DonB Loc: Port Royal , Tn

I wonder how many of this years United States of America high school grads meet the last four of these requirements?

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Many of us have limited knowledge of the immigration history the United States and this leaves room for many interpretations of our history. As various European groups immigrated to the US, they typically had the lowest paid jobs and consequently lived in the lowest level housing areas in most of the large eastern cities. Those that moved to mid-western agricultural areas tended to move to communities with folks from the same 'old countries. In both cities and ag areas, these folks often maintained their first language and then as children went to school, English became better known and after a generation or two, the use of the first language declined in use. And even today, there are neighborhoods in large cities that are still recognized as Italian, German and Polish area, etc. In farming areas there are still towns that have ethnic components to them that are essential to their culture.

Also, when folks learn English as a second language as adults, the accents of their first language typically affect how we hear their spoken English and it is sometime hard to understand.

Therefore, it is not "un-American" that first generation immigrants from Spanish speaking countries and Middle Eastern and Asian countries do not immediately learn to speak English as their main language. Probably most often it is the children that bring English into the homes from school. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to have long histories in the US, we need to be careful to not judge our new comers until they have had adequate time to assimilate. Afterall, our previous generations went through the same 'growth' processes.

catgirl Loc: las vegas

all of the above plus I had to go to night school for six weeks and get a certificate showing that I had completed the US history etc course, then had to take a test confirming had to pass with a 75% passing grade, I had also to be sponsored by a US Citizen before applying for my American Citizenship

home brewer Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana

When I was in the army in Germany in 1973 I worked in Battalion supply and an e2 that was getting kicked out came in a started cursing at the E7 I worked for in Spanish; the W2 who was of Mexican decent over heard and chewed him out in Spanish and English. It was nice to see.

Second story; Many years latter I worked with a man at IHC of Basque decent who grew up I north west Wyoming. HE was overweight and tells the story of when he was standing in line at a bank in his home town when two young Hispanic girls got in line behind him and started talking about the fat gringo. After he did his bank transaction he turned around and proceed to talk to them in Spanish about the weather and other things. He never once mentioned them talking about the fat gringo; but he said is neat to watch then turn red.

never assume that others can understand what you are saying.

Fkaufman3 Loc: Florida, LA ie lower Alabama

My son was naturalized as American citizen when he was 6 yrs old, I was 16 when naturalized so age is irrelavent, the judge does ask some basic questions about history or civics that most Americans would not know the answer to. As diverse as our culture is and fading differences maybe there is a need for different groups within our culture.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Can you cite where he said any of what you claim?

Of course you can’t.

The point was obviously that if one wants to function in a society one should learn the common terms of communication.

If I moved to Iran I would bother to learn Farsi.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

KD is very used to being wrong by now, I suspect he will next post a meme full of false data confirming his position.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

"Afterall, our previous generations went through the same 'growth' processes" Yes they did and they grew. There was no welfare. no housing, no food stamps there was no free health care no money for clothing. Now there are no levels of expectations.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Read a book.

Virtually everything you claim is wrong.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I don't have a problem with people being able to speak a different language. If you are among yourselves, no big deal. However, if your supervisor tells you to unload the truck to stock the store in English, you better understand him/her to keep your job. Los Angeles, CA and New York City, are the leaders in the most foreign spoken languages today. But, English is spoken Worldwide. Even, the President of France speaks English. And no country in Europe is more protective of its language and culture as the French are.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

This is Los Angeles.
They had a big celebration a few years back when they had a large group citizenship ceremony.
The *entire* event was done solely in Spanish. People partied all day.
Yup. Red team won, we lost again.

DickC Loc: NE Washington state