Joe Vento, the owner of Geno's Steaks, defended his policy before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which filed the discrimination complaint.
"This country is a melting pot, but what makes it work is the English language," Vento told the commission. "I'm not stupid. I would never put a sign out to hurt my business."
Vento posted two small signs in October 2005 at his shop in a diverse South Philadelphia neighborhood, telling customers, "This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING PLEASE 'SPEAK ENGLISH.'"
2007-12-14 13:41:00 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
softerpan, I think your missing the point
2007-12-15 03:47:00 · update #1
RIGHT ON JOE VENTO!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-12-14 13:49:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Gee I completely agree with what he did ,I'm a native New Yorker and that whole Ellis Island experience is part of my family history and the family history of many of friends
My grandparents adopted America and adopted it's language .They wanted to be Americans and they wanted their children and grandchildren to think of themselves as Americans first and being of Greek descent second
I'm sure that a part of the reason that they adopted the language was a matter of economic survival -people who can speak the same language as the country that they are living in will get better jobs or at least work more often But I also know that with my grandparents being able to speak English reasonably well was a great source of personal pride
I think that one of the often over-looked arguments against America being a bi-lingual country is that bilingualism has the capacity to create ghetto's thereby negating the idea of people being discriminated against simply because they couldn't speak the language of the country that they are living in.
Think about it : If a person can survive reasonably well in a country without being able to read or speak the language of that country that person has no reason at all to acculturate
That person goes about his life not being able to speak the language and then goes home to his "Little whatever " where everything is like 'home'
If the powers that be in his society not only tell him that that is OK to do but write laws that encourage that kind of behavior ,they are basically insuring that he will always remain a second class citizen and a permanent outsider What the H is that all about ?
If one was more than a bit cynical one would almost think that they were doing it on purpose
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
2007-12-14 22:47:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Normally and in the past Joe Vento would be right, but considering how America's government has allowed illegal immigration to blossom unheeded knowing they do not speak English and the fact this nation has over 24 million of them here.....and nothing in sight to do anything about them breaking the laws by entering in illegally....I believe we must read in between the lines! What this says is....the U.S. government is giving a continued "Green Light" to illegals entering into America and they will continue to come for years. Estimates put it at 50 million by 2020! Americans like Joe may need to learn 4 or 5 languages if he intends on doing business in America in the future! The U.S. Congress will not take the necessary steps to stop the flow of illegals and is basically failing to address it, thus allow it to proceed, full steam ahead! America may need to accept the fact illegals may soon have more rights than legal citizens and may be forced to share their wealth and benefits with those that come here seeking a better way of life. Homes. land, pensions may be shared with the new arrivals by force if necessary as they will be needing help as they pour in to America unheeded in record numbers in the years to come! Social Security and other benefits will need to be divided up and some given to illegals who did not earn any as they just arrived and are to old to work and need money to live on in their retirement! Americans need to face the facts, they will be sharing what they earned, with others and learning to live with it! The future American government officials will insist on this action as it will be full of illegal immigrants, illegally elected by illegal voters, but found acceptable as it will cause to much trouble to get to the bottom of the truth and this country would have helter-skelter should they try to enforce old American laws against criminal actions regarding entering into America illegally! America borders will eventually be opened up to anyone that wants to come here and get all they can from the original, legal Americans as our government will allow it!
2007-12-14 23:36:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Our government requires proficiency in the Spanish language for certain jobs. I think it only fair that a person can require English be spoken in his or her business. So far as I know, it is still the national language in America.
2007-12-14 21:50:24 · answer #4 · answered by beez 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Agree--don't it tick you off to have to press 1 for english, 2 for ....., although i speak several languages, it is because I wanted to learn them , not because I was required to. When in Rome , speak italian, when in America........
2007-12-14 21:54:54 · answer #5 · answered by fasteddie79103 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Languages are colorful,not disgusting beggar in JOE' opinion.
He is a man whose life is very boring.
2007-12-15 11:44:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Good for him.
2007-12-14 21:49:47 · answer #7 · answered by ziggy_brat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋