English-only bill mars image, group claims (Oklahoma)

This is part of the media blits that is going on in Oklahoma. They have had several of this type of articles. read some of the comments.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice urged lawmakers on Tuesday to stop driving wedge issues that target Hispanics.

The House is expected to hear a bill next week that would specify English as the state's official language.

Members of the justice group said Senate Bill 163 hurts Oklahoma economically and presents a bad image of the state in an evolving global economy.

Jim Langdon, president of the Tulsa center, said, "We don't need ill-conceived legislation creating an image of Oklahoma as an intolerant place that erects barriers, keeping our citizens and businesses from succeeding to the highest levels."

The bill is a slap in the face of American Indians from the state, Langdon said.

American Indians are exempted in the legislation, but Indian leaders are opposed to the bill because they say it calls for assimilation.

Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, who is spearheading the bill, responded Tuesday that American Indians would have as much protection as those who speak English because the English-only question would go to a vote of the people.

If adopted, the protection of American Indian languages would be included in the state Constitution, he noted.

David Bernstein, director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, said, "We don't have to have a special law to learn to speak English."


Please post a comment

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article. ... 8&allcom=1

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The House is expected to hear a bill next week that would specify English as the state's official language.

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Does the law provide that one MUST speak english? It sounds like all they are doing is proclaming that English is the official language. How does that hurt anyone? And, how does that target hispanics??????

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David Bernstein, director of community relations for the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, said, "We don't have to have a special law to learn to speak English."

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Yes we do. Enablers and their policies discourage the need to learn English.

Public safety--people need to know English for traffic signs and emergencies like fires, tornadoes, medical histories, etc.
Costs--to schools, hospitals, court systems, printing ballots and booklets, etc.
Uniting people--the bond of a common languagge unites people like no other.

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Jim Langdon, president of the Tulsa center, said, "We don't need ill-conceived legislation creating an image of Oklahoma as an intolerant place that erects barriers, keeping our citizens and businesses from succeeding to the highest levels."

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Why is it that ONLY hispanics have problems with learning English? Are they too stupid or just lazy? Our CITIZENS already speak English, so how is English a barrier to their success?

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The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice urged lawmakers on Tuesday to stop driving wedge issues that target Hispanics.

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I highly doubt that many American Citizens who happen to be hispanic are offended by this legislation. The ones offended are those who cannot speak English and the ethno-centric, pro-illegal invader groups that advocate on their behalf!

Everyone wants all the benefits but no one wants any social responsibility. Whats wrong with these people

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Originally Posted by NoBueno

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The Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice urged lawmakers on Tuesday to stop driving wedge issues that target Hispanics.

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I highly doubt that many American Citizens who happen to be hispanic are offended by this legislation. The ones offended are those who cannot speak English and the ethno-centric, pro-illegal invader groups that advocate on their behalf!

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You are right NoBueno, it's just the way they print these stories that latch on to the "hispanics are targeted" mentality. What a bunch of BS!

The ones offended are also the ones who profit from illegal aliens.