Posted on 05/20/2006 9:24:41 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 20, 2006
In its segment on illegal immigration and the proposed amendment to make English the country's official language, this morning's Today show pitted the following against one sole Republican senator: another senator who just happens to be the Minority Leader, the director of a school that teaches English to immigrants, the head of the association of immigration lawyers, and the NBC reporter himself, Mike Taibbi, who described the current atmosphere as 'nasty' and implied that the English language amendment was unnecessary. Along the way, Today even managed to coin a new term for 'illegals.'
Taibbi began the segment reporting from what appeared to be a private-sector school in Queens, NY called the New York Language Center. Taibbi pointedly observed that at the school: "they learn one language. English. America's official national language, if a Senate amendment to a new immigration law passes." Not-so-subtle sub-text: "See, immigrants are already learning English. No amendment necessary."
Sen. Lamar Alexander [R-TN] was then given the segment's sole shot in favor of the amendment, as he was shown on the Senate floor stating: "English is part of our national identity, it's part of our blood, part of our spirit."
Taibbi: "But opponents say the bill's wording, 'that unless otherwise authorized no person has a right to have the government provice services or . . . materials in any language other than English' is aimed squarely at Hispanics, the bulk of this country's illegal immigrants." And to second his motion, Today played a clip of none other than Harry Reid:
"While the intent may not be there, I believe this amendment is racist."
Tiabbi's next remark again went to undercut the need for the English-as-the-offical language amendment: "The command of the English language should be a requirement for citizenship, some say. But students who come to this school already know that."
He continued: "But fewer immigrants concerned about their status are enrolling says the school's director as the debate over new immigration laws has become nastier." 'Immigrants-concerned-about-their-status': NBC's newest euphemism for 'illegal.' I don't know, just doesn't have the same ring as 'los indocumentados.' And when Taibbi speaks of the debate becoming 'nastier', whom do you think he has in mind?
Cut to school Director Barbara Dick who explains that fewer people are enrolling: "Because people are afraid, they don't know what's happening." Let me, um, translate that into English: people are afraid that the government might finally enforce laws already on the books regarding illegal immigrants.
Continued Taibbi: "And while the national language amendment has mostly symbolic meaning, critics say it could be a deal breaker." Today than played a clip from Deborah Notkin, head of an association of lawyers whose clients are immigrants:
"The fear of many who support comprehensive immigration reform is that these kind of things are being used as poison pills, to break down the legislation."
But why should that be? Consider again the amendment's language: 'No person has a right to have the government provide services or . . . materials in any language other than English.' Nothing restricting a person's right to speak another language. Not even anything prohibiting government agencies from providing services in foreign languages. Simply providing that there is no right to demand government that government accomodate a person's inability to speak English.
Tiabbi concluded by warning that "In the current atmosphere the label of English as the official language is closer than ever to becoming a law." !Dios mio!
Today Show/NewsBusters ping.
If only...
If "English only" fails, congress should immediately pass a federal law requring every single media outlet in the United States, to publish/broadcast in both English and Spanish at their own expense.
I get the richest satisfactiong knowing Mike made a really bad career decision, getting into mainstream broadcast journalism...
Ok, so how do these supposed underpaid slaves to the American dream scrounge up enough to send their half dozen anchor kids to private school in NY?
At the school's site under certification the school "is also authorized by the U.S. Department of Immigration to enroll non-immigrant foreign students." What???
I got a chuckle over the term "international camper" I recently heard.
I love when illegal aliens live in fear and trepidation. They are invaders in dire need of deportation. If the hacks in DC obstruct a sane deportation policy then next best is they live with uncertainty. This is my country not theirs! To hell with them same as anyone else who invades my sovereign nation of America
Dingy Harry had to go back to the floor and retract this statement by apologizing to the Senator who proposed the amendment.
"If "English only" fails, congress should immediately pass a federal law requring every single media outlet in the United States, to publish/broadcast in both English and Spanish at their own expense."
NO! If "English only" fails congress should pass a federal law requiring every single media outlet publish in ALL languages in use in the U.S. Why should Spanish be given a higher priority than any other language. While they're at it: NO MORE PRESS 1 FOR ENGLISH! I refuse to do it!
Not just in Spanish, but in the native tongue of every other immigrant who has come here. After all, it's only fair.
"Dingy Harry had to go back to the floor and retract this statement by apologizing to the Senator who proposed the amendment."
Waht about the rest of us? He essentailly caled anyone who wants English as the official language a racist. Just guessing but I'd say that includes a good number of Democrats and the vast majority of Americans. Liberals hate this country, don't they?
Saw this yesterday
1. NAFTA
2. CAFTA
3. SHAFTA (Senate Hoses Americans For The Aliens)
lol, perfect
"Aimed" at hispanics? Sounds like his own wording seeks to conjur up in the reader's mind a notion of hostility towards hispanics, as in 'aiming' a gun or some object of harm. In fact the issue is about an aid to assimilation, and therefore an aid to national unity, which is a benefit to all Americans.
The liberals are not concerned about America though, they are concerned about the multi-cultural project they are trying to complete, a project which destroys the 'evil' traditional America and turns our soveriegn nation into a small part of a greater whole called globalism. These liberals know full well that the root word of 'diversity' is "divide", and they further know that a house divided will fall, which is what they really seek.
Hmmmm.. New Term: Undocumented INSURGENTS...
Sounds like a tricky little catch phrase that refers to illegal aliens.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.