Browse > Home / 1st Amendment, Government, Nanny State / “Speak English” Signs OK for Cheesesteak Shop

“Speak English” Signs OK for Cheesesteak Shop

March 20, 2008 · Written by Steve M · Print This Post · E-Mail This Post  

Thanks for visiting. If you like what you're reading, why not subscribe to the news feed or post a comment? Would you be interested in contributing as an author? We could use a few good conservative writers to join our posting efforts - just contact us!

Although using English phrases it’s still not good form in Venezuela, Philadelphia cheesesteak shop owner Joe Vento has received the blessing of the Human Relations panel to leave up signs that reminds patrons that they are in America, and should speak English when ordering. Somehow, the panel only voted 2 to 1 in favor of Joe.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The owner of a famous cheesesteak shop did not discriminate when he posted signs asking customers to speak English, a city panel ruled Wednesday.

In a 2-1 vote, a Commission on Human Relations panel found that two signs at Geno’s Steaks telling customers, “This is America: WHEN ORDERING ‘PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH,’” do not violate the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance.

Shop owner Joe Vento has said he posted the signs in October 2005 because of concerns over immigration reform and an increasing number of people in the area who could not order in English.

Vento has said he never refused service to anyone because they couldn’t speak English. But critics argued that the signs discourage customers of certain backgrounds from eating at the shop.

Commissioners Roxanne E. Covington and Burt Siegel voted to dismiss the complaint, finding that the sign does not communicate that business will be “refused, withheld or denied.”

In a dissenting opinion, Commissioner Joseph J. Centeno said he thought the signs did discourage some customers.

The full article is at Breitbart and Malkin has more too.

Written by Steve M · Filed Under 1st Amendment, Government, Nanny State 

| Trackback URL

Comments

Got something to say?
At this point, registration is not required to post comments. The first time you post a comment, there will be a delay while the it is reviewed by the owner. Once approved, your future comments should display immediately if you use the same e-mail address and if it is not blocked by the spam filter. Do not assume comments are endorsed by, or reflect the opinion of this blog's owner.
I am currently working on one of those privacy statements and terms of use.