Anyone feel queasy when they realize they voted for Bush?

[_Tarski]

Everytime I am forced to choose between english and spanish at an ATM it pisses me off that I voted for him.

Just too complex for you or do you just hate old hispanic grandmas who can't pick up english?

Everytime the guy at the fast food place can't understand what I'm trying to say I get angry.

Do you have one of those Texas accents?

Everytime I have to wait in line because the person in front of me requires a guy to come up from the back to act as a translator I get pissed about Bush.

The sad part is, the next guy in office isn't going to do a damn thing about it.

So much for the american culture. Amexico anyone?

Why would they change anything when they get 30.000,000 employed illegal immigrants who don't file a tax return to get money back?

I see. You are just a simple xenophobe.

[Physics Guy]

Well said, Tarski. I have never really understood why so many people (i.e., white Americans) whine about not understanding Spanish, or whatever other language. The U.S. is the wealthiest, most powerful country in the world, and yet why is it that the average, very low income Mexican immigrant has a better grasp of two language than 99% of white Americans? The complaint should not be that the "Others" speak a different language, the complaint should be that Americans are too lazy/dumb/racist/xenophobic to put in the time learning other languages.

[_Tarski]

I voted Libertarian both times, so I never need to feel queasy.

I'll probably never vote libertarian again. Reasons:

1. It wastes a vote that could keep a republican out of office.

2. Libertarianism in the US has gotten even farther to the right than the republicans.

My issues global communal responsibilities like protection of the environment (should be a special case).

If a slightly more centrist or maybe leftish brand of libertarianism comes around then maybe.

[_Tarski]

Well said, Tarski. I have never really understood why so many people (I.e., white Americans) whine about not understanding Spanish, or whatever other language. The U.S. is the wealthiest, most powerful country in the world, and yet why is it that the average, very low income Mexican immigrant has a better grasp of two language that 99% of white Americans? The complaint should not be that the "Others" speak a different language, the complaint should be that Americans are too lazy/dumb/racist/xenophobic to put in the time learning other languages.

I went to Sweden and they all spoke English, same in Austria.


The US is a melting pot youngish country that borders a Spanish speaking country. That there should be some Spanish in our culture just makes sense.
It's there basically because it makes economic sense to bankers, retailer and so on.

[_barrelomonkeys]

Well said, Tarski. I have never really understood why so many people (I.e., white Americans) whine about not understanding Spanish, or whatever other language. The U.S. is the wealthiest, most powerful country in the world, and yet why is it that the average, very low income Mexican immigrant has a better grasp of two language that 99% of white Americans? The complaint should not be that the "Others" speak a different language, the complaint should be that Americans are too lazy/dumb/racist/xenophobic to put in the time learning other languages.

It pisses me off too when people think it's easy to come here and learn our language. English is a very complicated language to learn.

When I wandered around Japan as a child (and I mean wandered) no one was hateful to me when I couldn't speak to them. As I slowly learned the language people were helpful. I understand it is difficult to learn a different language the older you are and have compassion for people that are here.

One of my daughters studies Japanese and French and the other studies Spanish. The more exposure they have to different cultures and languages the better!

[_Doctor Steuss]

The complaint should not be that the "Others" speak a different language, the complaint should be that Americans are too lazy/dumb/racist/xenophobic to put in the time learning other languages.

How many languages do you speak Scratch? Not that I don't disagree with your post. I'm too lazy/dumb to even speak English all that well. But, I'm just wondering if you're including yourself in this proclamation of stupidity and racism.

[_Doctor Steuss]

One of my daughters studies Japanese and French and the other studies Spanish. The more exposure they have to different cultures and languages the better!

I think we should all learn French. It seems only fair that if those who we stole part of their country and then gave an "open boarder" policy in return have to learn a new language, maybe we should all have to learn one too. Or maybe Russian.

-----

Side story. I had a soccer coach who told us on the first day that there were only two languages he allowed on his soccer field; "Yiddish" and English (as they were the only two he understood). So, as an act of diplomacy, we all learned basic commands, etc. in "Yiddish." Nothings funnier than a bunch of Hispanics mixed in with a few of us Whiteys running around a soccer fields spitting out “Yiddish” to each other. Great part was, the other team never new what we were saying.

If only I could remember the words now though…

[_barrelomonkeys]

One of my daughters studies Japanese and French and the other studies Spanish. The more exposure they have to different cultures and languages the better!

I think we should all learn French.

I took 2 years of French in highschool as well as 2 years of Spanish. Those were pretty much the only classes I showed up for. :)

In college I took French too and now can barely remember any of it! When my oldest daughter was very young I would read children books to her in French and I'm so pleased that she has taken an interest in languages.

[_Mister Scratch]

The complaint should not be that the "Others" speak a different language, the complaint should be that Americans are too lazy/dumb/racist/xenophobic to put in the time learning other languages.

How many languages do you speak Scratch? Not that I don't disagree with your post. I'm too lazy/dumb to even speak English all that well. But, I'm just wondering if you're including yourself in this proclamation of stupidity and racism.

I read/speak somewhere in between 2 1/2-3 languages and I would certainly include myself in the "lazy/stupid" portion of my proclamation, but not the racist/xenophobic part. There is just no reason to get angry with those immigrants who are not fluent in English, and such anger strikes me as being quite racist, imho. I can understand it being a minor frustration, sure---but those who get all bent out of shape, place all of the blame on the "Other"---a sentiment best summed up by the phrase, "They don't even bother to learn the language!"---have long struck me as being lazy/racist.

[_Gazelam]

I see. You are just a simple xenophobe.

No I am not a xenophobe. I respect other cultures perfectly well. The Mexican culture is great, I loved the old Clint Eastwood "Man with no name" films. I think they represented the mexican culture very well. Also the part in "Young Guns II" where Christian Slater goes to Mexico. My favorite though would have to be the opening credits of the Salma Hayek film "Fools Rush in", I especially appreciated that view of Mexico.

America is the greatest country on earth. There is no comparison. I know that there are plenty here that would argue that we should be more like Amsterdam, Holland. But that would be regressing, not expanding.

The fact of the matter is, is that any country that wishs to dominate the earth as a capitol and center speaks ONE LANGUAGE. They don't adapt to where they are expanding to, they expect others to adapt to them!! Tell9ing everyone that we are a two language society is not pro-active, its regression!! Why are we beign asked to contort ourselves to fit a failed society? Mexicos government is a puppet to the drug lords who really run that craphole, and I see no reason that we do not demand that people who come here adapt themselves to our way of life. And that means speaking english!

Why is it that just because they came through the back door they get some special set of rules that the Millions of people who came here before them didn't get? Every immigrant who came here before swore an oath to America ala the pledge of allegiance and they learned english. When did that stop being required? Why is it that when you ask an immigrant if they would go to war for our country that the answer is always "Hell no mane, Ah'd jus go hom."

Either be a citizen, or go home. How about that? If this country is so great that you have to break into it, how about you swaer allegiance to it and adapt to its existing culture. If your home country is such a pices of garbage that you flee from it to seek out a better life, then leave it behind, stop plastering your home countrys stickers all over your damn cars and waving its flag in parades where your demanding rights that you don't deserve. (Citizens have rights here, not you "essey")