Walter
I was under the impression that you could read and understand English
Try again.
au1929 wrote:The immigrant groups are contemplating a work stoppage and boycott on May 1 to show their displeasure and punish the US citizenry for not acquiescing to their illegal demands. IMO the government should show the citrizen's displeasure by rounding up as many illegal's as they can and immediately pushing them over the border.
Like you I am a New Yorker. The difference is I have lived outside of the city for nearly 35 years. I currently live about 270 miles north of the Mexican border in the beautiful and enchanting state of New Mexico. Previously, I lived in the Central Valley of California. Both of these areas have large Hispanic populations with many illegals among them.
I don't think, being so far removed from the flash point of this problem, that you grasp the depth of the problem. There are families here who work harder for less than any group of people in this country and do it gladly. They remind me of my great grandfather who came here in 1905 with the clothes on his back and $9.50 in his pocket. He was a laborer so his family could live the American Dream. These people are trying to do the same. It's a grand party and these people will crash it if they aren't invited.
It think you might do the same.
au1929 wrote:Walter
I was under the impression that you could read and understand English
Try again.
Quote:NEW YORK, April 13 (Reuters) - U.S. immigrant rights advocates on Thursday called for a nationwide boycott of work, school and commerce on May 1, seeking to capitalize on the momentum of recent mass demonstrations across the country.
"I don't think we will crumble the economy of the United States on May 1 but we will make a dent," said New York City councilman Charles Barron, among those supporting the initiative that was announced on the steps of City Hall.
... ...
Perhaps you mixed that above news with
the boycott in Mexico or so ...
Well, I still believe, I can read English.
MY father came to the US in 1912. He came here legally through Ellis Island. He did not sneak through in the dark of night. When he arrived he severed all ties with the old country and certainly did not carry around the flag of Russia. He learned to speak read and write English and did not try to impose his native language upon the US.
I have no doubt that your grandfather had a similar experience.
What would you do if someone decided to move into your house uninvited? Welcome them with open arms or throw them the hell out?
au1929 wrote:Welcome them with open arms or throw them the hell out?
You are not speaking about native American Indians here, aren't you?
Walter
Quote:IMO the government should show the citrizen's displeasure by rounding up as many illegal's as they can and immediately pushing them over the border
To my knowlwedge Illegal immigrants are not citizens.
We have Mexicans in the USA who were here before the southwest was taken and made into states. Any number of them still speak Spanish and adhere to their Mexican ways. Nobody has to forsake their roots and native language to live in America. That is a personal choice, not a mandate.
This is a problem of enormous passion. I think most Americans do not want to stop immigration, but on the other hand these people are here illegally, something that used to be termed illegal alien not immigrant. The sights on TV with thousands of illegals demanding the "right" to citizenship while waving other countries flags was disheartening, at least for me. This is a problem that won't be solved easily or quickly. When you look at this as a compassion issue, yes, you want the best situation for everybody. But it's more than just an issue of being willing to accomodate the people. Schools, Heath Care, Housing doesn't pop up overnight and we really need a way to plan for the people who want to come here.
edgarblythe
I cannot speak to those Mexicans who were here before they were incorporated into the US. However, immigrants that came for a better life and to enjoy the fruits of this nation IMO have an obligation to enter the mainstream of American life {as all others have]. If they are so enamored with the old country they should stay there.
au1929 wrote:edgarblythe
I cannot speak to those Mexicans who were here before they were incorporated into the US. However, immigrants that came for a better life and to enjoy the fruits of this nation IMO have an obligation to enter the mainstream of American life {as all others have]. If they are so enamored with the old country they should stay there.
AU,
Why is it so important that because someone immigrates to the U.S. that they drop all their old ways. I think it adds to this country that we have all these cultures here and diiferent things we can enjoy. I think they should learn English and our laws, learn how government works, and work towards being citizens, but in what book does it say they should give up their heritage. I for one feel fortunate to be able to go to "chinatown" in SF, or any other number of places to get a flavor of another country. Luckily, I've traveled the world, but one thing that made me want to was the opportunity to see some of these things here in the U.S.
Having a melting pot is one thing, being one big boring "likeness" seems ... boring!
Anon
They have no such obligation, except in your imagination.
Edgar
And the government has no obligation to print ballots and documents in foreign languages. Nor do they have an obligation to have at a great expense to the taxpayers to teach their children in their [foreign] language. Yes, indeed it is or should be their obligation to learn the language.
This is and always has been a nation of immigrants and up until recently there was no need to institute these measures. People learned because they had no choice.
Anon
I did not say that they should give up their heritage. However, if they have emigrated to the US than their first obligation and allegiance to be to the US. And as you say should learn English and our laws, learn how government works, and work towards being citizens.
foreign languages? does the US of A have a designated national language? Lakota perhaps?
dyslexia
Unfortunately they do not. However there is an accepted language. And that is English. I have yet to hear of any other language that is accepted as the language of the US.
dyslexia wrote:foreign languages? does the US of A have a designated national language? Lakota perhaps?
If it is, I'm in deep kimchee!
Anon
They had no choice but to try to be like the majority possibly in times past, but they do now, and that is only right. Just because it irks you is no cause to force it on them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edgar
And the government has no obligation to print ballots and documents in foreign languages. Nor do they have an obligation to have at a great expense to the taxpayers to teach their children in their [foreign] language. Yes, indeed it is or should be their obligation to learn the language.
This is and always has been a nation of immigrants and up until recently there was no need to institute these measures. People learned because they had no choice.
edgarblythe wrote:We have Mexicans in the USA who were here before the southwest was taken and made into states. Any number of them still speak Spanish and adhere to their Mexican ways. Nobody has to forsake their roots and native language to live in America. That is a personal choice, not a mandate.
There is not a single person in the southwest that was here when it was bought from Mexico.
That was over 150 years ago (1846-1848),and there is nobody on the planet that old.
Here's my one simple question: If people immigrating into this country want to be here so bad, why didn't they just do it legally?
Here's my not so simple question: If these illegals are supposed to be such an important part of the American work force, and if they claim they have no benefits and if and if and if, then how in the hell can so many be walking around protesting? Shouldn't they be in work? And what kind of example are they setting encouraging their children to skip school. No wonder they can't speak American. None of the illegals want to put forth the effort. Its all give me give me give me.
BECOME A LEGAL CITIZEN AND THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL I RECOGNIZE YOUR RIGHTS!
OK I'm done
anybody who doubts the intent and usefulness of a common language, which in the u.s. is english, really hasn't spent much time living with a diverse group of immigrants.
before alla the "nativist" and "racist" namecalling starts up again, you may want to consider that here in los angeles, about half of the population is foreign born. and they are not all from mexico and spanish speakers as some would like you to think. the last i heard, there are something around a hundred languages and dialects thereof spoken in the l.a. area. sounds like a lot, huh ? maybe more, maybe less.
does it seem logical that armenians, for instance, should learn spanish, tagalog, portuguese, vietnamese, chinese, japanese, russian, farsi, hebrew, puerto rican, german, arabic, hindi, korean, french, slavic, turkish, greek, italian, afrikans, dutch, frisian, swedish, norwegian, danish, swiss, icelandic, canadian french, cherokee, navaho, sioux, iroquois, blackfoot, seminole, mohawk, a handful of african tongues, chech along with others i can't think of...?
and their various dialects ?
or is it simply more logical for immigrants to learn the prevalant language of their host or adopted country. whatever country and language is ?
and does it seem logical that i, as a native born citizen, should learn all of those languages, fluently, in order to do my daily stuff ?
living close to the border with mexico, i don't mind speaking some spanish at all. i kind of enjoy it. not that i speak it well. but i really don't have the time to learn a whole slew of other languages.
nobody does.
