any "nice" conservatives out there?

[ADPi Conniebama]

Wow Rudey that was a very cleansing post.

Thank you for your insight and gift of summary.

[33girl]

Originally posted by Rudey
The United States does not have an official religion or language

Except for West Virginia.

I had to laugh that this came up on Yahoo news just as we were debating this.

[non-greek newby]

Originally posted by Rudey
Let me summarize:

1) This thread was ridiculous in even its topic - it created a foundation that conservatives are "un-nice" and that the thread creator is out to look for the "nice" ones.

-Rudey

::sigh:: I give up.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by non-greek newby
::sigh:: I give up.

Please do.

-Rudey

[TriDeltaGal]

Originally posted by WCUAXID
Why are there billboards in Spanish, why do ATM machines give you a choice of language. Why do I have to have some of my pay go to the education system only to fund a teacher to teach Spanish to American children?? Why does that teacher not teach English to the children who can not speak English?? We are not helping the illegal immigrants by catering to them, we are only making the situation worse. I don't care if we have millions of immigrants that come in on a daily basis, as long as they can speak English or are willing to go to classes to learn and that they are here legally!!

Umm, as a teacher here in CA, I know for a fact that students are rarely taught in their L1 (or primary language... remember not all illegal immigrants are SPANISH speaking, as the United States has a huge influx oF Asian illegal immigrants, comparable to the numbers coming from Central America) It is actually against the law in CA, to teach using bilingual instruction, as in accordance with Proposition 187; every few states actually allow bilingual instruction. Furthermore as a proponent of bilingual education, teaching students in English-only is not only ineffective in comparsion, but hinders student learning in other academic subjects. So, you can "rest assured" that the state (CA has half of the English Language Learners within the country within its education system) with the most ELL (English Langauge Learners), are NOT learning in Spanish!

You also speak of billboards and television channels in Spanish, well guess what, that has nothing to do with promoting their lack of English, but is soley based on ADVERTISING. So, you can speak to McDonald's and Coca-Cola, explaining to them that they should not nurture these people's use of Spanish. By the way, here in LA, we also have several Asian papers, television channels, and billboards in predominately Asian areas, so remember it's not just the evil "Spanish" speaking people.

In addition, you speak of all the "evils" of these people, however, let me assure you for every one "bad" illegal immigrant, there are ten more who bring their children to school everyday so they can excel and achieve as they go and scrub your floor, cut your grass, and pick your agriculture.

I respect your opinion for what it is worth and I know its not going to change your mind, but I have a little more factual knowledge on the subject.

Now off to write a billionth paper for class... damn grad school!

[bekibug]

Um, to "hijack" this thread back to the title/topic, I know several nice conservatives. In fact, most I know are nice. There's sort of an "agree-to-disagree" attitude there. It's always the few that are extreme and will not even tolerate another viewpoint that piss me off. They and the "I'm going to vote this way because Mom and Dad/all my friends are and anyone else is just wrong" people really get under my skin.

Like the guy that interrupted our guest speaker at our College Democrats meeting tonight. The speaker was former AL Gov. Don Siegelman. Agree with/like him or not, he was there to talk about reforming AL's constitution, not necessarily policy. But homeboy just had to interrupt him. I think he actually got more interview time with the campus paper and TV station after the meeting than Siegelman.

[WCUAXID]

Start Quote***
Umm, as a teacher here in CA, I know for a fact that students are rarely taught in their L1 (or primary language... remember not all illegal immigrants are SPANISH speaking, as the United States has a huge influx oF Asian illegal immigrants, comparable to the numbers coming from Central America) It is actually against the law in CA, to teach using bilingual instruction, as in accordance with Proposition 187; every few states actually allow bilingual instruction. Furthermore as a proponent of bilingual education, teaching students in English-only is not only ineffective in comparsion, but hinders student learning in other academic subjects. So, you can "rest assured" that the state (CA has half of the English Language Learners within the country within its education system) with the most ELL (English Langauge Learners), are NOT learning in Spanish!

You also speak of billboards and television channels in Spanish, well guess what, that has nothing to do with promoting their lack of English, but is soley based on ADVERTISING. So, you can speak to McDonald's and Coca-Cola, explaining to them that they should not nurture these people's use of Spanish. By the way, here in LA, we also have several Asian papers, television channels, and billboards in predominately Asian areas, so remember it's not just the evil "Spanish" speaking people.

In addition, you speak of all the "evils" of these people, however, let me assure you for every one "bad" illegal immigrant, there are ten more who bring their children to school everyday so they can excel and achieve as they go and scrub your floor, cut your grass, and pick your agriculture.

I respect your opinion for what it is worth and I know its not going to change your mind, but I have a little more factual knowledge on the subject.

Now off to write a billionth paper for class... damn grad school!
End Quote***

__________________
Ummm, never in my message did I talk about the "evils" of these people. In fact I believe I was suggesting that they come here legally and pay into the system so they can receive something back and so they are not taken advantage of by their employer and given 10 dollars for a days work and no health benefits. How is that evil???
Also you talk about "bad" illegal immigrants, well heck, there are "bad" people everywhere, it does not matter what your race is,and then again for every race there are good people. You do not have to be an illegal immigrant to clean floors or pick agriculture, there are other people who do this work as well and instill great values into their children as well.
Also, about the billboards in Spanish and the ATM machines in Spanish, I know that there are other illegals here beside the Spanish speaking. I only used that as an example as here in the south that is the majority of what crosses the boarder and stays. If you come to North Carolina I will show you all the billboards , magizines, newspapers, etc that are all in Spanish. We don't have any other language that is advertised or you have a choice to pick on the ATM machine...at least yet.
And I agree with you, learning two languages is a good thing. I have a friend that has a daughter that is 4 years old and already she can speak Spanish. Count to ten, knows her name, knows some phrases etc. and she is as smart as a whip!! However, my friend and her husband chose to send their daughter (and pay) for her to go to a montisorri(sp) school. I did not have to pay for her to learn this.
Whenever my husband and I have a child and they attend school I will be sending them to a Montisorri school so they can also learn a different language maybe Spanish or I can choose another language. But you see that is my choice. I don't think that I should have to pay for everyone elses children to learn Spanish.
Now don't get mad at me for saying that. This is America and it is a Capitilistic society. I shouldn't have to work hard to have things in life that I enjoy only to see Joe Schmo who dosen't do a thing enjoy the same that I have, that would be communism, and that would be wrong!!(at least for America)
I feel that there is not enough money in the education system as it stands already and unfortunatly the children have to feel this. I think that what money has been diverted for second language classes (which apparently is not in every school accross the nation) should be redirected into the arts. There are schools all over the nation that are hurting and are trying to keep the arts alive in their school system (although I do not know about CA but I would assume that they are hurting in the arts as well).Music programs are looking at getting axed, art teachers are no longer at a lot of high schools. I just feel that the money I pay into the education system should go for tha basics, math, english, reading, science, and the arts, without art this would be a sad place to live.
Again, sorry for all of my rambelings. I do not mean to offend any one these are just my views. And on a side note I have very much enjoyed reading the views of everyone else...I love America!!
Hope you do a great job on that paper!!

[chideltjen]

Alright I'm hijacking it again...

I don't really see what's wrong with public schools offering a foreign language requirement. If anything, it helps and the earlier your start, the easier it gets. I think every child should get that opportunity.

I look at it as a sign of the times. Many job applications I filled out recently asked if I spoke any other languages... most were non-profit and hospitality positions. It makes you more valuable in the market in case you want to venture into international business or if you have international clients... Hell, even if you are working in retail, it helps.

I think foreign language is just another aspect of the fine arts.

Side note: ATM machines actually have 3 languages. English, Spanish and Braille. I think in Hawaii, there was another but I think due in part to the high tourist population from Asia. But I'm being nitpicky because everyone else seems to be.

Edited because I apparently can't spell 'braille."

[kddani]

Public Service Announcement: The 'enter' key is your friend

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by kddani
Public Service Announcement: The 'enter' key is your friend

So is spellcheck. Lots of Montessori schools are competitive. I can't imagine they'd want the child of parents who can't master the name of their school.

[MysticCat]

Originally posted by WCUAXID
Whenever my husband and I have a child and they attend school I will be sending them to a Montisorri school so they can also learn a different language maybe Spanish or I can choose another language.

Off topic, I know, but Ms. MysticCat and I once said the same thing.

Then we actually had children.

Montessori schools are really good fits for some kids and really disastrous fits for other kids. Our son would have floundered horribly in a Montessori school, because he really needs structure that Montessori schools, by definition, do not have. Without that structure, he simply doesn't do well.

We are all much happier having him in a public elementary school where he gets that structure, where the curriculum includes an emphasis on arts and science, and where his 20+ classmates include Hispanics, African-Americans, an African and a Muslim (the latter being rather rare in these parts). As far as I'm concerned, learning to interact with people quite different from him and learning that they, too, can be his friends, is one of the best educations he'll get. And I really love the educational value that comes from the mere fact that one Latina classmate is named "America."

The point is, don't enroll the kids yet. Wait until there actually here and you get to know them, and then find the school that both fits your values and your child's specific needs and personality.

[/high-jack]

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

That's why I like public schools.

Plus, I think you're letting your kids adapt to a much more realistic pace of life: there's structure, people who are different than them, etc. in the corporate world.

All things to take into consideration when you're thinking about Montessori schools, private schools, religious schools, etc.

[honeychile]

Well, I'll admit it: the first time I saw Braille on a drive-thru ATM machine, I freaked!

[Rudey]

Originally posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu
That's why I like public schools.

Plus, I think you're letting your kids adapt to a much more realistic pace of life: there's structure, people who are different than them, etc. in the corporate world.

All things to take into consideration when you're thinking about Montessori schools, private schools, religious schools, etc.

Plus you can go to a public school and take girls away from the private schools.

-Rudey

Most of you will be excited to know that I am leaving the public school system to teach in private school. Now you can all have a big sign of relief that an annoying conservative Christian will not be corrupting any young minds.