But...I thought Europe was better than this...

[GenX]

"Tens of thousands of immigrant workers will be forced to learn English before they are allowed into Britain under a plan Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to announce tomorrow in a speech to the Trades Union Congress in Brighton, informed sources revealed yesterday."

LINK

[Return of Too Many Daves]

What's wrong with that?

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Return of Too Many Daves</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What's wrong with that? </div></div>

A few words would have changed everything:

"Tens of thousands of immigrant workers will be forced to learn English before they are allowed into the United States under a plan President George W. Bush is expected to announce tomorrow in a speech to the AFL-CIO in Chicago, informed sources revealed yesterday."

If it read like that, this place would be howling with indignation and cries of immigrant abuse.

The Soonet double-standard in full effect here.

Dang! When you're right, you're right!

[adigirl]

Immigrant workers should be able to speak the language of the country they are living and working in.

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Yep, seems to me that it's just good sense. It's all the nationalism that follows like expecting new citizens to know the anthem etc. I find a load of balls (I think Britain might be going down that route).

Also you really should get out of the mindset of "Europe this" and "Europe that", this is a British law. It is much like me picking something I don't like about Mexico and saying "bloody Nafta" or "bloody North America". Except Europe as a continent has a much bigger population than North America (something like 750 million vs 500 million), so the generalisation is even worse.

[GenX]

Anyone care to address the accusation that had this been reverse we wouldn't be hearing of "good sense" and all, but how terrible the U.S. is for robbing these immigrants of their heritage....yada, yada, yada.

You know I'm right on this one, guys.

[GenX]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Also you really should get out of the mindset of "Europe this" and "Europe that" </div></div>

You guys cling to your common European-ness when being smug and acting holier-than-thou towards other cultures.

If you're all European then, you're all European now.

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Yep and you Canada and your Mexican friends are all North American.

[GenX]

Still not addressing the hypocrisy issue...

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Non-issue in this case. Anyway America can't force immigrants to speak their language as they don't have one. It's not called English for nothing LOL.

[Hans]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Speedy the Arrogant Parrot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone care to address the accusation that had this been reverse we wouldn't be hearing of "good sense" and all, but how terrible the U.S. is for robbing these immigrants of their heritage....yada, yada, yada.

You know I'm right on this one, guys.
</div></div>

What accusation? It's not the reverse, so what are you talking about? Right, you are talking about nothing.
And yes, they should be able to speak the language of the country they are planning to work in. Otherwise you have virtually no chance of getting a job.

But hans, concede that Speedy has a point. If this had happened in the U.S., you'd be jumping up and down, condemning the U.S. for being cruel and heartless and imperialistic or some such jargon. C'mon, admit it.

[Hans]

I am the one who stated before the US should send all illegal immigrants back to where they came from, regardless of how long they have been there illegal. This was way back when this whole political issue about illegal immigrants in the US and the demonstrations went on.
Why would I now be against enforcing language capabilities?

You are both trying to make a point on a none existing issue.

[Soundbear]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aydeloof</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But hans, concede that Speedy has a point. If this had happened in the U.S., you'd be jumping up and down, condemning the U.S. for being cruel and heartless and imperialistic or some such jargon. C'mon, admit it.
</div></div>

So what?? What's his point?? What's his purpose??

To argue and to puff his own ego.

Isn't that yours, sometimes? I admit that it is sometimes my motive.

And isn't your questioning his motives sidestepping his question? Just trying to keep you honest.

[Soundbear]

That wasn't a question, it was a whine.

Some of us are here to learn.

I don't care who believes it.

Now you are avoiding my question. Oh well.

[Return of Too Many Daves]

Of course the most powerful countries in the world are lightening rods for criticism and are held to a higher standard than everyone else. That is just the way of the world. Bad luck. It must be tough being an American, with all that flak they get! Poor old America, but then again why do they care? They shouldn't let it get to them.

In this case I don't think there is any hipocracy. So there I've awnsered his question again. Just because people don't give the awnser you want or expect, that does not mean they are avoiding the question.

[GenX]

I think the point has been made, and regardless of the half-hearted denials, those who we can be pretty sure would have roundly criticized the U.S. for this particular move had the roles been reversed may be able to gain a little perspective on how ineffectual their constant harping and criticism of all things U.S. has become.

Discussing real issues is one thing; obsessing over all things U.S. is quite another.

Like I said, the point has been made.