Taking a stand.

**themamasan** · 06-15-2006, 07:54 PM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13272368/

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but I am curious to see how it turns out.

Updated: 6:39 p.m. PT June 12, 2006
PHILADELPHIA - An English-only ordering policy at one of the city’s most famous cheesesteak joints drew a warning Monday from officials who threatened to file a discrimination complaint.

The city’s Commission on Human Relations planned to argue that the policy at Geno’s Steaks discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there, said Rachel Lawton, acting executive director.

Geno’s owner Joseph Vento posted two small signs at his shop in south Philadelphia proclaiming: “This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING ’PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH.”’

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Lawton said that violates the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which prohibits discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing.

“It’s discouraging patronage by non-English speaking customers because of their national origin or ancestry,” Lawton said.

Vento, 66, whose grandparents struggled to learn English after arriving from Sicily in the 1920s, said Monday that he is not discriminating and has no intention of giving in.

“I would say they would have to handcuff me and take me out because I’m not taking it down,” Vento said.

He said no customer had ever been turned away because of the policy.

Prompted by immigration debate
Vento said he posted the sign about six months ago because of concern over the debate on immigration reform and the increasing number of people in the area who cannot order in English. The historically Italian community has become more diverse as immigrants from Asia and Latin America have moved in.

Lawton said the restaurant would probably be served with the complaint on Monday or Tuesday. She did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Monday evening.

Lawton said the restaurant could be ordered to take down the signs or face fines. The dispute could end up in court.

“Let them do what they want to,” Vento said. “When it comes, then we’ll deal with it.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer quoted Mary Catherine Roper, a spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union, who said Geno’s “has a right to express its opinion, however offensive. ... But there are specific limitations on places of public accommodation, because they are supposed to be available to everyone.”

A city councilman quoted in the paper said the signs were “divisive and mean-spirited.”

**Little Wing** · 06-15-2006, 08:36 PM

i think it's fucking ignorant sorry. if there is a language barrier someone could simply point to what on the menu they want. i'm sick of ameriacans that act like a bunch of elitist cuntheads.

**BigDyl** · 06-15-2006, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Little Wing

i think it's fucking ignorant sorry. if there is a language barrier someone could simply point to what on the menu they want. i'm sick of ameriacans that act like a bunch of elitist cuntheads.

You must be a terrorist.

**Little Wing** · 06-15-2006, 10:19 PM

no but after i wrote this i got a kick out of elitist cuntheads.... we are the best at it.

**lnvanry** · 06-15-2006, 10:45 PM

not a big deal IMO

**topolo** · 06-15-2006, 10:58 PM

Foreman is a cunthead.......true story.

**bigss75** · 06-15-2006, 11:04 PM

His restaurant his rules, If he wanted too he could make people bark for their food.

**TJ Cline** · 06-15-2006, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by bigss75

His restaurant his rules, If he wanted too he could make people bark for their food.

**themamasan** · 06-16-2006, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by bigss75

His restaurant his rules, If he wanted too he could make people bark for their food.

I agree. But then you would probably see this.

Restaurant Owner: "Hello, can I take you order"

Customer: "Meow"

**TJ Cline** · 06-16-2006, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by topolo

Foreman is a cunthead.......true story.

How did you know about that

**JOHNYORK** · 06-16-2006, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by Little Wing

i think it's fucking ignorant sorry. if there is a language barrier someone could simply point to what on the menu they want. i'm sick of ameriacans that act like a bunch of elitist cuntheads.

agreed

**maniclion** · 06-16-2006, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by topolo

Foreman is a cunthead.......true story.

After I put the hatchet wound in his head he will be.

**maniclion** · 06-16-2006, 01:34 AM

Ameri-cunts?

**BigDyl** · 06-16-2006, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by themamasan

I agree. But then you would probably see this.

Restaurant Owner: "Hello, can I take you order"

Customer: "Meow"

Kiki? Meow?

**fufu** · 06-16-2006, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by BigDyl

Kiki? Meow?

Mau?

**TJ Cline** · 06-16-2006, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by BigDyl

Kiki? Meow?

100% gay

Originally Posted by fufu

Mau?

96% gay

**fufu** · 06-16-2006, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

100% gay

96% gay

meee-OW!

lawl im 4% less gay than bigdyl.

**clemson357** · 06-16-2006, 01:45 PM

If he is willing to lose the customers, I don't see what the problem is. Last time I checked, people do not have a constitutional right to be served in a private establishment. Also, the Supreme Court of the United States has said that language discrimination is not equivalent to race discrimination. In fact, a French person would be forced to order in English as well, and the French are considered caucasian.

It never ceases to amaze me how people will tell you, "If you travel Europe, make an attempt to learn a little of the native language. It is insulting to expect people to speak to you in English;" yet for some reason it is politically incorrect to expect people in America to do the same, EVEN PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE PERMANENTLY!!! Thats just ridiculous. You expect me to learn some Italian for a two week vacation, but Juan Rodriguez can't learn to say "philly cheese steak" in English even though he lives in Philidelphia as a permanent resident?? Fuck that.

**clemson357** · 06-16-2006, 01:49 PM

Of course, the irony is that if they can't speak english, they definitely can't read english, and thus the sign couldn't possibly offend them or keep them from trying to place an order.

**MyK** · 06-16-2006, 01:53 PM

sounds like the french in quebec! did you know that they made KFC change there name to PFK for poulet fried kentucky?? KFC is called KFC everywhere in the world except quebec. KFC is called KFC in France! if you aske me PFK stands for petty french kanadian!

**goandykid** · 06-16-2006, 09:14 PM

Non-assimilation is a bigger problem in America than illegal immigration.

I went there, and it's true.

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