[Oklahoma] Legislator wants English to be state language

[tommieharris91]

http://hub.ou.edu/articles/article.php?item_id=1365535846&section_id=1774511018

Debatan, por favor. Oklahoma debe pasar esta ley. Diminuiria costos para materias de leer por las programas de Oklahoma.

[OKLA21FAN]

Tsa-La-Gi

:pop:

[mdklatt]

Are they going to take down all the Cherokee signs in Tahlequah? Who do they think they are anyway. If you're going to come to this country, LEARN TO SPEAK ENGLISH GOOD!

[TUSooner]

That's liable to confuse a bunch of hillbillies. Oh, wait. As long as it doesn't say "good English" is the official language we'll be OK.


:O
yes, it's lame

[picasso]

it could save a lot of time and money on things that also have to be printed up in Spanish.;)

also, I'd be willing to say that more than 90% of the natives don't know their own language.

[mdklatt]

it could save a lot of time and money on things that also have to be printed up in Spanish.;)


Couldn't we just stop printing things in other languages without making English the "official" language? It seems to me that the only point of declaring an official language is to make immigrants feel unwelcome.

[skycat]

Couldn't we just stop printing things in other languages without making English the "official" language? It seems to me that the only point of declaring an official language is to make immigrants feel unwelcome.

I don't know. I don't see much difference in declaring an official language, and passing legislation that says "no government material will be printed in a language other than English."

Wouldn't the second option be a de facto implementation of the first?

[tommieharris91]

Methinks declaring an official language in the US will infringe on freedom of speech, and must therefore be amended to the Constitution.

[skycat]

Methinks declaring an official language in the US will infringe on freedom of speech, and must therefore be amended to the Constitution.

That doesn't make sense to me. Declaring an official language wouldn't prevent anyone from speaking whatever language they wanted. It would just mean that the government would only print material in English.

[Boarder]

Don't pass legislation to not print things in Spanish. Just don't do it. When someone asks if they can have it printed in Spanish just say, "No, sorry". Or "El No, I am El Sorryio" or whatever.

[usmc-sooner]

Couldn't we just stop printing things in other languages without making English the "official" language? It seems to me that the only point of declaring an official language is to make immigrants feel unwelcome.

the only point is to make immigrants feel unwelcome? How about so were all on one page and we all understand each other.

If you're going to move to another country it's your responsibility to assimilate to their ways, not them to assimilate to yours.

[skycat]

Don't pass legislation to not print things in Spanish. Just don't do it. When someone asks if they can have it printed in Spanish just say, "No, sorry". Or "El No, I am El Sorryio" or whatever.

That just won't happen without legislation.

[picasso]

Couldn't we just stop printing things in other languages without making English the "official" language? It seems to me that the only point of declaring an official language is to make immigrants feel unwelcome.
yes, that's why we have wide open borders. to make immigrants feel unwelcomed.

we might as well start teaching the kids all languages too right?

[mdklatt]

Wouldn't the second option be a de facto implementation of the first?

To me, declaring an official language implies a lot more than not printing government documents in anything but English even if that's all it amounts to. Are people going to support it as a practical measure to save a little bit of money, or because they're "sick and tired of seeing Mexicans everywhere"?

[skycat]

To me, declaring an official language implies a lot more than not printing government documents in anything but English even if that's all it amounts to. Are people going to support it as a practical measure to save a little bit of money, or because they're "sick and tired of seeing Mexicans everywhere"?

So you'd be in favor of the bill if it did exactly the same thing, but didn't use the words, "official language"?

[usmc-sooner]

I think business owners should have to take Pesos and foreign currency, if we don't that just makes immigrants feel unwelcome.

[slickdawg]

If you think you can go to Mexico and live, and expect to see things in english (outside of tourist areas), you are nuts. They have a language and it's their country.

this is our country and English is the language we speak. Italians, Germans, French and other migrated to here and learned english. If the messicans want to legally live here, they need to do so as well. If that takes making english the official language, then so be it.

[tommieharris91]

That doesn't make sense to me. Declaring an official language wouldn't prevent anyone from speaking whatever language they wanted. It would just mean that the government would only print material in English.

I think some lawyer would find a case against this, take it to SCOTUS, and win.

[Boarder]

I think business owners should have to take Pesos and foreign currency, if we don't that just makes immigrants feel unwelcome.
El no, el sorryio.

[slickdawg]

I think business owners should have to take Pesos and foreign currency, if we don't that just makes immigrants feel unwelcome.


There's a pizza joint in Dallas that is taking pesos now, I'm not kidding.

They did this for a 3 month trial, and got hate mail and such, so they made it permanent.

I wonder how they pay the sales tax on these, as currency rates change every day.

[skycat]

I think some lawyer would find a case against this, take it to SCOTUS, and win.

I'd have to hear one of the lawyerly types say something about this, but I find that hard to believe. At least on free speech grounds.

Maybe some kind of disenfranchisment argument could work. But again, I'm no lawyer.

[picasso]

Are they going to take down all the Cherokee signs in Tahlequah? Who do they think they are anyway. If you're going to come to this country, LEARN TO SPEAK ENGLISH GOOD!
I'm still aughing at this.

I realize it's sarcasm but do you think anyone who disagrees with you is a knuckle dragger struggling to stand erect?

there are basic foundations in this country that need to be made into law due to the fact that is wasn't necessary in the past.

how about becoming a legal immigrant? it's a novel idea right?

[usmc-sooner]

There's a pizza joint in Dallas that is taking pesos now, I'm not kidding.

They did this for a 3 month trial, and got hate mail and such, so they made it permanent.

I wonder how they pay the sales tax on these, as currency rates change every day.

that is crazy

[skycat]

There's a pizza joint in Dallas that is taking pesos now, I'm not kidding.

They did this for a 3 month trial, and got hate mail and such, so they made it permanent.

I wonder how they pay the sales tax on these, as currency rates change every day.

meh, lots of places along the Canadian-US border take currency from both countries, and they make it work.

I don't have any problem with a business that decides that they can make more money if they accept pesos, accepting pesos.

[frankensooner]

Is there a large trade in Pesos? I though the Illegals were here to earn dollars? I guess I just don't get it. :D

[usmc-sooner]

we shouldn't make them obey our laws, maybe the laws our different in their country and we don't want them to feel unwelcome in their country.

Maybe we could set aside part of our tax dollars for their health care, schooling, and require them to not pay any taxes. (oh wait we already do that) no wonder they feel so darn unwelcome.

[skycat]

we shouldn't make them obey our laws, maybe the laws our different in their country and we don't want them to feel unwelcome in their country.

Maybe we could set aside part of our tax dollars for their health care, schooling, and require them to not pay any taxes. (oh wait we already do that) no wonder they feel so darn unwelcome.

I don't think that anyone in this thread is saying that any particular group of people shouldn't be made to obey the law.

[slickdawg]

I thought the DOLLAR was the legal tender of the US.

Hell, let's start using Dinar's for currency then.

[usmc-sooner]

I don't think that anyone in this thread is saying that any particular group of people shouldn't be made to obey the law.


dude I know that's not my point. md made the argument about us not making them feel welcome. I'm being sarcastic, I'm not really talking about laws, and pesos.

[slickdawg]

I'm tired of US taxpayer money funding people that are here illegally.

I don't car how much it costs, extradite every one of their asses back to where they belong.

[Boarder]

We just need one world currency, one world language, and one world government. I nominate Nicolai Carpathia to run it.

[royalfan5]

I thought the DOLLAR was the legal tender of the US.

Hell, let's start using Dinar's for currency then.
Doesn't mean business can't accept other means of payment though. Barter is legal as well. You can spend dollars pretty much anywhere you want in the world. Several nations also use the United States dollar as their official currency. Why wouldn't it work in reverse if the business so chooses.

[skycat]

dude I know that's not my point. md made the argument about us not making them feel welcome. I'm being sarcastic, I'm not really talking about laws, and pesos.

Yeah, but it's stuff like that that sends these threads spinning out of control.

It may be too late to prevent that already though.

[royalfan5]

I'm tired of US taxpayer money funding people that are here illegally.

I don't car how much it costs, extradite every one of their asses back to where they belong.
Who is going to pick your vegetables then ?

[skycat]

I thought the DOLLAR was the legal tender of the US.

Hell, let's start using Dinar's for currency then.

All that means is that everyone in this country has to accept the dollar for transactions. If a business chooses to accept Wheeties cereal box tops in addition to dollars, that's their business.

[slickdawg]

Who is going to pick your vegetables then ?

There are LEGAL ways into the country - use them.

[royalfan5]

There are LEGAL ways into the country - use them.
Fine in theory, works very poorly in practice though.

[Boarder]

Fine in theory, works very poorly in practice though.
So it's ok to be a criminal?

[slickdawg]

All that means is that everyone in this country has to accept the dollar for transactions. If a business chooses to accept Wheeties cereal box tops in addition to dollars, that's their business.


I'll send the IRS a bunch of Wheaties box tops then.

[royalfan5]

So it's ok to be a criminal?
Is the money it would take to wipe out illegal immigration worth it? If it takes more money to stop illegal immigration, than illegal immigrants costs the tax payer, would America really benefit?

[royalfan5]

I'll send the IRS a bunch of Wheaties box tops then.
The IRS isn't a business though.

[slickdawg]

On this day in 1911, the United States sent 20,000 troops to the Mexican border
as a result of a revolution going on in Mexico. Seems the US didn't want people coming across illegally.


My how times have changed.

[OKLA21FAN]

On this day in 1911, the United States sent 20,000 troops to the Mexican border
as a result of a revolution going on in Mexico. Seems the US didn't want people coming across illegally.


My how times have changed.
you are just not a good Texican!!!

[royalfan5]

On this day in 1911, the United States sent 20,000 troops to the Mexican border
as a result of a revolution going on in Mexico. Seems the US didn't want people coming across illegally.


My how times have changed.
What's a better use 20,000 troops today, sending them to Iraq, or trying to keep Mexicans out?

[skycat]

I'll send the IRS a bunch of Wheaties box tops then.

Well, that will get you in trouble then, won't it.

Like I said, US currency must be accepted for "all debts, public and private".

Anything else can be used at the descretion of the parties involved in the transaction. And that's the way it should be.

[picasso]

Is the money it would take to wipe out illegal immigration worth it? If it takes more money to stop illegal immigration, than illegal immigrants costs the tax payer, would America really benefit?
you're all for letting anyone in? especially in this time of history? read the news much?

[royalfan5]

you're all for letting anyone in? especially in this time of history? read the news much?
Are the Mexican's really that big of threat? Would better security at key targets not be a more efficent way of combating terrorists? When you only have so many resources you just have to pick you battles. An simple migrant worker program would likely solve a lot of the problems, a lot cheaper.

[Dio]

We just need one world currency, one world language, and one world government. I nominate Nicolai Carpathia to run it.

Why do you hate Kirk Cameron?

[Frozen Sooner]

All that means is that everyone in this country has to accept the dollar for transactions. If a business chooses to accept Wheeties cereal box tops in addition to dollars, that's their business.

Almost. It means that the dollar must be accepted as settlement of debt, not that it must be accepted for all transactions. There's plenty of places that don't accept cash for security reasons.

But you had the right idea. I was just nit picking.

[OklahomaTuba]

How about Engrish instead???

[Ash]

On this day in 1911, the United States sent 20,000 troops to the Mexican border
as a result of a revolution going on in Mexico. Seems the US didn't want people coming across illegally.


My how times have changed.

The troops were sent there to quell reported and impending incursions by Mexican troops or revolutionaries (mostly revolutionaries) into United States territory. Not to stop immigration.

My how people are ignorant of history.

[slickdawg]

What's a better use 20,000 troops today, sending them to Iraq, or trying to keep Mexicans out?


With the current mindset of political correctness, neither.

We have politicians directing wars, not generals. This results in our troops being very limited in what they can do and what they can not do. That's why we have the mess we do today.

The National Guard put troops on the border last year. They are unarmed and can not confront illegals. They just call ICE.

[TUSooner]

You can't fool the Market. If it's profitable to print things in Spanish and to hire Spanish speaking employees to attract Spanish speaking customers, it WILL happen. Even the gubment is not totally immune to market forces.

The legislation seems to give mostly symbolic support to people who fear that a multilingual nation might someday face fragmentation. I am one of those people, but I'm not too worried yet.
And for the record, I WISH I knew Spanish so I could communicate with more people and offend them with inappropriate comments like I do English speakers.

[slickdawg]

The troops were sent there to quell reported and impending incursions by Mexican troops or revolutionaries (mostly revolutionaries) into United States territory. Not to stop immigration.

My how people are ignorant of history.

My point is (was) that the US did once upon a time, protect its borders.
Stopping troops or revolutionaries is certainly protecting our border.

Today, the illegals are mostly unarmed, but are taking the US over without firing a shot.

se' habla espanol? you better.

[tommieharris91]

se' habla espanol? Debe.

Yo se repara.

[Ash]

While it brings joy to most on here that this kind of legislation would affect Spanish speakers, it would also (and perhaps more so, according to some reports) affect Native American groups.

[OklahomaTuba]

While it brings joy to most on here that this kind of legislation would affect Spanish speakers, it would also (and perhaps more so, according to some reports) affect Native American groups.

How so?

Will the smoke shops and casinos start using english only signs now?

[Ash]

How so?

Will the smoke shops and casinos start using english only signs now?

From what I've heard, voting documents and other official documents. And you have to understand that not all Native American communities in the United States are as integrated as here in Oklahoma, and some (I'm thinking of some Navajo communities, I'm sure there are other examples) have been until recently very isolated. It's not always about smoke shops and casinos and there's whole world out there that ain't like it is here Oklahoma.

[soonersweetie]

One of these days we are all going to wake up and realize somewhere along the way we lost what was once the USA.

Already here in San Diego, there are Mexican flags flying right along side of the American Flag. Nothing against Mexico and LEGAL immigrants, but it makes me sick. Mostly because I can guarantee you our American Flag isn't flying right along side a Mexican Flag south of the border.

[usmc-sooner]

From what I've heard, voting documents and other official documents. And you have to understand that not all Native American communities in the United States are as integrated as here in Oklahoma, and some (I'm thinking of some Navajo communities, I'm sure there are other examples) have been until recently very isolated. It's not always about smoke shops and casinos and there's whole world out there that ain't like it is here Oklahoma.

I think the thread was about Oklahoma and state legislature. How's it going to affect Native Americans? It aint going to do jack to me.

[OKLA21FAN]

One of these days we are all going to wake up and realize somewhere along the way we lost what was once the USA.

Already here in San Diego, there are Mexican flags flying right along side of the American Flag. Nothing against Mexico and LEGAL immigrants, but it makes me sick. Mostly because I can guarantee you our American Flag isn't flying right along side a Mexican Flag south of the border.
you do understand that Caly, Tex, Arizona, New Mex was part of Mexico at one time, and the land was either purchased or 'stolen' from them. so flying that flag is a part of the heritage of the area.

guess you get sick going to Six Flags too? ;)

[soonersweetie]

First of all I don't care for Six Flags ;)

Second, all I was saying is that if I wanted to be a citizen of Mexico, I would have moved there. However, I prefer to be a citizen of the USA. Lately, it seems more and more like they are just trying to combine the countries.

[Ash]

I think the thread was about Oklahoma and state legislature. How's it going to affect Native Americans? It aint going to do jack to me.

And because you feel it's not going to affect you, it won't affect anybody else negatively. Yup, I buy that.

[usmc-sooner]

And because you feel it's not going to affect you, it won't affect anybody else negatively. Yup, I buy that.

You said it's going to affect Indians, I'm saying it won't do jack to me. You went off on some tangent about Navajo's, last time I checked Oklahoma doesn't have a Navajo Reservation.

I lived on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation for a year, I didn't run into any non English speakers. I take that back a few of the really old elders. BTW the Southern Ute Indian Reservation where I lived was real close to Farmington, NM and Shiprock and the Navajo rez. Most of them except for the old ones spoke English.

[Ash]

You said it's going to affect Indians, I'm saying it won't do jack to me. You went off on some tangent about Navajo's, last time I checked Oklahoma doesn't have a Navajo Reservation.

I lived on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation for a year, I didn't run into any non English speakers. I take that back a few of the really old elders. BTW the Southern Ute Indian Reservation where I lived was real close to Farmington, NM and Shiprock and the Navajo rez. Most of them except for the old ones spoke English.

That's what popped into my sometimes scattered brain at the moment.

Besides, the issue isn't just about the language somebody knows right now, for some people (tribes) it's also a matter of preserving their language by promoting it and making it part of everyday life.

My only point, is that the English only thing (in Oklahoma and elsewhere)potentially affects more than just one segment of society. It's important to think of those messy little details before we sign off on something.

[picasso]

Are the Mexican's really that big of threat? Would better security at key targets not be a more efficent way of combating terrorists? When you only have so many resources you just have to pick you battles. An simple migrant worker program would likely solve a lot of the problems, a lot cheaper.
huh? do you think Mexicans are the only one's sneaking in?

[Ash]

First of all I don't care for Six Flags ;)

Second, all I was saying is that if I wanted to be a citizen of Mexico, I would have moved there. However, I prefer to be a citizen of the USA. Lately, it seems more and more like they are just trying to combine the countries.

Kinda like I never wanted to live in the CSA but I don't tell my fellow effin hillbillies they can't fly the stars and bars.

[usmc-sooner]

That's what popped into my sometimes scattered brain at the moment.

Besides, the issue isn't just about the language somebody knows right now, for some people (tribes) it's also a matter of preserving their language by promoting it and making it part of everyday life.

My only point, is that the English only thing (in Oklahoma and elsewhere)potentially affects more than just one segment of society. It's important to think of those messy little details before we sign off on something.

there's only a small percent of Native Americans can speak their original tribal language. You should speak the language of the country you live in. I can speak more spanish than my tribal language. Something I learned a long time ago is you can celebrate the past but you can't hold on and refuse to change or you get left in the past.

[Ash]

there's only a small percent of Native Americans can speak their original tribal language. You should speak the language of the country you live in. I can speak more spanish than my tribal language. Something I learned a long time ago is you can celebrate the past but you can't hold on and refuse to change or you get left in the past.

Well, I can respect your opinion. But for some people, your first statement is a problem they're trying to deal with and for them the future is about preserving the language.

I don't disagree that English is the primary language and should be emphasized.

[usmc-sooner]

Well, I can respect your opinion. But for some people, your first statement is a problem they're trying to deal with and for them the future is about preserving the language.

I don't disagree that English is the primary language and should be emphasized.

the younger generations don't want to learn it. It pretty much skipped my parents generation so you have people that are my grandparents age and older trying to teach young school aged children, plus to learn the language you've got to somewhat understand the culture and the culture has changed.

I'm not disagreeing with you that much however one of the problems is if they believe that the future is about preserving the language. The future is about getting out and making yourself successful. How would speaking a language that less than half a percent of of the people in the US speak benefit me or anyone else? It's sad and I'd like to see it different but times have changed. A lot of things have changed. We can't try to stay in the past, we can't all be hunters or follow the buffalo, live in Teepee's.

[royalfan5]

huh? do you think Mexicans are the only one's sneaking in?
To the South. If it was so easy for terrorists to slip in the South Border, don't you think they would have occured a lot more often by now? If a Middle Eastern terrorists needs to come to the country to do some killin' I bet it is a lot simpler just to fly into America without stopping in Mexico or coming through Canada if you are Mr. Terrorist.

[slickdawg]

One of these days we are all going to wake up and realize somewhere along the way we lost what was once the USA.

Already here in San Diego, there are Mexican flags flying right along side of the American Flag. Nothing against Mexico and LEGAL immigrants, but it makes me sick. Mostly because I can guarantee you our American Flag isn't flying right along side a Mexican Flag south of the border.


Amen! That is exactly right.

[Sam Spade]

How about Engrish instead???

Way to throw in a little blatant racism.

[Fraggle145]

the only point is to make immigrants feel unwelcome? How about so were all on one page and we all understand each other.

If you're going to move to another country it's your responsibility to assimilate to their ways, not them to assimilate to yours.

I'll be honest I get a little ****ed off when I have to order a cheeseburger in spanish at a McDonalds in America... just sayin.