Defending the Truth

Okay, everybody. Let's just cool off for a second- no matter what opinion we may have. It's getting a little vicious.

being vicious is fun

I think this matter comes down to politeness. If you move to a new country and wish to take advantage of their programs, it is just polite to at least attempt to communicate. I cant speak Romanian. I shouldnt have to if someone wants to get a job here in my company, for example.

My opinion? You come over here for whatever reason, you intend to live here, work here, make this country your home?
SPEAK ENGLISH - or get back on the boat.

It's about respect. What sort of respect do you have for your adopted country if you have intention of learning the language? It's a bit selfish to expect people to work out what the hell you are on about because you can't be bothered getting educated in the ways of the English language.
If you wish to speak your native language, fine, so so at home, not in public. I don't want to walk past you yabbering on in your natice tongue, how the heck are we meant to know you are not plotting a terror attack to kill us all?

So again, I say, speak English, or I will personally put you back on your leaky boat, throw you some oars, and send the sharks after you until you decide to learn our language, and respect our country.

by coddling people and saying it's okay that they dont learn English aren't we really saying that immigrants are stupid? if I were hispanic I would be insulted that American grammar school children can be trusted to learn Spanish but that hispanic adults are too stupid to learn a new language. we will coddle them now and watch. in 20 years liberal politicians will say we didn't ask them to speak English so as to keep them down and in the ghettos. so we will owe them more compensation. sigh.

Try making it in Japan without learning at least a little bit of the language. It's an experience. It ain't like they have Stop signs and they drive on the wrong side of the road.

It's ignorant as a nation to conform to the immigrants instead of requiring them to conform to live here.

That's exactly how I feel.

In most regards, I'm pretty liberal. I believe people come here to try to make their lives better. Good for them.

However, I'm a little sick of calling the SS office and having to press 1 for English. EXCUSE ME?!?!?! If you can't even speak English, why the HELL should you be calling the SS office?

In your own unique way, Gary; you have expressed my feelings exactly. Whom are we to say that others should learn and speak our language properly when we cannot do so ourselves? Very hypocritical!
On the other hand, I believe it's actually about better assimilation into American society more than anything else as to the reason immigrants should make an effort to do so.
I don't believe it's about any threats from Sharon (or any others); but respect does have a point. I think we all understand that America is a land of immigrants and probably always will be. We can (and do) respect those that make the effort to learn the common language.
Another point does rear its ugly head. Why is it; as Gary pointed out, that as passionately as Americans feel on this very topic; that we cannot speak proper English ourselves? Isn't this just "the pot calling the kettle black"?
Please remember, people; that what we call "our language" is mostly a myth. How many words in the English language do not have origin in another country? Not many; if any at all. Please notice that I said "English language" and not "American" language. The ruth is that we have no language of our own; but have a common language mostly borrowed from immigrants and the countries from which they emigtrated. Perhaps the "Ebonics" language and colloqials used by so much of the Black youth of today could be termed as American; but I can't think of much else.