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."
"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."
***
Bull puckies. I bet he or his staff discarded most of the negative e-mails and kept primarily the supportive ones.
Too bad Geno's doesn't ship cheese steaks, or I'd order from him.
I heard a tape of Geno speaking on the radio this morning. He feels that serving customers who don't speak English slows down his business. In a business like his, there are certain times of the day when it is busy and you have to keep the line moving or it will back up and new customers will turn away when they see a long line. More power to him. It's his business and he should be able to manage it the way he wants... Next time I am in Philly, I am stopping by...
There was another case of a sub shop owner taking a stand. In 2004 at the Democratic National Convention, a small sub shop opposite from the arena where the DNC was taking place had put up some signs disparaging to the DNC as his business went down when the convention was in town. I walked by his shop and a security wall had been built around the Fleet Center (now the "TD BankNorth Garden"; it's where the Celtics and Bruins play). He got very little business that week as most local business closed and everyone avoided the area. The people at the convention were eating a parties sponsored by democrat party donors. THe local business that were told this would be good for them by Mayor Mumbles Menino were upset. This guy put up some signs ("thanks for nothing, DNC)... A couple of days later he was visited by some city regulatory agency regarding the illegal signs and then the board of health inspected the place... Local Democratic politics at its finest...
Welcome! LOL he won't talk to the Philly papers anymore. Can't blame him.
That attitude sums up today's Democrat party perfectly. If the people want something, then elistist Democrats often feel that it is their obligation to teach them a lesson and deny it to them. Governing against the wishes of the people is frequently seen as a badge of honor to them. In their minds, the people are too stupid to know what's best for them, so the Demo/Commies are going to give it to them whether they want it or not. And then they will pass "hate speech" regulation to make it more difficult for the people to oppose them. Philadelphia is a sewer of corruption, which suits people like Kenney just fine...
Were any of the e-mails to the councilman in Spanish?
I wouldn't bet on it.
If you support Geno's , you'll love this !!
http://casadice.com/
I like them with Prov better than any other cheese.
When I first heard about this I thought that it was bad business decision to put the sign up. Then I learned that the place is so busy that if there is any delay in ordering the line grows and that is bad for business. Therefore, this is an excellent business decision.
75 emails out of a city of over a million people to me is NOT showing support.
Here's something else. Think about this. I love a certain Japanese restaurant. If the owner told me that from now on you must order your food in Japanese, then it would give me a clear choice.
1. Learn to order in Japanese
2. Stop going to the restaurant
If I choose #1 I might actually enjoy the experience even more.
Is a "NO LIBERALS WILL BE SERVED" sign ok with this little socialist dweeb?
Oh you, you barstad!!!!
What's kind of bizarre, while I don't know a lot about Geno's or Philly cheese-steaks, if I had to guess, Geno ought to be a staunch democrat (from Philly?? c'mon) in the old FDR mold. Modern PC engineered nonsense isn't sitting too well with the masses it would seem.
I don't know what will happen if the city wins. This city has turned into the wild wild west. Yesterday a 4 year old girl got shot for no reason and they're worried about a order in English sign?
My comments date me.
I'm very much tempted to make a day trip to Geno's...
For this "Commission" to demand that a private business abide by its code of political correctness is fascist on the face of it. That sign is a freedom of speech, first amendment issue. I'm sure that if this scumbag "Commission" takes Vento to court, the ACLU will jump to his defense.
Hello? ACLU? Hello....?
Anybody home....?
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.