Agency OKs cheese steak shop's English-only signs

It's about damned time!

I'm sick and tired of my tax dollars and the money I pay to merchants for goods and services being used to support illegal immigration.

"Press 1 to read this thread in English!"

What's bad again about businesses adapting to the market?

What's bad about speaking the native language of the country you're in?

What's good about forcing them to at the point of a gun?

I'm torn.

His property, he should have the right to do with it as he pleases.

His property which is open to the public, which therefore should be accessible to anyone who doesn't cause it to be reduced in value. I don't think he can make a case that non-english speakers detract from the value of his property.



Personally I think he's a bigot, though I fucking hate ordering something in English and not being understood by the person I'm talking with.

It's his property, his shop. He can put up whatever signs he feels like.

However, he shouldn't bitch, whine, or complain when those who are offended by his sign, English speakers or otherwise, go get their cheesesteaks somewhere else. For those that are in total agreement with him and his philosophy, they can go buy extra cheesesteaks as a show of support.

Freedom is a wonderful thing, when everyone just shuts up and lets it run its course.

Here's my argument - all land in this country is owned by fiat of the State; as much as we dislike it. The State in its "wisdom" allows a huge degree of personal discretion on how that land is used. The State is "We the people" - land for public use, or implied public use, should not discriminate against any of "the people". In other words, we should all just get along.

If he asked that everyone show a valid passport to place order, I'd be all for it.

I don't recall the State ever paying my property taxes. When they do, I'll be more agreeable to them telling me what I can do on it.

That's just evidence of what I'm talking about. If the State didn't actually have "rights" to your property it couldn't force you to pay taxes.

Indeed.

Hey, you're asking that somebody who lives in a country where 15% of the population, who are here in the 2nd or 3rd generation, refuse to learn the language. Personally, I don't see how they can live or work here. But somehow they seem to manage.

Point is, it's the owner's right to do whatever he pleases. This one tries to make a point in a really dumb way. It's his right. Others just want to earn money so they act as the market demands. Why shouldn't they

English isn't the native language of the US. It's not even the official one. Just the one that most people speak... and internet-libertarians abhor the dictate of the majority, don't they

Oh he'll take the money of non-English speakers. He's just making a political point.

Even if I go with the premise that the state owns the land, the state does not own him or his cheesesteak equipment. An argument, at a stretch, could possibly be made that corporations ought to have to serve everyone. But this is, AFAICT, a sole proprietorship. He is a consumer as much as his customers, so his utility is paramount since it's his resources being used.

Not good form on the part of the business owner, but it's his store, and he should do what he wants.

Only thing is, I could see that place potentially attracting a certain element of people. If that's what he wants, who are we to argue?

Actually, it's increased his business.

My argument doesn't stem from who actually owns the property (corporate or individual doesn't make a difference), but that the property is open to the public. That the property is intentionally "publically accessible" is what matters.

I just hate it. Its not like I'm demanding that they speak English or stop working.

The article pretty clearly states he hasn't refused service to anyone. Seems like he's making a political statement. What he's NOT doing is forcing his views on anyone by petitioning the government to do anything.

Good for him and good for the city!

Yeah...

Yes it is. You're basing it on the fact that the state owns the property. The state does not own the cheesesteak manufacturing equipment, nor the seller of the cheesesteaks.

I want to open a restaurant with an "Engrish only" policy!

Free speech really sux when it's something you don't like...

If I owned a business, I'd post a big sign that says, "No se habla Español".

I approve of this action.

And as to people going to other places to get a cheesesteak in that area.....well that place is one of the best. So...

Hell, I'd be one of those people getting a cheesesteak at his place just because he has the balls to thumb his nose at the PC crowd. I don't really give a fuck if he serves non-English speakers or not; I just like to see the liberals get all frothy and lathered up about it.

There's no law against being an asshole...

Although I do think it's pretty funny that this guy apparently doesn't know how to use quotation marks correctly.

Lets for the sake of argument assume that you are correct about the equipment or the seller - though all ownership, even of ourselves is fiat by the State in my opinion - I'm just glad that I live in the US rather than in North Vietnam. So what? The equipment itself is for public use - implied by the contract of having a store open for business to the public; the businessman has a contract with the State (business license) to provide a service to the public. This service is one of making food. I don't really see where your argument applies here?

Again - he asks for a valid passport to provide services, thats all good, but we've no official language so he can't exactly ask for someone to speak English.