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Does having to press one for English **** you off?

  • Yes it makes me angry, and I want the national language to stay English.

    Votes: 115 91%

  • No, I love pressing one after a short burst of some foreign language crap i dont understand.

    Votes: 8 6.3%

  • I plead the 5th, because i might sound prejiduce.

    Votes: 3 2.4%
  • Total voters
    126
81 - 100 of 117 Posts
#81 ·
hayes31 said:
Why don't you brush up on your Navajo then?

We came to this country and refused to learn the native language. Hmmm... sounds like another group we were just talking about. It's a hypocritical stance to take.

Don't you just love when people conveniently leave out the most important details? :D:
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Not at all, What button do I push? :D: :thumb:

Another Guilt burden?
 
#82 ·
tobkis said:
Not at all, What button do I push? :D: :thumb:

Another Guilt burden?
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Don't get me wrong, I no way want to be like Europe, but citing the people that came to this country as the reason why you don't like it is a bad way to do it. They're the ultimate example of not respecting the people already populating the country they just came to.

That's not white guilt, it's just fact. Do you speak Navajo or the English language the immigrants brought over? :D:
 
#83 ·
hayes31 said:
Don't get me wrong, I no way want to be like Europe, but citing the people that came to this country as the reason why you don't like it is a bad way to do it. They're the ultimate example of not respecting the people already populating the country they just came to.

That's not white guilt, it's just fact. Do you speak Navajo or the English language the immigrants brought over? :D:
Click to expand...

As I read through the thread it was apparent from others that Europe was the standard. It was me reflecting why Europe?

I did not use the term white guilt, do you know what color I am? It is the lack of pride for this Nations Identity that disturbs me. Color should not come into play and people should be proud of whatever ethnic background they are. I myself am Europe trash, but above that I am an American and not ashamed that I identify and use English. As the people in Stuttgart called me (Fiken Auslander).
 
#84 ·
tobkis said:
As I read through the thread it was apparent from others that Europe was the standard. It was me reflecting why Europe?

I did not use the term white guilt, do you know what color I am? It is the lack of pride for this Nations Identity that disturbs me. Color should not come into play and people should be proud of whatever ethnic background they are. I myself am Europe trash, but above that I am an American and not ashamed that I identify and use English. As the people in Stuttgart called me (Fiken Auslander).
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I happen to be white, which is why I used the term white guilt. No offense meant. :thumb:

And yeah, no argument there, I definitely don't look to Europe as the standard. They've got enough problems going on right now to show that they don't have all the answers after all. :rolleyes:
 
#85 ·
hayes31 said:
Why don't you brush up on your Navajo then?

We came to this country and refused to learn the native language. Hmmm... sounds like another group we were just talking about. It's a hypocritical stance to take.

Don't you just love when people conveniently leave out the most important details? :D:
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GREAT IDEA!

Let's move back into the cliff dwellings, tipis, smoke lodges and wicker huts as we prepare to right the wrongs of the past 400 years. We can learn Navajo, Sioux and Seminole languages while we brush up on the rights and responsibilities of being citizens of the Iroquois Federation. Then we can be green and self-sustaining 24/7, cuddling among our bearskins which the manly men brought home from the previous year's great hunt.

But why stop at 400 years? Let's have the Brits go back to their Pictish roots? Perhaps the Sudan should start brushing up on their Egyptian or will we back Egypt up only as far as the Roman period? Should the Russians shift over to one of the Scandinavian languages as their official form of communication? Mexico is going to need the Aztec (oooo, tough call, maybe they should go Mayan?) language reborn and dump that stupid Spanish the conquistadors shoved down their throats. Oh, what language should Brazil speak?

Here's what you might want to think about when you want to play the history card.

There is a very big difference between conquering a region and immigrating to a new country.

The settlers from the Old World weren't looking to become citizens of the various tribes scattered throughout the New World anymore than the Huns were working hard on their Roman when they blew into Rome for the sack. Ben Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Sam Adams never considered becoming members of the Algonquins or Mandans. When the Khans led the Golden Horde into Eastern Europe they weren't coming with the intention of learning Polish or Slavic languages. Alexander didn't march to India so he could learn Persian or Hindu.

Now ask yourself what is the intention of someone who comes to a new place, settles permanently and refuses to learn the language and customs, demanding instead that you learn their language for the privilege of communicating with them? The language options for business are simple marketing implementations as businesses go for their dollars. What the people are doing is different though. That's colonialism through economic or political means, or conquest if it's military force being exerted. How did that work out for the Brits? The Spanish? The Portuguese? The French?

So, back to the OP. What's the intent of a segment of the population which refuses to learn the language? They are exerting their economic buying power to pull the United States culture closer to them. They expect Mexican holidays to be served in the US. They refuse to give allegiance to the flag which shelters them. They send hundreds of millions out of the country. When we look at a few thousand Russians scattered among millions of US citizens it is no big deal, eventually they assimilate. When 35 million are insisting on not assimilating and forming a sub-culture with their own holidays, legal systems and educational programs you might wonder whether something else if going on.

Are we receiving enthusiastic new immigrants to our country (LIKE WE WELCOMED ON THE STATUE OF LIBERTY) or being subtly infiltrated and conquered piecemeal over time?
 
#87 ·
ecocks said:
Here's what you might want to think about when you want to play the history card.
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I think we're ultimately saying the same thing here. To clarify, the reason I brought that up was to demonstrate why you shouldn't reference the period when we first came over here. I was simply rebutting the statement made about when we first came over to this country.

I think we're more in agreement about that aspect (and your subsequent examples) than you think :D:

ecocks said:
Are we receiving enthusiastic new immigrants to our country (LIKE WE WELCOMED ON THE STATUE OF LIBERTY) or being subtly infiltrated and conquered piecemeal over time?
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Maybe a little of both. Only time will tell for sure.

I really believe that immigration has made this country as great as it is. The way different cultures and ideas have flowed into this country over the years is amazing.

Our American culture is profoundly influenced by this, and I personally wouldn't want to give that up.

But regardless of what happens, I really don't have a problem with it. I'm not opposed to change. America is not the same as it was 50 years ago and another 50 years from now it will be different than today. I will simply adapt to it and keep moving. :thumb:
 
#90 ·
hayes31 said:
Don't get me wrong, I no way want to be like Europe, but citing the people that came to this country as the reason why you don't like it is a bad way to do it. They're the ultimate example of not respecting the people already populating the country they just came to.

That's not white guilt, it's just fact. Do you speak Navajo or the English language the immigrants brought over? :D:
Click to expand...
I live near the Navajo Nation. Very close to it. And I AM learning Navajo. I already speak fluent Spanish, as I am part Argentine.
While it's irritating "pressing 1 for English", I also know that it's very useful speaking other languages. If I choose not to, I don't have to "press one for English".

It's truly good to know what others are saying in your presence. And that can be useful tactically.

That being said, upon the arrival in America of the settlers, each Indian tribe pretty much spoke different languages. Sign language was the only universal language spoken between unrelated tribes, though some did strive to learn other tribe's language.

While it would have certainly been respectful for the pilgrims to learn the local languages, it would have been a daunting task to learn the MANY different dialects of the Native Americans.
 
#91 ·
Once, a while back, I was having trouble getting through to some customer service.

After sitting on hold for a half hour I hung up, called again, and chose the hispanic option.

They answered right away, and they spoke english while doing what I needed them to do.
 
#93 ·
desert wanderer said:
That being said, upon the arrival in America of the settlers, each Indian tribe pretty much spoke different languages. Sign language was the only universal language spoken between unrelated tribes, though some did strive to learn other tribe's language.

While it would have certainly been respectful for the pilgrims to learn the local languages, it would have been a daunting task to learn the MANY different dialects of the Native Americans.
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True... thanks for the informative analysis :thumb:

But I still have to stress that I didn't mean to bring that up as a way to bolster my argument. I just brought it up to rebut the claim that since our founding fathers came here for this or that reason, then we can take that and apply the same principle to modern day.

I was just playing the devil's advocate and was trying to show that there are other details that you have to take into consideration... as your examples also demonstrated to me ;)
 
#94 ·
hayes31 said:
True... thanks for the informative analysis :thumb:

But I still have to stress that I didn't mean to bring that up as a way to bolster my argument. I just brought it up to rebut the claim that since our founding fathers came here for this or that reason, then we can take that and apply the same principle to modern day.

I was just playing the devil's advocate and was trying to show that there are other details that you have to take into consideration... as your examples also demonstrated to me ;)
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Ha! I knew you were playing the devil's advocate!:D: Your intent was well-taken.
Tribes near each other geographically, could usually understand each other to a good extent, such as the southern Paiute and Shoshone. The Bannock and northern Paiute could communicate somewhat.
The Apache and Navajo could communicate very well, as they were of the same genetic stock. About 400 years ago, the Apache decided to branch off from the Navajo and form their own separate nation. Genetically, they are in fact, Navajo. But still, the 2 languages are different, as are their customs and traditions, though similar as well. Kind of confusing!:)
 
#95 ·
desert wanderer said:
Ha! I knew you were playing the devil's advocate!:D: Your intent was well-taken.
Tribes near each other geographically, could usually understand each other to a good extent, such as the southern Paiute and Shoshone. The Bannock and northern Paiute could communicate somewhat.
The Apache and Navajo could communicate very well, as they were of the same genetic stock. About 400 years ago, the Apache decided to branch off from the Navajo and form their own separate nation. Genetically, they are in fact, Navajo. But still, the 2 languages are different, as are their customs and traditions, though similar as well. Kind of confusing!:)
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Just making sure! It's far too easy to accidentally jumble up your point through internet anonymity. :xeye:

And that does sound confusing... sounds a lot tougher than going from Spanish to English (or the other way around), since- in my head, at least- they structure themselves similarly. I actually started listening to German on tape on the drive into work recently, but after a while, I realized that I could speak a little bit but my spelling was atrocious given the difference in pronunciation. Still can't spell a thing in German :D:
 
Discussion starter · #96 ·
The actual point is this country is still majority English speaking, and thus being the primary language it should always be assumed to proceed in English with an option to proceed in whatever other language a business desires to cater to. NOT press one for the common language, it puts too much emphasis on the fact that we are doing nothing to protect what americans past and present have built. Frankly its insulting, especially when coming from a government institution, I am 100% in agreement with a previous comment that the government should only cater to English. My tax dollars should be spend protecting our heritage, not wasted on all this foreign language crap. 16 trillion in debt and counting, how much of that was due to catering to illegals, people who have no desire to fit in, and the whole failed immigration system we have? I would venture to guess it quite a substantial amount.

Are we being invaded? Mexican gangs, Cuban drug lords, Muslim terrorist cells, Russian spies, we got them all. I have no problem with people coming here for an actual useful purpose, they can come and be Americans but americans speak English, they spend money in America, and they pay taxes. Immigration is one of the hugest causes of poverty in the U.S., straining the system with more low income people taking government handouts, more crime, more drugs, less jobs, more money being sent back to wherever they came from, more cultural clashes, all this leads to more of everything that requires more money to either control, cater to, or correct these problems ( INS, Police, bi-lingual unemployment officials, prisons, ect. ). Guess who paying for it, the brunt of it is coming from English speaking white males, white females, black males, and black females. Tell me when I am already paying for this bull****, how it is not a slap in the face everytime I get my nose rubbed in it by having to press one to hear, read, or speak English?

This isn't a simple evolve and adapt, this is an absolute hostile attempt by others to crash our once great and proud nation. In no way shape or form will I just bow down and accept I must learn another language to live, work, and prosper in the English speaking nation I was born in.

I have said it before, Learn my ****ing language or leave, should you not desire to fit into what has already been established as American majority, you have no business here. We don't bend to suit your needs, we don't take crosses down because it offends your religion, you will salute our flag if you want to remain in our schools, you will pay taxes, you wanted to be American you will do what is expected of other Americans work for what you want.
 
#97 ·
MeatHunter said:
The actual point is this country is still majority English speaking, and thus being the primary language it should always be assumed to proceed in English with an option to proceed in whatever other language a business desires to cater to. NOT press one for the common language, it puts too much emphasis on the fact that we are doing nothing to protect what americans past and present have built. Frankly its insulting, especially when coming from a government institution, I am 100% in agreement with a previous foment that the government should only cater to English. My tax dollars should be spend protecting our heritage, not wasted on all this foreign language crap. 16 million in debt and counting, how much of that was due to catering to illegals, people who have no desire to fit in, and the whole failed immigration system we have? I would venture to guess it quite a substantial amount.

Are we being invaded? Mexican gangs, Cuban drug lords, Muslim terrorist cells, Russian spies, we got them all. I have no problem with people coming here for an actual useful purpose, they can come and be Americans but americans speak English, they spend money in America, and they pay taxes. Immigration is one of the hugest causes of poverty in the U.S., straining the system with more low income people taking government handouts, more crime, more drugs, less jobs, more money being sent back to wherever they came from, more cultural clashes, all this leads to more of everything that requires more money to either control, cater to, or correct these problems ( INS, Police, bi-lingual unemployment officials, prisons, ect. ). Guess who paying for it, the brunt of it is coming from English speaking white males, white females, black males, and black females. Tell me when I am already paying for this bull****, how it is not a slap in the face everytime I get my nose rubbed in it by having to press one to hear, read, or speak English?

This isn't a simple evolve and adapt, this is an absolute hostile attempt by others to crash our once great and proud nation. In no way shape or form will I just bow down and accept I must learn another language to live, work, and prosper in the English speaking nation I was born in.

I have said it before, Learn my ****ing language or leave, should you not desire to fit into what has already been established as American majority, you have no business here. We don't bend to suit your needs, we don't take crosses down because it offends your religion, you will salute our flag if you want to remain in our schools, you will pay taxes, you wanted to be American you will do what is expected of other Americans work for what you want.
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Guys, I love discussing the concepts of immigration, appeasing minorities and cultural assimilation but you do realize that the "Please Press One to Proceeed/For English" message is a help, right?

If you press it you don't have to listen to the list.

The insult would be if English was #7 on the list, making you listen to the offers of Vietnamese, Russian, *****ian, Croatian, etc. By offering it first they let you go on into the logic tree.
 
#98 ·
MeatHunter said:
I have said it before, Learn my ****ing language or leave, should you not desire to fit into what has already been established as American majority, you have no business here. We don't bend to suit your needs, we don't take crosses down because it offends your religion, you will salute our flag if you want to remain in our schools, you will pay taxes, you wanted to be American you will do what is expected of other Americans work for what you want.
Click to expand...
Regardless of what your opinion is, that's the way things are.

The fact of the matter is yes, they do bend to suit their needs, crosses do get taken down, you don't have to salute the flag.

I'm not saying I agree with it, I'm just saying that that's the way it is.

You can stubbornly dig your heels in all you want, but it's going to happen one way or another, and it's already underway.
 
Discussion starter · #99 ·
hayes31 said:
Regardless of what your opinion is, that's the way things are.

The fact of the matter is yes, they do bend to suit their needs, crosses do get taken down, you don't have to salute the flag.

I'm not saying I agree with it, I'm just saying that that's the way it is.

You can stubbornly dig your heels in all you want, but it's going to happen one way or another, and it's already underway.
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Almost 93% say this ****es them off, and not quite 8% are cool with it, I believe when 93% of us dig our heels in we can and will stop this runaway horse. So no I refuse to just let it happen, I will not shut my mouth, I will put crosses up where they were taken down, I will raise hell at schools where students of foreign decent are not required to salute our flag, I will publicly boycott businesses that support other language people, I will fight every step of the way.

Anyone with the thought process of its ok, just go with it, its going to happen anyways is extremely un-American in my book. And going by the polls the sub8% or screwing up everything for the almost 93%. Get off your asses if your a part of the 93% and reclaim America.

It will be awful confusing when our great, great grandchildren are wondering how we were once Americans but they are Northern Mexicans.
 
#100 ·
datrep said:
Take advantage of our melting pot country.

Just my .02
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It's not a melting pot, when you have groups of people divided by language, when people can't communicate with each other they can't learn to understand each other.

Everyone speaking the same language, new people melting into the pot and becoming American....That is a melting pot.
 
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MeatHunter
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