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Post by Dabbit on Aug 15, 2006 2:08:08 GMT -5
It must be because its Tuesday that I am ranting so much do you think? Anyway my second rant is about people who come into this country and expect us to change OUR ways to accommodate them. Then after we have done so (having been told by the European parliament) they abuse the welcome by trying to blow us up!
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Post by Mark on Aug 15, 2006 11:59:31 GMT -5
Yeah, tell me about it. The nerve of some peoples' children!
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Post by Alex on Aug 16, 2006 13:42:27 GMT -5
Hatred is a poison that has no antidote.
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Post by Mark on Aug 16, 2006 21:38:11 GMT -5
Hmmm....how pithy, kitty!
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Post by Dabbit on Aug 17, 2006 6:03:14 GMT -5
I would not call hatred a poison all the time Alex, it can have positive effects on your health. For people who have been involved in bombings, accident etc they experience hatred and negative emotions. It doesn't mean they want to kill the person who did what has been done, but rather it is a way to vent off some feelings that would otherwise be pent up and be detrimental to health.
So while hatred may be a negative emotion is it truly poisonous?
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Post by Mark on Aug 17, 2006 10:50:12 GMT -5
I think it could be, Dave, if it were all-consuming.
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Post by sandy on Aug 18, 2006 10:26:51 GMT -5
I think you are using hatred when it should be nonacceptance. You don't have to accept an act but hatred is consuming and nonproductive.
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Post by Dabbit on Aug 21, 2006 4:35:23 GMT -5
Which begs the question - do you have to know something/someone personally in order to like/dislike it/them
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Post by Alex on Aug 21, 2006 9:43:02 GMT -5
Nope.
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Post by Maria on Aug 21, 2006 10:13:24 GMT -5
This past week I learn that the Hispanic population is not really the minority anymore--at least not in the USA. Seeing as I am first generation American, that doesn't bother me so much. But really makes me see red is the fact that so many wont even begin to learn English. Even though English is not the "official" language of this country, it really is and as my parents and grandparents insisted--learn English.
So here is where I agree with Dabbit. If you don't like this country's culture and language (or the new country you have chosen to live and work in), go back to your own country. There was a reason you left there--maybe for religious freedom; maybe for freedom of speech; maybe for a better life.
My country is not perfect. But I love and respect it and try to make changes in a peaceful manner. What did John Lennon say? "Give Peace a Chance."
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Post by Dabbit on Aug 21, 2006 11:38:16 GMT -5
Here here Maria...
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Post by Mark on Aug 21, 2006 14:12:47 GMT -5
Well, in my experience it's primarily older immigrants who have the most trouble learning a new language. The older one is, generally the harder it is to learn a different language. Most of the hispanic immigrants I have met are making the effort to learn English, at least, and many speak it quite well. In fact, several I know insist on speaking English, although they are aware that I speak Spanish. But I do agree that it is hard to understand why any immigrant wouldn't want to learn the language of their new country - it makes things much easier for everyone. Fortunately, they are in the minority. Having worked overseas much of my adult life, I came across many expatriate Americans in other countries, quite a few of whom made little if any effort to learn the language of their new countries, whether it was Russian, Spanish, Italian, German or whatever, as well. It's human nature to feel more comfortable with the language they learned beginning as infants until one becomes fluent in a new language.
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Post by sandy on Aug 21, 2006 15:43:29 GMT -5
Heaven forbid I would ever have to live in that French country and try to speak French, but if it happened I'd learn. Age is no excuse. If they know enough that they want to live here, they should know enough to learn the language. I am not against them using one language at home and the other in public. I know a lot of people who practice this. I applaud them. Also those people will slip into their language when talking to others of their language but are polite enough to switch to English when one joins them. I have even had them try to teach me their language. I can translate a bit of it now if they slow down some. Boy they talk fast. Back to the subject. When living here you are bound by our laws and should abide them. It is an unwritten law that our business is conducted in English. So learn it. Or go back. Don't come to my country and demand that we acknowledge your illegal status. Don't protest and demand. Come here legally and live a law abiding life and enjoy our freedoms. Don't look for hand outs. Don't demand handouts. Work and pay taxes like we legals do. I rant again. Oh my!
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Post by Maria on Aug 21, 2006 16:25:34 GMT -5
I know there is a perception that many of the immigrants that are here without having gone thru the legal process are all using our welfare system and medical care. Most of the folks are too scared to use those services. And while learning English is a biggy for me, they work like dogs (excuse me dogs and dog lovers of the world) and even though some of the illegals have false social security cards--they use those to pay taxes. So I have real mixed feeling about this. I get angry at people that have lived here for 20 years or more and can't speak the language.
I do know how difficult it is learning another language, expecially trying to pronounce words. While I agree with Mark, there are many ignorant Americans that live in other cuntries with attempting to learn the native language, I still think it is rude and disrepectful.
Whenever I have been prividged enough to travel to another country, I have tried to learn the basic language of that land. At least to say please and thank you. Yet, I have always carried a little translation book with me to help out. I am terrible at learning languages.
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