Governator says turn off Spanish-language media

[Dr. Whiplash]

Los Angeles - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told a gathering of Hispanic journalists that immigrants should avoid Spanish-language media if they want to learn English quickly.

"You've got to turn off the Spanish television set" and avoid Spanish-language books and newspapers, the Republican governor said Wednesday night at the annual convention of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. "You are forced to speak English, and that just makes you learn the language faster," Schwarzenegger said.

"I know this sounds odd and this is the politically incorrect thing to say and I'm going to get myself in trouble," he said, noting that he rarely spoke German and was forced to learn English when he emigrated from Austria. Schwarzenegger was responding to a question about how Hispanic students can improve academically.

Many journalists for Spanish-language organizations in the audience were surprised by the remarks. "I'm sitting shaking my head not believing that someone would be so naive and out of it that he would say something like that," said Alex Nogales, president and chief executive of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Hispanic immigrants need Spanish-language media to stay informed and "function in this society," Nogales said.

[Lester]

"I'm sitting shaking my head not believing that someone would be so naive and out of it that he would say something like that," said Alex Nogales, president and chief executive of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Hispanic immigrants need Spanish-language media to stay informed and "function in this society," Nogales said.

I can't believe he would be so naive as to say that about someone that was forced to learn English because his country didn't over-run America.

[Dr. Whiplash]

I can't believe he would be so naive as to say that about someone that was forced to learn English because his country didn't over-run America.

Arnold dispenses practical advice based on his life experience and a shitstorm ensues. As Jim Traficant used to say, go ahead and beam me up!

[cgarison]

Yo Holmes!

...........................

I'll update the board on the state of Spanish language media in LA metro in the next two weeks.

In Philly, we have two Spanish TV stations and several Spanish radio stations. Plus, we have El Dia as a spanish news tabloid in the grocery stores. I no longer live near nor do I drive through the Spanish speaking neighborhoods, but the influence is more pronounced. I find it funny when South Philly (predominately Italian) Fishtown (Irish) Port Richmond and Bridesburg (Polish and eastern European with lots of Irish bleed over from Fishtown) have Shoprite circulars that are printed in Spanish tossed on the door step in addition to the English version. I wonder if stores realize the money they are wasting and the customers they are making mad.

Compared to Houston, that influence is very light considering half the dial in Houston is Spanish.

....................

Uno Dos Equis cervesa por favor.

[Lester]

I find it funny when South Philly (predominately Italian) Fishtown (Irish) Port Richmond and Bridesburg (Polish and eastern European with lots of Irish bleed over from Fishtown) have Shoprite circulars that are printed in Spanish tossed on the door step in addition to the English version.

No, they don't. Our entire national identity, EVEN AS A COUNTRY OF IMMIGRANTS, is being ERASED! I don't expect the folks in WV to understand it... yet... but as KYJ points out, and as I witness first hand, it is happening.

I can't use an ATM without selecting English or Spanish first. I can't use automatic checkouts without picking English or Spanish first. We have a flamethrower of an FM down here that is Spanish format... when, according to the last census, LESS THAN 5% OF OUR POPULATION IS HISPANIC! (Which means they're intentionally catering to ILLEGALS.) Whitey has a DUI and kills someone, you know his name. Blacky has a DUI and kills someone, you know his name. Mr. Chaves does the same, it takes 2-3 days for the name to appear in the news.

So yes, we are a nation of immigrants. But until I have to pick English from the list of Spanish, French, Italian, Polish, Arabic, etc... I'm not real comfortable with Corporate America giving away my country, one service at a time.

{Self Edit}

(Ironic, isn't it, that the one thing that broke my back is the one thing the libs actually like him for? )

[Lee]

C'mon people...in the words of a great advertising mind:



Imagine all the people...thinking outside the bun.

We need to stop this nonsense of hamburgers and tacos fighting amongst themselves. We need to stand together in unity....

...wait...what are we talking about again...???

[genlock]

Maybe WIRo-AM/FM could go spanish.

[Zak Tyler]

Maybe WIRo-AM/FM could go spanish.

i went spanish once...


she was a FREAK!!!

but her....

ummmmm





taco was too hairy.

:rimshot:

[Jay Nunley]

I used to be deadset against English as the national language. I still think people are too up in arms about Spanish and Spanish speaking people, but borders and language are extremely important in terms of national identity and cohesion.

[genlock]

The National Language as proposed by many, is for the federal and state governments to do their business in that language. Imagine the chaos if the USA had to publish every form in multiple languages and to hold court in every language the ACLU wanted to hear there. The time has come to make American English the national language. Comprendo?

[fearpeddler]

The National Language as proposed by many, is for the federal and state governments to do their business in that language. Imagine the chaos if the USA had to publish every form in multiple languages and to hold court in every language the ACLU wanted to hear there. The time has come to make American English the national language. Comprendo?

and totally erase the idea of ebonics too... if anything has dumbed down our society it's the hip-hop culture

[AmpedNow]

Arnold is right.

The fastest way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it.

I had a good friend who immigrated from Central America in the late 80's. He didn't know a lick of english when he got here. The first thing he did was watch TV and listen to the radio constantly.

Within a year, he was speaking, reading, and writing english at the high school level.

If you would talk to him now, you could hardly tell him apart from a native english speaker. His ESL accent is pretty much gone.

We've had these discussions before. He would completely agree with Arnold.

But sadly, most of the newer immigrants don't even bother to learn english. They choose to stay insulated in their communities shielded from the dominant culture.

One could argue that the vast increase in spanish media in recent years has contributed to this mindet more than helped it. After all, if spanish radio is your bread and butter, why would you want your listeners to possibly migrate to the media of the dominant culture and leave the "fold"?

Just a few thoughts... But this problem is getting bigger and bigger all the time.

[Zak Tyler]

Just a few thoughts...

oooh, let me play too...

what happens when Central and South America unite and decide they want to own us. all the tools are in place to easily begin a war with millions of potential troops already behind enemy lines, mass communications to rally them and leaders in our government to lead them.

will my foil hat protect me from that?

[Lee]

I don't know what some of you are talking about!

Huntington, WV is full of culture.

You got the west end, the middle, and the east end.

The west end you got your druggies, Dairy Queen, and your Detroit immigrants. It's best known as "Little Detroit."

In the middle is the college students/Marshall, Pullman's Square, the Civic Center. Basically, the middle of Huntington is like the WV version of Manhattan.

Over on the east end you have your Columbus, OH immigrants selling their wares. It's known as...you guessed it..."Little Columbus."

It's one big melting pot!

[Lester]

what happens when Central and South America unite and decide they want to own us. all the tools are in place to easily begin a war with millions of potential troops already behind enemy lines, mass communications to rally them and leaders in our government to lead them.

No need. Imagine that California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico end up with Hispanic governors for their primarily Hispanic population.

They approach the UN, saying they wish to suceed from the United States and declare themselves an independent nation. Given the UN's love of the U.S, what do you think will happen next?

No tin hat required... they're already speaking of "Republica del Norte" amongst their own, as well as "Reconquistadors".

"University Professor Pushes for Mexican Homeland in US"
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/13955.html
http://www.aztlan.net/homeland.htm

'With all due respect to Uncle Sam, this shows that Los Angeles has never stopped being ours"
http://www.boston.com/news/world/latina ... _by_panel/

[Arp2]

Many journalists for Spanish-language organizations in the audience were surprised by the remarks. "I'm sitting shaking my head not believing that someone would be so naive and out of it that he would say something like that," said Alex Nogales, president and chief executive of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Hispanic immigrants need Spanish-language media to stay informed and "function in this society," Nogales said.

He couldn't think of a single thing to say to refute Arnold's simple statement, so he takes the typical tack of the left -- attack the attacker and try to change the subject to the person who dare used freedom of speech to prove them wrong!

And, by the way, Hispanic immigrants don't need to "function in this society"....they seem to want to, though, and, so, should take the necessary actions, themselves.

By the way number two, this seems to support the idea that I had a decade ago: the vast majority of radio, in terms of programming and advertising, is heading toward looking a lot like the sixth, seventh, and eighth TV stations in a market.

Comprendo?

That means, "Do I understand?"

I think you want, "Comprende?"

and totally erase the idea of ebonics too... if anything has dumbed down our society it's the hip-hop culture

More and more true every day....

As I think I've said here before, everytime I've heard people say "knowwhutI'msayin'" over and over, I never have....and, I'm willing to bet, neither have they.

[Dr. Whiplash]

I've long thought that an "English-only" law was reactionary and unnecessary, but two recent reports have given me pause for thought. A Zogby poll showed that 76% of Hispanic-Americans support such a law. Then I read a commentary on how the English-French language split in Canada has caused so much division and attempts at secession. Hmmm...

[Ace Purple]

the English-French language split in Canada has caused so much division and attempts at secession.

Many people here in the United States don't realize how close Quebec came from seceding from Canada. On October 30, 1995, a vote for secession failed by a 50.4% to 49.6% margin.

[Tom Taggart]

Yes, and it is likely the opposite result may occur if a new vote was held.

Attended one of these elederhostels with my mother about ten years ago in Montreal. Held at a college in the English-language part of the city; though the main lecturer was "pure line*" Quebecer. A couple of points:

It is next to impossible for someone who is "English" to get employment in Quebec;

At that time the Quebec government was hell bent on its bi-lingual signs everywhere, even on in-house signs in English-speaking shops.

A bonus was paid (if you were French) the more children you had.

On the other hand, working against separation were two important issues:

1. Who would pay pensions?

2. Quebec relies upon hydro for most of their power. The Indian tribes in northern Quebec control the land around many of these dams. The Indian tribes are no friends of the French, preferring to be associated with English Canada.

"Pure line" meant that you were descended from the original French immigrants from Normandy, which, as this fellow noted, were likely peasants and conscripts from the French army. The use in contemporary Quebec had certain Fascist overtones to it.

Now to Spanish--which is true of many other languages used by pools of immigrants:

Ancient tactic of the Democrats. You keep the new immigrants isolated by encouraging them to retain their foreign customs and language, but make them citizens so they can vote. You work with bi-lingual leaders from this community, setting them up as "fixers." They become the conduit of favors from the Democrats in power, and reciprocate by delivering votes to keep the Democrats in power.

Encouraging immigrants to learn English, and assimilate means that they may also decide to think on their own. Very dangerous to Democratic goals.