Posted on 06/14/2006 6:59:22 AM PDT by hipaatwo
Business is brisk at Geno's Steaks.
Supporters and the curious are flocking like pilgrims to see signs at the cheesesteak emporium that read: "This is AMERICA ... WHEN ORDERING, 'SPEAK ENGLISH.' "
The small, laminated placards, tucked unobtrusively near the takeout window, have ignited a nationwide firestorm of debate about English, immigration and free speech. And, neighborhood gossip has it, they have done a better job at attracting customers than the store's Las Vegas-style neon lights ever did.
(snip)
Whether or not Vento accurately understands Latino attitudes on English, his signs have hit a nerve. They have spawned fans, including the man wearing a "Welcome to America. Now Speak English!" T-shirt while in line at Geno's during lunch yesterday.
(snip)
The suggestion that Vento should take down his placards sparked 700 e-mails - most from Texas, Montana, and other states ill-versed in the lingo of "Whiz wit' " and "Whiz wit' out" - to Councilman Jim Kenney, who on Thursday sent a letter to Geno's owner.
"I've been cursed out in some colorful language," Kenney, a Democrat, said yesterday. "It does reinforce that I'm on the right side. ... The redder the state, the worse it is."
Kenney said most of the 75 e-mails from Philadelphia expressed support for his position: that the signs do a disservice to the city and its effort to attract tourists. However, he said, he thinks the complaint by the Human Relations Commission is ill-advised.
"One, I think they're going to lose," Kenney said. "Two, it gives Geno's more publicity and makes them dig their heels in more."
215) 686-3450, (215) 686-3451 FAX: (215) 686-2013
Ping! If you know any other people in the area please ping them
And I wish I was up there so I could support him by buying from him.
Dig in those heels!
I think the next time I'm on the East coast, I'll make a trip to Philly for a cheese steak at Geno's.
OK, there's cheese whiz and provolone, what is wit or widout? Onions? Is it not a good idea to order your steak with provolone? Is Cheese Whiz the preferred way to order?
Are there better cheese steaks in Philly?
"One, I think they're going to lose," Kenney said. "Two, it gives Geno's more publicity and makes them dig their heels in more."
Three
The sign is fair. The real voters who matter to Geno's are the ones who vote by patronizing his business. Evidently, being fair is good for business. But the big difference between Democrats and Republicans is their attitude towards business. Both parties are beholden to big business, like media and oil, but the Democrats go out of their way to overregulate the small businessman who does not have much of a lobby that can fill their pockets like the small businessman's greatest enemy the trial lawyers.
The unfortunate thing about this story is that I know crave a Geno's cheessteak and have no immediate way of getting one. Damn.
I think the RATS took on the wrong guy when they tried to push their PC bull*hit on Geno.
80% of the country will back Geno.
The Redder the state the more Ardent the Patriot !
ping
Mike Gallagher is broadcasting live from Geno's. They took Laura Ingraham off this morning.
It's 99.0 am.
I've never been asked what kind of cheese I want. Just whether I want the fried onions.
Thanks!
(This is AMERICA ... WHEN ORDERING, 'SPEAK ENGLISH.' ")
Beautiful. If I lived in the area this man would be getting my business.
I get them with Prov in Ventnor and they don't look at me cockeyed :)
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