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Learn English like everyone else

Re: Teaching deputies Spanish a wise move | Oct. 18 editorial

Speak English or go back home

Wait uno momento. I'm sorry, but I have a real problem with our law enforcement officers having to learn Spanish. This is to accommodate our Latino population. Every immigrant populace that has passed through Ellis Island has learned English. I'm talking about Italian, German, Polish, Russian and Greek and all people of Europe, and lest we forget the people who have come here through ports of entry in California, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Laotian and you get my point.

Why do we, the taxpayers, have to foot this bill? Either these people learn to speak English or go home.

I agree everyone has the right to be here in the greatest nation in the world, but it means you have to be legal and by our rules. Don't be lazy and play dumb. Learn and become a productive part of America.

Jack J. Gammon, Clearwater

Our nation believes in inclusiveness

As I read the Times editorial illustrating the importance of police officers speaking as well as understanding Spanish, I was reminded of a letter to the editor from just a few days ago. The letter writer disapproved of police officers learning the Spanish language and also those Spanish-speaking individuals living here who don't learn to speak English. The writer also referred to the "policia" in Mexico who don't go to school to learn or improve their English to help the "gringos."

My response to all of this is simply that we in the United States of America are willing to go the extra mile so that everyone is included. In other words, we believe in inclusiveness and therefore are not a xenophobic nation. And this is just one of the reasons why we are the greatest nation in the world.

JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater

Learn English like everyone else

It seems to me that the better idea would be for our Spanish-speaking residents to learn to speak English. Immigrants previously have strived to learn the language. What is different these days? When in Rome, do as the Romans do: Learn the language!

Anne Woolf, Dunedin

Times recommends

The St. Petersburg Times editorial board has made the following recommendations for the Nov. 3 Largo city election. Detailed explanations of the recommendations were printed in the Largo Times Oct. 11.

For Seat 3: Rodney Woods

Charter amendment: Yes

>>your voice counts


Learn English like everyone else 10/24/09 [Last modified: Saturday, October 24, 2009 5:31am]

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