English Only and Philly Cheesesteak

Yummm. That's the two things I like, English and Philly Cheesesteak. Michelle Malkin reminded us today about a story she covered last year about the persecution of Joey Vento in Philadelphia by city government crackpots who are trying to force Joey to remove the "English only sign" at his place of business. Joey is the grandson of Italian-born immigrants who owns Geno’s–the world-famous cheesesteak joint. As a U.S. citizen, private enterpriser and owner of the famous cheesesteak joint he's a stauch believer in the "English only" by hanging up a sign telling customers:

“This is America. When ordering, please speak English.”

No problem. But for some, it is. Boo hoo. But if you look at this picture you can see the sign that says "Management Reserves the right to refuse service." It's been in his window for 20 years. It's a typical sign seen in many restaurants all across America. They do have the right to refuse service. After all, it is their business. But the city is making a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to Joey's "This is America. When ordering, please speak English" sign which does not imply that services will be refused if one doesn't speak in English. How will you know until you try? Although he's asking customers to please speak in English and take into consideration the fact that they are, after all, in America. Just as you would in France, please speak French, after all you are in a country that speaks French as a national language.

And in the spirit of "English only" story, I, too, have instituted another rule for people who comment in my blog by putting in a "comments in English only" rule. Now, granted. No one has tried to comment other than English but suppose one did, I would then reserve the right to delete it. After all this is my blog and this is America. And English is the majority and national language of use.

God Bless America! And Semper Fi!