jfc wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:20 AM:If the Latino population was comprised of legal inmmigrants, the emphasis would be on teaching English. If I were Latino, I would be extremely embarrassed. The hidden message is that there is an imbalance in intelligence levels. It is easier to teach Spanish to native English speakers than it is to teach English to those who choose not to bother to assimilate. Dumbing down is a sad statement of the situation in which we find ourselves.

Hey wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:24 AM:doesn't Escondido have free learning English classes on television? This seems as a duplicate waste of effort. The Latinos are already learning English. Now that the govenment is heading if not already in a recession, we need to be saving money where ever we can.

Skip wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:28 AM:Gee ..... How hard is it to say "Do You have a Driver's License?" in Spanish.

Al wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:33 AM:That to me is just BS. Because we have all of these people living among us who refuse to learn OUR LANGUAGE, we have to learn their language. With that attitude, our police may need to know five, six or even seven languages in the future. Where does it end? I think it ends here and now. Speak English or go back to your country or origin. It's that simple!

Skip wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:39 AM:RE: sdraoul wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:24 PM: How much did it cost Escondido to "round-up" 15 formerly deported illegals? >>> Here is the real question. How much is it going to cost Escondido to pay for 50% of its Police Department and other employees at $200 a month, per person year after year to speak Spanish in America, to mostly Illegal Aliens who have no right to be here in the first place. Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to ramp up the deportations and let's say deport 50% of the Illegal Aliens? My rough numbers indicate at 100 people per year, at an extra $200 per month come to about $240,000 is increased costs. This is insane. Only in America. Oh by the way that is about a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS, if they get 50% plus others.

LisaP wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:41 AM:If I moved to Mexcio I would not expect to see police who speak English, or to be taught in English at Mexican schools, or to be able to take a driver's license test in English. We need to stop pandering to imigrants and make them speak our language, which is still English.

Syl wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:44 AM:Is the word "LATINO" being used as a codeword for "Illegal Alien", again.

And will someone please explain what is "free" about an extra city cost of $200 per month, per person, to speak a foreign language in America?

Nutz wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:50 AM:What about free English lessons for the thousands of residents that don't feel the need to speak the predominate language of the country they have decided to illegally take over?

Jaque wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:00 AM:Maybe the "citizens" should learn to speak English!

Robert24 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:09 AM:"Danny Perez, a Latino activist in the community. "In this community it's imperative that every person be bilingual." Let me change that for you, Danny: In this Country (and the world in general, to succeed)it is imperative to speak English. Why can't people (in this case "Latinos") learn to speak the language of America if they choose to be here? Why do we legal Americans need to learn their language? Why should Police Officers have to spend their time learning something they may not want to (maybe they would prefer to learn German or French, for example)? Assimilate people, assimilate. Don't expect us to conform to you; you chose to live here.

Casey wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:10 AM:Another Illegal Alien magnet. What's next? That we pay for our school teachers to speak Spanish.

Randy wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:10 AM:Instead of training Escondido police to speak Spanish, train Escondido residents to speak English!

oh brother wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:18 AM:i was expecting to see mr sifuentes name on this shocking story. now we MUST learn spanish to sort out what is happening at their disputes and other appalling scenes that require police assistance. we are well north of the border. what an unreasonable expectation that they learn to speak our language because they are residing in an english speaking country. why should we have to accomodate them..pay officers more etc. if i were to relocate to a swahili speaking area one of the very first things i would do just to assure my ability to have my own needs met would be to learn swahili! DUH. i would refuse to attend this class.

How about wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:19 AM:How about they teach the people to speak English? That way they can assimilate in America and communicate with the rest of us.

Other Languages? wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:25 AM:What about Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong, etc.? Why only cater to the Spanish-speakers. Might it be that other immigrant groups make the effort to learn English and don't make the community conform to them with this and "1 for English, 2 for espanol..."
When did you ever hear "1 for English, 2 for Korean..."?
Hispanics should follow the Asian immigrants' example of successes in most areas, e.g., education, business, fine arts, and others.

Roberto1 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:27 AM:The phobes are like a snake...put one foot near the head and the other near the tail...then sit their and watch them squirm and weasel with there same ole drivel.

ajh wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:42 AM:How does the taxpayers footing the bill equal free?? Only the insanity of the North County Times could come p with that. So now the taxpayers are burdened with the cost of teaching the police Spanish because the [Latinos] who come here dont have enough repsect for thier (hopefully) new country to learn English. BRILLIANT!

Gary wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:58 AM:The next largest group of Ilegal Aliens in America are the Chineese. I propose that we teach 25% of all Escondido city employees on how to speak Chineese. We could then give them a $200 a month bonus and an extra bonus for each dialect.

Ingrid wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:01 AM: I think the real question here is why is there such a large growing Latino Poulation? Is it because the warmth and charm of Escondido, is such a draw. With all of the complaining from the Open border Activists, you would think that Escondido would be the last place a Latino would want to settle. Last time I looked up the word "Latino" it said "a person of Latin-American or Spanish-speaking descent". No where is the word Illegal Alien mentioned.

Concerned wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:03 AM:So much for cutting back on city spending.

Fed-up wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:05 AM:As soo as I saw the word "FREE", I immediately startd wondering on how much this is going to cost us taxpayers.

fedup wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:09 AM:make the spanish speakers adapt! they can pay for a translator until they learn how to speak english.

bigbird wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:25 AM:RE: "In this community it's imperative that every person be bilingual." Ya....learn English and you'd be bi-lingual. Try it. Spanish isn't the only other language spoken here.

Tommy Z wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:31 AM:Give me a break! We speak ENGLISH in America. Maher's tactic is just another example of our own officials "caving in" and ENABLING the ILLEGALS. The first poster "jfc" has hit the nail on the head. I couldn't agree more with jfc!

esteban wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:34 AM:Hey Flores, the reason the relationship with latinos is in disrepair is due to ... you and Jillings. you make a race issue when there is none.

We need to embrace Chavez's wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:38 AM:idea... SAY IT IN ENGLISH SAY IT WITH PRIDE. They won't allow English words in their dictionary! Way to go!

SicNTiredNSoCal wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:53 AM:The only spanish needed to learn here is "illegals go home!"

Stop the hispandering! It won't get us or them (illegals) anywhere in the long run.

LB wrote on Feb 26, 2008 9:00 AM:I'm getting sick and tired of people saying "go back to your country or origin". How quickly ya'll forget that "Illegal Aliens" were from this country until it was stolen from the natives by the White people. Not to mention if this is such an "English" speaking country why is it that every other street, city, county, a Spanish name that was probably given by a White person and that ya'll can't even pronounce. Come on now, let's stop this pathetic tirade. Like ya'll say, if you don't like it then go back to YOUR country or just get used to it!

el tigre wrote on Feb 26, 2008 9:32 AM:I think it's about time everybody starts to learn Spanish, not just the police. You non-Spanish speaking people are only making it harder for yourselves. The Spanish language is not going to go away. As a matter of fact, get ready to hear it even more in the future, it is inevitable.

Concerned wrote on Feb 26, 2008 9:41 AM:NCT, please stop interviewing Bill Flores. His "the glass is half empty" attitude is getting really old.

On a good note, great job Chief Maher!

AGREE WITH JFC wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:11 AM:WE ARE ALREADY DUMBING DOWN EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOLS SO WHY NOT COMPLETE THE DEAL WITH DUMBING DOWN THE CITY COMPLETELY. HISPANICS HAVE SAID FOR YEARS HOW THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY TAKE BACK THEIR LAND, WELL MY FRIENDS, THE TIME IS ABOUT HERE.

STOP! wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:14 AM:you need to chill! if they decide to do what they think is best then let them do it. Therer is no difference in intelligence difference we are all the same and it's not just latinos who are here as immigrants and speeking some other language.

MAD!!! wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:49 AM:We have families and friends coming to Escondido to be sponsored by Americn Citizens from Etiopia and if the Police Cheif doesn't have men trained in their language, Ometo, I promise you ACLU will be here! This is total discrimination and will not be stood for!!

One Question??? wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:04 AM:Why? Isn't their goal just to deport the Latinos and non English speakers?

How Come? wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:11 AM:How come the cops have to learn Spanish? Granted that Escondido has an increasing hispanic population, they, the Latinos, should be required to learn English and not the other way around. How come our society continues to pander to one race of immigrants? We have people from all nations settling in the USA and they find a way to learn the language. As long as we keep putting things in English and Spanish, this segment of society will never go out of there way to learn English. It's time America stops coddling them. One language, English, equals one unified Nation. Just think how much of our tax dollars would be saved if all the literature the state prints out was only produced in English. Might even be enough to balance the budget.

Ernesto wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:41 AM:I am a man of science. Unfortunately these imigrants were not taught English during their grade school years. Many of these poor people never had the opportunity to attend school. As the human brain gets older if it is not worked & challenged, the brains ability to learn decreases. So if they are allowed to remain in this country law enforcement has to be able to communicate with them & it is easier for the officers to learn Spanish

In Other News wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:42 AM:A Tulsa immigrant who was fatally shot outside his apartment bled for nearly half an hour while his family tried unsuccessfully to reach emergency services due to a language barrier, according to police. Apparently, none of them had ever heard of 911 emergency service. His family frantically tried to call hospitals to get help. It was a full half-hour before they were able to reach emergency dispatchers, who used a translator to communicate with the Spanish-speaking family. SOURCE: The Oklahoman Newspaper

Lisa wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:47 AM:I don't know who "LisaP" is...but, it is not me. I disagree with "LisaP" - she says that we are "pandering". I think it makes sense (as Chief Maher said) for police officers to learn Spanish - if that will make it easier and if that will open more communication with the Latino community - THEN I say IT CAN'T HURT! These are police officers looking to communicate with PEOPLE in our community. NOONE is asking these bloggers to learn Spanish - so I think they should quit their belly-aching. The majority of these bloggers are constantly complaining irregardless of reality! The simple truth is that most of these bloggers wish that all Latinos would leave and they wish that the world would cater to their needs.

esteban wrote on Feb 26, 2008 11:52 AM:I committed the cardinal sin by mentioning Flores and jillings in a comment. Any opinion of them (not praise) will automatically get your comment erased. Gutless newspaper.

Robert24 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:04 PM:Gotta love "Cut and paste Roberto1"! Dude, learn a new word, or is "phobe" the only one you know? Buy a Thesaurus and see if you can expand your vocabulary a little bit. Maybe start by also looking up "illegal", "law breaking", "alien", etc. also. This all might become a little clearer to you then. Geez, what a phobe!

wow wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:15 PM:gosh most of you have some narrow, arrogant visions on what it is to be an american. i can admit that this is a difficult situation, that there are many undocumented immigrants trying to support their families on taxpayer's dime (even though most of them do pay taxes and don't even get tax returns). still, i understand the frustration. learning a new language is quite difficult. america is a land of immigrants (some illegal, i know, and there shouldn't be, but there are). the reason they can take a driver's license test in spanish or any other language is because the US doesn't have an official language. until it does, it has to provide for other languages for its legal inhabitants. and yes, the predominant language spoken here is english, but what is wrong with yourselves learning a new language? the latino population, documented or not, is growing and growing. and especially in california, spanish will eventually be as predominant as english. most countries have more than one official language. most countries teach more than one language. but we americans think we are special and think everybody should cater to our own needs. undocumented immigrants are not to blame for everything. quit scape-goating them. this issue lies in the hands of government and big business that benefit from the exploitation of their labor.

Concerned-1 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:28 PM:It's a waste of time to argue with the Flores, Jillings crowd. The only way we can truely right the ship is to stop hiring illegals. That is something that can be done. The other things that should be done such as no free education, no free healthcare and no free babies, are long shots because we are to human, and nice, and fair, and weak!

Gee wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:32 PM:I am bi-lingual when they yell La Migra and run, I know exactly what they are saying.

Canadian wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:37 PM:Don't tell a French Canadian he needs to speak english. The U.S is becomming like Canada. Two major languages and cultures. Get on with your lives people. America is changing forever.

MexAMVet wrote on Feb 26, 2008 12:53 PM:It's good to learn another language. When you learn a different language, you will learn to appreciate the culture alot more.
I know, I know, ENGLISH only. What does that mean? Does that mean that mean that college and high schools can no longer teach French, Spanish, or German because it might offend some close minded people. People who never bothered to explorer other culture. I'm a nationalist and I love America but I like to learn about other cultures as well.

I like the wrote on Feb 26, 2008 1:39 PM:idea and think all City Officials and Politicians should be happy to take a fifty percent cut in pay for this and other programs! I mean common, we are heading for a recession and our leaders need to help out.

To MexAmVet wrote on Feb 26, 2008 2:11 PM:You are completely missing the point. No one disputes that being bi-ligual is beneficial in many ways. The world is a big place and we might want to choose a languauge and culture other than Spanish. The primary language here is English. We disagree that our second language has to be Spanish.

Only Spanish? wrote on Feb 26, 2008 2:36 PM:Have Bill Flores, Tina, Raoul, Enrique and those other Open-border types learned Chinese? If not, why not? I think they only care about Latinos and are quick to call others racists.

To only spanish? wrote on Feb 26, 2008 3:35 PM:Why should'nt the 2nd language be spanish? Look around, The second largest group are hispanics (his-panic). Even without all the illegals there are so many spanish speaking people. Next you're gonna want all the states, cities and streets to be changed to english names. If i had to deal with Chinese people everyday i would learn Chinese. You English only types are racist.

Patriot wrote on Feb 26, 2008 3:39 PM:Skip wrote, "Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to ramp up the deportations and let's say deport 50% of the Illegal Aliens?" Absolutely not. So many deportees are back within days because the border is so porous and jobs and apartments are so easy to get.

face wrote on Feb 26, 2008 3:45 PM:
to wow: your new here huh? This very typical of most people on here. I agree %100 of what you said. PEOPLE! QUIT SCAPEGOATING "ILLEGALS" OR NON! America is changing but it seems that there is a lot of people that are threaten by change. I know most of you wish for the "good ole' days" whatever that means. Why are we Americans so stubborn that we cannot see the big picture? Did America not go through this when the Germans,Itialians,Polish,Irish,Russians,Jewish,and ect. people came along During the Immigration wave of the late 1800's. The "illegals" of that era? Read our countries history. You might be surprised. If we dont learn from history we are doomed to repeat it.

Concerned-1 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 3:51 PM:It's not about speaking Spanish, which is a wonderful language. It's about having to speak Spanish because our country has been invaded by people who either can't or won't speak our language. Again, cut them off at the workplace and they will self-deport.

Tom wrote on Feb 26, 2008 3:54 PM:Unbelievable! These people that are here in the U.S. refuse to learn our language, which is ENGLISH. So instead of them learning the language, our police have to learn their language, how ridiculous! Fire the person that decided this immediately!!! I think the tazpayers would have something to say about this.

To only Spanish wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:02 PM:How quick is quick? Judging by the 3:35PM post, less than an hour.

Use your Heads wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:11 PM:First you people imply that all latinos are criminals and then you object to police officers who are paid to catch criminals and prevent crime learning how to communicate with them. What about interrogation? booking? etc etc. Common guys use your heads instead of your hate.

Roberto1 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:16 PM:I did not cut and paste my snake comment here...with that said, I speak some mandarin, fluent and spanish and english. get over it phobies, the world is a big place getting smaller. english is the command language like it or not.

RE: Concerned-1 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:45 PM:Agreed to everything you said. It's amazing that so many want to leave Mexico for all its problems, and then turn around and try to re-create the same problems here. What's the deal people? ...

Gary in Murrieta wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:46 PM:So if I get this right, any Police Officer on the Escondido Police Force who learns and passes a test on Spanish, then he or she will get an extra $200 every month they are on the job. Hmmm that is an extra $2,400.00 per year. In 10 years that is an extra $24,000.00 per officer. 100 officers per year would be $240,000.00, and over 10 years the amount would be an extra 24 MILLION DOLLARS. THIS IS A NO BRAINER. IF I WAS A COP I WOULD BE LEARNING SPANISH. After all the city has lots of money.

TO: MexAmVet wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:49 PM:Firstly, thank you for your service to this nation.
Second, it's not an issue with German or French b/c there arent 30 MILLION of those groups squatting here illegally. I've watched my home town of Escondido transformed into something very ugly over the past 20 years, and it really saddens me.

MVet wrote on Feb 26, 2008 4:49 PM:Wouldn't be cheaper to have an exchange program and just bring the Mexican Police up here to Escondido.

Robert24 wrote on Feb 26, 2008 5:20 PM:To "To only Spanish" and "face": I think you are both missing the point. We are not afraid of change, nor are we racist. We ARE fed up with one particular group (Hispanics, Latinos, Mexicans, whatever name you chose) dictating to a Country that has spoken English primarily for years having Spanish forced down there throats because this group thinks they are "special" and need things catered to them specifically. This, in itself, is racist. There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning to speak Spanish, if I want to learn to speak it. I would personally rather learn to speak German. What this Country is asking is pretty simple: First, come here legally. Second, contribute and learn our laws and language; don't just take and expect us to conform to you. Pretty simple, if you really want to be here.....

Only Spanish? wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:00 PM:To:...To Only Spanish 3:35. Thank you for making my point! I quote your comment "If i had to deal with Chinese people everyday i would learn Chinese". That is what we are saying! If you live in this country and deal with English people everyday, You should learn English. Thank you for backing me up.

Bob wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:35 PM:Yes,(post @6:00) Why is it that we taxpaying, legal citizens have to be the one's who have to change our way of living and speaking. We don't go down to Mexico and demand everything be in English, hell I've been in some restaurant in Rosirito and they didn't understand what I wanted and brought me whatever they wanted and charged whatever they wanted (which was alot). Did I complain, NO, it is their country and I was a guest.
The illegals that are invading need to learn English or suffer the consequences, They are not even guests here they are Federal criminals.

Period wrote on Feb 26, 2008 6:48 PM:Don't learn English = Better for me......

I love criminals wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:44 PM:Criminals have families too, and they are just trying to support them. Please don't expect the criminals to learn English; they are too busy paying "taxes." We have to welcome criminals because they have a wonderful culture that is better than ours - we must embrace their culture and forget ours - hey, it was originally their "land" anyway, right? We need to realize that the criminals are the ones working in the fields and harvesting our food, feeding our families. Dang, I don't know what our schools would do without them - there would be no use for schools if they stayed in Mexico. What would our country do without them?

Amanda wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:59 PM:Are these people getting paid overtime for taking these classes at night?

Multilingual wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:54 PM:As someone who is bilingual (English is my native language), I think it is great that this program exists. Though I consider myself a fluent speaker of Spanish, some things are just easier to listen to and understand in English (especially phone instructions). This does not mean I can't speak and don't understand Spanish-- it just means that I am more comfortable thinking, speaking, and interacting in my mother tongue. Many of these people CAN speak English, but with a limited vocabulary and, if you were interacting with the police, fear would probably play a factor in your ability to think and process information in another language too (especially given an inherent cultural distrust of authorities; the US is one of the few places in the world where the police are seen as the "good guys").

Second of all, this problem is NOT UNIQUE TO THE HISPANIC POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. It exists in France and The Netherlands with North African and Muslim immigrants (ever heard of a banlieue?) It also exists within countries.

Heck, those of us who have lived in California for several generations would like a lot of you newcomers out, too!

Also.. wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:59 PM:How are these immigrants supposed to learn English? It is one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn, it is pretty difficult to learn even if you have access to resources (ie, time, teachers, textbooks). Add in to that these people have severe economic constraints (hey, you don't have to pay Jose minimum wage if he's not legal, right) and the fact that many immigrants work multiple jobs-- how do you honestly expect people to do so without help?

You could ask any undocumented immigrant (or documented one, for that matter-- you can get a green card without speaking perfect English) if they would like to learn English. I would bet you a burrito that 9 out of every 10 would say yes.

To Also wrote on Feb 26, 2008 9:16 PM:A lot of Illegal immigrants probably never finished grade school, so I am quite sure many of them are not proficient in reading and writing in their own language, let alone learning English. That is why we are supposed to have immigration laws to limit the flow of unskilled and uneducated people. They may provide cheap labor, but they are very expensive in social costs, such as schools and medical care. There are so many illegal aliens here that there never has been any real incentive to fix the immigration labor program. Right now if we give amnesty and start to make a legal program, we will literally be over run with third world immigrants. The situation has been broken for far too long. That is why our borders must be secured, so as to give us time to get our act together.

MexAMvet wrote on Feb 26, 2008 9:27 PM:To those who responded to my comments, thank you for the kind words and I do see your point.
I think this country would have a problem with learning any language other than English. Nobody's making you learn Spanish. I mean, this country had a problem with Irish and German immigrants, and they were anglo's. Beside, police don't have to take these course's and they already speak English.

sick&tired wrote on Feb 26, 2008 9:29 PM:One step forward two steps back

Joe wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:12 PM:If they don't know english before they come here, they shouldn't flee their own country. Why do they expect and demand that we speak spanish to them. They are trying to put the cart in front of the horse. As we all can see this is putting a trmendous strain on our resources, education, economy, population, and a myriad of other finances. I would've guessed that in our day and age, we would not let a bunch of uneducated, non-conforming third world invaders dictate how we run our country.

Roberto1 wrote on Feb 27, 2008 12:54 AM:Based on many of the comments it appears many have not traveled around the world....it just amazes me the lack of understanding when it comes to language.

Alex wrote on Feb 27, 2008 6:22 AM:"I think it just makes sense that when a great part of the population you deal with speaks Spanish.."

Because they have no respect for OUR culture and are too ... lazy to assimilate.

To Roberto1 wrote on Feb 27, 2008 6:34 AM:New word; Phronemophobia: Fear of thinking.

EPD Rocks wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:04 AM:It seems to me EPD is doing everything right for the Latino community: learning Spanish to improve communication and removing the criminal element from the community. If someone who has committed the civil infraction of entering the country illegally happens to get discovered in one of these criminal sweeps, that is a risk one takes when living in Escondido while in violation of immigration laws.

Hanna wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:21 AM:Reply to Face 02/26 @ 3:45P, My grandparents arrived on the shores of America from Germany in 1907, they had a thousand bucks and a sponsor. They learned english, not perfectly but they wanted to be Americans, not Germans in America.

Betty wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:50 AM:I recently moved to Escondido from Southern San Diego and while driving around Escondido trying to find streets or stores, I've rolled my window down to ask someone in a car sitting next to me, where 78 East is, or where Home Depot is, only to get, we don't speak English! This has happened to me 4 times this month so far. My question is, how did these people get drivers license, or car insurance, how do they read signs posted??? This baffles me. I'm assuming they are driving without license, insurance etc. I have no problem with Latino's except for the fact the one's who appear to be coming here illegally are not the one's who are educated, nor do they want to become United. I ask myself if they love Mexico so much why aren't they at home fighting for a better country? It really puzzles me. USA is no free ride, my ancestors came legally and had to work hard for what we now have.

Betty wrote on Feb 27, 2008 11:17 AM:to Roberto1: IF you traveled around the world as you suggest you might have, you would have recognized that just about every country, including China all speak English!

Bobby wrote on Feb 27, 2008 11:19 AM:SPEAK ENGLISH OR LEAVE!

I'm tired of not being able to order a hamburger at Jack in the box....

To Complaining Blogers wrote on Feb 27, 2008 3:26 PM:That is NOT true not all latinos or immigrants are lazy, yes their is quite a few and i agree those should be deported out but the hard workers should be able to stay, their the ones doing all the work that alot of LAZY ... americans don't want to do so quit ... and to those who say that latinos have no brains i would LOVE to see YOU try and learn some spanish and lets see if you can achieve that, i know we are in the U.S and that English is the main language but im sure that soon spanish will become the second language. GET with the program it won't kill you to try and learn spanish also. Most of you notice the bad things that some latinos do but you don't take the time to aknowlege the fact that most of the percentage of latinos are here for a good reason, their not here to ruin the U.S you are just going about youre own way to think that. Im sure alot agree with me.

Roberto1 wrote on Feb 27, 2008 3:55 PM:Roberto1: IF you traveled around the world as you suggest you might have, you would have recognized that just about every country, including China all speak English!
REPLY: Yes they do, and english is the international language for air and ship travel....So one more time, English isn't going anywhere anytime soon. knowing spanish, mandarin etc...is a bonus and empowers the communcators. If you spaek only spanish for example...like water seeking its own level, it will generally be reflected in your earning power...with that said, If you speak more that one language, generally your income will be mmuch higher. Only a XENOPHOBE could possibly be afraid of foriegn languages when english is the primary language. I speak 3 languages (understand sevela others like italian)and even at my age would learn a 4th and 5th if given the opportunity to use it like a do mandarin here in China. As for the jack in the box comment... if you get tired of your McJob, learn another language.

What the heck is wrote on Feb 27, 2008 4:54 PM:(understand SEVELA others like italian). Is SEVELA italian???

Karma wrote on Feb 27, 2008 5:29 PM:Just like the natives had to watch illegal aliens come into their country and break all of their (natives) laws and not learn their language. Now it's comming back around. At least the natives fought and died to protect their country.

Robert24 wrote on Feb 27, 2008 8:49 PM:"Roberto1" For such a well traveled, highly educated individual (reading from your own posts), one would think you would understand how to use spell check. Perhaps if you weren't learning languages that nobody speaks (like sevela) you could master this tool. Trust me, it will empower you. Or are you a XENOPHOBE and afraid of the computer?

Roberto1 wrote on Feb 28, 2008 2:51 AM:To Roberto 24...just another phobe trying to tutor... without any subsatnce....lol! You really think I give a ... wht you think?

To Roberto1 wrote on Feb 28, 2008 8:05 AM:Please get spellchecker! "WHT you think?"

Give Him A Break wrote on Feb 28, 2008 12:27 PM:Enough already on Roberto1's typos. Everyone fatfingers a key typing now and then. Or maybe the Chinese government outbound Internet traffic sniffing software is introducing artifacts. :)

Roberto1 wrote on Feb 28, 2008 10:41 PM:I wonder since the classes are already offered, may the xenophobes could piggyback the classes and learn spanish? Then they would have a better perspective of their asinine fears....As for the spanish speakers that don't learn english, I say, Ju wan fies with dah ham boorga?

Skip wrote on Feb 29, 2008 3:10 PM:I already know Spanish. I wish someone would now pay me an extra $200.00 a month. Maybe we can get a State bill from the Liberal Democratic Government we have in California, and all American citizens who also speak Spanish can get theeir $200.00 a month. Oh I almost forgot, Fabien Nunez just got replaced (termed out), and the woman who replaced him just may not be Spanish speaking.

Roberto1 wrote on Mar 1, 2008 4:43 PM:You get paid what your worth...if you don't, you go work somwhere else...So if want another 200 dollars a month, go get a job where the need is and quit hating those who get it.

Skip wrote on Mar 2, 2008 12:19 AM:Here is the real question. How much is it going to cost Escondido to pay for 50% of its Police Department and other employees at $200 a month, per person year after year to speak Spanish in America, to mostly Illegal Aliens who have no right to be here in the first place. Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to ramp up the deportations and let's say deport 50% of the Illegal Aliens? My rough numbers indicate at 100 people per year, at an extra $200 per month come to about $240,000 is increased costs. This is insane. Only in America. Oh by the way that is about a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS, if they get 50% plus others-

Skip wrote on Mar 2, 2008 4:45 PM:Here is the real question. How much is it going to cost Escondido to pay for 50% of its Police Department and other employees at $200 a month, per person year after year to speak Spanish in America, to mostly Illegal Aliens who have no right to be here in the first place. Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to ramp up the deportations and let's say deport 50% of the Illegal Aliens? My rough numbers indicate at 100 people per year, at an extra $200 per month come to about $240,000 is increased costs. This is insane. Only in America. Oh by the way that is about a QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS, if they get 50% plus others.

Roberto1 wrote on Mar 2, 2008 11:14 PM:Not all mexicans are illegals and futhermore...let you in on a big secret, Escondido is near the Mexican border. It probably makes more sense to ramp up the amount of legal worker to backfill jobs that need to be here or somewhere else....and don't give me that illegal alien criminal crap.

tammy wrote on Mar 25, 2008 12:36 PM:To roberto1
Man of science? by who's standards? Your third world country. Keep talking Roberto. By doing so you help confirm our point.
"The simple truth is that we've lost control of our borders, and no nation can do that and survive. We ignore America's lost sovereignty at our peril" Ronald Reagan June 14 1984.