"You Better Start Learnin' English"

[fascisthunter]

I was at a small grocerie store, which has a deli inside where I get my lunch almost everyday. Good sandwichs for cheap. After picking up my vittles, I went to the register where I witnessed something that got my blood boiling.

While waiting in line, I witnessed an old man berate a woman for speaking spanish to the bag lady. She was just telling her what to do... The girl looked up at the old man and stated that she was addressing her co-worker in Spanish because it was their native language and that she was not talking about him. She was also sorry and said she meant no disrespectto the man. Well, that wasn't good enough for Mr. America. He claimed she was being disrespectful non-the-less for not speaking English while working in America. "I don't care.... you better start learnin' english!"

Well, "howdee-doodee-motha f'er", I said to myself, not out loud mind you. I looked at both ladies behind the cash register, whom I know from my many trips here and saw the panic in their faces. I gave them a look letting them know I did not approve of him. That's when I turned and looked at the old man, and told him that he better learn to show more respect to people. That no one had the right to tell anybody what language they had to speak in this country especially if they weren't talking to him! I also told him it was still a free country and to send Rush Limbaugh that message. He turned away without saying another word, while an asian man behind me, asked if the other guy had a problem with other languages. I grinned, and I told him apparently he does, and that what was most ironic, was that "the two ladies behind the counter probably knew more languages than most bigots in this country! He probably can't read and write proper english", I exclaimed out loud. With that an older woman, gave me a dirty look and I smiled right back at her.

Well the two behind the counter were shocked but thanked me graciously, which made me realize what I had just done. I felt both good and a bit "on the spot". I also didn't not care for talking to an elder that way. But somethings need to be said, and done!

I live in a Blue state (Massachusetts), but you try to find a talk show on AM radio that isn't right wing, or conservative! It's this hate radio shit talk that has dumb dumbs like this thinking it's acceptable to shove their fascist uber nationalistik shit down peoples throats in grocerie stores. So, when you see this shit, STOMP ALL OVER IT! Stick up for people! If you don't, you accept it.

Nicey-nice is over, understand? We have to take this country back ourselves and it has to start with the little things first.

[SeattleGirl]

1. Good for you for speaking up.

I used to be really shy about confronting people like that, but not any more.

[fascisthunter]

4. It's Hard... Especially When You are Shy

I am.....

[SeattleGirl]

11. I know. Fortunately, I've overcome a lot of my previous shyness.

Extra kudos to you, then, for saying something!

[cabraverde]

53. ballyhoo! old chap!

Hopefully the old cermudgen thinks next time he opens his silly trap.

[Raine]

61. I'm really shy too

I mean REALLY shy. I just hope that if I'm ever in a situation like that I can do half as well as you...you done good. :thumbsup:

[RedCappedBandit]

68. I am so shy....

..but the only way to overcome it is to ignore it.

I know, easier said than done.. but it works.

[redqueen]

76. “Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind — even if your voice shakes."

:yourock:

[fascisthunter]

95. I've Been away

and noticed how this thread grew... some of these comments here are really fantastic. Thanks!

[TheDebbieDee]

2. "Nicey-nice is over, understand?"

I agree. It is way past time for us to stop being polite and civil to these fascist ba$tard$.

Our civility has only emboldened these freeptards!

[bunkerbuster1]

45. Word.

My primary vote goes to any Democrat willing to adopt this as their campaign theme.

[Jade Fox]

80. What you said....

They eat our "niceness" for breakfast, and grow stronger.

[geardaddy]

3. Yep, good for you.

Who cares if they were talking to each other.

[JBoy]

5. Old bigots can go fuck themselves

Just because someone popped out of the womb before me doesn't give them any special privileges.

Good on you, for calling the guy on his bullshit. It may not change his thinking, but he might think twice about opening his yap.

[rasputin1952]

90. Old bigots are not really the problem...young bigots are...

:hi:

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Good for you. The man has probably never been out of the USA in his life. I find the

most die-hard nationalists are those who've never been anywhere. In this state, I think about 75% haven't traveled any further than the abutting states (which all have casinos and we don't allow any gambling).

[fascisthunter]

10. I Find the Same

these nationalistik people are always sheleterd from the World around themselves. I know a few on a personal level... talk about ignorant. If only they knew... maybe, but maybe not. Whatever their reasons, that behavior is unacceptable.

[geardaddy]

16. It's more than a language thing, it's a race thing.

In these parts, those same die-hard nationalists will wax sentimental about the days when their grandparents couldn't speak English and could only speak Swedish, Norwegian or German. It's a race thing for them. It's some "brown" language.

[fascisthunter]

33. I Worked with an Individual

that seemed to jump on me whenever an opportunity presented itself. I became suspicious as to why, only to find out he was a republican, a die-hard one that listened to am radio all the time.

When somebody hates you enough they will find any and every excuse imaginable to give you shit.

[TomInTib]

7. Good for you. And the ironic part is that, by speaking in their first language,...

they were attempting to do their jobs just that much better.

Of course, I doubt the old bastard could've wrapped his mind around that concept

[fascisthunter]

9. These Ladies are Such Sweat Hearts Too

Well, looks like I made better friends with them. I'd take their friendship over his any day!

[JBoy]

17. Next time you see them, be sure to greet them in Spanish.

I got an email from a coworker once who I knew to be Filipino, so in my reply I said "thank you" in Tagalog (maraming salamat, I had to Google it). The gesture absolutely made her day, and I've been in her good books ever since.

[fascisthunter]

23. Good Idea (nt)

[TomInTib]

18. I was in your State not long ago, having dinner with some long-ago..

associates of mine.

One turned to me and asked, since I am from Texas, why I thought "all of these Mexicans decided to pick Worcester to migrate to".

I said something to the effect of, "Look, Dumbass, they just got here".

He was astounded. He thought that the town was specifically targeted. He had no effing idea how much this country depends on our Brothers and Sisters from the South.

I am so glad you did what you did. That old fuck is a callous ass and too goddamned ignorant to know how humiliated those two women were to be chastised in public.

Again, good for you.

Tom

[fascisthunter]

24. Thanks

I'm glad I did what I did.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Proud to give this #5!!

[angrycarpenter]

12. gentlemen

do not treat women with disrespect in public. If this were the 40s or 50s like mr. conservative dreams about he would be getting his ass beat. Chivalry demands it.

[gateley]

13. One of my first experiences here in a small southern town a couple of years

ago was at the Post Office. An older woman was waiting in line behind me, we made eye contact and I smiled. She was grasping a sheet of stamps and huffed "I'm here to return these! Just look! Can you imagine them selling these to me?:" There was a black guy on the stamp (don't know who). I was a bit shaken up because I'd lived in Seattle all my life and had never encountered this, but wasn't going to let it go. So I just said "Wow! He looks just like my husband!". The look on her face.....

[fascisthunter]

25. Oh My.... Now That Was Real Good! (nt)

[XanaDUer]

31. ROTFLMAO!

:rofl:

[ellie]

14. Good for you!

I would have said something but it would have been laced with profanity. I've had it with these people.

[rgbecker]

15. Call up the advertisers of these "Hate Radio Shows".....

Lets them know you will never patronize their businesses as long as they support those wackos Carr, Limbaugh, Libby, Laura Graham etc. Check it out, they are your local car dealers etc. STOMP ALL OVER IT! I love that!

[fascisthunter]

26. I Will....

believe me, I will. I can't let this crap go on around me anymore.

[jakem]

19. heard an unbelievable one on 'lazer' 93.9 (western mass.)

a caller said that the US is not really responsible for slavery, as it was africans who offered their own people for sale. we (amerika) were just taking part in a business transaction!!

if this is still happening in MA, i can only imaging the red states...

[Bill McBlueState]

22. 93.9 or 99.3 ?

"Lazer" is 99.3

93.9 is "the River"

I'm surprised you heard that comment on either station, but it's more likely that you heard it on 99.3.

[jakem]

38. whoops! 99.3! not 'the river'

i was not all that surprised actually on 'lazer'.

the morning show has pretty much an all bigot caller base- usually complaining about immigrants, etc.

why does heavy rock always seem to be paired with morons?

i usually stick to 'the river'...

[Bill McBlueState]

72. yikes, I've never listened to the 99.3 morning show

Cool, you're in Greenfield. I live in Montague. :hi:

[jakem]

79. hey cool.

howdy neighbor!

:toast:

[fascisthunter]

27. Oh Yea... there are plenty Up Heya!

Bigots are all over the place but are still a minority. Prejudice runs through everyone, but to only a degree or two. When I say bigots, I refer to what you mentioned. It's real, and somewhat prevalent throughout this country, north, south, east, west but it still is a minority and we all can beat it together.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

75. I've heard that one before

I'm always like "What, did they also twist the white people's arms to accept those slaves too?"

[southpaw]

20. That 'Speak English or Shut Up' attitude really pisses me off.

At a christmas eve gathering with some in-laws, I bit my tongue while a group of idiots went on and on about this very thing. One of the assholes bragged about telling a spanish-speaking person: "You're in America! Speak English!"

It was all I could do to keep from telling them that unless they could speak Navajo, Cherokee, Seminole and every other Native American language, they had no right to dictate to more recently immigrated people which language they could or could not use.

It's just transparent bigotry.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

21. And when Americans go overseas, they are some of the LEAST likely to

learn the local language.

When I was a student in Japan, I met Americans who had lived there for years without learning more than a few polite phrases. What was worse was that their CHILDREN, who had been born and raised there, didn't speak Japanese. That was tragic; all they needed to do was send the kids to a Japanese school.

Then there's my cousin, who is retired military married to a German woman and living in German. Guess what. He doesn't speak German.

I wonder if all those Americans who retire to Mexico or Costa Rica speak Spanish. I bet a lot of them sit around griping about how nobody in the stores speaks English.

In fact, that's a favorite "ugly American" complaint, that ordinary people in non-English-speaking countries don't speak English.

[CRK7376]

41. Great postings everybody

Bigotry makes me nuts. Unfortunately I'm dumber than a box of rocks when it comes to learning foreign languages. I've tried for years, as a military guy it's pretty important to be able to converse, understand the local lingo...unfortunately I seldom do although I always try. I've taken any and all language classes sponsored by Uncle Sam when stationed in a foreign country, completed all college language requirements, used Rosetta Stone programs etc...all to no avail.

Over the years, I have accumulated a remarkable collection of simple phrases, hello, goodbye, thank you, I'm from....etc. Just enough to get in trouble, order a basic meal, time and train schedules stuff like that. I always learn as much about the culture of a country I'm going to before I get there and I always venture out and enjoy the locale/people/foods/culture, I just don't learn languages as much as I try. I did get a great apartment in Korea because I spoke a few phrases in Korean and took my shoes off before entering and touring the apartment....Cultural sensitivity is important and goes along way. Being American overseas is hard enough with out being the UGLY American.

SO when I see some ass clown berating others over their language or native tongue I get upset. Many of us and our relatives were at one time immigrants or natives....So stop the bigotry when you get the chance.

[leftynyc]

83. If your position is that

those Americans living in Japan and Germany ought to be learning the language of that country, why doesn't that translate into people who live here learning English? I'm not trying to start a fight and frankly, as a New Yorker, I hear foreign languages all day long and couldn't care less, I just hear that argument a lot (that Americans refuse to learn the language of the country they're working in and how horrible and ethnocentric that is) and don't understand why the opposite doesn't hold true.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

91. In general, immigrants aren't so much REFUSING to learn English as

they are working 12 hours a day just to survive OR they're on waiting lists for ESL classes (of which there are not a sufficient number) OR they arrived so recently that they haven't had time to learn much English. Having worked with tutoring immigrants in English, I know that they're eager to learn, because life is so inconvenient otherwise. In any case, their children almost always learn English, usually without an accent.

I'm talking about affluent American expats who have plenty of leisure time to sit around the American Club in Tokyo or are retired and could fill their hours any number of ways but don't choose to learn the local language. It's especially sad when this willful ignorance extends into the second generation. I've actually heard long-term American expats in Japan tell new arrivals that they don't need to learn more than a couple of words of Japanese.

[fascisthunter]

28. Great Point, southpaw

even I forget that most except natives are immigrants. Well, I know I am... first generation from european descent.

[proud patriot]

29. good for you

and you were correct about the bigot
"You Better Start Learnin' English" is not proper english

"You had better start learning english" would have been the proper grammar.

[fascisthunter]

32. You Noticed the Bad Grammar

I found that to be revealing, the way he addressed both of them. It had less to do with language and more to do with his hatred of them both.

thank you

[proud patriot]

48. Yes , I wouldn't be my grandfather's grandaughter if I didn't

My very republican Grandfather insisted on proper grammar when
he raised me . It drove me up the wall :crazy:

[HCE SuiGeneris]

30. Well done. Being run over by a-holes is not allowed.

Enough of the BS spewed by the holier-than-thou reich wing.

[Ikonoklast]

34. My sister and nephew were here for the holidays

My oldest sister spent her junior year of college in Spain, and met and eventually married a Spanish national, and has lived in Valencia for nearly thirty years. Her husband is a professor at the university, and her son goes to Oxford. He is a dual citizen of Spain and the U.S. She teaches English at the local high school.

My nephew and BIL both speak English with a British accent, as they both have had some of their education in Britain, and my sister speaks flawless Spanish, as well as Catalan.

Anyway, my sister and nephew went to do some shopping for Christmas, and while looking at some items, were conversing in Spanish, as that is the language they use at home. Some ignorant asshole started mumbling something about 'damned immigrants', when my sister, in perfect English, informed the lout that she was a natural-born citizen of the United States, as was her son, and if he didn't care for the language they were speaking among themselves, he could take a long walk off a short pier, until his hat floated.

What really made his eyes wide was when my nephew, in his very best English accent, told the jerk to 'sod off.'

[fascisthunter]

35. That's Great...

Ignorant people deserve that kind of treatment. Unfortunately there are a many who do nothing to improve themselves afterwards and instead hold larger grudges like children. They expect others to coddle their ignorance and we don't they get even more mad.

[VenusRising]

36. Good for you for standing up for others.

Your story reminds me of this cartoon I saw just yesterday...



:hi::yourock:

[DRoseDARs]

37. You should have said, "You first, asshole. There is a 'g' at the end of 'learning'."

It's like saying, "America for Americans." OK, so everyone who DOES NOT have Amerindian blood needs to pack up a leave. Stupid fucks. :shrug:

[MountainLaurel]

39. Thank you for standing up for them

I only hope that if I'm faced with a similar situation, I'll have your courage.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

40. Take a bow sir, you've done a fine thing.

Yelling at young women who fear the commotion might cost them their jobs.

That's real Big Man material there.

Well done fascisthunter :)

:hi: :pals: :yourock:

[nadinbrzezinski]

42. I've done this in the past as well

the most recent time was also at a grocery store.

Young man started berating the women at the deli for not speaking English. I placed my order IN SPANISH, then turned to this idiot and asked him where he learned his manners? He looked at me and told me, well you are one of THEM.

I smiled back

Yep and one who also holds a masters degree from an AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, speaks and READS several languages and learned from mommy and daddy that you treat others like you wish to be treated. Obviously you have never heard of the golden rule.

He walked away with his stuff in a huff.

My theory is that the target ain't gonna learn, but those around listening to the exchange will get to think about it.

[Zoigal]

43. Kudos to you,

Fascisthunter. Takes guts to speak up like that. Too many of us don't, and should. z

[Marrah_G]

44. AM radio in Mass- sports or RW BS or spanish-

Air America- thanks to clear channel-- was replaced by yet another Latin dance channel. Yes I am pissed. No liberal talk radio... not one. There were other Latin dance choices and no liberal talk....I am confident in saying Mitt and his evil company replace Air America purposefully.

You would THINK the bluest damn state in the country would have a choice in talk radio.

[Kajsa]

46. Yes!!! You tell 'em, FH.

I can't stand that xenophobic crap!

Yes, English is the "official language" of the US,

HOWEVER, hundreds of languages are spoken by those
who inhabit this country of ours.

Would this guy chew my butt out for speaking Swedish
to my mom or brother in public?

I heard something interesting while watching the movie,
'Walk-Out' last summer.

In it, Edward J.Olmos states that CA had two official languages
at the onset of statehood, and the CA Constitution was written
in both English and Spanish.
How's about that?

http://www.hbo.com/films/walkout /

'Walk Out' is a true story, an excellent film
and takes place when I was in HS, myself.

I highly recommend it to everyone.

Again, Hooray for you, FH!!

:applause: :yourock:

K&R.

[nadinbrzezinski]

47. Small correction, that I use to good effect with these racists

English IS NOT the official language of the US. It is the lingua franca (there I go with Latin), but the US is one of a few nations that does not have an official language.

[Kajsa]

49. Good point, Nadin!

I stand corrected.
That makes more sense and really nails the argument.

Thanks,

:D :hi:

[kineneb]

51. look up "Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo"

We were a Spanish territory before we were part of the US. The first version of the California constitution did indeed make the state officially bilingual Spanish/English. item was dropped in the version adopted.

[Kajsa]

52. Thanks,Kineneb.

I've looked over this,and can't locate it.
(my eyes are getting shot)

http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/level3_const1849txt.html

Do you know where it is written?
Or is this the first version, minus that item?

I really want to use this as a reference.

Thanks so much.

:hi:

[kineneb]

56. here is more info

this is the original manuscript:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/ghtreaty/


the wikipedia entry, which lists the changes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Guadalupe_Hidalgo

This site has highlighted editorial comments on the important passages. (editor does go on a bit about his/her own agenda...)
http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/TGH.html
...and here they are (highlighting replaced with bold face):

Once again the US gov. abrogates clauses in treaties and covers itself in glory. (has the gov. ever actually upheld even one of these treaties?)


ARTICLE VIII
Mexicans now established in territories previously belonging to Mexico, and which remain for the future within the limits of the United States, as defined by the present treaty, shall be free to continue where they now reside (Note: Many “Mexicans” were forced to leave; TGH not honored), or to remove at any time to the Mexican Republic, retaining the property which they possess in the said territories (Note: More than 75% of “Mexicans” lost their land; TGH not honored), or disposing thereof, and removing the proceeds wherever they please, without their being subjected, on this account, to any contribution, tax, or charge whatever.
Those who shall prefer to remain in the said territories may either retain the title and rights of Mexican citizens (Note: Many were forced to leave), or acquire those of citizens of the United States. But they shall be under the obligation to make their election within one year from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty; and those who shall remain in the said territories after the expiration of that year, without having declared their intention to retain the character of Mexicans, shall be considered to have elected to become citizens of the United States.
In the said territories, property of every kind, now belonging to Mexicans not established there, shall be inviolably respected (Note: TGH violated, over 75% lost their land). The present owners, the heirs of these, and all Mexicans who may hereafter acquire said property by contract, shall enjoy with respect to it guarantees equally ample as if the same belonged to citizens of the United States (Note: TGH again violated, were denied the right to their property, to work)
ARTICLE IX
The Mexicans who, in the territories aforesaid, shall not preserve the character of citizens of the Mexican Republic (Note: “Mexicans” in the aforesaid preserved the Character of what was/is a Spanish speaking region of the U.S.A.; the Character of California and the U.S. Southwest has been Spanish speaking and lengua franca for 500 years, from early 1500s to the present; The English language joined the Spanish speaking lengua franca of the Southwest and California in the late to early 1900s- 300 years later; THG violated again with attempts to “exclude” the Spanish language), conformably with what is stipulated in the preceding article, shall be incorporated into the Union of the United States. and be admitted at the proper time (to be judged of by the Congress of the United States) to the enjoyment of all the rights of citizens of the United States (TGH broken again, the Californians/South Western Hispanics were denied the Spanish languagewhich was part of their character even before they were part of Mexico; they were speaking Spanish across the U.S., in Florida, the Carolinas, for example. The conquered in fact retained the “character” of the U.S., but were denied those “same rights accorded any other U.S. Citizen” as promised in theTGH. Other U.S. citizens were speaking Spanish in other parts of the U.S. without their rights trampled on, but alas denied in California and the Southwest…Yes, we are different, we are different than even other Hispanics in the U.S.A., we are a conquered people and have been afforded and even guaranteed certain rights. The conquered people of New Mexico also were very aware of these rights and these rights were “spelled out” in their constitution as they are in the California Constitution and reiterated in the Gadsden Purchase), according to the principles of the Constitution; and in the mean time, shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty (Liberty includes the Liberty to speak the language of their fathers and forefathers, and the right to speak the Spanish language which was/is spoken in other parts of the the U.S.A, i.e. Florida, the Carolinas, etc.) and property (75% of Hispanic/Indian owned property in New Mexico was lost), and secured in the free exercise of their religion (Note without; restriction)

[Kajsa]

73. Thank You!

I saw the part regarding the Mexicans who were to retain
their land rights not honored.

That seems to be the MO.
Screw the original inhabitants out of their land.

Not honored.

Is there any wonder why there is contempt and suspicion
of the government by those who were here first?

Thanks again for the great links.

So few people know about this.

:hi:

[amandabeech]

64. Correction. California was part of Mexico before it became part of the U.S.

Mexico was a Spanish colony from its founding in the 1500s (I'm going from memory here) until the Mexican Revolution in the early 1800s. The Spanish-American was concluded in, I believe, 1849.

The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was executed by the United States and Mexico. Spain was out of the picture by then.

[pegleg]

50. As long as they are legal, who cares what language they speak?

[cabraverde]

54. even if they are undocumented guests, they still deserve respect

there is no such thing as an "illegal" human!

[pegleg]

58. Not when Americans are losing jobs because of it.

[Heidi]

62. Blame the corporations for that, and treat the workers with respect. (nt)

[pegleg]

71. Respectfully buy them a one way bus ticket home

[LanternWaste]

84. How about...

"As long as they are legal, who cares what language they speak?"

How about, "As long as they are human, who cares what language they speak?" Unless of course you think imaginary red and blue lines on a map are more important than people. :shrug:

Maybe you can tell me the precise and relevant difference as to why we shouldn't care about the language of a documented worked as opposed to caring about the language of an undocumented worker...

How does being an documented or undocumented worker change whether we care about language or not?

Methinks you're simply trying to be clever and subtle-- trying a back-handed swipe against undocumented workers in a thread that has nothing to do with that.

Anyway, my g/f is an undocumented worker... but don't worry about your job-- she has higher aspirations than that. :hi:

[fascisthunter]

93. Being Rude Like That is Disgusting...period!

You would never know who was legal and who wasn't so your point is irrelevant. Treat people the way you want to be treated.


PS - nice try with the privilege.

[mitchtv]

55. Good for you

now if the church goers start speaking up to the haters disguising themselves as chistians, we will hav a chance

[UndertheOcean]

57. Good of you to keep your composure

I would have exploded .

:applause:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

59. More people speak Spanish in the world than speak English.

That would make the old barsted's head explode!!!!

I think Chinese is the #1 language in the number of speakers, worldwide.
Spanish is #2 and English is #3.


I don't understand people who are so boring they think that everyone should be exactly like them, have the same customs and cultures and speak the same language. They have no curiousity about other cultures. How boring!!!

[amandabeech]

65. Some people would rather visit other cultures than live in them.

Wanting to live in one's own culture does not mean that one is incurious about others.

[Chovexani]

69. Hey! You just describe how I feel about the South!

Please keep your fear of the brown menace confined to it! :hi:

(See how fun this game is?)

[amandabeech]

78. Please take remedial reading courses. n/t

[Chovexani]

87. Please take your medication and go back to Free Republic.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

70. If you are responding to me, I did not say that.

To Amandabeech: I don't think the people who say things like that are curious about anything.
They just listen to right wing radio and repeat the talking points they hear, like parrots. They never read books. They hate school. They like to play video games. They are threatened by diversity, apparently.

The people I know who can't stand people who speak Spanish a)don't know anybody who speaks Spanish and English both; and b)have never been to a Spanish-speaking country; and c)have no curiosity about ANY other country or ANY other culture than their white rural upbringing.

As I said, the guy who told me that ALL illegal immigrants don't want to learn English has not polled all 11 million of them. Nor has he seen the English schools dotting storefronts in Spanish-speaking sections of the large city I live in. Somebody must be paying the teachers and owners to teach them English, and if they weren't making a profit the schools would go out of business.

The ones I have met are probably so isolated that they have never met a Jew, and probably met very few Catholics.

[amandabeech]

77. My comments were general only.

They were not made in defense of this man who behaved very badly. Perhaps I should have made myself more clear.

[Raine]

60. I don't get how people can be so rude

and uncivil and of course bigoted but just the rudeness in speaking to another human being like that is mind boggling. x(

[AlphaCentauri]

63. kick

[ingac70]

66. Awesome! n/t

[ingac70]

67. Try living in a Red state...

where assholes brag on the radio call ins about telling Hispanic children that came to their homes that illegals don't get candy on Halloween.....

Several calls like that the day after Halloween in Tennessee...


:mad:

[AspenRose]

85. Are you for real?!

How in the hell would they know who's legal and who's not? That's just racism, period.

Lord, have mercy....

x(

[ingac70]

86. Yes, I am for real...

I heard them on the "Phil Valentine Show" while driving in my car. I regularly listen to RW radio to see what BS they are making up..

I was so mad I started screaming in a blind rage in the car and had to pull over.

They don't care who is "legal", you are righ, it is racism.

Some jerk called in with the same thing about calling the cops if you see an Hispanic mowing a lawn. Never stopping to think some of those folks are mowing their own lawns, or may be working legally.

Something has to be done to stop this shit on the radio, or they are going to talk up a massacre one day... I've heard radio was instrumental in rallying up assholes to slaughter people in Rwanda...

[redqueen]

74. Excellent advice... start with the little things.

There's no need to be nasty or vulgar... correcting these knuckle-draggers misconceptions can be politely done, as you did.

Silence is assent, after all.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

81. In Massachusetts, the most vocal are right wing assholes

They've got this complex about living in "the blue of all blues" and they seek to prove that they are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. They are the exact reason an idiot like Romney was able to win here at all, along with clowns like Weld and Cellucci.

And Boston talk radio is absolute garbage, period. After all, they still talk about David Brudnoy as the chairman of Boston talk, and he was a racist, right-wing snob.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

82. To be perfectly honest,

I do not speak in Italian to my parents or sibling if I am in the company of unrelated non-Italian speakers. If I am somewhere where everyone is speaking Italian, I have no problem speaking in Italian. But if I went to the local Food Lion (note: I live in purple NC) and the cashier were Italian, I would not speak to her in Italian if other customers were behind us. I just think of it as a courtesy, as in "We are not talking behind your backs."

FWIW, I did not know one word of English until I relocated from Italy to rural NC in 1987 at the age of 15. Two weeks after relocating, I began high school; at the time, there were no ESL classes. It was a 'sink or swim' enviroment. I have trouble remembering most of my first few weeks in school. I graduated at 17, did decently on the SAT and went on to college. But I firmly believe that had I gone to a place with an established Italian community I would not have learned American English as fluently as I have, nor would I have had the career opportunities that I was able to enjoy.

[AlphaCentauri]

89. "We are not talking behind your backs."

I have a neighbor who always refer to some gardeners as "Those f** Mexicans" when they are not present, but I have seen those Mexicans cleaning his boat or helping fixing his car. The other they he was telling me how Mexicans are draining the health system, I did ask him if he has seen the Michael Moore's movie Sicko, He said "no, who is that, the fat crazy guy?". So my next question was, where he use to get his news, his answer "CNN, Lou dobb". That said it all.

[fascisthunter]

94. It's a Free Country and You Feel Obligated by Peer Pressure

if you do, it's your own fault. It has nothing to do with being "considerate" for speaking another language amongst a group of others does not mean anything other than what it is. There is nothing rude with speaking another language. Those who get annoyed are usually insecure that they are being talked about, which in itself is a bit of an egotistical assumption. That's really not your problem.

What you describe is not courtesy... it's FEAR of people assuming something they shouldn't to begin with.

[yardwork]

88. Good for you. There have been times when I have been called upon to speak up.

I live in the south. From time to time I've been waiting in line behind a black person and had the server pass over them and offer to help me next. Once I was sitting at a table in a restaurant in a small town with that town's only doctor, who happened to be black and about twenty years older than me when a white waitress tried to take my order first.

Each time I spoke up and indicated that the person ahead of me, or the older person with higher professional prestige, should be waited on first. This usually resulted in dirty looks from the white person, which I gave them right back.

It's not necessary to be rude to fight rudeness, and ultimately bigotry is a form of intense rudeness. It's rude to go along with behavior that is part and parcel of systemic oppression and death. I will not tolerate it.

[Silent3]

92. A situation like that...

...would have made me wish my Spanish was good enough to know how to say "asshole" in Spanish off the top of my head.

Lo siento. Nosotros no somos pendejos como él. :) (Caution. Not a literal translation! ;) )