| Times Online | 0 | |
| Fox Boston | 0 | |
| Merc. News | 0 | |
| Big Govt | Obama’s Shock Troops: SEIU and Political Intimidation in St. Louis |
0 |
| NYT | 0 |
Audacity of Truth
Whiner-in-Chief:
"[W]hether the grumbling is about Republicans on Fox or bloggers in pajamas, there's a word for what the president and his aides are doing. That word is "whining." And nothing [...] does more damage to Obama's credibility or authority than the sense that a popular president is becoming the whiner-in-chief."
- John Nichols, Nation Magazine - 10/12/09
A victory for Geno’s cheesesteak shop
Via ABC 6 Action News:
PHILADELPHIA – March 19, 2008 (WPVI) — The owner of Geno’s Steaks, Joey Vento, and his “Please speak English sign” appear to have been vindicated by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.
The beef was over a sign that says “This is America please speak English when ordering.” Critics said it was discriminatory, but today the city disagreed.
While the debate about this sign posted on the order counter window rages on, the question of its legality has now been made clear. The Commission on Human Relations says it doesn’t violate the city’s fair practices ordinance.
Jimmy Curry of Geno’s Steaks says, “We always knew we were going to win. Joey didn’t do anything wrong. We never refused anyone service.”
“I think that the sign is 100 percent right,” said Linette Painter from King of Prussia. “You’re in the United States of America… I speak English.”
But critics, including Councilman Jim Kenney, say the sign discouraged people from different backgrounds from eating at Geno’s. He says he never wanted the city government to get involved but believes the sign insinuates intolerance.
“I think the sign is rude. I think it is mean spirited and I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the city promoting us as a tourist destination both nationally and internationally,” says Kenney.
Greg Liautaud of Long Island, New York agrees with Kenney. “I think it’s wrong. I think it’s discriminatory and I probably wouldn’t have eaten here if I saw that.”
Yeah, but I bet many more would eat there and have eaten there because of Geno’s policy on speaking English.
The Philly Daily News has more:
Critics charged that Vento had put up the signs because an increasing number of Mexicans had moved into the neighborhood around the steak shop.
Vento said that he was disturbed only by “illegals,” who were taking jobs from Americans.
Vento acknowledged that his grandparents were Italian immigrants, but said that the family was forced to learn English when they came here.
He said he’d gotten a lot of support via letters and e-mail, but others had harassed him. “They come by, call me a racist,” he said.
In addition to yesterday’s vindication, Vento said that he’d like just one more thing: an “apology” from Mayor Nutter.
Vento said that Nutter had declared during his election campaign that the signs should be taken down.
Nutter spokesman Doug Oliver had no comment.
“Nutter”? Somehow, that sounds fitting 
Wanna show your support for Geno’s? Click here. For background on the controversy, go here.
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Trackbacks
9 Responses to “A victory for Geno’s cheesesteak shop”
Comments
Blogads
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of ST's advertisers, nor do their opinions necessarily reflect ST's. Stats
Among whom you can include yours truly.
The only surprise here is that the plaintiff in this case was the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations – the same commission that handed down the ruling yesterday. Basically, they ruled against themselves.
Nutter sounds a bit funny when he talks.
What times we are living in!
How soon will it be before bumper stickers that say “God Bless America” will be considered “rude” or “mean spirited” or even “racist”?
I don’t think the store owner did anything wrong. If he’s willing to take the risk that people won’t eat at his store, why should they worry about that? It’s his profit line that might be affected. They said he never refused service to anyone. He just asked that customers speak English. I’m sure it’s difficult to provide good service to someone you can’t understand.
This was a waste of taxpayer money, plain and simple.
I’ve been following that story since 2006. Hurrah for Joe! I posted this last night when I saw it on Drudge.
By the way, he also has his employees teach the non english people how to order in English, so it’s educational.
This is how liberty will be extinguished in America, by a thousand tiny cuts. We need not fear blood in the streets and violent overthrow, but these kinds of commissions throughout the nation nibbling away at what it means ot be a free citizen.
I’m more concerned that such a body exists in the first place, with such far reaching extralegal powers, than I am gratified that they made an intelligent and just decision.