Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dave,
It's hard to know where to begin with this letter of yours. Let's start at the beginning. It is a logical fallacy to assume that just because we don't make English our official language, we will "have" to learn another language. It's called the either/or fallacy, and it happens to be one that Bush uses quite often. It is basically impossible for a working adult to not know English in our culture - there is no need to make English our official language, unless we are out to ostracize others even further.

Second, I agree that the Farm Bill needs help and should be a much larger priority of our government. However, I don't think you are right in thinking that the money being given to Africa is where the farm bill money should come from. Compared to other industrialized nations, we give a very, very small percentage of our money to nations in need.

Posted by just_peachy (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We are laying off teachers left and right in our schools just so we can afford to keep the doors open, we have seniors that are having to make the decision to buy food or their prescriptions, we have an economy & housing market that is in such a desperate situation---how much do you suggest we give to Africa & other nations in need to bump us up to what other contries are giving? OUR NATION IS IN NEED--when are the other industrialized nations going to step up and give us a hand out??? Ha Ha Ha--its never going to happen so I think we should take care here first. If you cannot pay your own bills do you give to every charity that you can?? I dont think so--its a very nice thought, but its not practical.

Posted by mgdbottled (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as English goes, I really don't care. I wouldn't hire anyone who couldn't speak english well. As far as the farm bill and everything else goes, doesn't much matter. Free trade means one thing. Americans standard of living will decrease and continue to decrease until an equilibrium is reached with the rest of the world. The only thing that kept our standard of living above most others was our productivity and protection. With free trade, productivity doesn't mean squat. Everything will come into equilibrium. That's the way free global markets work. Basic economics. Welcome to the new world folks. It's gonna hurt for a generation or so, then the world will be equal. Had to happen sooner or later. Quit complaining.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tal vez debería aprender español.

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Have you bothered to learn or thought you needed to learn Spanish, German, Norwegian, or Chinese up to this point?

Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's a question: what do you call someone who speaks three languages? Answer: Trilingual. What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Answer: Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks only one language? Answer: AMERICAN.

Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any politician who votes against English as our official language is a trader & should be punished as such. If some one comes here to stay, they need to learn English, get a job, and respect our country,our cultures our way of life. And if they don't like it or speak out against America, Throw them out. We use to be proud to be Americans. We were a higher standard. There is nothing wrong with that. There is no pride left in this country. Our politician's are diluting generation Americans with immigrants from all over the world. Do you wonder how much of our tax money is going for interpreters in the courts just in Otter Tail Co.? Free trade IS hurting America & we should be keeping that money here to help AMERICANS. We have given plenty to this world. Go to Europe and look at the thousands of American graves.

Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on March 31, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, I don't even like to show my face around here but that Radomski 70s article pulled me in. Aside from that, somebody get 89Heritage a straightjacket. Cuckoo! Cuckoo!

Throwing out people who speak against 'merica. Turn down that Bill O'Reilly. He's warping your already soft mind.

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Perhaps 89Heritage can enlighten us what those politicians trade?

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

89Heritage, Warum bin ich nicht berechtigt, die deutsche Sprache beherrschen, in Amerika? In der Tat, warum nicht Spanisch? Wie wir alle wissen, ein spaniard entdeckt Amerika.

Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on March 31, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

89Heritage sounds a little paranoid.

Posted by tedthedeadhead (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:10 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Sissy1 (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep giving free handouts to the ILLEGALS is in part, what put our country into a recession. You can't keep giving and giving or there is nothing left to give. The Americans that are legal and work hard for a living, keep dishing our more taxes and where are those taxes going? To free medical, housing, and food for ILLEGALS. America is America! Come here the legal way and become a citizen. I don't care what you speak at home. My German and Norweigion ancestors had to learn the English language to survive here, as should everyone else. The trouble with this country is, we make laws then no one wants to follow them. You can bet, if we were in another country illegally or if we did something ILLEGAL, we would pay for it. From what I remember, America won those wars! O.K. TREE HUGGERS, COME ON...

Posted by centralmnusa (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sissy1......shame on you...you know that the financial problems are due to costs of our illegal occupation after our unprovoked war and the Bush tax cuts for the rich.
On the state level we lowered the tax rates and ag property again in 2007 and exempted farmers and small business people from the "medical lien law"...please don't blame the Bush/Pawlenty created fiasco on the farm workers that we allow in so we can keep labor costs down and profits high!

Posted by Clara (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I worry about incrementalism. One day we will be required to speak Spanish as an employment qualification. Caucasians will be the minority. Just you wait.

Posted by tapdancer (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm just relieved that the one-parent families are not being blamed for everything anymore. We need to quit using credit to buy things we don't need and can't afford. I just watched a report about a single lady who got a subprime loan to buy a six-bedroom house. It went into foreclosure when her payments doubled due to interest. What the heck was she doing trying to buy a six-bedroom house? Learning to speak another language is the least of our problems.

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sissy1-
Less than 1% of your taxes go to welfare programs. Further, many of these programs you seem to think illegal immigrants are using in droves aren't available to them in the first place simply because of their status. So, really, that less than 1% of your taxes used to fund social welfare programs for people who are here legally.

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Canada has 2 languages, I do not want US to do the same. One language is enough for all legal work, for all ballots, etc. If you can't read english, bring your own translator. If you go to get a drivers licence, they should not need to ask what language you want it in! That is not to say you can't learn as many as you like.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Clara, and what would be wrong with caucasians being in the minority?

Posted by farawaythankgod (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a native speaker of a different language I think I shouldn't have learned English, because I could have avoided reading things like:

"Any politician who votes against English as our official language is a trader & should be punished as such."

Heritage89: Take it from someone who knows English as a 3rd language - The word is 'traitor'.

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So all illegal immigrants are not Caucasian?

Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dave Thompson is pretty much nail on the head. The argument that "making english the national lamguage would exclude others" is ridiculous. No other nation on the planet coddles immigrants like the US. If you want to immigrate here you need to know what our values and mores are; learn our language and our customs; learn our history and government. Notice I never said immigrants must abandon their former beliefs, language, religion, customs, or anything else (legally speaking), that they did in their home nation. The mixture of cultures from around the world - and the tolerance of those cultures by most Americans - is what makes the USA the best nation in the world. However, if I were to move to France (which would be stupid, but I digress), I would have to be an idiot to believe they SHOULD give me all documents in english. Or that any tests I need to take (such as driving) must be in english. Or that I should receive "special" treatment or monies to help me suceed there (a situation that occurs in the USA). C'mon people, honestly, really, if ANYONE should be getting ANY special favors from the govt it SHOULD be the citizens of this nation and not others who just want to come here!!?!!

Go ahead and say I am a racist or anti-immigration or whatever. I'll finish by saying this: my great grandmother immigrated here from Belgium following WWI where she met my great grandfather who was an aviator in that war. Upon reaching America she learned english. She lived in a german neighborhood (and spoke fluent german), and didn't really need to learn english. Yet she wanted to learn the language so she could easily communicate with other americans. She took her naturalization test all in english. Nowadays you can take tests in just about any language you want. Current immigration laws are a slap in the face to all past immigrants.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That clearly wasn't Clara's point, backrat.

Posted by Woodtick (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Press "1" for English when living in the good old US of A should not be an option. If you want to live here, learn the language. If I were to move to a non-English speaking country (which I won't, because I already live in the best country in the world!) I would certainly learn the native language.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What are you afraid of, Woodtick?

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think what Woodtick is really saying is that he's too lazy to expend the energy to press 1 or not intelligent enough to realize that any automated system that does that defaults to English if you press nothing. Though, he apparently thinks the U.S. is the only English speaking country in the world...

Posted by heewayne (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its already here, I take it some of you don't travel to much around this country. Go to L.A. and it seems like english is already the second language. In Feb I was in D.C. waiting for my shuttle and Spanish was the language being most spoken. At least they don't know what Lutefisk
is.

Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The amount of racism I'm reading about in this thread is UNBELIEVABLE. Shame on all of you.

Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

...and thethinker, you are dead wrong. America does not "coddle" immigrants more than any other country as you said. Have you ever traveled? If so, you'd realize that Canada and Europe are much more forgiving and accepting of immigrants than the USA. Landed immigrant status in Canada is as simple as claiming to be a refugee from your native country due to discrimination, harassment, etc. You fill out a form and 24 hours later you're Canadian. I'm not sure where you people are getting your "facts" from, but I think a little more research into immigration would be good before you start spouting such hatred and bigotry.

Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pilsner, you are right - the racism shown here is horrific. It makes me sad to come from a town with such racism. Not that I'm surprised - just saddened that so little has changed.

Many of you seem to forget how you got to America in the first place. Your ancestors immigrated here, unless you are Native American. Yes, they had to learn English in order to live and work, and it was hard for them to do so. Now it is somewhat easier, because there are ESL classes, but they cost money, and there are fewer jobs that don't require perfect English skills right away.

The only people who are given help to learn English in our country are those who were forced to come here due to our military failures. For example, there are many Hmong immigrants in Minnesota because of the war in Laos, which we lost. We promised the Laotian people that if we lost the war, they could come live here. However, even these people have suffered, because the "help" is much less than promised.

I think what most of you fear is the unknown. Living in a white town for the majority of your lives has hardened you into a closed-minded view of the world. Take a look around. Not everything is about you. By helping other people, you are in turn helping yourself. By turning others away, you are also hurting yourself.

Last, it is a common myth that "illegals" in the US are taking up too many jobs. It's not true. In fact, there will be such a labor shortage in a few years, that even with illegal immigrants, there will not be enough blue collar workers to fill the jobs available. Do a little research.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said Melinda.

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on April 1, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Once again, play the racism card. I did not read "horrific racism" into these comments. What is racist about having english as the offical language?? My ancestors came in legally and I might say, learned ENGISH.

Posted by Woodtick (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Mel - what is racist about having English as the official language? Just because I prefer that people living in America speak English doesn't make me racist or mean that I am "afraid" of something. Elizabeth - I may not be as "intelligent" as you, but I do know that there are other English speaking countries in the world. In fact, I have visited a few and have not found one that I would rather live in. If you had taken the time to actually read my short blurb you would have caught the "non-English speaking" reference.

Posted by daidres (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If everyone is so worried about America's morals being turned upside down,the best thing you can do , one person at a time, is teach our children the history of America, and what it means to be an American, as long as we can continue to strengthen our youths knowledge of being American, we know we did the best we could do. I mean American by any nationality, any race,any faith, teach respect to any child, it will come back tenfold, and in this case, the future of America.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Paraphrasing: "My race and my language is, and should continue to be, supreme." Is it so hard to see why this is racist?

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To follow-up, if you want to explain what exactly what is so wrong with other languages being accepted, in non-supremacist terms, please do so. As of yet, there has been none.

Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pilsner - perhaps I exaggerated by stating we coddle more than ANY other nation. I'll accept that. But we give far too much to immigrants - soley because they want to move here and have a better life. I have no problems whatsoever with people wanting to better their lives. More power to them. But why do my tax $$$ have to be used for them? Why? (Melinda - for the record I am NOT talking about Laotian refugees or any other refugee that is coming here due to our own military failures. If we screwed up their country and they want to move here to better themselves, we should help them get acclimated and find jobs). If you want to immigrate here maybe you should figure out how to do so and not be a drain on society. Many immigrants get govt grants or are on welfare or other govt handouts. Some do need it. Many do not. They live here and get free $$$. While we, as tax paying american citizens would not want to live where they live or how they live, to them this is incredibly better than where they came from. Note: yes, there are natural born citizens also leeching off the gvot and they need to be weaned ASAP as well - but at least they started out as americans already.

It is absolutely NOT racist or anti-immigration or biggoted to require all immigrants to learn english and that all govt documentation be in english and that all legal transactions be conducted in english. It is logical. You chose to move to the USA so you must conform to OUR standards (of which there are few anyway and those few are dwindling). I reiterate: I never said you must abandon you culture-but don't impose your culture on us. If you wish to speak your native tongue at home or with your friends, etc., go for it.

Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One last thing: when my great grandmother immigrated here from Belgium following WWI do you know what she received from the US govt? Nothing. Not one red cent. She came here to be with my great grandfather and have a better life than the one she left behind. She learned english and became a citizen. Some of you want to bring up the fact that our ancestors came here as immigrants. True. But did they receive govt $$$? Did they demand the govt change various items into their language so they could understand things better? Both answers are almost certainly "No". The immigrants who came into Ellis Island and other ports over 100 years ago came here to better themselves but NOT at the expense of those already here and paying taxes.

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not surprised people don't understand why their comments are dripping with racism. Racists never admit they're racist.

Posted by Clara (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a racist. Caucasians are stupid; oblivious to the obvious.

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some people are confusing "common sense" with "racism"

Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Elizabeth I am curious. Are you saying I am racist because I believe immigrants should learn english to live here? And that all business in the USA should be conducted in english? That is not being racist. Nobody is being excluded due to ANY protected reason (age, religion, race, etc.) What I suggest is logical on numerous levels. But if you think that is racist, I suggest you voice a complaint with all international airlines as they all require their pilots to use english in international flights(when communicating with the various airports around the world).

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ahem. If you want to explain what exactly is so wrong with other languages being accepted please do so.

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Honestly, if you really don't understand why your thoughts are racist, I highly doubt any explanation I give will change your mind.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Given the latest comments, Elizabeth, that's a gigantic understatement.

Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thethinker, OUR values, OUR morals, OUR standards, OUR culture? Are these written in a book of citizen laws? I need to check this book out! I've probably been breaking some of these laws for 54 years, and didn't even know it.

Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Economically it makes perfect sense to require everything to be in english. Since nobody can tell me why I am a racist for saying it should be this way I'll just use economics (which I am sure some of you will say is racist...whatever). Less paper: instead of printing various forms in numerous languages, they would all be in english - thus less trees would die because people are too lazy to learn the language most commonly used. Less paper also means less $$$ needed. Translators would also not be required nor would the various forms of translation (recordings for example which do use materials that would be unneccesary if we all spoke emglish). Go to the DMV and see how many different languages they offer for your drving test. Same goes for court procedures and the various translation instruments used there. Just a couple of areas - economically speaking - where having 1 language makes more sense.

sametoyou - this is from my posting on 4/1/08 at 2:58: "Notice I never said immigrants must abandon their former beliefs, language, religion, customs, or anything else (legally speaking), that they did in their home nation. The mixture of cultures from around the world - and the tolerance of those cultures by most Americans - is what makes the USA the best nation in the world." If you need further clarification of where I stand on this issue let me know. I am pointing out that if you chose to immigrate to the USA do not expect the rest of us already here (and already natural born citizens) to change our ways for you. Acclimate yourself to the USA. If you need help in the acclimation process, fine, we'll help.

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Elizabeth, you don't have to change my mind, and you can't, but you also can't explain what is racist about any of the comments, because they aren't.

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As recent as about 50 years ago, people thought segregation, Jim Crow laws, interning Japanese Americans, McCarthyism, and banning interracial marriage was simply common sense, too.

I could go through and copy & paste every remark you've made in this thread and explain to you why it's racist (and frankly, ethnocentrist), but again, I'm certain it won't do any good. In fact, I'm fairly sure it'll just lead you a lengthy defense of why your statements are just "common sense."

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, Mel. Even though you've confirmed that explaining why any comments made here are racist will be a waste of my time, I'll give you a couple examples and a short explanation.

Many people have stated that illegal immigrants drain government resources because they all get free food & housing from the government. So, those who use government programs are somehow inferior. Perhaps not racist per se, this comment is terribly ignorant and simply untrue.

89Heritage wrote "Our politician's are diluting generation Americans with immigrants from all over the world." So, apparently immigrants are polluting our country.

Clara stated that one day Caucasians will be the minority in this country. Frankly, I'm still confused what would be wrong with that unless you think that Caucasians are the superior race.

Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mel - apparently making english the national language is just as horrendous, just as malicious, just as RACIST, as slavery. That is all I can get out of being called a racist for agreeing with you about english. Slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation are = to english as the national language.
I have to say a big WHAT!?!?!?! to Elizabeth for stating she would have no problem being the minority. Ummm...no. I don't want to be the minority. In a democracy (which the USA is close to being), it is majority rule. If 51% want it one way, the other 49% lose. Not talking about what is right or wrong as no issues are being put forth on this majority idea. Just saying it's nice to be in the majority.

Posted by just_peachy (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is beyond me why anyone would not see a problem with other languages being available for everyday situations. For example what good is it to have your written drivers test in a different language? When was the last time you saw a stop sign that read "arret", "detener", "istaajin"??? Doesnt it just take some common sense that if everything around you is in english that you should be speaking english for safety sake if for nothing else?? Do you want to hear something even more rediculous--there are interpreters that go along for the driving part of the licensing exam to interpret what the instructor is saying to the person taking the behind the wheel. I can only hope that someone is not crossing the street and they have to depend on helpy helperton in the back seat spitting out the translation for "watch out for that person crossing the street" before they get schmucked!!! Come on people when are we going to start standing up for ourselves as a country?

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TheThinker - so you'd like to see laws put into place to ensure that caucasians remain the majority, then?

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So anyone that's not Caucasian "loses?"

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Also, thethinker, no, it's not racist simply to think that English should be the official language of the US. Ignorant and naive, yes, but not racist. The rationale posed by you and several others is what's racist.

Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First of all, i would bet all the holier than thou liberals on here (if answer honestly) have had a races thought at 1 time or another. That is part of being human. We are after all really nothing more than animals on this planet. Not the "We're the above all super species" like alot of people like to believe.  We have our own culters, religions, beliefs ect... And it is instinct to defend those things. Most spieces on this planet are that way.  Now lets look back in history. Any time in the history of man, any country on this planet, When you had 2 different peoples with to great of differences, you had war. Its happened here a few times & as we speak, somewhere on this planet, some one is getting killed for that reason. Probably in there front yard.  Islam and christianity don't go well together & there is getting to be alot of them here too. Now add the several other cultures pooring in to this country. Are you ready for war in your front yard?

Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sorry but I can't help but laugh at this point. Clara's point is well taken.

Posted by Synova (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The idea that people can be separate but equal is wrong.

Facilitating the ability of people to get by without English is facilitating their separate status.

It would be easy to argue logically that enabling people to live separate because a lack of English is facilitating their second-class status. IE. racist. If that's what a person is inclined to argue.

It bothers me not at all to be in a multi-lingual environment. I've worked in a shop (many years ago in So. Cal.) where I and a black girl were the only non-Spanish speakers there and about half the people could not speak English. It was a sweat shop. The non-English speakers could be and were exploited because they did not have other employment options. I've volunteered to tutor English at church to Vietnamese immigrants who worked in Silicon Valley for supervisors who spoke Vietnamese. The idea of "labor law" need not apply! But without English they had no other employment options.

It may make a person feel good about how accepting they are about diversity but enabling people to go on longer without English enables their exploitation to go on longer.

If we're going to toss around accusations of racism, maybe that should be considered.

Posted by Synova (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In the end, accusations of racism are an attempt to end, and win, an argument without making an argument.

I think the most interesting thing about what Mr. Thompson said was about foreign assistance and the farm bill. Right now efforts to promote something other than opium poppy production in Afghanistan are being hog-tied by the US farm lobby (whoever the heck that is) in an effort to protect markets. But good things in Afghanistan (or anywhere else in the world, including Africa) translates to more markets for US goods even as it means more competition. What's good for someone else is good for me and for you.

What policies are nameless lobbyists promoting in your name?

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

But you see, Heritage89, I fully agree with you that it is rather natural to have intolerant thoughts of those different than you. The holier than thou liberals of which you speak, and I suppose of which I am one of, understand this. But we also accept that we, ourselves, also have intolerant thoughts. But because we recognize them, we can do something about them, rather than simply letting them be.

As far as the language issue goes, I fully admit that my first, knee-jerk supremacist reaction (some here have been calling it "common sense") is that maybe English should be the official language, and other languages should generally be excluded. However, I recognize this for what it is. It's trying to enforce MY language and MY culture at the expense of others. That is intolerance.

As much as TheThinker wants to couch his argument in economics, given other comments he and others have made here, clearly economics is not the issue. Nor is it at all persuasive, as it's a very small price to pay for tolerating other cultures.

And what makes these comments even worse is that there is absolutely no threat of English going away, or other languages taking the majority (ESPECIALLY in Fergus Falls), and yet people are calling for the government endorse their language as the right language. It is supremacist. And given the connection language has to culture and ethnicity, and given that there is almost no price to pay at all for being tolerant of other languages, it is racist.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And Synova: It's an issue of choice. And mandating does not equal facilitating.

Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have never heard so many apathetic people willing to give up their own culture, their own language, their own way of life, to people who aren't even part of this culture - and then these same defeatists say the rest of us who "resist" this are racist. It is sickening. Why should americans even have any culture? If you are going to say I am racist because I love the culture of America (we could say baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet - though I'm a Ford guy...lol), so be it. Call me a racist. But by doing so you show your own ignorance of what a racist is. Elizabeth uses the term as a blanket for any of us who disagree with her view that english should not be the national language. She calls me ignorant and naive - absolutely wrong on that. But she doesn't support her opinion of me at all so she can call me what she wants and it means nothing without support. Rumpus doesn't understand any of my posts at all even after I explain my analogies and opinions. Fine. No big deal there.
I am disgusted by those of you who would just give away the american culture so easily without any fight at all. Just allow every other nationality to come here and impose their beliefs upon us. Oh I am sure I'll get ripped for that last statement. I never once said in any post that immigrants must abandon their former culture/beliefs/religion/etc. In fact I stated quite simply that the american culture is one that allows that - unlike numerous other nations. However, I also said that if you wish to move to our nation you must learn our about us and accept how we do things - and this SHOULD include learning english. Using one language makes sense economically, educationally, legally, communicationally, comprehensively, and for many many other reasons.
Now go ahead and call me racist some of you. I believe many others here (perhaps Just_peachy, 89Heritage, and Synova), would just call it being a proud American.

Posted by just_peachy (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Are we the only culture that is not allowed to "enforce" our culture as you would like to put it? What do you thing the tolerance would be for an american woman wearing a mini skirt and bikini top in a country where it is custom for women to be covered from head to toe? Do you think they would "enforce" their culture in that situation? I dont believe it should be labeled as intolerance or racism--it is called aclimating to the surroundings that you have CHOSEN to live in. A person can still have pride in the roots that they have & their culture, but if you have left your culture to join another, irregardless of the circumstances, you have to respect that other culture, their beliefs, language & customs. It, in my mind, all boils down to respect and as Americans it sometimes feel as though we cannot ask for respect for our culture & beliefs or we are accused of being racist, & intolerant.

Posted by Elizabeth (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

These posts really make me sad. Not surprised, just sad. I sincerely hope that those of you who continually defend your comments one day get out of your white town bubble and learn to critically examine your beliefs.

Posted by just_peachy (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I live in anything but a white town bubble & I have critically examined my beliefs. My beliefs are this: when every governmental agency, school, & business has to tip toe around on egg shells so that we dont hurt someones feelings, offend someone or accidentially say something that could be twisted in a descriminatory manner in lawyers office there is a problem. My daughter was being bullied by someone that the school had many many complaints against but they happened to be a different ethnic persuasion than white. I spent 4 months hearing "we have to take precautions in situations like these" while my child was being spit on, kicked, pushed, hit--they were too afraid to lay the smack down on a situation that warranted it because they were too afraid of being accused of discriminating against someone & being sued. My husband & I finally had to file assault charges to get it to stop--so if someone wants to whine about discrimination go ahead because my daughter has been on that end of it & has received absolutely no assistance or aid, so dont think that people that have immigrated here recently are the only ones that are being discriminated against.

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rumpusgoopus quote "It's trying to enforce MY language and MY culture" It is the AMERICAN CULTURE, not just yours. Don't make it so personal. Here in America WE use English, OUR currency is the dollar, the constitution is OURS.
The country needs common laws and regulations. (sometimes I think we have to many) but, English should be one of them.

Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thinker,Mel & Peachy are all 100% right on the Money. I know you're sad Elizibeth But If you liberals would take a look sometime at what the Heart of America really is you might understand. A lot of us still are proud to be an American. From all the poll's & voting on this issue of immigration, The majority of people in this country said stop it. We don't want this problem. This should'nt even be an issue anymore. Our government should have fixed this years ago. We got to quit cowering to all this crap. Stand up and be proud of your country. We have done alot of amazing things & have a alot to be proud of. If people do'nt like it, Show them 1 of Americas favorite signs. That go's for the rest of the world also.

Posted by thethinker (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Elizabeth - you don't know a thing about me so don't label me with your "white town bubble" remark. That is insulting. Not wishing to insult anyone else on this thread I will say this: I am certain I have more experience with diverse races than almost anyone else here. Ever here of a place called Gary, Indiana? How about all of northwest Indiana and that small town to the NW known as Chicago? Yeah, I lived there for several several years. In fact I was born in Gary, IN so don't go spouting off to me about "examining my beliefs". I would venture it is you, Elizabeth, who has the least amount of interaction with any other race than white. Incidentally I am sad to hear about just peachy's story but I have heard it before. Glad to hear you finally got some authority figure to take care of your daughter.
Enough of this. English should be our national language and I am proud to be an American. Go ahead and call me racist now....

Posted by Synova (anonymous) on April 4, 2008 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I got out of my "white town bubble" over 20 years ago. Went back to a choir concert at Underwood HS after being overseas and just stared at the blond and thought, "how do they tell each other apart?" I've enjoyed listening to the delightful polyglot of shoppers where individual sentences were in at least three different languages including "Tech". I've enjoyed living between black families across from Iranians, kitty-corner to Hindi and two houses over from my good Jewish friend and about two blocks from the largest Sikh religious facility in the US... all in the same house. And now I live in a state that is primarily hispanic.

Not speaking English isn't a *choice*... it's a handicap. It enables the exploitation of people. We may argue that making English the official language won't help, but I think that in large part it would discourage those who do seem to think that they are doing a good thing by helping people to avoid learning it.

Exploitation is a very serious concern for those who are trapped by language. Not a choice. And our policies have enabled people to avoid learning English which keeps them second-class. Because, and I realize this comes as a shock, learning a new language is *hard*.

Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on April 4, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm still wondering why we don't talk with Mexico & make it a state? They have alot of resorces, Oil ect... Get rid of there corrupt government an install our slightly less corrupt government. If they are here looking for work, America could start alot of good business there & we could have a huge tax revenue flowing in from it.

Posted by Hennepin (anonymous) on April 13, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Elizabeth,
The only racist here is you. Anyone who cannot have a rational exchange of ideas and thoughts without playing the R card is by definition one. I am sick and tired of of not being able to read constructive exchanges on immigration or language without chicken littles like you yelling racist at anyone and everyone with an opinion that differs from yours. Put that R card where the sun doesn't shine for awhile. IMHO