Philly Italian hairdresser: I think Vento listens to too much RW radio

[Mandate My Ass]

Street: Media overreacting to issue at Geno's

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/14822037.htm

Mayor Street says the media are making a "mountain out of a molehill" over the "speak English" sign at Geno's Steaks in South Philly.

In his first words on the tempest, Street said that the issue has had "almost no impact" on the city, that the sign is probably legal and that "it can't pass soon enough for me."

The mayor urged Philadelphians not to read too much into what amounts to a routine investigation by the Human Relations Commission...

Not everyone is ready to let the story die. Hair stylist Julius Scissor, who has a salon off Rittenhouse Square, argued that the Vento sign is "not good for the city" and offered to debate the cheesesteak impresario on the subject.

The hairstylist, whose real name is Francesco Antonio Pinto, said he has put up a well-received sign which says "foreign speakers are welcome."

Pinto said he is from the "same generation" as Vento, and also Italian-American.

"I'm over 60," he said. "I've seen America change dramatically...

Of Vento, Pinto said, "He needs to think beyond that corner. (Geno's is on 9th Street near Passyunk Avenue.) I think he listens to a little bit too much of that right-wing radio."

[sui generis]

1. So do they mean you can't order in another language or

you can't even speak another language on the premises?

It's unclear. I think he should clear it up with additional clarifying statements, since HIS english rather sucks.

[Mandate My Ass]

2. That's the crux

If he had two brain cells that could work in tandem, he'd know that a person who can't speak English sure as hell can't read it, and his sign would be in Spanish several foreign languages.

Or, he just wanted to advertise to the neighborhood he's a bigot. :shrug: