Boy, does this say it all.....

[Stacey2grls]

I couldn't agree more! I know a number of people who have lived in this country over 30 years and can barely speak English! This just disgusts me. My Grandparents both learned to speak English within a year of living here, they felt it was a major priority to learn the language. This is the way things should be.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Wow, I definitely agree with that!

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

Back in the 70's it was highly touted that America was a "melting pot" of people who came here from other countries to have freedom. In particular, religious freedom, to worship the God they wanted to worship. Just thought I'd point that out. It stands out from my school days. One thing I actually remember from school.

 

[Puffy2]

Yall can agree with the editoral all you want, but the fact is when two well qualified job applicants apply for a job and one is bilingual an the other isn't (whether the language that they do know is English or Spanish or whatever) - the bilingual person is going to get the job. It's a fact of current life and it's not going to change.

 

[bicker]

Uh, sorry? Who said anything about bilingualism?

Are you sure you're in the correct thread?

 

[Puffy2]

Some people have the attitude that "we're in America, we speak English and there is no need to learn anything else". All I'm saying is that that attitude will keep us from advancing. And, there are many more Hispanics in this country who are bilingual than there are Anglos.

 

[bicker]

Okay. A very valid point; I agree with that completely. It just isn't what we were discussing. The issue we've been discussing is foreigners, coming to this country, NOT learning English.

 

[numbersman]

Great post - I agree completely.

 

[jimmiej]

Some people have the attitude that "we're in America, we speak English and there is no need to learn anything else". All I'm saying is that that attitude will keep us from advancing.

Advancing? What do you mean by that? I don't think the author was saying being bilingual is a bad thing. As Bicker said, that's not the discussion. Living in America, but refusing to learn English and refusing to become part of the "American" culture is the problem. No one's asking you to forget your heritage-that's important to all of us. But, don't come here if you don't want to be an American first.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I get what the OP is talking about. I have family members who came to this country as Cambodian refugees so I'll speak to this. I AGREE about speaking English. My family members learned English. They went to our schools without translators, they assimilated. They even became proud American citizens.

However, in no way did they lose their own heritage. They still speak their language, eat their traditional foods, etc. They were shocked when they moved into communities with larger immigrant populations. They discovered that while they had the "best of both worlds", many of their new friends had limited social circles, limited work opportunities, limited educational opportunities.... and they were thankful that they had immigrated to an area where they were sort of forced to assimilate.

When our family members first came, by law they were offered translators at school, welfare. etc. Together we decided to turn it all down and work at helping them become independent of that kind of help as quickly as possible. While it was not the easiest option (they were a family of 10), they are now of family of highly educated, highly successful Cambodian Americans.

Learning to get along in the society in which you are living does not mean you have to give up your own heritage. There are ex-patriots living all over the world that could tell you that.

Thank you for posting this. This says it all.

 

[MzDiz]

Where in the heck do you people live where everyone seems to hate Christmas? Or are you just hearing about it? No quoting the enquirer either, that's not news. Personally, I have not ONCE seen or heard anyone protest saying Christmas or Christmas tree. My daughter has a Christmas tree in her classroom, they sang Christmas songs in her Christmas program and had a Christmas party. People send us Christmas cards. There are Christmas lights on the trees in our town and I can't look too far in any direction without seeing something about Jesus.
I'm really sick of hearing about how there's this "war on Christmas" and "war on Christians" when I've yet to see anything at all that supports that.
On that note, scary illegal immigrants aren't taking over my town either and forcing us all to speak another language. Luckily, I'm bilingual, so when they do decend on us, I'm prepared.
I'm much more offended that everytime I call customer support for ANYTHING, I get someone in India. That position used to be filled by an American. Now, THERE'S something to get offended about!

 

[jimmiej]

Where in the heck do you people live where everyone seems to hate Christmas? Or are you just hearing about it? No quoting the enquirer either, that's not news. Personally, I have not ONCE seen or heard anyone protest saying Christmas or Christmas tree. My daughter has a Christmas tree in her classroom, they sang Christmas songs in her Christmas program and had a Christmas party. People send us Christmas cards. There are Christmas lights on the trees in our town and I can't look too far in any direction without seeing something about Jesus.

I've heard and read stories of schools banning anything Christmas & some have reported such here on the DIS.

 

[va32h]

I've heard and read stories of schools banning anything Christmas & some have reported such here on the DIS.

So a handful of anecdotes - including ones that have only been "heard of" or read on the internet - is evidence of a vast left-wing conspiracy to abolish Christmas. Give me a break.

As far as speaking English goes - as of this moment, our country has no "official language". There are no laws mandating that citizens must be fluent in English, and I would be fascinated to hear how on earth such a law might be enforced.

I grew up in Arizona and currently live in Texas. So I am well versed in the English speaking/non-English speaking debate. And I have encountered people who speak no English on a regular basis. And I lived to tell the tale!

My current neighbors across the street don't speak a word of English, as far as I can tell. This does no affect my life in any way, shape or form. My "American culture" whatever that is supposed to mean, is not withering away because my neighbors say "buenos dias" to me when we happen to meet each other at the mailboxes.

What exactly is it that you people are all so afraid of?

My guess? That you won't be the majority anymore. That minorities will treat whites as badly and unjustly as whites have been treating them for the last few thousand years.

 

[lookingforward]

I agree with some of what the OP wrote. However, I believe that cultural differences (languages, customs, etc) are what make this country great. Is is what we were founded on, the freedom to be individuals. It is frustrating when immigrants do not make the effort to learn the language and ways of our country. That is not to say that they should change who they are...rather expandand embrace both. My mom is from Europe and learned English very quickly because she felt she should...and she is one of the most fiercely patriotic people I know.

Most countries do not let people become citizens. I lived in Japan and it is almost impossible to become a Japanese citizen by choice (marriage is one of the few ways). They just don't welcome people from other cultures to intergrate into their society.

We are still the melting pot and the country of choice for most people who want to create opportunity for themselves. I have gone to new citizen ceremonies and people actually weep when they become Americans. Being born in this country is a great thing because of the high standard of living, the educational opportunities, decent (although not fair) medical care, charitable programs and the basic chance to say and think whatever you want to. I tell my kids all the time that they won the birth lottery by being born here and that they have a responsibility to be appreciative and to give back to society. My husband defended this country for 26 years and still does now by working for homeland security. We are lucky and I hope we never forget how many people want to be walking in our shoes.

 

[scubamouse]

Advancing? What do you mean by that? I don't think the author was saying being bilingual is a bad thing. As Bicker said, that's not the discussion. Living in America, but refusing to learn English and refusing to become part of the "American" culture is the problem. No one's asking you to forget your heritage-that's important to all of us. But, don't come here if you don't want to be an American first.

In many cases it's not an unwillingness to learn English but more a matter of time and money. If you're working all the time to feed your family as many many immigrants are you don't have the time or the spare cash to take English classes. it's a vicious cycle - some can break out of it but many others struggle and it's not from a lack of desire.

as to the OP, be careful what you wish for. If you don't want to have people come to the US who don't speak English ordon't speak it well, you'll also keep a lot of PhDs in sciences out. Many of them have helped keep the US competitive in technology by making up the gap in scientists and engineers. US native born americans tend not to go into those fields in significant enough numbers to keep the US competitive in technology in 2005 and beyond.

And there are plenty of native born american's that don't speak English very well either

 

[jimmiej]

So a handful of anecdotes - including ones that have only been "heard of" or read on the internet - is evidence of a vast left-wing conspiracy to abolish Christmas. Give me a break.

I was responding to the poster who said they had never heard of such at all. Actually, I believe there is quite a bit of anti-Christmas (Christian) sentiment among the far left. But I have neither the time nor the inclination to try to prove it to you, so let's just leave it as my opinion.

In many cases it's not an unwillingness to learn English but more a matter of time and money. If you're working all the time to feed your family as many many immigrants are you don't have the time or the spare cash to take English classes. it's a vicious cycle - some can break out of it but many others struggle and it's not from a lack of desire.

Of course, learning to speak English might help their financial situation. If they want to learn bad enough, they'll find a way. America is the land of opportunity.

 

[aimee11621]

It's getting hot in here....

 

[MzDiz]

Actually, I believe there is quite a bit of anti-Christmas (Christian) sentiment among the far left.

It's possible that those of us on that far left are tired of those on the far right telling us how we should live our lives. I'm not a Christian, but I'm not anti-Christian either, until you're standing at my doorstep calling me a sinner. Then, sir, we have problems.

 

[jimmiej]

It's possible that those of us on that far left are tired of those on the far right telling us how we should live our lives. I'm not a Christian, but I'm not anti-Christian either, until you're standing at my doorstep calling me a sinner. Then, sir, we have problems.

So, you're admitting I'm right. Thank you.

 

[eclectics]

I was responding to the poster who said they had never heard of such at all. Actually, I believe there is quite a bit of anti-Christmas (Christian) sentiment among the far left. But I have neither the time nor the inclination to try to prove it to you, so let's just leave it as my opinion.



Of course, learning to speak English might help their financial situation. If they want to learn bad enough, they'll find a way. America is the land of opportunity.

So Liberals are anti Christian? Interesting take.

"America is the land of opportunity". Yes it is, especially if you are a WASP.