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Judge orders four to learn English or go to jail

timesleader.com — Judge Peter Olszewski Jr. gave three criminal defendants a choice: learn English or spend 24 months in the Luzerne County, Pa., jail. Olszewski issued the unusual sentence after four men pleaded guilty to robbery-related charges through a translator.

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  • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -49/+180We need some more of these judges.
    • EarlOfLade, on 03/28/2008, -15/+71No, what is needed is a requirement to speak English as part of the permanent residency process. As an non-english speaking immigrant, I can assure you that knowing the language of the country where you are moving, is imperative.

      USA should offer free language training to all immigrants and with the requirement of passing a language exam prior to receiving residency.
      • SidiousX, on 03/28/2008, -46/+17Or, if you REALLY want to immigrate to our ENGLISH SPEAKING country, you can learn english before you move, or GTFO!
        • SidiousX, on 03/28/2008, -39/+12lol I bet that every person who dugg me down is a beaner that had to use google translator to read my posts!
        • thesonofdarwin, on 03/28/2008, -12/+9Sounds like someone wasn't beat enough as a child. Or you're still in that cool H.S. sophomore age group where it's "cool" to be discriminatory based on your absolute ignorance.
      • KirbyMeister, on 03/28/2008, -3/+10Well technically we dont' have English as an official language... we could, however, word the requirement to say something such as "you must know the most popular language of the state of which you are staying in" which in most cases would be english,but at the same time wouldn't cause any problems in case of something like English splitting into two separate languages later on.
        • cdahlkvist, on 03/28/2008, -10/+2Ebonics in California, Michigan and New York. An additional requirement of "Annoying Fran Drescher Incoherent Accent" for most of the East Coast.
          • Ajajadude, on 03/28/2008, -0/+1Ebonics in California? Are you on crack or something?
      • laughandsing, on 03/28/2008, -9/+46For free? Why should it be the American Taxpayers responisiblity to teach non citizens the English language. That responisiblity lies on their hands, not ours.
        • jmcmullin, on 03/28/2008, -9/+3I agree completely, not to sound xenophobic, but learning a skill set(english) for free is a completely un-American.
        • EarlOfLade, on 03/28/2008, -6/+7Because all experiences from similar in other countries and with these requirements and with language training offered fro free by the government has integrated immigrants into the society and allowed them to succeed both in education and in work.

          It benefits everyone, but for retarded right wingers, it's a threat to their burger flipping jobs.

        • cosmos411, on 03/28/2008, -5/+1EarlOfLade, it's hard to argue with someone who has such a firm grasp on the English language (/sarcasm). Being from Toronto Canada I can assure you that what you said is complete garbage. Wonderful Toronto, where you're more likely to hear foreign languages being spoken than either English or French (our OFFICIAL languages!). So much for integrating as the result of a freebie at Canadian tax payers' expense.
        • tdogg241, on 03/28/2008, -4/+5And therein lies the rub. If immigrants can't get English lessons, they won't be able to find a decent job, which can prevent them from getting English lessons...and so on. Your tax dollars are already going to much more futile causes, why not let them go toward something productive for a change?
        • Ajajadude, on 03/28/2008, -0/+3I'd take that over spending money on ***** that doesn't benefit anyone.
        • tony23, on 03/28/2008, -0/+1@tdogg - what about the fact that the schools, who claim to be working in the interests of the students, fight tooth and nail to PREVENT you from teaching English to non-English speaking children, and instead fight to keep the non-English classes?
          You're right about not being able to get the good jobs if you can't speak English - but exactly who is it that is "keeping them down?"
        • nardo510, on 03/29/2008, -1/+1emigrants should learn english it would help them in many ways. I don't want to see our tax dollars going to them though, my high school doesn't have enough paper, I'd be dammed if they gave government help to illegal immigrants. I am of latino decent and my mom got me here legally and I a US citizen. People have plenty of help learning english, libraries, schools and classes. The real issue is if they want it or not. I want to see money going to my school though.
      • logicalnoise, on 03/28/2008, -3/+10Well, wouldn't a library tend to fill the need? I mean rows and rows of english filled books and quite a few of them likely about learning english.
        • alexforcefive, on 03/28/2008, -2/+7How do you find out what book you're reading if you can't read english?
          • logicalnoise, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2spanish to english books exist as well.
        • styler5, on 03/28/2008, -0/+8learning a completely new language only from text is a lot harder than it sounds.. or does that sound really hard?
      • jseres, on 03/28/2008, -4/+50As an immigrant coming from Eastern Europe I can tell you that no one gave me hand outs like learning how to speak English for free. Why do these people deserve it if I didn't. I took it upon myself to go to classes, read books, and study the language. It is really easy to say that the government should provide everything for everyone when in reality it requires resources that cost money to be able to provide language tutors. Books, tapes, and the tutors themselves all cost money, why force the taxpayers to pay for it?
        • wertach, on 03/28/2008, -1/+21We need more people like you!
        • alexforcefive, on 03/28/2008, -10/+3Because some people need help in life. I'm happy for you that you didn't, but these kids clearly do.
          • diggduggjoe, on 03/28/2008, -3/+9They are young and unless they are illegal or very recent immigrants should have had English in school. A 17 year old should be in school, not conspiring to steal. The poor me, I HAD to be a felon attitude is wrong. They should have gotten a year in jail.
          • alexforcefive, on 03/29/2008, -1/+2diggduggjoe and all those who dugg him: read the ***** article.
          • diggduggjoe, on 03/30/2008, -0/+1I read the article. Where am I wrong? The youngest was 17. They did not claim to be illegal, so they should have been in school learning English.

            If, they cannot speak English in a US court, tough *****! If, I committed a crime in Germany, I would not be surprised that they would sentence me to jail in GERMAN!!!

            The crime was stealing, which is a universal crime, regardless of language.
        • nardo510, on 03/29/2008, -0/+1you are completely right.
      • cdahlkvist, on 03/28/2008, -4/+19I was in agreement with you until you said the US should offer FREE language training. Why is it a country's responsibility to pay for someone to learn the native language when they want to come here? That burden should be on those wanting citizenship of whatever country, not the country.

        I was born abroad and only spoke Swedish until about age 5. When my family moved back to the U.S. I knew English before I stepped foot in this country. That was the responsibility of my parents, not the U.S. Government.

        Yes, we should require anyone wanting to live, work or become a citizen to speak the language. This does not apply to the U.S. only. It applies to any country.

        Speak the native language or get out.
        • slippiefist, on 03/28/2008, -10/+6"Speak the native language or get out."

          But I don't wanna learn to speak Muskogean!

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_langu ...
        • betterth, on 03/28/2008, -3/+8"Native Language: primary or first language spoken by an individual"

          The "Native language of a country" would then be what citizens are first taught, which in this case is English.

          However, your quippy response would work fine if he had said "Speak the original language". (Or maybe, "Speak the language of the natives", but that requires a stretch on the word 'natives'. As I was born here, I am just as 'native' as any Native American. If you call me European, I call the Native Americans Asian. The only difference is in what order we arrived to this human-deficit location. And in that case, I wouldn't be native to Europe either, but rather, we'd all be natives of Mesopotamia and no where else.)
          • slippiefist, on 03/28/2008, -3/+12Fine, we're all Mesopotamian. Now learn to speak Sumerian or GTFO my country.
        • Antwan718, on 03/28/2008, -0/+6AS an English only speaking south Florida resident, if I were gay I would be in love with you.
        • kinseyincanada, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1i just cant agree that immigrants should have to learn the language or leave. That just sounds horrible. I fully agree that in order for an immigrant to succeed in America it should learn English but by no means should they be forced to leave because they don't know the language. America is supposed to be a melting pot of cultures and Americans need to stop treating immagrent like lesser human beings.
          • laughandsing, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3Agreed. Only illegals should be deported!
          • cdahlkvist, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2Immigrants should learn the language of the country they hope to succeed in.

            If they cannot learn to speak the native tongue then they will almost definitely fail, be exploited and eventually become a burden on society. If they are too lazy or dim-witted to learn the language of their host country I am guessing the host country doesn't want them.

            Why should the citizens of any country be burdened with their shortcomings?

            Isn't the idea to become part of your new country? How can you do that without learning the language?
      • akatsuki, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1Just remember your support for a national language so that in 20 years when it is changed to Spanish, you don't complain. I love how digg is libertarian unless it involves somebody different.
        • cdahlkvist, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2Fair enough. I find it unlikely (if we can get the Hispanics to speak English) but if we become a Spanish speaking country you can bet your ass that I will speak it fluently.
      • tony23, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3Try saying that in California: When you try to suggest that we teach Spanish-speaking children English, you're a racist.
    • TBerrigan, on 03/28/2008, -3/+24Yeah I know, so maybe If I ever get arrested for robbing someone, hitting them in the head, and pulling a gun on them I know I can get let off by simply learning a new language.
    • Noods, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1The arbitrary use of power is bad. Judges are supposed to judge cases using the law and sentence accordingly. Learning to read and speak English has nothing to do with the law. Learn why the Rule of Law is important.
      • thecatcantalk, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3Actually, it has everything to do with the law. These men are resident aliens; guests in our country. Judges have broad powers in sentencing, and learning to read and speak English will help these men get decent jobs, so that they need not be part of a criminal underclass. The judge's intention was to rehabilitate, to give them a second chance...there's no abuse of power there.

        If you moved to Mexico permanently, and refused to learn Spanish, no one would kiss your ass. And if you committed armed robbery there, they'd throw your ass in jail faster than you can say "Aztlan"...there'd be none of this tolerant, second-chance giving that us "terrible white people" are into. The judge's sentence was incredibly mild (they brandished a gun, committed armed robbery, assault and battery, and criminal threatening with a deadly weapon)...so where do you see "arbitrary use of power"?
        • Noods, on 04/20/2008, -0/+1Unless the law that provides the punishment for this crime states that a judge may have a defendant learn english in lieu of jail time, the sentence is most definitely an arbitrary use of power.

          I'll admit that maybe I don't know enough about judges punitive powers under the law, but the idea that a judge can "choose his own adventure" doesn't sit well with me, even though the sentencing may be more acceptable to you and I. I have heard stories like this where the punishment is off the wall.
  • CryRightardCry, on 03/28/2008, -78/+11Ah, great.
    Another judge who is going to cost his town money defending the lawsuit that is SURE to come from this.
    • punx, on 03/28/2008, -16/+46I watch your comments on here, and I swear you have to be the biggest ***** moron I have ever had the displeasure of encountering on Digg. You are the saddest, most bitter person I have ever seen, and then I looked at your profile, and I almost felt sorry for you. Almost. At 38, you should really get out and see something of the country instead of staring at your computer screen all the time. That being said, regarding this article, deportation would have been better, so quit your ***** bitching about some illegals having to learn English, pussy.
      • vault, on 03/28/2008, -9/+17CryRightardCry/mightydavefish is up there in the top 5 if he's not the actual biggest ***** moron on here.
        • Roryking, on 03/28/2008, -0/+4oh hey guys whats going on in this thread?
        • momsshizzle, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1I hope I'm in the top 5. Linsux.
      • alkajazz, on 03/28/2008, -13/+8I don't remember it ever saying they were illegal aliens. Maybe you need to re-evaluate your thinking. Maybe we should deport you if you ever get involved in some kind of crime. Seems like a fitting punishment. I'm sure there are some prison systems we could send you to in the middle east, then justice will truly be served.
        • doctechnical, on 03/28/2008, -2/+13They're resident aliens, and they're low-life scumsucking thugs who IMHO ought to be in jail until they're too old to assault anyone ever again. That having been said, the judge's order was the best thing that could have happened to them. They're going to be better off in life (in the US) with a good grasp of English and a GED. They ought to kiss the judge's ass for his leniency.
      • MWeather, on 03/28/2008, -2/+1You do know a lawsuit was mentioned in the article, right?
      • funkyloki, on 03/28/2008, -0/+11Just so you know, the judge ordered this for these gentleman because they are on parole. One of the stipulations of the conditions of parole were that they learn English. He granted them a year to do this. If they learn English they get to stay on parole, otherwise they have to complete their sentences.
        Another stipulation was they all earn their GEDs. If anything these requirements will help these guys.
        And finally, the reason why he made learning english one of the conditions is because the people were paying for trnaslators for these guys. All in all, this judge did the right thing, and if it works, the offenders, and the people, will be better off.
        • ArmandoM, on 03/28/2008, -2/+1I know pretty fluent English and sometimes I have trouble completing a sentence. :)
    • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -26/+15Yeah no ***** joke telling them to learn English is pretty compassionate compared to deporting... CRY?!?! How about I deficate on you instead libtard?
      • Teh1337Pirate, on 03/28/2008, -3/+9voted up for defecating on people.
        • nycmac247, on 03/28/2008, -3/+4I'd buy that for a dollar
        • wedgemartin, on 03/28/2008, -1/+5My buddy tells me a story of how he went to Germany and was in the red light district one night where a girl approached him with the offer of 50 for a blowjob, 100 for sex, and 200 for ***** on him. I can imagine his response 'I'll take the steamer bean for 200 please, Alex'
          • doctechnical, on 03/28/2008, -0/+9So this guy walks into a bar and he's approached by a fantastic looking hooker who tells him that business has really been lousy and she's willing to make a deal. "For two hundred bucks I'll do absolutely anything you want BUT you've got to tell me what you want in just three words". So the guy hands her $200 and says "Paint my house."
    • inavat, on 03/28/2008, -8/+6punx... what you say about CryRightardCry may or may not be true... but the people in the article aren't "illegals". The article specifically states that they're "resident aliens".

      You join his moron status.
    • robthom, on 03/29/2008, -0/+2It would be better for his community to deport them.
      He's wasting his communities resources teaching them english, possibly getting sued for teaching them english, and keeping them around to continue forming gangs, mugging people and driving down property values.
      It would be ironic if he looses his job soon to a judge who is better qualified to deal with the community by being bi-lingual.
      Now thats progressive!
  • Iconoclast25, on 03/28/2008, -10/+39Should have been a reduced sentence instead of a complete alternative, or a condition for parole.
    • reaper527, on 03/28/2008, -0/+1i agree. it should have been english and jail (with a reduced sentence upon taking a test)
    • Ajajadude, on 03/28/2008, -0/+1Well, learning english isn't all that easy, neither is getting your GED if you don't have much of an American educational background. This will probably be cheaper for the taxpayers in the long run especially if this gets these guys on the right track.
    • mabhatter, on 03/29/2008, -0/+1That's exactly what it was. They served 4 months (probably because they were too poor and flight risk for bail and non-english speaking) in jail. The judge gave them parole with the steep list of conditions. I don't think this is a problem as legally on parole you are "in jail" or under the courts watch... they own your ass and can make you do whatever they think is best. If you don't like it, serve 20 more months in jail and waste everybodies time.
      Look at it this way, if they don't learn english and get a GED and some other things, they'll Stay poor and stupid and commit more crimes. It's no different than when judges make drunk drivers go to AA classes so they stop drinking - even though drinking is generally legal for everybody else.
  • dartmanx, on 03/28/2008, -39/+4OMG! How horrible!
  • gamebittk, on 03/28/2008, -1/+70Well, if they really deserved jail time, this is pretty much a 'get out of jail free' card, with a catch.
    • blazes816, on 03/28/2008, -2/+40Well, they would have to read the card.
      • PaleGhost, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4Maybe reading the 'Get out of jail' card will be part of their test. IF they show up to classes and don't run off someplace.
  • InfidelAl, on 03/28/2008, -16/+39FTA: "Police said the four were part of a group of people that approached two men, Reese Tankalavage and Cletus Mumie, on May 29 on Locust Street and asked them if they had any marijuana. When Tankalavage and Mumie said no, the four suspects told them to empty their pockets. That’s when one of the people in the group struck Mumie in the head with a rawhide bone. Another man pulled out a gun."

    While it's probably good advice for these guys, I fail to see how reading and writing English, having a GED or a working at a full time job has anything to do with their crime. Seems odd to have such an weird punishment when it's completely unrelated to the crime.
    • capiCrimm, on 03/28/2008, -8/+30English is debatable, but without a job they are very limited in how else they can earn a legal living. People don't tend to steal and break the law because they want to, but because they feel they have no alternative.
      • Bipedal, on 03/28/2008, -1/+8Except me. I just enjoy breaking the law, but you're right. These guys probably just felt down on their luck.
        • jmcmullin, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1no alternative? are you ***** joking? don't expect me to feel sorry for criminals, i've been broke and I've been arrested and it had nothing to do with "no alternative"
        • Myonosken, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1@mullin: Then you're just a terrible person.
      • Ajajadude, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2MOST people. I live/work in a highly affluent area out in Southern California and theft at retail stores is a lot higher than what you would come to expect in an area full of million dollar homes and $60K SUVs.
        • capiCrimm, on 03/29/2008, -0/+1no. white collar crime is huge in America. However, that doesn't negate the fact that a well off person can "feel" they need to steal. That is, most people are stealing for a result and not for the joy of stealing itself.
        • MasterPain, on 03/29/2008, -0/+0People who use to have million dollar homes & 60k SUV's damn adjustable mortgage rates.
    • sjbdallas, on 03/28/2008, -1/+7Reese and Cletus probably don't speak spanish so is the only english they ever bothered to learn is "do you have any weed" and "give me your money"?
    • funkyloki, on 03/28/2008, -0/+17This wasn't the punishment. The sentencing was for four months to 2 years. Because they served time during the trial, the judge gave them parole with time served. This was the condition of parole, which means they have served the minimum time for the sentencing and were granted parole with certain conditions. Actually the judge is saving the township money by not keeping these guys in jail. If the parole conditions are adhered to, these guys might live better lives as productive members of society. Also, as in this case, if they don't live up to the conditions, they go right back in for the full two years with no parole. Sounds like a pretty good compromise if it works.
    • o0adam0o, on 03/28/2008, -1/+5Well i see where your coming from but how is spending time in jail going to change them? They will just learn new tricks and make new "friends"....i say its worth a shot...once they learn english and get an education of some sort...maybe it will open the eyes of at least one of them.

      - 2c
    • betterth, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5For the exact same reason the majority of crime happens in lower class areas and the least amount in the highest class areas. There is a direct link to class of a person and the crime rate.

      By learning English in America, you have a much higher chance of success in this country. By learning English, you are prone to less crime in a way that two years in jail probably can't fix.
  • LordSkywalker, on 03/28/2008, -16/+107They can learn English in prison.
    • Ajnag, on 03/28/2008, -5/+26And learn how to deal drugs more effectively.
      • blazes816, on 03/28/2008, -2/+16Not to mention how to make a shank out of a rubberband and some old meatloaf.
        • jmcmullin, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3and all 3 lessons will be courtesy of the American taxpayer.....awesome
      • dorkino, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4Less effectively. They're learning from people who got caught...
    • SidiousX, on 03/28/2008, -3/+4and how to not make their asshole's hurt.
    • fatrandy13, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1no, they can learn ebonics in prison
    • CedEx, on 03/28/2008, -0/+1The first phrase they will learn is "Turn around and bend over."
  • kayfouroh, on 03/28/2008, -11/+2Woah that's my last name..
  • deviouskoopa, on 03/28/2008, -8/+24Shouldn't that "or" be an "and"?
  • jm4847, on 03/28/2008, -23/+63I hate people that go to a country and don't learn the language. It's so arrogant of them.
    • ShuttleDisaster, on 03/28/2008, -28/+29The United States does not have an official language.
      • Akairenn, on 03/28/2008, -14/+44The US has always had English. Millions of immigrants over the past two centuries have had no problem learning it. Sorry, learn English or GTFO.
      • Ajnag, on 03/28/2008, -5/+43You are right, but the 'unofficial' language for worldwide business IS English. You cannot dispute that.
        • aladrin, on 03/28/2008, -9/+1Sure, and I'd recommend that anyone, anywhere learn it. But since there's no official language in the US, requiring people to learn it to move here is ridiculous. It'd make about as much sense to require everyone to learn Spanish.
        • fic7i0n41, on 03/28/2008, -0/+7Problem with that is that by not requiring immigrants to learn English, you're requiring everyone who has to deal with them to learn their language or to get a translator. So, it actually makes a lot more sense than requiring everyone to learn Spanish seeing as the vast majority of people in this country already speak some variety of English.

          p.s. I've known people who have immigrated here from Poland, the Ukraine, China, Japan, France, Sweden, Italy, even Spain - all of whom willingly learned to speak English since that was what everyone here already spoke.
      • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -16/+10and it's one of the fundamental flaws that hamper the preservation of AMERICAN culture
        • Lukesed, on 03/28/2008, -12/+7WTF is "American culture"?
        • nycmac247, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5"Many as one" - you know, that "democracy" thing?
          besides, common coinage and language are the baseline, wouldn't you agree?
        • Azerael, on 03/28/2008, -4/+3Maybe if you weren't so busy exporting it to the rest of the world you'd have more to keep to yourselves...
          • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4Well it's pretty obvious that there is a demand for it as most countries that get it exported to them end up enjoying it...

            Jury's still out on Iraq I guess...
        • dondara, on 03/28/2008, -8/+2HAHAHAHAHA. "American culture" Like what, NASCAR, reality TV and beer? Yeah, we really need to preserve that *****.
          • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4Or, you know, that whole democracy thing...the industrial and tech revolution...scientific achievement...

            I'm sure you have a problem with each one of those, but it's alright...it's your right to dislike America...isn't that grand?
        • natastna2, on 03/28/2008, -9/+1LOL, American culture. You really gave me a good giggle. Americans are about as far removed from 'cultured' as you can possibly get.
        • jmcmullin, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4Name a country whose culture, be it artistic, economic, linguistic, etc..that is more prevelant globally than America........and please don't name ***** China or India...we're not talking about 100 years from now, we're talking about today
        • natastna2, on 03/28/2008, -4/+1Sooo, America invented democracy and was where the industrial revolution began? Maybe you should go back to your 'excellent' education system.
          • Antares29, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4Well, we did invent the Missionary position...you're welcome!
          • SidiousX, on 03/28/2008, -0/+1well.....we didn't invent democracy...
      • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -2/+30Not by law but neither does England, our ancestors didn't realise people like yourself would exist in the future otherwise they would have made it a law, America does have a language by precident and custom however and that language English.
      • creepermclurker, on 03/28/2008, -5/+7That's correct and that's one of the great things about this country.

        We are so strong and dynamic that we don't need an official language. We are smart and talented and can afford a multiplicity of cultures, and histories, stories and languages. We all have created a wonderful country to live in.

        We rock.
        • SmokersAnon, on 03/28/2008, -5/+0Oh, shut up. Thats exactly what was pounded in my head, all through school. We are a business culture. The only thing special in this country, is our ability to make money, at the loss of others. We have no honor, we have no respect.
          • heinousjay, on 03/28/2008, -0/+4Since the attitude of the country is merely a composite of its citizens, is it any wonder that with your ***** attitude you see things as being *****?

            Go figure, huh?
          • SmokersAnon, on 03/29/2008, -0/+0I prefer, not to live in an illusion.
        • MrPeach, on 03/28/2008, -2/+0I love this "we" crap you uber patriots always trot out.
          Let's instead talk about you. What have you personally done to make up for the huge waste of oxygen your life has been, Hmmm?
          What's that? Nothing at all? How unsurprising.
      • DontThinkSo, on 03/28/2008, -0/+11Individual states *do* have laws setting the state-wide language. Article III Section 6 of the California State Constitution establishes English as the official state language.
      • doctechnical, on 03/28/2008, -2/+17That's a mere technicality and can be cured with the stroke of a pen (and a politician with a pair of balls).
        My great grandmother came over on the boat from Germany, and she refused to teach her children (my grandmother among them) how to speak German. She said "We're in America, we speak English" and that was that. At that time assimilating to the culture was considered a good thing.
        • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5I wish I were alive in those days.
        • darkstar949, on 03/28/2008, -0/+4It would be extremely unlikely happen due to the fact that the politician would be going up against the special interest groups that would decry the official language as discrimination against minorities.
        • inbred, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1That kinda sucks. Why not learn both languages? I think they would have been better off for it.
          • doctechnical, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2At the time there were some very good reasons for my great-grandma to turn her back on her homeland. I'll let you connect the dots.
    • Teh1337Pirate, on 03/28/2008, -11/+22that's why we needs an electric fence and land mines on the border
      • SidiousX, on 03/28/2008, -0/+8I concur!
      • Deputy_Doodah, on 03/28/2008, -2/+6We actually need nothing at all on the border. What we need is for existing laws to be enforced, and perhaps a few new ones concerning an official language, denial of citizenship to children born of illegal aliens, and denial of social benefits to illegal aliens.

        Then we can tear down every fence we have and it won't hurt our country in the least.
      • dondara, on 03/28/2008, -11/+3Yeah? When did your family come to the U.S.? So the fact that your family came here sooner means you should get to deny others? That makes sense to you?
        • hypertension, on 03/28/2008, -3/+9Red herring. The fence would serve to stop illegal crossings and NOT legal immigration, which his ancestors most likely did.

          And if he's got the right to vote, he's got a say in how the US should defend it's sovereignty.

          Some "pirate' you are.
    • dondara, on 03/28/2008, -18/+11It is arrogant but who really suffers because of it? You? No, they do. So who gives a ***** if they learn english or not. If they get a job at McDonald's and can't understand my order, I complain to the Mgr and they get fired. Simple. If they ask me directions on the street and I can't understand them, I walk off and they are lost. Again, not a problem for anybody but them. So why in the ***** is not being able to speak english such a problem for this judge? And does he really think that sentence will stand? Of course it probably will since they don't have the means or will to appeal it. But all this is thinly veiled racism and you know it. I think a lot of people don't like it because they are ashamed of being too stupid to know another language.
      • SidiousX, on 03/28/2008, -3/+4And they aren't stupid for not knowing english? But we are for not knowing anything other than english... You sir, are a dumbass. You just negated your own statement there.
      • freebirdpat, on 03/28/2008, -0/+3Its probably meant as a motivator, if they learn english, they will have an easier time in job seeking instead of having to beat people up for money/pot/whatever.
      • nycmac247, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4I think the argument is where this leads to. Having traveled quit a bit in "Latin America" I know we're already half way to not having a middle class but it would be nice to at least keep the pretense that we have some baseline with education / language and communication.
        And, yes, i would support Spanish classes in public schools - BUT!!! all immigrants must also learn english.
        (think Belgium where kids are fluent in 3 or more languages in grade school)

      • Swarms, on 03/28/2008, -0/+13So now I'm racist for thinking an immigrant should learn the accepted language of the culture their joining? What happens when you complain to the manager, and he doesn't speak English either? You don't see how all of that causes more problems than them learning English? People like you seem to equate a dislike of illegal, law breaking immigrants with regular immigrants joining our society for better lives. I have no problem with immigrants. I have problems with immigrants who break the law.
      • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -0/+9You're forgetting the number of local, state, and federal employees that our taxes are being spent on so that we can translate to those who can't speak English. Not to mention the documentation that has to be printed in the multiple languages the government has agreed to support.

        Those people that choose not to learn English, but that choose to reside in this country and take advantage of the programs it has to offer only isolate themselves from the country while burdening others who have chosen to integrate in the process.
    • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -11/+26Funny, never heard an American speak Navaho.
      • plummerbob, on 03/28/2008, -6/+16I've never heard a Mexican speaking Aztec.
        • jlburke, on 03/28/2008, -5/+9there's no such thing as "aztec" language, the language the aztecs spoke is called nahuatl and it's spoken by a few million people in mexico. once again, ignorant americans making idiots of themselves...
          • heinousjay, on 03/28/2008, -9/+6congratulations, you have mastery of useless facts and worthless bile to spew across the internet. i hope you patted yourself on the back for being so awesome after you submitted that comment.
          • thecatcantalk, on 03/28/2008, -2/+2In case you haven't noticed, Mexico and Mexicans are universally ridiculed and disrespected by ALL the other Spanish-speaking nations. There's a good reason why. So get off the high horse, ese bro. If you despise Americans so much, you're more than welcome to go to Colombia and run your mouth at them, see how long you last.
          • fxu1989, on 03/29/2008, -0/+2@thecatcantalk: Where are your sources ?
      • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -5/+5They didn't win a war...sorry...might not be right, but it's what happened.
        • GhostRidr, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4And what war did they lose? Name it. You can't. There wasn't one. Just broken treaty after broken treaty again, again, and again. That and some genocidal "Indian Fighters" thrown in to mix and you have a dwindled population courtesy of the US Government.
          • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2No, there wasn't one particular war, but there were battles that the Indians lost...

            As I said in the comment below this one, the stronger/more advanced society prevailed...that's how it has always happened and always will happen throughout the history of mankind.
          • GhostRidr, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2Most of the Indians died from disease, millions of them. Take that, give guns to the larger population, teach them Indians are the enemy and inferior, and you have a receipe for disaster. I'd also argue with the term "advanced". For a people who thought of themselves as the superior "civilized" culture, they sure didn't act it.
          • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -2/+3No...they didn't act more civilized...but putting it in today's context isn't fair either...it was a different time and the country had a much different agenda.

            Again, my point was that the society that prevailed was the stronger one...it will always happen that way.
        • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4What war?

          There was no war, you just plain killed them.
          • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -3/+3No, no, I didn't kill them...possibly some of my ancestors did, but I did not.

            And no, there was not a war for the land...they didn't fight for it...and if they did, they were beaten. Barbaric, yes, but again...it's what happened...the stronger society prevailed as has always happened throughout the history of mankind and will continue to happen for the remainder of mankind.
          • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4I actually agree with you, but only half way.

            The difference between the other conflicts and the American genocide of the natives is that the natives were not a threat to Anglo saxons in any way. Conflicts usually involve two sides. This was just an act of aggression.

            Second difference: broken treaties. Natives never broke their treaties, the Americans did.

            But like you said, the strongest always wins. That's just nature.
      • freebirdpat, on 03/28/2008, -3/+5I didn't see anyone speaking Sumerian anymore either. Since all of civilization stems from that one, we should all be speaking Sumerian by this line of logic.
        • GhostRidr, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1Since when did Sumerians live in in the US? The point the poster is trying to make is Indian language were once the dominant language, and those pesky immigrants overtook them. Now it's happening again and you hear all this GTFO crap.
      • spidoman, on 03/28/2008, -1/+8If the Mexicans conquer us I'll be the first to switch to Spanish.

        To the winners go the spoils.
        • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -3/+5We need to migrate you to Mexico along with all the other weak pushovers.
      • Hobbes24, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3cultural darwinism, it happens, deal with it.
    • Aerandir, on 03/28/2008, -6/+3Usted hablar español?....
      there! my spanish is ready for some nice Mexico-Vacations...
    • ooby, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1Apparently, nobody else noticed the irony.
      • jm4847, on 03/29/2008, -0/+1...there wasn't any...
        • ooby, on 04/01/2008, -0/+0The comment was arrogant. That's what makes it ironic.
  • sircomix, on 03/28/2008, -3/+10Whiule I am usually against such sentences... I really cant see how this hurts the guys. And hey, if they wont do it, they can go to jail. Seems like an easy choice to me.
    • WilliamDavis, on 03/28/2008, -3/+2Sure. It doesn't hurt them any, and it potentially helps us all. If a criminal is going to stick a gun in your face and make demands, it's better if a common language is spoken. This is one smart judge.
  • LinuxRevolution, on 03/28/2008, -22/+49Why should I have to "press 1 for english" in America? Do they "press 1 for spanish" in Mexico? No because spanish is the national language, just like english in America.
    • alkajazz, on 03/28/2008, -9/+6Citation needed?
    • mikesly, on 03/28/2008, -6/+19America has no official language. Only a select amount of states have put English as their official language.
      • Deputy_Doodah, on 03/28/2008, -7/+17Correct. That's a problem we need to fix.
    • inavat, on 03/28/2008, -17/+13I'm so sick of hearing people whine about this *****. Get the ***** over it. Is it hard to press 1? If you are so against it, then you are free, as an American with all afforded liberties, to boycott the organizations which are unduly causing you finger-fatigue.

      There are much better, more intelligent arguments for why aliens should learn English. Pick one of them and stop with these childish, whiny remarks.
    • alkajazz, on 03/28/2008, -14/+6If it's so easy for people to learn English, wouldn't it be just as easy for us to learn Spanish? Learning another language will only enrich ourselves and bring us closer together.
      • veriix, on 03/28/2008, -1/+8Nobody said it was easy, why should every should everything that has to be done need to be easy?
      • hypertension, on 03/28/2008, -2/+5Agreed and dugg up. The difference, though, is that there's a huge matter of respect involved -- respect that many in the US feel they aren't receiving from immigrants from one particular country.

        I moved to Costa Rica already speaking Spanish and was determined to improve it. Yet there are immigrants, especially from that one particular country, who have been in the US for TEN YEARS and still don't speak English. And aren't trying.
      • thugok, on 03/28/2008, -2/+9If I feel like moving to Mexico I will consider learning Spanish.
    • beldark, on 03/28/2008, -9/+5Do you cry about having to turn the key in your car's ignition to turn it on? Or pressing the power button on the TV remote? Stop being so ***** lazy.
      • fatrandy13, on 03/28/2008, -0/+6yea we're the lazy ones.... it used to be an honor for immigrants to learn our language.. my family came from italy and were proud to learn and pass on this new family tradition, nowadays these ignorant foreigners mooch off our healthcare, dont pay taxes, and send all the money they make back to mexico... but we're the ignorant ones...
    • rossisdead, on 03/28/2008, -3/+2Luckily for those companies who ask you to "press 1 for English", even if English were made the official language of the US, no one would be stopping them from catering to customers who speak another language.
    • sleepycoder, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1Have you never been outside the country? Many foreign countries go out of their way to have signs in both their native languages and English, public announcements in both languages, and some countries even provide phone numbers to call a free translator to help you communicate with taxis, etc.

      PS - And yes, sometimes in Mexico they *do* have to press 1 for Spanish.
      • dngbauer, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2I was in Riviera Maya not that long ago in a very nice resort and the ATM had no English button.
    • dngbauer, on 03/28/2008, -3/+4I so wish I could digg your comment more than once. I cant stand going to the ATM and having to push a button for English as well.
    • thebigbradwolf, on 03/28/2008, -2/+0Why should I have to press 3 for Mandarin? After all there are more Mandarin speakers in the world, why don't the lazy American's learn it? If you're on this planet you ought to speak the most prevelent language.
  • spiritflare1, on 03/28/2008, -8/+21good on the judge - here in Canada, you pretty much hear every language spoken on the Bus or Workplace except English. If you're a recent immigrant, make an effort to learn the native language of the country you're going to adopt as your new home, and teach your kids English, or at least make some effort as a parent to learn it yourself.
    • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -3/+5Hi there, French Canadian here.

      You call your Quebec buddies and tell them that.
      • MrSwap, on 03/28/2008, -0/+4Can't help but notice you typed that in English.
        • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2Incredible isn't it.

          You'd think that people who choose to live in the only place on the entire American continent that speaks french would make the same effort.
      • spiritflare1, on 03/29/2008, -0/+2we don't consider you part of Canada!
  • louiebaur, on 03/28/2008, -4/+18That is going to be my new phrase Learn English or go to jail
  • usingpond, on 03/28/2008, -2/+90I'm about as liberal as they come, but LEARN SOME ***** ENGLISH. If I were emigrating to China I would try to learn the language.
    • nycmac247, on 03/28/2008, -0/+11And if you're not going to learn english at least don't break the law... duh
    • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -4/+17Props to you for going against the liberal norm, I wish you could convince some more people on your side to see it your way, starting with the two Democrats running for president.
      • fatrandy13, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2no, we should offer them all free healthcare too!
    • Nougat, on 03/28/2008, -5/+5It is good manners to learn to speak the most common language(s) in the area where you choose to live. It's arguably in your best interest to do so, financially and socially.

      However, legislation of manners is a ridiculous concept, and it should remain perfectly legal for people to neglect to do things which might benefit them financially or socially.
    • kinseyincanada, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4i agree that any one emigrating should try and learn the language but should they be forced to leave because they dont? cause thats what it seems the majority of digg users believe.
    • emt41, on 03/28/2008, -3/+2You cant emigrate to China you idiots, you can immigrate though. You can emigrate to like iowa or Kansas but not to a foreign country.
    • fxu1989, on 03/29/2008, -0/+2I had to learn English and I agree with you.

      If somebody plans to move to a country to have a better life, at least try learning the language that it's mostly spoken there.
  • ilves7, on 03/28/2008, -1/+11If a guy named Cletus Mumia can learn enough Spanish to understand them then they can learn enough English to understand everyone else... I don't understand why someone would go through the effort to challenge the ruling. If they don't want to do it they have the option of serving their normal jail sentence. It isn't giving them more punishment, just a choice.
    • spidoman, on 03/28/2008, -4/+3Your post makes my brain hurt. You said learn and understand 5 times in two sentences.
      • ubuwalker31, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2You can't count. He said learn twice and understand three times. He even used two different meanings of the work understand. Nothing wrong with that...his message is clear, and has +8 diggs, while yours is at 0 right now.
  • nodeuces, on 03/28/2008, -12/+9This makes me so happy...I'm crying.
    • BigLLamasHouse, on 03/28/2008, -2/+1i haven't used this phrase since the mid-90's but "Get a ***** life"
  • Niubai, on 03/28/2008, -1/+16Fair enough. Nothing against immigrants, but if they want to work and live in a foreigner country they should (or at least they should try) learn the language.
    • jehan60188, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5I agree. I'm thinking about moving to germany, so I'm looking at local universities to see if they offer night courses in german. If not, I'll take correspondence courses, but I sure as heck am not going until I know enough of the language to get around without insulting the natives!
      • wertach, on 03/28/2008, -0/+6I worked in Germany on and off for a few years. As soon as I was told that I might be going to Germany I signed up for classes. Yes it was hard, but I learned enough to communicate!
      • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4which is the respectible and non-arrogant think to do, props to you.
  • diggstown, on 03/28/2008, -6/+2There's no way that stands up to a full-on appeal process. Now the liklihood of them going through that effort... muy mal.
    • BillGod, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4Your assuming they will appeal. The judge is not saying "you are going to jail because you don't speak english" He is saying you have a choice. You are being punished for a crime.. your punishment is either A. Go to jail for what you have done. Or B. Take the easier punishment and learn english. It's like Jail or community service. think I would sit at home and learn english than go to jail.
      • blazes816, on 03/28/2008, -0/+1But they might 'súplica'
      • diggstown, on 03/28/2008, -2/+1Why would you think I'm assuming they will appeal? Try reading what I wrote again. If you have trouble with the Spanish at the end, I order you to become fluent in Spanish. If you have problems comprehending English, then I just wasted my time again writing in gibberish as far as you know.
  • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -25/+15Sometimes White Anglo-Saxon people act like the own this country (USA) and everyone else is a guest that needs to assimilate.
    • nycmac247, on 03/28/2008, -3/+23HAHAHAAHA
      All my Asian "boat people" friends from childhood that learned english, got good grades and now are gainfully employed think that's dumb.
      • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -4/+1Were your friends forced to learn English by court order?
    • gametavern, on 03/28/2008, -3/+16When in rome, do as the romans do... OR GO BACK HOME.
      • dimebags, on 03/28/2008, -3/+3the romans were dicks.
      • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3When in Chinatown, learn Chinese!
        • stevetrojanman, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2When in Chinatown...wonder if China has an Americatown where you can speak English and speak out against the government...

          ...and then thank somebody for the fact that you're just in Chinatown
          • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1So you want USA to be more like China, and not allow people to speak other languages and speak out against government.
    • Grok22, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4because we do,
      • dimebags, on 03/28/2008, -4/+3yes we do!. those brown people are trying to sleep with our daughters!!
    • manstein01, on 03/28/2008, -4/+19Please take your liberal "white anglos are evil and everybody else is a victim" crap somewhere else.

      Seriously, you must be a college student or something. Immigrants ARE guests that need to assimilate.
      • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -8/+3Unless you are Native American Indian, then I don't owe you *****. Everything I have, I earned. I have a right to conduct business in what ever language, wear funny ethnic hats, etc. And you can't stop me. Just because my grandaddy didn't kill Indians and enslave blacks, that does not mean I am less equal.
        • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -3/+10You're mixing up a lot of things.

          Natives lived here but America wasn't created by Natives. America is a product of anglo saxon civilization.

          Now, you have the right to be whatever you want to be, except the whole point of America is American philosophy.

          What you just said is an expression of American philosophy. There's a reason you left wherever you left to go to America: because it's better. And it's better because of American philosophy, a product of Anglo Saxon civilization.
        • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -6/+1BS! The original people on this land were native Americans, and everyone else is a guest. America, that you speak of, is a flag, constitution and some Ceremony, but no land was created by Anglo-Saxons. I came here looking for my own self interest, and I became successfully with my own hard work. I owe you nothing! You did not help me get my education, get my job, or buy my house!

          Not only that, but I too get to say what the American culture and civilization is all about just as much as you do. If I think that that people should wear funny ethic hats, I will argue for that.If I think that people should speak Swahili, I will try and popularize that idea. I will, however, not try to force you to wear a funny hat and learn Swahili.
          • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -2/+8The Native Americans lost control of the land more than 300 years ago. In fact, if it weren't for some very smart people, there wouldn't be natives anymore. It took intellectuals (anglo saxons) to stop the genocide.


            "You did not help me get my education, get my job, or buy my house!"

            The school you went to was created, built and funded by Americans. What you learned was written by Americans. The money you received is part of the American economical system. The reason you get to keep it is because of the American political system and the bill of rights. The reason you get to live in America is because the American government gave you the permission to do so, your work depends entirely on the American capitalist system.

            Just for you to ride the bus to school required over 300 years of history, dozens of battles, thousands of workers and hundreds of thousands of tax payers, politicians, intellectuals and scientists.

            If nobody else but you had participated to your existence, you'd be living in a tree and flinging ***** at the other monkeys.
          • jmcmullin, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3I agree with every you said but the last sentence was a little unneccesary, to think that the American government is not based on WASP fundamentals is a little naive. If you do not owe America anything (your education, job, or house) why didn't you stay in your native country and accomplish all those wonderful achievements? The reason most Americans are a little weary of immigrants(educated and non-educated) is because of this line of thinking. You or your parents probably come from a country where survival is much more difficult so everything is "me-me-me" and you think you accomplished it all on your own and you owe nothing to the system. That line of thinking is part of the reason that the country your ancestors are from is such a piece of ***** that you sold out and came to America.....but hey, you did it all by yourself and you don't owe anybody.
          • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -3/+2Indians just lost control 300 years ago? You make it sound like Indians lost land and we found it. Their land was TAKEN from them by immigrats. Your grandaddy came to this country much like I did, and now you think you are more entitled than I am?

            And who are these school building and bus making Americans that you speak of? Could they be Irish, Italian, Mexican, African, and Anglo-Saxon immigrants much like myself. I guess Irish and Italian immigrant had to go trough same Anglo-Saxon BS that me and Latino immigrants are going trough now.

            I am not arguing that i don't depend on other people, but I do not owe anything to anybody, and I am not supposed to assimilate to be more like you. Anglo-Saxon guy that built my school got salary, just like Chinese guy that made my shirt got his wages. Today I pay rather large taxes that build schools for your kids. Should you kids try to be more like me just because my taxes paid for their school books? What an asinine idea!

            This country is built on Individualism, equal rights, and freedom for all and, not ethnic supremacy of one group over others. Like it or not, cowboy hat is not superior to sombrero, Jesus is not superior to Allah, and English is not superior to Spanish
          • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -0/+3"Today I pay rather large taxes that build schools for your kids"

            Our kids. And this country is built on solidarity.
          • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1"Our kids. And this country is built on solidarity."

            So we should not force anyone to assimilate?
          • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -0/+3Go look up the definition of the word.
          • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1You would think solidarity would include acceptance of everyone as they are rather than trying to force change people.
      • trer, on 03/28/2008, -9/+5White anglos in America have done a lot of horrible things. However, white anglos never admit fault. That's why the rest of us have to keep reminding them. If we didn't, slavery would never be mentioned in history books. It's a constant battle.
        • SmokersAnon, on 03/28/2008, -0/+4So have Black Africans. But thats our fault, too, right? Get over yourself. We are all people, and people inherently do an equal amount of evil, and good.
        • ElAssoWipo, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5Where did the slaves come from?

          Americans enslaved black for about 250 years. Europeans enslaved blacks for 2,000 years. If you want to include the romans and the greeks in modern european civilization, add a thousand years.
          • gurudrew, on 03/28/2008, -0/+4And don't forget about all the white slaves over the centuries. Oh, that's right, we not supposed to talk about that because it might make everyone seem a little more equal in their suffering.
        • jmcmullin, on 03/28/2008, -0/+4Just because they don't document slavery in ***** backwater doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Africans who captured slave are just as guilty as the Europeans who purchased them. Slavery still goes on today across all continents.
      • k1dN1c, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4echo that!!

        i learned week 1 in college that b/c i'm a white male, i am inherently evil and am responsible for all injustice in the world... so sick of this nonsense!! i'm even more sick of the self-hatred it breeds in 'white anglos' that are gullible enough to listen and believe it.
    • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -3/+6Sometimes professors scrabble their students brains...case in point.
    • trer, on 03/28/2008, -4/+2So true. However, the rate of immigration today suggests that Spanish will be the new official language of the United States and when it its, will these same yahoos learn Spanish and "do as the Romans do"?
      • momsshizzle, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5No. We will all just become janitors, gardeners, and construction workers. Si!
      • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3Only if pushovers, like yourself, will allow that to happen...I'll fight for it.
        • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1Xenophobe!

          I will you fight for it? Some ethic cleansing? Few concentration camps here and there?
          • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3Brain Scrambled Libtard!!!!

            Yeah I'll fight for it...like mankind has been doing for centuries ... like they did before you even started mimicing your professor or hippie sad excuse for parents...if survival of the fittest makes you a xenophobe then I guess you better start applying that term to animals as they are instinctual xenophobic.
          • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -2/+1So you would send people to the concentration camp?
          • 1013, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2Who said anything about concentration camps? Americans of all ethnic backgrounds will fight against an attempt by Latinos to over run this country.
          • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1are you saying there is a Latino conspiracy to overrun this country?
          • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2Well if you look at the agendas of Aztlan and La Raza then yes...and no I'm not grouping all hispanics into that category, but it would ignorant to deny that there exists a sizable population that sees it as their mission to take over.
  • Skod, on 03/28/2008, -8/+34I don't get it.....they're resident aliens, why aren't we deporting them?
    • blazes816, on 03/28/2008, -13/+10The same reason Obama is going to win the election. Liberals.
      • jmcmullin, on 03/28/2008, -5/+3Who the ***** you think lets illegals in....all the liberals...get the ***** outta here...its the same reason and the same people who bring in indians on h-1b visas..liberal and conservative are both for sale.....
    • gametavern, on 03/28/2008, -3/+14Because we'd rather have them waste tax dollars (which they'll never pay) using our legal system, and eventually our jails.
    • triskele, on 03/28/2008, -2/+9Because they'd be back before the end of their jail term would've been over, and they still wouldn't know English.
    • Ajnag, on 03/28/2008, -3/+5Maybe our justice system is finally realizing that if deported, its just delaying the problem because they will probably be back if they wanted to jump the border...
    • darkstar949, on 03/28/2008, -0/+14A resident alien isn't in the same category as an illegal alien - they have a green card and obligated to pay US taxes. [1] However, in the case of this situation, they can have their application for full citizenship denied due to committing a crime

      [1] http://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/residentalien. ...
    • MaskedSlacker, on 03/28/2008, -1/+7Because they legally immigrated. Not citizens, but they came legally.
    • AndreiOttawa, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5You need to commit a serious crime to be deported if you are already a resident alien. Not paying taxes is one of them. I think any felony would have the same effect as well.
    • Lurick, on 03/29/2008, -1/+0Because you don't know the difference between a "resident alien" and an "illegal alien." A "resident" alien is someone who is in the country legally.
  • Ajnag, on 03/28/2008, -3/+8If you want to learn about business, more than likely you will have to learn English. English is the unofficial language of worldwide business. If you want to be successful in the world financially, it would be a good idea to learn English. A good secondary language would be Spanish not because its used in business, but because the largest percentage of the world's population speak Spanish....just the richer people speak English :)
    • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -1/+1Shouldn't you have the right to stay ignorant tho?
      • Ajnag, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2The set of Ignorance does not overlap the set of Staying out of Jail.
    • hypertension, on 03/28/2008, -1/+0And to pick up chicas latinas! ¡Pura Vida!
  • Kenzan, on 03/28/2008, -4/+48"But that doesn’t make it right, said Agapito Lopez, a Latino community leader from Hazleton. He said he believes the ruling is a violation of the suspects’ rights."

    This guy needs to drink a big cup of STFU.
    In the fight to keep your people from ignorance and separatism,
    You're doin' it wrong.
    • Brian48216, on 03/28/2008, -1/+7agreed.
      That's such *****.
      If anything, this is a violation of MY rights.

      if I robbed some place I'd ONLY get 24months in jail. No luxury of staying out of prison by taking a class.
    • stympman, on 03/28/2008, -0/+7Not only that but his argument is is faulty. They did the crime so they deserve the time. Learning English is only an option to stay out of prison. They don't have to do it.
    • johnnyrotten, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2No, I agree with Mr. Lopez. They have the right to go to prison.
    • mabhatter, on 03/29/2008, -0/+2at the point they were found guilty and sentence, the state became their "parents" and basically owns them. If the state decides they need to learn english, then they have no choice.... as convicts they're considered "children" with limited rights to disobey this stuff. Like other people said, or they can spend 20 more months in jail.
  • naterpoke, on 03/28/2008, -3/+6well good thing they didnt understand the ruling since they dont speak english.
    QUE?
  • alfitzhugh, on 03/28/2008, -9/+7This is so great! Your taxes spent housing four illegal immigrant criminals while they learn English...
    • MaskedSlacker, on 03/28/2008, -1/+10They weren't illegals.
    • saska, on 03/28/2008, -2/+5This comment demonstrates exactly the problem with the current immigration situation in the US. Your assumption is that because they are immigrants who speak Spanish, they are illegal.

      It should tell you something that they were able to become citizens WITHOUT learning English.

      And FWIW, I believe you should have to speak English well enough to get through the citizenship process in English, but the law does not currently provide for that. So instead of ***** and moaning, why not support legislators who support changing the law?
      • TreDubZedd, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2For the record, the four in question are said to be "resident aliens" -- not citizens. In order to pass the test to become an American citizen, the applicant must demonstrate the ability to read and write in English.
  • uziko, on 03/28/2008, -13/+5I'm actually really glad that america is embracing the mexican language, i think it should become a second language along with french, i would appreciate the same thing if i went to another country. And it can't hurt to learn other languages.
    • blind51de, on 03/28/2008, -3/+9Spanish is a useless second language. Learn Mandarin.
    • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4I don't know why are people digging you down. That is a very positive thing to say.
  • gametavern, on 03/28/2008, -4/+5Now to create a law about this....
  • m00kie, on 03/28/2008, -3/+24Was Samuel L Jackson the judge?

    "English, MutherF#cker ... DO YOU SPEAK IT?"
    WHUT aint no language I ever heard before!
    • theragu40, on 03/28/2008, -2/+6"*****"
      Seriously, I promise your mom won't read through your comments and get mad if she finds you said a naughty.
    • hypertension, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4"¿Que?"
      "Gay ain't no language I ever heard of, they speak English in gay?"
      ".... sí..."
  • dimebags, on 03/28/2008, -3/+7seems like not knowing english was a major advantage for them.
  • killq, on 03/28/2008, -1/+4If you are going to be a criminal in a country you better know the ***** language.
  • 10SpeedMike, on 03/28/2008, -7/+1Buried for misleading title.
    • Doriath, on 03/28/2008, -0/+3Umm, it's actually one of the most accurate headlines I've seen here in a long time.
  • airburst, on 03/28/2008, -4/+6They don't speak any English yet are somehow here legally? Why are they not in prison and facing deportation? Robbery with a firearm is serious business.
    • dimebags, on 03/28/2008, -11/+3brown people scare you don't they?
      • domino42, on 03/28/2008, -3/+5ummm, color of the skin dose not matter. IF they are here illegally they ARE breaking the law (look up the definition of illegal). The Laws should be followed they should be deported IF they are illegal, just like if I were speeding, I should be ticketed, its simple. If the smartest thing you can come up with is "brown people" scare you, maybe you need to re-think your position.
      • airburst, on 03/28/2008, -0/+4Hey big reader! Where did I say brown people?

        If you have to use a logical fallacy to have an argument you have already lost.
  • Paulish, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5Pretty much that keeps them out of prison is better. They might learn english in prison, or they would stick with all the Spanish speakers in there and all they would learn is how to do drugs and how to be better criminals. And the taxpayers would have to pay for this "education". Id rather pay for their GED and English classes, where they can become productive people that CREATE wealth instead of needing to STEAL it. It would help the economy and help me.
  • Deputy_Doodah, on 03/28/2008, -0/+16Wonderful.
    Not only does it keep someone from needlessly going to jail, it helps fix the problem that got them into court to begin with. This judge has the balls to be right.

    I'm so tired of jail being the punishment for EVERYTHING from smoking pot to murder. Few want the trouble of administering appropriate punishments and rehabilitation.
  • jehan60188, on 03/28/2008, -0/+13I was originally shocked by the headline, but upon reading the actual terms of the parole, it seems like a pretty good idea- these men have an (incredibly good) incentive to learn the language of their country of residence, in addition to getting a GED which will open up many more career opportunities for them.
  • lilianatota, on 03/28/2008, -7/+6English *****! Do you speak it!?
  • KaivenTor, on 03/28/2008, -0/+12Compassionate, but i think the judge is testing whether or not this will work. Okay, so we have some robbers and they don't speak English, have no education and obviously cannot support themselves except through robbing others. Monitored appropriately, it might be possible to help break 1, 2, or even all 3 out the cycle and get them into the work force.
    English might not be the official language of the US, but is the most commonly used language of trade (domestically and internationally), so it's probably the best place to start. The ACLU should shut the hell up on this one and take it that their clients rights aren't being abused, it's like sending them to jail, just you know a lot more comfortable if they comply with the ruling.
    It'll be interesting to see if this can be done and done with decent results. It was bound to happen sometime.
  • breckinshire, on 03/28/2008, -2/+9A ***** rawhide bone??!?
    • SuperVepr308, on 03/28/2008, -0/+3I caught that too. Odd choice of weapon for sure.
  • chrispix, on 03/28/2008, -3/+8This judge just made my Friday that much better! I wish a digg for this post was a vote for this judge come re-election time!
  • tbone63, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3The ruling may hold up in court.

    Amendment VIII
    Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel AND unusual punishments inflicted.

    While this ruling may be a bit unusual, it is certainly not cruel.
    • bassgoonist, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2That's exactly what I was thinking. While it's pretty whacky...it really isn't cruel. Like ordering someone to finish high school...that could be cruel and unusual though...:-p
    • Doriath, on 03/28/2008, -0/+3It also wasn't the punishment, but rather an option to avoid the punishment.
  • uselessexpert, on 03/28/2008, -3/+13@uziko
    What the ***** is the Mexican language? Did you mean Spanish? Check yourself before you try and make an intelligent post you moron!

    As for me...I am hispanic, and I've always said this. If you don't like to speak english, get the ***** out of the US and go back where you came from. Is like going to Japan or China and trying to force the populace there learn spanish because I don't speak japanese or any other chinese dialects... I bet they'll learn how to say "don't ***** me in the ass" really soon...
    • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -8/+2Nobody is trying to force anyone to learn Spanish. It's the other way around - people are being forced to learn English.
      • leopardflames, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2people illegally in an english speaking country are being told to learn english.
        • hamobu, on 03/28/2008, -2/+1It is also a Spanish speaking country, Chinese speaking country, etc.
    • dylanw, on 03/28/2008, -4/+1Actually that's exactly what Americans do when they visit Japan or China (but English, not Spanish).

      The frustration Americans are experiencing with Spanish is the same annoyance every other country in the world experiences with the English language.
      • leopardflames, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2[sarcasm]nice generalization.[/sarcasm]
      • ubuwalker31, on 03/28/2008, -0/+5The difference is that using English in a business context is a heck of a lot different than using English in a social context. There aren't people demanding that Japanese election ballots be written in English, there aren't people demanding that street signs in France be written in English, and when you call someone in other countries, they don't say "press 1 for English" unless its an official language, and you don't hear 20% of small cities yammering away in English because they can't be bothered to learn the native language.
  • banderwocky, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4I'm reminded of the TV movie Shogun. When the Japanese war lord orders the Pilot of the ship to learn Japanese or be beheaded. At the time of watching that (years ago) I thought what a barbaric concept. Learn our language or be punished.
  • spiltmilkblog, on 03/28/2008, -0/+10While the ruling may be a violation of rights, I would take it if I were them. I don't think the Judge is doing it to be cruel or racist. He's being compassionate and offering these guys an opportunity to get their lives going in the right direction.

    If criminals were handled this way more often it would benefit everyone. Locking people up for years doesn't do anyone any good. They will come out being even worse off than they were before and having wasted tax payer's money. Rehabilitation and education are cheaper and will contribute to a better society.
    • jacobonline, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2Your right. It's still a sticky subject.
    • thecatcantalk, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2Let's hope so. Quite sure the ruling isn't a violation of any rights, however. As you say, it's intended to nudge them in the direction of becoming functional members of society.

      It's just bizarre how outraged people get over being asked to become literate in the lingua franca (pun intended) of the country they've chosen to settle down in. I'm pretty sure that if I moved permanently to Mexico and demanded that the entire country learn English to please me, folks would (quite rightly) call me an asshole.
  • ntacsback, on 03/28/2008, -1/+8If they learn English, then they can finally go and order cheeseteaks from Geno's.
    • arjung, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2it should be illegal to refuse someone a quality philly cheesesteak.
  • socketman, on 03/28/2008, -8/+4Heck yea! English should be a requirement for citizenship, and obviously if you're an illegal you don't belong here anyway.
    • davewelsh79, on 03/28/2008, -5/+3Only ignorant Americans use the word "illegal" as a noun. You sound like a redneck.
      • demosthenes247, on 03/28/2008, -4/+4illegal |i(l)ˈlēgəl|
        adjective: contrary to or forbidden by law, esp. criminal law : illegal drugs.
        noun: an illegal immigrant.

        Pretentious much?
      • eaterofpies, on 03/28/2008, -3/+3you, sir, are my hero. the very idea that it is not the act committed, but the people themselves that are illegal is ridiculous.
      • socketman, on 03/28/2008, -2/+4Sorry, I guess you're not an American, but that is actually a very common term, just shortened from "Illegal alien" or "Illegal immigrant"
        I'llegals are just people who are in the country illegally. Sorry, it might sound confusing using illegal as a noun if you aren't educated on the issue. Even though it may not be a proper noun in the dictionary, this "slang" is very much an acceptable term now days.
        So now that I have explained that, did you have any kind of meaningful comment on the issues, or are you just here to insult me, America, and rednecks for no other reason than your own ignorance ?
        • davewelsh79, on 03/30/2008, -0/+1It's true that I was mainly trying to insult you.
          That term may be common in the United States. I believe "nigger" was at one time too. I find calling people "illegals" despicable. It insinuates that the people themselves are illegal and I'm sure you'll find only ignorant hate mongers use that term.
          • socketman, on 04/02/2008, -0/+1I don't know, unlike other racial slurs, illegals although mainly referring to Mexicans admittedly, can refer to any illegal immigrant as an illegal. So - it isn't necessarily a race kind of thing. I don't see why its use would only ignorant hate mongers would use that. It is a term describing their legal/illegal status.
            I don't see why that is so wrong. The fact is - they are in the country illegally. Weather or not you agree with the laws is another matter, but they are breaking the laws. That is all that term is insinuating. I mean you wouldn't hesitate to call a child molester or a bank robber a criminal would you?
            It doesn't really matter if the child molester was retarded and didn't know any better, or if the bank robber was just trying to get money to buy food for his hungry family. They still broke the law and are thus criminals.
            Same goes with illegals. It doesn't matter if they are just coming to start a better life - they did break the law, and are in the country illegally - thus I can't think of a better term to refer to these (I think) 12 million or so people. It isn't a matter of anything against the people, it is just a means to refer to a large group's status.
            And I just don't see anything wrong with that.
  • zaii7, on 03/28/2008, -12/+3look at me im an american who knows how to speak american
    i drive a pickup truck listen to country and pick lint out of my belly button because i speak american
    america learn inglesh or GTFO
    • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -4/+3Look at me, I'm a walking talking drone of my professor, who's dick I suck everyday...and I swallow.
    • jacobonline, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3I'm confused. Are you retarded or joking?
  • borkus69, on 03/28/2008, -10/+0Pinche juez pendejo piensa que no hablan ingles ya jaja
    • techweenie1, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3yeah that "pretending" to not know how to speak English shtick is really cute....but I highly doubt they actually knew the language.
    • tyllek, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3Translation: Damned little judge asshole thinks that they do not speak English already.

    • momsshizzle, on 03/28/2008, -3/+1Si puta.
    • DrummerAndrew, on 03/28/2008, -0/+2So jaja is pronounced haha?
  • VacaN, on 03/28/2008, -17/+3Congratulations to these three individuals, in a few months you guys will be rich after suing the ***** out of that racist state. Enjoy! :)
  • mogoi, on 03/28/2008, -0/+9next time you commit a crime, pretend you don't know English.
  • thedogfatherx, on 03/28/2008, -1/+3YES! My hero! Although, they pulled a gun on the guy. Throw them in jail and maybe let them out when they know very good english.
    • momsshizzle, on 03/28/2008, -1/+2I'm sure Bubba will help them learn something new in jail.
    • jdh2b, on 03/28/2008, -0/+3they pulled a gun AND "a rawhide bone" . what's up with the bone????
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