Ah, xenophobia. Such a classic response to tough times.

I think more and more people are going to be experiencing negitive issues with health care in the coming year, especially because of of the economy. Employers will reduce coverage, and high unemployment rates will only increase the numbers of those that are not covered. If the Republicans try to block progress on this issue, I think they do so to their own detriment.

Oi Granny!

Happy for her.

It depends on what they block. Universal coverage for everyone and managed by the government is not a good idea, and doesn't work. I understand that we need to revamp the system, but we also need to aware of the danger of changing too much.

Two more cases of Wii wrist coming up!

Aww his grandmother is so cute. I'm happy that she's able to go. It would have been better if his other grandmother could've made it too.

As far as the English only thing, I'm pretty ambivalent to it. On one hand, I live in South Florida and I can not tell you how often I meet people who's been living here for years and doesn't speak English, because quite frankly they don't need to as Spanish is spoken just about everywhere. In my honest opinion if a persona moves to a country and plan to live there permanently then they need to adapt to that country's rules and learn the country's language.

The NYT article about the Nashville thing says, "Mr. Crafton hopes to make Nashville the largest city in the United States to prohibit the government from using languages other than English." It isn't very clear to me, however--does that mean no interpreters at courts for non-English speakers? No more government pamphlets and etc. in other languages? I absolutely believe that people who immigrate here should learn English, but if those are the case, that seems very exclusionary and not a good thing at all.

Why is it xenophobia, Jude C ? The official language of USA is English, if you wanna speak another language at home or wherever that's just fine with me, but not in public offices. I don't see where is the problem here.

Those are good points Jude, and I'd be interested in finding out as well. I like the idea of having a "national language" (English) so that we don't have pockets of American citizens who only speak spanish, or french, or whatever other language, and not be able to effectively communicate back and forth. This country would very quickly become like the tower of Babble.

on that stance is where I agree that there should be representation for non-English speakers as those new the country and haven't had the time.

I agree Myst.

My grandma, who lives in miami, has been there since 1980 and still no speaky engleesh. I used to try to teach her but I gave up!

It is a xenophobic attitude to want to exclude foreigners, nguidjol. Especially on the basis of "they're taking over our country, and we're not going to let that happen," which appears to be the basis of every passionate push against linguistic diversity.

As for the Nashville situation, as I mentioned in my latest post, I think the problems would arise if they're hoping to get rid of, say, interpreters in courthouses, translations of official pamphlets, and such--things that would make it inherently harder for citizens and immigrants with limited English to receive the same level of justice and benefits as us native English speakers.

And I agree as well Myst, but there should also be a push to melt into what is the US culture, and not try to remain separate from it.

I agree there, Dave, but I just think allowances need to be made to people, especially older ones, who are new to our country and need time to become fluent. I don't think cutting them entirely out of the loop is going to help anyone.

What really bothers me are second-generation kids (or those who came here when quite young) who seem unable or unwilling to learn English properly. In that case there's no excuse.

I agree that slack should be made to the older 1st generation, because it is difficult to learn a new language after 25, even if you are immersed in it. It bothers me as well to see 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants who went through the American school system, but have rejected english because of their heritage.

"It bothers me as well to see 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants who went through the American school system, but have rejected english because of their heritage."

Yep.

I'm picky on that issue, though, as it always bothers me also to see 2nd and 3rd generation kids who've completely lost their families' native languages. I mean, I grew up speaking English at school and Chinese at home, and didn't find it that hard

I do believe everyone should make the effort to learn English so that they can function to their highest potential in our society, but I don't think rejection of one's native tongue is necessary by any means or desirable. It's true that we don't want to end up like the tower of Babel, but diversity of culture is one of the great things about this country, and it's hard to have that without a diversity of languages.

I agree in keeping in your heritage and speaking it at home Jude. I grew up overseas, mainly in Japan (military brat) and my dad is half Vietnamese, my mom is Haitian and Dominican and it was very important to them that we stay in touch with our culture so they would speak in French, some Spanish, some Vietnamese around the house as well as well as English. I went to American based school while on base but I still had to learn speak and read Japanese while living there as well as it was the country I was living at and I had to adapt to their rules and social norms.

I'm with you, Jude. I don't see the point in making laws excluding other languages from being used, particularly in cases like government pamphlets, etc. The cost isn't that great and the benefit seems to far outweigh the cost.

I know this isn't what's being discussed, but on a side note, I also don't think it should be mandated that every government pamphlet, etc. should be printed in both English and Spanish. I feel like it should depend on the neighborhood and the need.

And, I also agree that people should at least try to learn English, just like I would try to learn French, or Italian, or German, if I lived in a country in which any one of those was the primary language.

And I am also in agreement about keeping your heritage. Even if the language gets lost somewhere along the way, I think it's great to try to pass on aspects of your heritage to your children. I don't really speak any Hungarian, Polish, German, or Russian (barring a few random phrases), but my family has always celebrated using traditions that reflect our heritage, particularly the Hungarian and Polish sides, as I am about 50% Hungarian, 31.25% Polish, 12.5% German, and 6.25% Russian.

Anyway, this has gotten off topic, but I agree, preserving one's heritage is important! (And can result in great food.)

"preserving one's heritage is important! (And can result in great food.)"

Yes, it can.

Ummmmm, Lutefisk anyone?

I love my mom grio and my grandma's noddle salads yummy

Mine makes the best braised pork belly ever.

My mom makes amazing pierogies. I am salivating just thinking about them! (And the other food that's been mentioned.)

And my Grandpa makes amazing stuffed cabbage.

I also love fried plantains and fried fish with picklies (spicy coleslaw).

Grio= fried plantains and fried pork that's cut in small pieces and you have to eat along with picklies too

Mm plantains!

"I don't see the point in making laws excluding other languages from being used, particularly in cases like government pamphlets, etc. The cost isn't that great and the benefit seems to far outweigh the cost."

I agree Kimbo. It really isn't that big a deal to print up a second pamphlet available in another language. I don't see whjy our government should be exclusive.

I will say though that I can't imagine moving to a place like say Japan and not learning Japanese. I would feel so helpless with out even just basic Japanese, but to each there own.

Kastarte, in Japan, if you plan on becoming a permanent resident or citizen you have to prove you are able to communicate in Japanese, have sufficient asset, place to live, and have to live in Japan for at least 5 consecutive years. Japan has one of the toughest immigration policies I've ever seen in my life.

It's pretty easy to get around as most signs are in both Japanese and in English in major cities but once you get to the more rural areas, you're out of luck.

Thanks for the info Myst. I was just using Japan as a random example. If I were to move to France, I would learn me some French. If I were to move to Korea, I would learn Korean.

I just remember being in high school and standing behind a Spanish speaking lady at McDonald's. The clerk was trying to figure out what size soda the woman wanted and the lady couldn't figure out what he was asking. It went on for minutes mostly because the clerk was kind of an idiot. I finally jumped in with my pathetic high school Spanish and we were able to determine she wanted a small. But that insignificant event had an impact on me. I knew I couldn't live that way. Being unable to order a small soda? I understand people want to hold on to their heritage, but I would just feel helpless.

nguidjol, there is no official language of the US, that's where the controversy stems from. I am actually somewhat in favor of making English the official language. I think maybe making it a requirement for citizenship would encourage many people to learn. I don't think that would affect the need for court translators because part of being the type of country we espouse is giving everyone the opportunity to defend themselves. It's not just US citizens that are accused of crimes in this country.

What UnDave- you don't like fish cooked in lye??/ What's wrong with you :0 My husbands family is norwegian. He LOVES Lefsa. I don't. But I make Spaetzle as a carbohydrate as often as I can, since I am German. I don't think language being lost means you have lost your heritage. And it angers me because I hear often that white people have no culture, heritage or customs. Just because we have assimilated to life in the US doesn't mean that we don't carry our culture with us. My children look for a pickle on the christmas tree, just as I did growing up. My great-grandmother would tell me of life back in Germany. I am for English as a national language, but am ok with translation services etc for court proceedings and police. BUT, driver's license tests etc should be in english only.

I love how Sarah wanted to bring a spear and shield for Barack. So cute, I didn't even think about him inviting his Kenyan family.

I gotta say....

I was in a jury duty pool, and there were 3 women who all got excused from service. One had been a US citizen for 30 years and she claimed that she didn't know english well enough to serve on a jury, even though a translator was offered. The other 2 women had been citizens for 15 and 20 years, one was a business owner...and yet they still couldn't serve on a jury because they said they didn't know enough english. Of course they could understand the judge's questions, though!

I understand it takes a while to learn a new language, but seriously, after 5 years I think people should be fined if they still can't perform their civic duty with help from a translator.

Agreed Jill

"I understand it takes a while to learn a new language, but seriously, after 5 years I think people should be fined if they still can't perform their civic duty with help from a translator."

That's an interesting idea. It would be worrisome for me to have someone who wasn't very proficient in a language determining guilt or innocence when the water can be muddied by language barriers.

However, I want to be on a jury so bad that I almost feel like not getting to do it is a punishment of its own. But, I know most people don't feel like that.

That is true, Organic. It would be hard to judge who has an adequate enough understanding, and yet at the same time I think that the current system enables abuses of the system.

I was actually looking forward to being on a jury a little bit as well, but they put me on a 2 week long trial when my office only paid for 1 week. I had to use 40 hours of my hard earned vacation time to sit in the hallway of the courthouse for hours on end. Some days, we would sit there for 4 hours, and then be told to go home. We spent far more time doing nothing than actually contributing to the legal system.

My highlight was that on one question the jury had to answer, the first poll was 2-10 one way...and then I explained my position and the jury flipped 10-2! I felt like I made a difference.

...if only I could perform the same opinion changing feats on Citizen!

Be fair to yourself! You may be performing the same feat here. I know I am.

No one's polling after the issues have been dissected.

I am currently serving on a grand jury and I love it.

That's so cool Kas. Make sure to write my name down if they ask for your referals.

I'm not going to lie to you, Organic, it is awesome. I'm going to be working on the same case for a year and it is very interesting.

Fattigman anyone? Or maybe some Smultringers?

Kas, I am so jealous! I too have always wanted to be on a jury. Of course, I got called this year, after I already lived in Virginia, but hadn't yet changed my residency. So, I got called in Ohio and couldn't go! Two good friends of mine have been on juries, though, and they loved it. My one friend got to be the foreman and his wife was on a pretty high-profile (on a local level) case. I am jealous of both of them.

GS, do tell what smultringers are! I looked up fattigman and it sounds amazing! I just had to read "fry in hot oil" and that was enough for me. I tried to look up smultringers, but the only site was in another language. (Dutch?)

Smultringer
(Tiny doughnuts)

1/3 cup margarine or butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1-1/3 cups canned milk, whipped
2 tsp. cardamon
3-3/4 cups flour
2 tsp. salt

Melt and cool margarine or butter. Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat the canned milk until stiff, then fold in. Sir dry ingredients into egg/milk mixture, being careful not to add too much flour. Dough should be soft. Use just enough flour to be able to roll the dough out to 3/8 inch thickness. Cut with a small doughnut cutter. Deep fry in hot lard or Crisco until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Store in airtight containers.

Norwegian

And fry in oil always has me at hello too!

Yum! I saw the words "deep fry" again.

GS- do you use paprika in a lot of your recipes? I had a friend who was hungarian and her mom made a lot of stuff with paprika. The only name I can remember is Chicken Paprikish. I have a recipe for Hungarian stew and paprika is a big ingredient.