more!

[Bubba_Bruiser]

I lost a childhood, fishing and hunting buddy a couple of years ago to an illegal hitting him and then running. When they caught him though and wanted to charge him, he didn't want any part of the sentence. He wanted to be deported back to his home and tried in Mexico. He wanted to be over here so bad, but didn't want to pay the justice for his actions. I know this is a little off center, but the nation is like a sponge, but it is not squeezing any of the bad out and catering to the masses and their feelings. Wake up American...Pitts

[WTL]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Isn't making things easier on non-English speaking people just reinforcing a negative behavior? I mean the root of this is illegal immigration is it not? I would assume that people over here legally would be far more likely to try to learn English and fit in. Why are we making it easier for those who are here illegally? Last time I checked the word illegal meant something.

Take a look at what's going on in Arizona right now, it's completely absurd. I understand not wanting to profile and target a whole group of people but those here illegally shouldn't get a free pass either.

Interesting how the racial and civil rights climate in this country has shifted over the last 40 yrs.

If it werent someone like Tim James, maybe my take would be less negative. The guy just wants power and says what he thinks people want to hear.

I agree that we shouldn't bend over backwards to accommodate illegals, but in this one instance of drivers tests, sticking to an english only standard really will cause more problems than its worth.

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by WTL

If it werent someone like Tim James, maybe my take would be less negative. The guy just wants power and says what he thinks people want to hear.

I agree that we shouldn't bend over backwards to accommodate illegals, but in this one instance of drivers tests, sticking to an english only standard really will cause more problems than its worth.

I hear you WTL, career politicians are all the same. You can tell by his add that Tim James is DB, all the long pauses and what not.

Illegals getting drivers licenses is really the least of our worries. I just hate seeing such opposition to the tightening of our borders and to the restriction of those who aren't supposed to be here in the first place.

Living in a border state like Texas all of this is magnified by 1000. If you were dropped off in parts of Dallas you would think you were in Mexico. The flow of narcotics through this city is astounding as well, guess where that comes from!?!

[Bryan]

Sometimes not knowing English can lead to disaster.