“This is America. When ordering, please speak English.”
More than a year and a half ago, I wrote about the persecution of Joey Vento in Philadelphia (see here and here). He’s the grandson of Italian-born immigrants who owns Geno’s–the world-famous cheesesteak joint. He’s a staunch assimilationist who hung a sign up telling customers:
“This is America. When ordering, please speak English.”
The loons on the open-borders, anti-assimilationist Philadelphia City Council and the Human Relations Commission went on the attack. And that attack is still going.
The Philadelphia Daily News reports on a six-hour Human Relations Commission public hearing yesterday on charges that Vento is guilty of discrimination. Un-freaking-believable:
The commission, which enforces civil-rights laws and mediates inter-group disputes, distributes pamphlets that ask, “Are you a victim of discrimination?” - in seven languages.
Vento earns most of his cash selling one thing - cheesesteaks - and he wants you to order in one language. “This is America. When ordering, please speak English.” That’s what the sign says at Vento’s South Philly sandwich shop on 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue.
But is there anything wrong with “The Sign”? Specifically, does it violate the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance by discriminating against immigrants and non-English speakers who frequent Vento’s business?
That question wasn’t answered yesterday at the Arch Street Meeting House, where a three-person panel heard more than six hours of testimony from witnesses for the HRC, which wants the sign removed, and Vento, who refuses to comply.
A ruling won’t come for at least a couple of months, said Joseph Centeno, who chaired yesterday’s hearing panel. The panel will make a recommendation to the full commission, but the parties have about 60 days to file post-hearing briefs.
Vento, sporting a black leather jacket and lots of bling, showed up yesterday ready for battle, with his Atlanta-based legal team and dozens of supporters at his side. The sign, he said, posted more than two years ago, is designed to make a political statement and keep the line moving at the world-famous Geno’s Steaks.
When Vento was called to testify, the 68-year-old grandson of Italian immigrants started paraphrasing Theodore Roosevelt so quickly that the court reporter had to ask him to slow down. “To be an American, you have to be American and nothing else. For if you say you’re something else, then you’re not a true American,” Vento said, drawing on the words of the 26th president.
“I’m an American of Italian descent,” he said. “I’m not an Italian-American.”
More than 100 people attended the hearing, which had a trial-like atmosphere and ran so late that the staff of the historic meeting house wanted to close the place down.
There were pro-immigration groups, Vento loyalists and even some tears from one of his attorneys during the closing arguments - all over a 4-inch-by-9-inch bumper sticker that asks customers to order their food in English.
Fortunately, business is booming at Geno’s. If you’re in the area, drop by and show some more support.
Contact info for the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission is here.
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
34 South 11th Street, 6th Floor
Philadelphia PA 19107
phone:: 215-686-4670
TTY:215-6863238
Fax: 215-686-4684
Email: pchrfaq_grp@phila.gov
W. Nick Taliaferro
Executive Director
Commissioners
Rev. James S. Allen, Sr., Chairperson
Burt Siegal, Vice Chairperson
Crystal Barnett
Joseph J. Centeno, Esquire
Roxanne E. Covington, Esquire
Rabbi William, I. Kuhn
Juan Ortiz, Jr.
Haorold L. Rush
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So much for Freedom of Speech.
Why should it offend anyone? if they cant speak english, I’m betting they cant read english.
whatever happened to ‘management reserves the right…’. this is not unlawful discrimination. at all.
I am from the philadelphia area (south jersey) and I used to only eat at Pat’s, but since Geno’s has become a standard bearer for honest, common-sense American business, I now patronize both.
mmmm… Cheesesteak and cold beer. A combination I cannot get here in Hawaii, but I’ll be sure to enjoy during a Christmas visit to my South Jersey relatives… Go, Joey Vento!
“This is America. When ordering, please speak English.”
GO GENO!!!
2nd sign to follow:
This is America. When taking an order, please speak English!
I saw this guy do an interview on Fox News a few months back, and I must say I was very impressed. He is a very intelligent guy. He is very articulate, and he is right on point on this issue. I must say, I’d love to see him go head to head with a loony liberal trying to make him out to be a bigot or a racist. I’m pretty sure he would make them look like a fool.
This coming from a city with nothing better to do then kick the Boy Scouts out of a building the BS built and maintained, and is now harassing a good business man and patriot. Joey has been an outspoken supporter of the police and of Officer Daniel Faulkner’s family.
Yeah Philly with its booming crimes and murder rate has nothing better to do but make sure that people that cannot read the sign to begin with feel “comfortable”. How about feeling comfortable walking down the streets safely? That never occurred to the esteemed cough cough choke choke Mayor.
spot on AJ #2 I’m sure someone told them they should be offended.
I’ve read about Vento before. He echoes my sentiments. I don’t know how this hyphenated Americanism (which isn’t American at all) got started, but it is going to destroy this nation.
Philly has bigger issues then a restaurateur who wants people to order in English.
Go ahead, tell me again about southern rednecks.
Where is the ACLU?
The irony here is these folks persecuting Joey are making a non-issue into a potential landmark case, and Joey into another Rosa Parks.
Joey does have one minor problem, though. He’s gotta show that “Yo, Joey, gimme a chee-steak wid,” is English.
On December 15th, 2007 at 10:27 am, palani said:
mmmm… Cheesesteak and cold beer. A combination I cannot get here in Hawaii, but I’ll be sure to enjoy during a Christmas visit to my South Jersey relatives… Go, Joey Vento!
Ditto big time palani, Mele kalikimaka
I’d buy a cheesesteak from him right now …if his weren’t $3 more expensive just because it’s from Geno’s.
Regardless, the thought police have spoken, and now the city is finally safe. Right?
I lived in Japan a few years ago, arriving without any knowledge of the language.
You can bet one of the first things I did was to learn enough Japanese to ask directions and to order in a restaurant. I didn’t expect the locals to understand my English, that’s fer dang sure — especially outside the big cities where you’re not apt to find a Mickey D’s to retreat to. I was also amused/dismayed to see Americans try shouting in English at an uncomprehending Japansese waiter hoping that would do the trick!!!
That said, the Geno’s owner ought to cut some slack to those who try to order in English, even if they botch it a bit. A good-faith effort goes a long way, and is itself a sign of a desire to assimilate. After all, assimilation takes time; I suspect Vento’s ancestors didn’t get off the boat speaking perfect English. More likely they headed for Little Italy where they could use Italian while they and their kids learned “American”: cf “The Godfather, Part II.”.
I’ve no sympathy for anyone trying to order in his native non-English language and expecting to be understood. I
doubthope the Fair Practices Ordinance doesn’t require a restaurant owner to take orders he genuinely doesn’t understand, or to hire Spanish-speaking employees. But if a Hispanic or other foreigner appears in front of the Phillykangaroo courtpublic hearing and claims in passable but halting English that he wasn’t served after ordering imperfectly, Vento risks getting (justifiably) slammed. A little common sense is in order here —especially when the PC Police lie in wait!I grew up outside Philly, and miss this place a great deal. It would be great if ALL the businesses around Vento would do the same. Put up the same bumber sticker saying SPEAK ENGLISH!
I learned to speak English when I came here at age 7, why can’t everyone else?
Wow…. you have to know English to be a citizen… at least to naturalized.
So now we have a case where non citizen “feelings” trump a citizens RIGHT to freedom of speech?
Philly is full of bull..they try and penalize ALL of Pa.’s law abiding firearm owners,because they themselves,are afraid to confront their home grown thugs.
We americans speak ENGLISH.Foriegn invaders,please take note.
Joey Vento said:
I’ve been a Joey Vento fan since the first time I saw him on Fox when this issue caught national attention … I just became an even bigger one … he agrees with me apparently about eliminating the “hyphenated American” BS … yippee …
Assimilation into this society includes learning the language … a fact none of the open-borders illegal alien supporting groups seem to comprehend …
Try going to any fast food (BK, McD, Wendy’s, Arby’s, take your pick) here in Arizona … 3/4 of the employees are speaking Spanish constantly and have trouble even taking a simple order from you in English … and be sure to check your order before you leave the counter or drive-thru … odds are high you didn’t get 100% what you asked for …
So are those in Philly that can’t order in English to ensure they get what they want going to sue because the order was “wid whiz” when they wanted it without?
Go Joey !!!
Do they still have that really cool Bell? Could we ask them to give it back to the US?
Does the Philly Phanatic speak english? If that thing can master it anyone can.
aj … good one …
And this city, with a soaring crime rate, is trying to evict the Boy Scouts.
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59201
The Mayor and council are true moonbats. Ans in LLL fashion seek to destroy anything that is patriotic Crime is ignored. Businesses flee. But those are the price people must pay to be enlightened.
You can’t go anywhere without reading negative stories about this ill-governed place. Here it is implicated in the Sharpton take down.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/12529201.html
I love the stand Joey Vento is taking for us all. Whatever happened to our blue-collar, inner city tough-guy Reagan Democrats? Are they out there anymore, or have the Stalinist Neo-Comms converted them all? Joey Vento’s of America stand up for yourselves and your country!
That being said, I have to break with Mr. Vento on one thing.
Cheesesteaks be damned,
I HATE THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES!!
How ’bout them COWBOYS!!!
I’ve had many an order completely jacked up out here in California due to the fact that the person taking my order couldn’t understand English.
The whole “have it your way” slogan at Burger King should, at least in California read, “at least you’ll get some food, which may be completely different from your actual order.”
Joey for President!!
As I recall somewhat hazily from the not too distant past Frank Rizzo did an ok job as police commissioner and later mayor. I think he died before he could come back and win mayor again. Mayor Wilson Goode managed to be teflon when many other in his govt. were sued over the MOVE fiasco. And I don’t if the corruption ensuing from the Katrina-like payoff to burned out neighborhoods ever was concluded.
So anyway Fast Eddie Rendell ran things for a time and then managed the governorship. Who controls things now? Is it John or Milton Street? Of course the feds had corruption goods on that mayor but we know racism knocked all that down.
Ah yes, the glory days of Philly sports, like about 25 years ago. I loathe the stinkin’ Cowboys and now in Fla. I am happy for the arrogant Dolphins run at infamy.
Desert,
Have to agree with you on that. Just try to get an English speaker at the Arizona State Dept of Revenue. Everytime I call them I end up frustrated and find somewhere in the conversation I have to say “Please go get someone who can speak English.”
Hey joey, wanna really give em the business, make people show ID real ID.
No Cheesesteak for you! if they arent a citizen of the US.
My grandfather came to this country from the Azores in the 20s with the equivalent of a 3rd grade education. He not only learned to speak English, but also taught other Portuguese men to read and write in English.
He never abandoned his ethnic pride, or his ability to speak Portuguese, but he understood the importance of becoming an American and taking pride in his newly adopted country as well. I guarantee you, he may have spoken with a thick accent, but he would have ordered his steak sandwich in English
Does anybody know if geno makes hoagies? Lived in phlly area as a kid. Love hoagies. Gotta get some at genos when I return to visit my cousins.
WTFthe sign said “Please”.
COSHAAA (Coalition to Stop Hatefilled Actions Aginst Americans) needs to get into this fray.
Mr. Vento is a true American. The Rev. Allen (and his commission) is not.
ot, Philly has the cheese steak but they don’t have the horse shoe sandwich. I’d take a horse shoe sandwich over a cheese steak any day. I can actually say that I’ve bought plane tickets from L.A. to Springfield, Il just to have them. That takes a layover in St. Louis or Chicago to boot. They are that good.
Azygos
Thanks … Appreciate you affirming my statement on that … I sometimes think people from areas where the local English speaking teenagers still get all the first-time jobs like fast food don’t really believe me when I tell them that is how it is here …
Michelle,
I’m disappointed in you
Why didn’t you show a picture of his famous cheese-steaks?
Civil Rights was a good idea gone bad. It’s going to get to the point that if a gay person propositions you and you turn them down, you will be in violation of a hate crime.
America needs to get some sense.
Unfortunately, Walldog, the ACLU is now on the side of the illegals that won’t
learn English.
There has been an argument about the lack of interest in learning to speak
English is because “they” are so busy trying to do the jobs that Americans won’t
do, that there just isn’t enough time for them to learn English. Phooey! All of
our ancestors that came here worked long hard hours and still found time to
learn English and lot of that was because there were no tv channels in their
language and no ACLU telling them that it is Our responsibility to learn their
language. I also find it ironic that we have to print signs, ballots, etc in their
language and over half of them cannot read their own language in the first place.
I remember when this hyphenating started and it was about the time of
Frank Sinatra and his Italian anti defamation business and the blacks
wanting to be something other than what they were previously called (which I could understand) but then someone discovered a pc gene lying dormant
in himself and that was that. It just kept getting worse and worse.
I blame liberals. I don’t doubt that in their misguided view of immigrants in general, they thought by encouraging them to stay in
little enclaves and call themselves hyphenated Americans they were
doing what was best for them. Or, maybe not.
Geno has my wholehearted support. I love that guy, he has his priorities straight.
At least make an effort to speak English at his or any other place,if not, his other sign should say,(No English-No food).
Nope. Just steaks and fries wit or witout onions.
A high crime rate and rampant corruption, but Philly’s incompetent city government has nothing better to do than to persecute the Boy Scouts and cheesesteak sandwich shops.
God I love Joey….
This is an attack on him motivated by the fact that he supports Danny Faulkner and is against Mummia the Cop Killer. The city has been trying for years to find some reason to attack him.
He makes the best Cheese Steaks in Philly and he supports all the right causes. GOD BLESS YOU JOEY
PS a side note, did you see Hillary is now taking contributions from Terrorists… http://thecitytroll.blogspot.com/2007/12/hillary-taking-donations-from.html
The PC idiots will never be satisfied - Joey needs to hire foreign language speakers for all possible dialects, cours that will bankrupt him, but thats life.
Boy Scouts must search out gays and help them bond with young boys - pederast merit badge required.
Chill wind, indeed.
I don’t know what the situation is in Philly with illegals working. At one time I was aware that the Roofers’ union membership in the area was comprised of (imo) white trash thugs who harrassed and threatened anyone who might threaten their gravy train regarding shady contracts. I mention that because it appears that here in Fla. a great many of the common laborers, roofers and landscapers don’t speak English.
Wondering what the “proper” term is for those people who come here to work by jumping to front of immigration line via overstaying visas, ferried here by coyotes, etc? MM calls them illegals, but I note the far left Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinle prefers “UNDOCUMENTED” immigrant in story today about officials cracking down on gangs. Each immigrant could spend up to 60 years in state prison for racketeering and conspiracy. NATURALLY the minor aged mutants cannot be named since they are too young. Bwaahhh. Not too young to terrorize citizens though. That’s one reason I would give a Rudy the nod over the Huckster. Despite the leftist screaming, Rudy did clean up the city and prior to be mayor clamped down on the Italian mafia.
Does anyone remember the commotion when Mr. Street was elected mayor and in his inaugural address he said “now the brothers are in charge of the city“? That created such an uproar that he had to amend his remarks to: “now the brothers and sisters are in charge of the city.”
I’m an only-child. Should I feel discriminated against? Oh, BTW, that is why the open space is disappearing in the counties around Philadelphia. They have to build houses for people fleeing the city. If it wasn’t for the influx of non-English speaking people, there would be sagebrush rolling down Broad Street.
Doesn’t it all begin with the cashier being able to speak any language other than English? I rarely see a patron trying to speak spanish to anyone that doesn’t appear to be able to speak it.
Raging #6, I agree very much. I wonder how many languages do not translate cheesesteak and a coke one to one. If not here’s a marketing opportunity: install a audio visual aid/screen in several languages that will produce a English translation. See the foreign tourists standing in line because they want to order something in English and the foreign language to English translation aid will help them do it (win - win).
So what is the solution? The PCHRC (heh, appropriate…PC) will require Mr. Vento to state the message of his sign in 12 languages, and require all of his empoyees to speak said languages.
If I were Mr. Vento, I would just tell his employees, that if they don’t understand the order, tell the customer to move along. “NEXT!”
And you’ll pay for it, right?
ENOUGH SAID!
Nor did I when I lived in Mexico or even here in the Philippines where “English is a primary language”. In fact, in Mexico I was only “allowed” to speak English in my home. In the PI … well, it is easier to get things accomplished in the local dialects.
Nuthin beats a Philly Cheesesteak! Dat bein said, if I had da cuhboys money I cud put together a winnin team. Da Eagles, dey got a rough crowd ya see? I always loved dem guys! Even when all dey did was loose!
Yo! One uh you’se guys gimme a beer huh? Dis pretzel’s gettin’ cold!
And may God find it in his heart to bless the work of Joey Vento! You’se guys are doin da right ting!
“Can I get a cheese steak on top of a burger?”
WEll said. This guy rocks!!!
And the commission conducted this hearing in what language again?
“Press 1 for English!” AAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!!
As the proud grandson of legal immigrants from Italy myself, I have been making the same distinction my whole life. Bravo, Joey.
We conservatives long for a ONE America. The melting pot that comes together to make us strong.
For liberals, the hyphen sets them apart!
Right On! I have nothing to say to that but RIGHT ON!
Simple question to the commission…How many languages is a resteraunt responsible for understanding in order to be non-discriminating?
One seems adequate to me.
Your Gollum to me #46, a great many of the common laborers, roofers and landscapers don’t speak English.
Given the urgency of proposed amnesties one would not think there are eight guest worker VISAed programs available to our little friends from south of the border. Naming the eight programs is a Lou Dobbs caliber question but probably made up of L-1, L-1A, L-1B, H-1, H-1A, H-1B, H-2, H-2A, H-2B, and E-3. The H1-B and H2 visas are also commonly called “work visas” or “work permits”. The H1-B is the most common work visa and relates primarily to skilled labor, primarily those with advanced degrees. There is currently an annual cap of 66,000 visas for H-1B workers. There is no annual cap on VISAs for H-2A workers. The H-2A allows foreign workers entry to the US to work in agriculture (wow, the lettuce is safe Mr. Chertoff). We don’t need amnesty for the farmers but we do need an immigration service to show these guest home when the job is done (those lettuce pickers might just turn into roofers or dry wallers).
Just sent the following e-mail to the Commission:
I’ve been reading for some time now about Mr. Vento’s desire for his customers to order in English, the language of this country, and how the city has been harassing Mr. Vento and his place of business, and more than a year later, IS CONTINUING to harass him for daring to expect his customers to know enough English to be able to order THE ONE ITEM sold at Geno’s.
Do you think Geno’s customers are too stupid to learn English? Perhaps you should get to know some of these folks, and then you would think more highly of them.
Why in the world are you wasting the taxpayer’s money on this idiotic quest to turn your city into a foreign country within the USA? Don’t you have better things to do, bigger fish to fry so to speak? Aren’t there actual criminals in Philadelphia that need attending to, rather than Mr. Vento?
Enough is enough! It’s time to let Mr. Vento run his business as he sees fit.
There should be a special medal for people like Mr Vento that stand up for
the small business man/woman against these pc nuts.
When I first started working for the company that I worked for for quite a
while, there were two families of American Indians working in the shop. The
government came in and decided that there wasn’t enough “diversity” in the
shop and most of the Indians had to be let go and more blacks had to be
hired + they had to hire some hispanics. I remember the shop supervisor
barreling into the office about to explode. He was furious and so was the
Pres of the company. I can say one thing. The shop never ever ran as well
again as it did before the government horned in and we never found out
just who called them.
So, I say, go Joe!!!
Its getting to the point where you have to press 5 for English.
As a Californian, I have always wanted to eat an authentic cheesesteak in Philadelphia and this past summer I succeeded. Of all the places that sell them, Geno’s was on the top of my list because of Joey Vento.
Truth be told, I did not come away from Geno’s pleased with the quality of the sandwich. It did not meet my high expectations. I figured if it was from Philadelphia from one of the well-known establishments, it had to be the best.
I didn’t try any other cheesesteak joints and that may have been a blunder on my part. Heck, Pat’s is across the street. Oh well.
If you are ever in Pasadena, I recommend Fredo’s north of Orange Grove Blvd. on the east side of Lake Ave. It is located in a ubiquitous mini mall.
Ironically, Fredo’s is the only shop without Spanish signage. How refreshing in an ever increasing onslaught of “en Español”.
I salute you Joey Vento. I owe you another visit to Geno’s on that alone. I’ll have mine with Provolone.
ok, I can’t go there for a cheesesteak. So how else do we support him? Does he sell t-shirts or anything?
Philidelphia is as bad as San Fransicko. They re-elect Murtha and Spector (the whole state for Spector), their cops are getting killed and they want to persecute a true American for being an American.
I hope that Geno doesn’t give up the fight and the people of that city wake up out of their coma and throw their city council out. Liberals screw up everything they touch.
I believe that anyone who does not support speaking English in this country should be accused of being a traitor!
English is one of the unifying things of this country!
I came to the USA from Italy in 1958. I was 7 years old and at that time there was no “bilingual programs”! Me as well as others who came at that time learned most of our English from TV! We did good in school and we all went on to high school and college!
We wanted to be part of our new adopted country. Too bad we can’t say the same for the current Immigrants!
If you come to this country and want to be part of it, you can learn the language and speak it!
You can’t just take all that this wonderful country offers and not give back anything!
So this gentleman has asked, and rightfully so, that if you are going to be in this country, and if you are going to be patronizing his restaurant, then the very least you should do is to order the food in English, and this has put the Lierals/Socialists in a huge uproar and sent them into a standard legal spending frenzy.
Of course, the opposite of what he is asking of his customers, and what people have NOT stated would be for his staff and for himself to go out and, for lack of any other means, get a contract with a service such as “Rosetta Stone” or the local community college, and take repeated courses in all the known laguages in order that he and his wait staff are able to communicate well enough with anyone from any part of the world who may come in to his store and order his food and/or ask him a question or possibly just want to talk. In so doing, he would not be risking making these foreigners feel bad or embarrassed in any way. Why, they may even feel at home, there may be a new feeling of brotherly love, and world peace may actually break out as a result.
This would actually be a completely different outcome than the evil and hate filled racist sign that he has up now. Obviously the learning of all the known languages would be the way to go, so I cna understand why they are waiting to bring it up.
This will be the start of a nationwide campaign for restaurants and other places that caters to people from all over the world. In order to foster good will through out the land, and to make the world like the United States once again, Liberals/Socialists will go forth, ending the hate, such as people who put up signs asking that their customers speak English when they order food at their restaurants, and bringing the love that they started forty years ago. You have seen the ads on TV, now live the lifestyle. Soon, you too will know how to speak over 146 different languages including the really cool clicking and clucking language of the Bushmen.
So thank a Liberal..thank them for sticking their noses into someone else’s First Ammendment Rights. After all, only the Liberal/Socialists are the keepers and the ones who truly should be allowed to have that right for only they know how to ustilize it. Just look at what happens when a normal American uses it? He actually expects people to spealk English in this country. Can ou imagine?
Here’s my letter to the HRC:
W. Nick Taliaferro
Executive Director
Commissioners
Rev. James S. Allen, Sr., Chairperson
Burt Siegal, Vice Chairperson
Crystal Barnett
Joseph J. Centeno, Esquire
Roxanne E. Covington, Esquire
Rabbi William, I. Kuhn
Juan Ortiz, Jr.
Haorold L. Rush
Ladies & Gentlemen:
How exactly are we supposed to relate to other humans if they won’t bother to even attempt to learn the language we utilize for the relationship?
Leave Geno’s Alone. I love their cheese fries (although Pat’s does make a better cheesesteak…).
Doesn’t Killadelphia have bigger Human Relations issues at the moment? They do sort of speak English in North & West Philly. Try going out and talking to them, you cowards.
~Jim Mack
Van Nuys, CA
“Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy; its inherent value is the equal sharing of misery.” ~Winston Churchill
Oh, you mean the decedents of the prosecutors at the Salem witch trials.
My late Parents (both born here) and Grandparents felt exactly the same way, in our case, Proud Americans of Lebanese Christian descent.
I work with a gentleman from Africa whom French is his native language. He told me that when he first started thinking of moving here he started learning English. His English is very proper if not heavily accented and we are working on his conversational English. He tells me that he cannot understand why someone would come here and limit themselves by something as trivial as language.
By the way he not only made the point of assimilating himself into the culture of the United States but has chosen to serve his new home in the US Navy.
We need more people here like him.
Some humor could be added to this if Mr. Vento were to insist on everyone speaking Italian in his dealings with these knot-heads on the so-called “Human Rights Commission.” What, like they’re going to insist on using English as they try to stop him from insisting on English? Priceless!
I would recommend a sign that says “Server can understand English only”
No way to spin that.
As usual, the liberal establishment attacks the messenger, never the message. They never said the SIGN violated anything, they just asked (in 7 languages) if you felt you were a victim of discrimination. The inference is that the proprietor and sign are discriminatory, though no proof was offered.
Typical. Liberal. Brain-donors.
If the commission forces him to remove the sign, and it looks as if they might, Joey could charge a language service fee to anyone who annoys him.
Do you imagine he be unkind to a deaf person? What if someone tried to order by pointing and grunting? My grandfather spoke English with a brogue so thick I honestly never understood anything he said. Joey would send us to the back of the line.
Mr. Vento has said before that he and his staff will gladly help someone who isn’t proficient in English, they just have to show they are willing to make an effort.
The buzz is over the idea that the sign might make someone (who likely can’t read it) feel bad. Liberals can’t have anyone feeling bad about themselves.
I read the Fair Practices Ordinance. I’m guessing that they are arguing that the sign is a violation of section 9-1105 (A)(I)(b), that it is discrimination based on national origin. (It would have to be since the ordinance does not mention descrimination based on language at all.)
I find this a tenuous argument at best that national origin and language are so inextricably linked. Not all nations even have a national language.