Thursday, January 22, 2009
Politics English Only: Do as I Say, Not as I Vote
Posted by Matt Sullivan on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 11:57 AM
So, I just finished voting against English First, and while walking home I realized that I've made a huge mistake. You see, in order to be successful in America, you've gotta speak English. Helps if you're good looking too. What I now recognize is that people who don't speak English aren't lazy; they're just stupid. This piece of legislation is less about xenophobia than it is education. If we require everyone to learn English, the ones who can't hack it might leave. Presto, Nashville becomes the city of the intellectually elite.
I fancy myself as a fairly bright guy, but I've been trying to learn Spanish for a couple years now and still can't hold a conversation. I even spent some time in South America, so I can fully sympathize with people who've been in a situation where the person you're talking to is annoyed because you can't speak the common language. I was holding them back. Maybe if it were illegal for those governments to make signs in English I would've gotten my ass in gear.
If this thing passes it opens a whole realm of possibilities. Let's get rid of all the stupid people. How can one expect to be successful in this city without learning one's multiplication tables? I propose a Mathematics First bill. Prove to me you can solve a quadratic equation, then we'll talk about getting you that zoning permit. I'm not really comfortable spending money teaching people anything, but I'm sure as hell ready to kick the dummies out. That tired huddled masses stuff was so 100 years ago.
Comments (11)
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If people like the mayor and Ronnie Steine had not made such asses out of themselves, this probably would have been a surefire failure. While it might still go down tonight, I rather doubt it. Eric Crafton will be transformed into the city's most powerful political figure and I really see no other option for Dean other than resignation because I imagine recall petitions will start to circulate tomorrow morning.
If opponents of this charter amendment had relied more on logic than the type of pithy shit above (which has its place here, not in more legitimate forums). As it is, they were emo freaks and not only have made bad legislation viable but probably ushered out some good public servants and ushered in some piss poor ones. I'm really put out with the type of infantilism opponents showed, yet I also voted against the charter amendment. Sadly, I know many who voted for it because of what the opposition did. Congratulations dumb fucks.
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Yes, he will be held in high esteem just like Casey Jenkins and Bill Boner. He will definitely have his place in history.
"I fancy myself as a fairly bright guy..."
One of your more significant mistakes.
"You see, in order to be successful in America, you've gotta speak English."
- just ask Sarah Palin
Dude, I don't know how this will all go down, but Dean isn't resigning or getting recalled over this. And it isn't making Crafton the most powerful political figure either. Let him run for mayor and see how that works out. This bill probably doesn't even pass constitutional muster and will get overturned.
Just watch. Dean's gone and the demagogue's stock will rise.
And while I don't like this charter amendment, the courts are very likley to uphold it in the wake of the Hazleton decision.
All the hysterical squealing from the leftists about how terrible the English only amendment is reminds of the time when the handgun carry permit legislation was was being proposed in the state legislature.
The same type of people were squealing about how terrible that was and making dire predictions of daily Wild West type shootouts across the state by the permtit holders.
Well the law passed and they were subsequently proven in due course to be flat out wrong about it.
If this amemdment passes, their similarly hysterical predictions will also be proven to be flat out wrong as well.
Painting opposition to this amendment as simple leftism seems a fairly shallow assessment.
Put a fork in it, folks:
http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2009/01/22/your-chance-to-help-save-the-city-from-the-nativists-is-over/
A large majority has voted down both amendments.
