Fascinating discussion today, albeit primary day in Florida, with a longtime friend and professor of philosophy and anthropology at Boston College. He asked to remain anonymous and I shall respect his wish.

Discussing the issue of why I support making English our official language, we began to discuss the notion that those who wish to oppose making English the official language to conduct official government business and those who wish to continue to provide translations and translated documents are actually supporting separatism.

Merriam-Webster defines “a separatist” as – A person who advocates or seeks the splitting of one country or territory into two politically independent countries or territories; Advocating or seeking the separation of one country or territory into two politically independent countries or territories.

So let’s replace territory or country with a group of people (non-English speaking). When Democrats and some Republicans, not-for-profit groups, chambers of commerce and the religious institutions support to keep translations alive are they really acting in good faith for those non-English speakers.

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As they say, numbers speak volumes. So, please help me gain more supporters of the English language by sending your friends, neighbors, co-workers, family this website and ask them to join.

Our English language is as important as apple pie, Chevrolet and baseball.

thanks.
Eddie

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennesseans-For-English-Language/143179179030546

ProEnglishUSA approves this post.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/26/lino-lakes-english-only/

A decent article and finally a fair and ethical journalist.

Discussing one of my points noted in the article with a friend, I must elaborate a little. English “only” laws have become of importance because of several reasons. The expense, the chances of miscommunication when parties are translating, the message sent that “only” a few other languages are worth offering and finally the reality that non-English speakers coming to the U.S. present a challenge.

Immigration, whether legal or illegal presents a dire challenge and danger to the future of the United States because we cannot have a long enough buffet table of languages to serve the purpose of government. That purpose is to serve the WHOLE of the people for the best interest of the people of this country and the country as a WHOLE.

By offering language (X) or language (Y) in addition to English, we stand a chance of corruption and a diluting of American values and American progress.

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The topic of immigration and therefore assimilation doesn’t end in political circles or coffee table gatherings.

While performing a few days ago outside of St. Louis, MO., I had the chance to speak with fewer than a dozen folks who came to the show. One congregant noticed that I was Hispanic and with Garcia as a surname it was a give-away.

Her comment was, “As a Latino you sure speak English quite well.”

I couldn’t help but respond.

After a 75 minute show and talking in between songs, I guess she noticed my English. Not every immigrant can learn English as a young child, like I did. Well enough that for some reason immersion was able to eliminate any ounce of an accent, except for my Boston accent, every once in a while.

I told her that as a small child I learned English while watching a black and white TV set my parents saved up to buy. As they each worked two jobs, the purchase wasn’t for them to watch TV, but for me to learn English by watching Sesame Street, the Electric Company, Zoom and other PBS funded shows for children.

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Please join this specific Facebook page to support and follow efforts to enforce Tennessee law, enacted in 1984, which mandates English to be the official language.

Despite the law, agencies are usurping the law by providing non-essential services (health, police, courts) in other languages.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tennesseans-For-English-Language/143179179030546?ref=ts

Thank you,

Eddie Garcia

ProEnglishUSA approves this post.