Alabama Governor wants to save money by giving driving exams in english only.

[redivider]

The racism seething from the 'right' has just broken ground.

In a new twist to the immigration and racism problem in the US, the governor of the state of Alabama wants to give exams in english only. He first says it's a matter of saving money. He then says it's a public safety issue, because people need to learn how to read the signs. He says, "This is Alabama, we speak English, If you want to live here, learn it." and so on and so forth......

little does he know that by only giving the exam in English he stands to loose millions and millions in Federal Funding.

he also forgets about how america's street signs utilize shape, color, and words to convey their message. They are purposefully designed this way to make them easier to understand for international drivers....

It's just public chest-thumping a la Beck and Rush. Politicians are beginning to notice that type of political nonsense brings attention, they have yet to realize this won't get them any votes from people with half a brain.

 

[abe23]

The anti-immigrant crowd always hides behind the phrase "we don't hate immigrants, just the illegal ones" but then they support things like this that aren't about legal status but about language. When they constantly complain about how immigrants don't learn english and don't want to blend in to our culture and all this bullshit (the same bullshit that met many of our own grandparents and great-grandparents a hundred years ago, by the way...), it makes it pretty clear what they're about...

 

[ViRedd]

^^^ My grandparents came from Italy in the late 1920s and didn't speak a word of English. They learned the language, insisted that their kids learned English ... and all was great. By the way, they came through Ellis Island, the legal way.

 

[redivider]

immigrants can learn a language. no matter how much 'blending' happens, they'll still speak whatever the hell they want in their home.

it's about them learning the traffic laws.

i can't wait for this guy to give a serious go come election time. here's how I would destroy his two bogus arguments.

English only will make illegal immigrants learn english.
refusing to give the exam in foreign languages won't make illegal immigrants not drive, nor will it make them learn a language. it will just ensure more illegal immigrants are driving without a license until they learn English, and therefore, without correct knowledge of traffic laws. improving public safety is one goal this idea will NOT fulfill.

saving money: the state WILL loose federal funding to the tune of billions of dollars should the state refuse to give the test in foreign languages. no amount of money saved will equal what they stand to loose.

another bone-head politician looking to get into office. these are the people we should passionately fight to keep OUT of office.

i wonder how many bone-head constituents actually believe this fool.....

 

[ViRedd]

immigrants can learn a language. no matter how much 'blending' happens, they'll still speak whatever the hell they want in their home.

it's about them learning the traffic laws.

i can't wait for this guy to give a serious go come election time. here's how I would destroy his two bogus arguments.

English only will make illegal immigrants learn english.
refusing to give the exam in foreign languages won't make illegal immigrants not drive, nor will it make them learn a language. it will just ensure more illegal immigrants are driving without a license until they learn English, and therefore, without correct knowledge of traffic laws. improving public safety is one goal this idea will NOT fulfill.

saving money: the state WILL loose federal funding to the tune of billions of dollars should the state refuse to give the test in foreign languages. no amount of money saved will equal what they stand to loose.

another bone-head politician looking to get into office. these are the people we should passionately fight to keep OUT of office.

i wonder how many bone-head constituents actually believe this fool.....

Should ILLEGAL immigrants be given a drivers licence??

 

[Professor Puff.n.Tuff]

Good to hear from another not WOP, WOP. My grandparents may have been on the same ship. I dig your signature... Can you elaborate on your statement? Sounds like you have some sense to you. Doesnt seem like it should be too much to ask people to learn the language of the land that they want to live in. imo

^^^ My grandparents came from Italy in the late 1920s and didn't speak a word of English. They learned the language, insisted that their kids learned English ... and all was great. By the way, they came through Ellis Island, the legal way.

 

[abe23]

In the sense that driver's licenses are a state issue and immigration is a federal one....yes, they should.

Should illegal immigrants be driving without licenses or insurance? Because you know....they intentionally crash their cars on the freeway. Just ask john mccain.

 

[Professor Puff.n.Tuff]

Another thought that just struck me is if they cant read English - Why in F would we let them drive on our roads where ALL the signs are in English???

Be having a MFer mix up "dont enter" with "right turn only" cause of the colors or somthin stupid.

 

[redivider]

road signs are designed with color, wording, and shape in mind.

immigrants will learn english sooner or later. and they'll drive if they want to. licenses and insurance and blah blah blah. none of that matters really.

it's this type of political grand-standing that I have a problem with.

he might convince his constituents that this will somehow solve illegal immigration and save money. i don't know where this guy is getting his advice but it's not too good. he'll get the votes, cost his state federal money, and keep suggesting horrible courses of action to take for his current state's issues......

if he offers real solutions like the guy from Arizona, then ok. i don't agree with racial profiling but asking for ID or documentation isn't putting mexicans into concentration camps to be exterminated. it's a bit tough, but not inhumane, and one thing that might actually yield results for once. only time will tell if this will be a good or bad thing for the state. i expect illegals to leave the state by the thousands.....

 

[Radiate]

Immigrants will not learn english sooner or later if we continue catering to them.

To go to someone elses country where traditions and standards have already been established and then attempt to change said standards because one does not put forth the effort to learn the language beforehand is nothing short of assanine and offensive. When in Rome do what Romans do.

Any tourist or traveler with a lick of common sense will learn a basic working of the language and culture of the place they intend to visit in order to be able to coherently function on their travels and also to be aware of any cultural quirks that may cause an unforseen snafu.

Why do illegal immigrants ignore such a simple courtesy? Seeing as how they come here for the better life and opportunity, the least they could do is learn to communicate in the standard language of the country and stop trying to change everything the suit themselves.

 

[Padawanbater2]

Good to hear from another not WOP, WOP. My grandparents may have been on the same ship. I dig your signature... Can you elaborate on your statement? Sounds like you have some sense to you. Doesnt seem like it should be too much to ask people to learn the language of the land that they want to live in. imo

We don't have a "language of the land" in America. English is the majority, but that doesn't make it the "official language". Did you know there are more Chinese people that speak English than American?

 

[redivider]

Immigrants will not learn english sooner or later if we continue catering to them.

To go to someone elses country where traditions and standards have already been established and then attempt to change said standards because one does not put forth the effort to learn the language beforehand is nothing short of assanine and offensive. When in Rome do what Romans do.

Any tourist or traveler with a lick of common sense will learn a basic working of the language and culture of the place they intend to visit in order to be able to coherently function on their travels and also to be aware of any cultural quirks that may cause an unforseen snafu.

Why do illegal immigrants ignore such a simple courtesy? Seeing as how they come here for the better life and opportunity, the least they could do is learn to communicate in the standard language of the country and stop trying to change everything the suit themselves.

they don't ignore such a simple courtesy. they learn what they can with what they can afford. i guess you haven't understood what it's like to worry about where you're going to sleep every night, or whether or not you're going to have enough money for food. for the first months in the US illegal immigrants sleep on the couch or outside, walk to work, go without eating for more than the poorest in america have ever had to.

a personal friend walked 100 miles of desert 8 times to get to this country. 4 dollars, and a backpack with a few clothes items was all he had. do you think those first few months he was here he was worried about learning english? or during his 100+ mile hike? these are actual human beings who need food and shelter.

it's not like when you went away with your family to disneyland...

if this politician wants to say he's gonna deal with illegal immigration he should do just that. not waist the people's time with pointless grandstanding.

 

[fitch303]

When I look at road signs the last fucking thing I look for is shape or color, I read the fucking thing and tell the sign "you got it" and follow it's warning. Language is not a race and race is not a language, The people who scream racism would also probably find a picture of jesus from the rust stains running down the side of a building. I've become numb to the accusation so use it all you want it doesn't bother me. Second even if I am a racist I'm also a citizen so it's just too fucking bad for you so now it's your turn to be tolerant and open minded.

 

[Rob Roy]

English is the predominant language in the United States. Whether people should be forced to learn it or not is one question. Whether it makes sense to learn it is another. If I came here I'd want to learn the language, because it would benefit me both short term and long term.

So if people have a "right" to take a driving test or be schooled in their language if it is not english, how does this get paid for? Will they pay for it or will others be forced to pay for it for them?

Nobody should be forced to learn a language, nobody should be forced to pay for somebody else's lessons either.

I would think the advantages of learning the language of the area you move too, would be apparent though.

 

[redivider]

When I look at road signs the last fucking thing I look for is shape or color, I read the fucking thing and tell the sign "you got it" and follow it's warning. Language is not a race and race is not a language, The people who scream racism would also probably find a picture of jesus from the rust stains running down the side of a building. I've become numb to the accusation so use it all you want it doesn't bother me. Second even if I am a racist I'm also a citizen so it's just too fucking bad for you so now it's your turn to be tolerant and open minded.

well if you were paying attention in drivers ed like you're supposed to you'd know that road signs in America use shape and color to signify urgency.

a green rectangular road sign with white letters should automatically set-off a trigger in you're mind telling you that particular sign tells you where to go.

an inverted triangle with red borders and a white center should automatically tell you you should yield before you're close enough to read the letters....

the list goes on and on...

i'd love to see you pull up to a red octagon next to an intersection and claim you didn't know it was a stop sign because it didn't have the words..... puuuhhhlllleeeeeeaaaasssseeeee........

 

[robert 14617]

some + rep for radiate for his well spoken post

 

[Professor Puff.n.Tuff]

When I look at road signs the last fucking thing I look for is shape or color, I read the fucking thing and tell the sign "you got it" and follow it's warning. Language is not a race and race is not a language, The people who scream racism would also probably find a picture of jesus from the rust stains running down the side of a building. I've become numb to the accusation so use it all you want it doesn't bother me. Second even if I am a racist I'm also a citizen so it's just too fucking bad for you so now it's your turn to be tolerant and open minded.

English is the predominant language in the United States. Whether people should be forced to learn it or not is one question. Whether it makes sense to learn it is another. If I came here I'd want to learn the language, because it would benefit me both short term and long term.

So if people have a "right" to take a driving test or be schooled in their language if it is not english, how does this get paid for? Will they pay for it or will others be forced to pay for it for them?

Nobody should be forced to learn a language, nobody should be forced to pay for somebody else's lessons either.

I would think the advantages of learning the language of the area you move too, would be apparent though.

Great posts above guys....

well if you were paying attention in drivers ed like you're supposed to you'd know that road signs in America use shape and color to signify urgency.

a green rectangular road sign with white letters should automatically set-off a trigger in you're mind telling you that particular sign tells you where to go.

an inverted triangle with red borders and a white center should automatically tell you you should yield before you're close enough to read the letters....

the list goes on and on...

i'd love to see you pull up to a red octagon next to an intersection and claim you didn't know it was a stop sign because it didn't have the words..... puuuhhhlllleeeeeeaaaasssseeeee........

This post on the other hand is NOT great at all. I highly doubt that your foreigners went to your drivers ed class. And if they did we would not be having this discussion.

Who NEEDS to pay for these extra exams???? Both the cost of printing - ink and stationary + all the extra hours, hundreds maybe thousands, for these exams to be translated. Who???

 

[redivider]

Great posts above guys....



This post on the other hand is NOT great at all. I highly doubt that your foreigners went to your drivers ed class. And if they did we would not be having this discussion.

Who NEEDS to pay for these extra exams???? Both the cost of printing - ink and stationary + all the extra hours, hundreds maybe thousands, for these exams to be translated. Who???

this is why ignorance is bliss.

this is why the census asks the questions it does.

the government does not print 1 million english exams, 1 million spanish exams, 1 million arabic exams, and so on and so forth.

they look at local demographic information and based on that, they print out an estimate of how many exams they're going to need.

and FYI, this isn't 1975, primary driving tests for permits in many MANY places in the US are given by COMPUTER. cost of ink, stationary, extra hours, GONE. you can take the test in paper if you wish, but it's not the norm....

it's a meaningless attempt to offer some sort of solution that if you don't have a cool, logical head, makes sense...

the choice to only give the test in english could be the chest thump that thwarts them all in this hyper-politicized world. he's getting attention. come debate time, we'll see what makes sense and what doesn't.....

 

[ink the world]

Why do illegal immigrants ignore such a simple courtesy? Seeing as how they come here for the better life and opportunity, the least they could do is learn to communicate in the standard language of the country and stop trying to change everything the suit themselves.

All immigrants arent here illegally. LOL its Alabama, why is anyone surprised? This has nothing to do with $ it has to do w/ racism. Period.

 

[Professor Puff.n.Tuff]

Someone still has to translate and write the test in another language. Even if they have computer software to translate, they will still be paying someone to edit it. What about those cost of those programs too? You cant say that there will be no extra COST involved with something like this.

I dont know much about 1975 as I wasnt born yet and I could give a shit about the person running in your state. Just thought I would chime in and try to instill some logic into peoples heads.

Peace out all...

this is why ignorance is bliss.

this is why the census asks the questions it does.

the government does not print 1 million english exams, 1 million spanish exams, 1 million arabic exams, and so on and so forth.

they look at local demographic information and based on that, they print out an estimate of how many exams they're going to need.

and FYI, this isn't 1975, primary driving tests for permits in many MANY places in the US are given by COMPUTER. cost of ink, stationary, extra hours, GONE. you can take the test in paper if you wish, but it's not the norm....

it's a meaningless attempt to offer some sort of solution that if you don't have a cool, logical head, makes sense...

the choice to only give the test in english could be the chest thump that thwarts them all in this hyper-politicized world. he's getting attention. come debate time, we'll see what makes sense and what doesn't.....