Anyone else for giving Joe Vento a medal for his pro-English language stand?

Question

"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.' "

"Paul M. Hummer, an attorney for the commission, testified earlier that the sign is not about political speech, but about "intimidation," and that it suggested business from certain individuals was not wanted."

See:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,316939,00.html

cmdrbnd007 - right on!

Jenny - I agree. What a mess!

Answer 1

Okay so we got some 30 million ILLEGAL immigrants, as if the cost to pay their health care needs isn't enough, many school districts want separate testing for non English speaking students, oh yeah... that's it... keep the language barrier up. Don't worry about how none English speaking people, will continue to have difficulties melting in. In the real world, as business continue to break immigration laws for the cheap labor, the chance of high school students to get entry level jobs will be lost, for in many work places, where as the majority speak Spanish, English is foreign and would not be a workable addition to the company team. I understand the hardship these immigrants have endured, and I sympathize. BUT where do we draw the line. How many hospitals need to file chapter 13. How much more does our tax dollars need to go up to REWARD those who break our laws. Every business has the right to REFUSE service to anyone for any reason, I applaud this business owner for standing up for his rights.

Answer 2

Give him the Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony!!

Answer 3

He** YES. Or, maybe he should just should just take the order and, not being able to understand the language, given them SOMETHING. They probably would have accepted it anyway. For English push 1. Para espanol go to mexico and push 2.

Answer 4

Only in American can one that is being asked to order in the language of our country, and the language of the owner and his help understand be called intimidation. Why is it wrong to tell the customers up front that the owner only understands English. We need a Constitution amendment that says that English is our official language just like other counties do such as Cuba

Answer 5

Its incredible that in your own business you can't demand that someone placing an order for your services must do so in a language you can understand. What the Hell is this country coming to. Its just like those dems that voted against Christmas but voted for recognizing Ramadan. This is just another example of political correctness gone freaken crazy.

Answer 6

Would I support giving Mr. Vento a medal, no. I have yet to hear or see a word from him as to what language he has a problem with.
By stating , "This is America" on the sign he is crossing into the immigration issues that are rampant across the nation. I believe that placing a sign that said "When ordering please speak English" would garnished less attention.
Visit his web site and you'll find right away he request for support, there is no mention there that this support be in English only.
Check the links, there the first one listed is for the Philadelphia Convention & Vistors Bureau apart of the same city body he is in disagreement with. There is also a link for Philadelphia 9th Street Italian Market, do you truly believe that English only is a request there?

http://www.genosteaks.com/home.html

When addressing the issue of Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance - Chapter 9 Section 9-1105 (A) (1) (b) of The Philadelphia Code. It reads in part,

"(A) It shall be an unlawful public accommodations practice:
(1) For any person being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent.
agent or employee of any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement to:
(b) Publish, circulate, issue, display, post or mail, either directly or indirectly, any written or printed communication, notice or advertisement to the effect that any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of any such place shall he refused, withheld or denied to any
person on account of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity," religion, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap or disability, or marital status, or that the patronage of any person of any particular race. color, sex, sexual orientation, religious creed, ancestry, national origin [or], physical handicap or disability, marital status, is unwelcome,
objectionable or not acceptable, desired or solicited."

It also states in the beginning in part,

"(1) The Council finds that:
(a) The population of the City consists of people of every race, color, religion, national origin and sexual orientation, many of whom are discriminated against in employment
opportunities, public accommodations and obtaining adequate housing facilities;'
(d) Discrimination in places of public accommodation causes embarrassment and inconvenience to citizens and visitors of the City, creates breaches of the peace, and is otherwise detrimental to the welfare and economic growth of the City;

Section 9-1102. Definitions.'
t) Public Accommodation, Resort or Amusement. Any accommodation, resort or amusement which is open to, accepts or solicits the patronage of the general public, including but not limited to inns, taverns, roadhouses. hotels, motels whether conducted for the entertainment of transient guests or for the accommodation of those seeking health related services, recreation, or restaurants or eating houses, or any place where food is sold for consumption on the
premises, buffets, saloon barrooms or any store, park or enclosure where spirituous or malt liquors are sold, ice cream parlors, confectioneries, soda
fountains...."

http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/pdfs/FairPracticeOrdinanc.pdf
http://cbs3.com/topstories/Genos.Steaks.Sign.2.610918.html

As found in your link "The traditionally Italian community near Geno's has become more diverse over the decades. Immigrants from Asia and Latin America have moved in, joining longtime residents and young professionals seeking reasonably priced rowhouses. In the past 10 years, an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Mexican immigrants -- many of them here illegally, community leaders say -- have settled in South Philly."
It might be that the diversifying of a traditionally Italian community has become a issue to Mr. Vento.
"Vento said his staff is glad to help non-native speakers order in English and has never turned someone away because of a language barrier."
"When a non-English speaking customer showed up at the window a short time later, a clerk patiently coached him through the process. Eventually, both said "cheesesteak."
If his intention are to help the people order in English then why place the sign to begin with.
"Juntos, a Hispanic neighborhood organization, said it plans to send people to Geno's to try to order in Spanish and may pursue court action, depending on what happens."
This is something that is both wrong and unnecessary if Mr. Vento's intentions are ill willed then in time he will hang his self, he needs no help.

For the curious here are the 2000 census population stats as a city, White 45.0% Black 43.2%Hispanic or Latino 8.5%. As a state the stats are White 85.4% Black 10.0%Hispanic or Latino 3.2%. The stats for the remaining races are smaller in percentage and are found here.

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42/4260000.html

Although I find this to read like the National Enquirer and give it little creedence, I'll place the link as if any of this is true it may shows the underlying intent of Mr Vento's actions.

http://willdo.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/2006/05/press_1_for_***.html

Welcome to the city of brotherly love

Answer 7

A medal? No. But it's a great excuse to go to Philadelphia and order a cheesesteak sandwich!

Next year when I have some time off, maybe.

Answer 8

Well hell, he even said please. The illegals march around and demand, no courtesy what so ever. I think he should be more than allowed to post such a sign and he isn't allowed by law to hire illegals so what, we all have to have a Hispanic on duty to translate for these idiots! Give me a break! Yes, he deserves a medal for stating the truth, they don't speak Spanish!

Answer 9

Can anyone explain how a person who doesn’t speak (and read) English could possibly be offended (excluded, discriminated, etc.) by a sign IN ENGLISH?

Answer 10

Yes... he should have a medal.

If we move to bi lingual, the cost to this country will be staggering. Language is the cement that bonds a country and we would literally be moving toward secession with such a thing.