Posted by GHSParent (anonymous) on April 29, 2010 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First of all, I want to say that I understand the distinction. Secondly, you have to understand that many people will see this from outside the state as a racist attitude. I don't believe it is. I think it is perfectly logical to have people take a driving test in the language of all DOT sign-age and the primary spoken language of all public safety officers.

However, someone will equate this to Wallace standing in the schoolhouse door. I am surprised that no one has compared AZ's new immigration law to the MLK holiday controversy.

Posted by What (anonymous) on April 29, 2010 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think it was a good idea when you major foreign companies looking to locate to the US via Alabama. If you want your our state to be a contendor, our leader shouldn't be heard saying such things.

Posted by INI (Rob Mello) on April 29, 2010 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hrmm, I kind of saw the commercial. While I can understand Mr. James' POV what he doesn't seem to understand is that America's pluralism is a positive thing. It's not the businessman in him, but the capitalist in himthat thinks as he does. A businessman would understand you've got to spend money to make it (not inherit it), a capitalist would squeeze every fraction of every penny.

Posted by fromtheoutside (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, but this is not a "Tim James" only headline. The state of Georgia already has this bill up for debate:
"ATLANTA (AP) -- A bill is before the Georgia Legislature that would require that driver's license exams be given only in English. " Don't know if it passed. Other states may be considering the same; just happened to run across this one!

Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I love it! The street signs arent in Korean,Spanish or any other language so why is the test? Finally a candidate with a backbone. I liked Ron Sparks but all he wants to do is talk about what Artur Davis is/isn't doing. I just wish Tim would change his mind about an education lottery.

Posted by monkeymaze (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I like it, we send emails to each other all the time talking about if you live in the USA you should speak English, and he just spoke up and out about the very same thing.

Posted by riverrin (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If English speaking people relocate to other countries, are their drivers licence test offered in English ? I don't know, but I agree with Mr. James if you're gonna live in Al. or any where else in our country you should learn our language. Its getting to where you can't buy a pack of gum or even go to the Dr. and be able to understand what's being said to you. Kudos Mr. James, you have my vote.

Posted by everyman (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is ridiculous.

First of all, it wouldn't save money. The state would pay legal fees for court challenges (you know there would be lawsuits). Second of all, this idea would prevent people who know how to drive from driving legally. Thus, they won't get insurance, which means if they get into an accident, the rest of us will eventually pay higher insurance rates. Regarding the signs...I've been to many countries, some where I didn't speak the language, and I've never once encountered a sign I couldn't understand. They're made to be recognized from a distance, even without reading the words.

Tim James must not get out often. There are tons of people right here in Butler County who speak something that hardly passes as standard English. (That would also include some of the drivel posted on this board.)

It seems that a segment of our population thinks that immigrants are ignorant. I don't. What immigrant thinks that he can come here, not learn English, and be successful? The newcomers want to learn English, they want to assimilate into the community at large, and we should not put up any extra roadblocks that inhibit their chances at success.

Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyman....there are 5 states in th U.S. that have already passed and are enforcing this law. Just because someone has a country or even ebonic slang, they still know English. Lawsuits, thats rediculous. I know numerous people in Lowndes County right now at work who have no insurance but they have an up to date tag, and valid drivers license. There are more than one way to skin a cat. Try going to El Paso Texas and ordering at Mc Donalds! You have to point at the menu because Jose no habla English.

What's your take on the rule that the LPGA enforced last year? If a woman wants to play golf, she must first speak ENGLISH!

Didn't hear of any lawsuits there?

Posted by everyman (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First, the LPGA is not a government body. Who cares what bylaws they write?

Second, if I were to go to a McDonald's in El Paso, I'd be fine since I speak Spanish fluently.

I certainly hope those folks in Lowndes Co. you know don't get into an accident.

Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And you also speak English so whats your problem?

Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

About a month and a half ago, we had thirteen immigrants, (political correctness) working here. Today there are four. Where are the rest? The documents that they are required show the temp. agency is not all of the documentation and background checks that is done before they can be hired on full time. Well you know what that means...they weren't born in East LA. Three of them were involved in a traffic accident on I-85 just south of Atlanta. Could it be because they didn't speak or read English? They misread a sign? I know they couldn't read or speak English! They too were singing the blues. All Illegal. Who's to fault? I'll tell you who. The left wing socialists who say it's an infringement on their rights as human beings to question them if they are legal or not. What about the persons rights who they hit? She has no rights at all! Her insurance rates just jumped because of it. I don't have a problem with Latinos, Koreans, Chinese, or any LEGAL immigrant. Please speak English. I didn't go to your country, you came to mine!

Posted by INI (Rob Mello) on April 30, 2010 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well English is an international language in that most business is done in it. Kind of like numbers are universal. What I think Mr. James has done is taken a non-issue and tried to capitalize on being the "most conservative" type in this race. He's going against a powerful incumbent, and to beat an incumbent one has to project the air of the "outsider" with insider knowledge. It also helps if "change" is in the credo. A couple points though.
The LPGA repealed it's plan for english only.
http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/arti...
Second is that Georgia's bill hasn't become law, as of my last check.
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics...
But in all jocularity (is that a word?) I say let's make English our actual language so that EVERYONE MUST speak it by the book. This means getting rid of Y'all and pretty much the entire vocabulary of Jeff Foxworthy's stand up routine.

But about Mr. James, he's gotten exactly what he wanted. Name recognition amongst the base. From what I understand he got a spot on foxnews, and that's like the land of milk and honey for his sort.
Also, this isn't my country or yours Coon, it's ours. ;)

Posted by coondog24 (anonymous) on April 30, 2010 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Arizona, Kansas, Utah, Hawaii,
Maine, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Wyoming and Oklahoma - currently
offer their driver's license tests in English only.

Georgias proposed bill has passed the state senate
http://www.11alive.com/rss/rss_story.asp...

INI...you took my words out of context when I referred to the U.S as MY country. I was using it as a statement!

Posted by firefly (anonymous) on May 1, 2010 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you come to this country with the intentions of becoming a citizen then you should have an equal intention as a productive member of society to learn the language. You want to be an American, right?? Not Irish-American, not Australian-American, just AMERICAN. In the early days of this country ppl left their homes, their families, gave up EVERYTHING they had and left it behind for a chance for a fresh start in this country. They waited in line to enter this country LEGALLY - and they had no benefit or guarantee of healthcare, welfare, food stamps, or even a roof over their head - they had only their own wits, talents and effort - they put that to use and made a life for themselves to be AMERICANS and we welcomed them with open arms...........they wanted to be Americans, they swore an oath to their new country and left their prior allegiances behind......now they want to SNEAK in and have everything handed to them - many w/o lifting a finger, many very hardworking but illegally nonetheless..........and yet not dedicate themselves to the success and support of this country........I think it is incumbent on them to be required to do a lot more that just take a driver's license exam in English....................

Posted by ForTheGoodofBama (anonymous) on May 1, 2010 at 2:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's amazing to me that of all the problems Alabama faces, Tim James makes a commercial about requiring people to speak English. What percentage of the people living in Alabama right now do not speak English? Whatever it is, I'm quite sure it is very small--so small in fact, as to not warrant a commerical over the "issue". So, why does Tim James choose this to talk about? Well, I'll tell you. The sheer purpose of this is to tap into the "us" and "them" disdainful, mentality that exists in the minds of many people. It is a negative feeling/thought-process, rooted in fear and even hatred for some. Fear that one day, you will look around in the grocery store and people won't sound exactly like you when they speak English, that they won't look exactly like you. This fear of not being the majority, of losing the "culture" of Alabama. I understand this fear. But, I do believe that it is unfounded. I believe that most immigrants want to assimilate themselves into American society--I cannot understand why they wouldn't want to, otherwise why are they here? They want to speak English and should be encouraged to learn to do so. But, this "us" and "them" mentality is not encouraging--it is downright unwelcoming, intolerable. If someone displayed an intolerable, unwelcoming attitude toward you, how would that make you feel? I would feel very hurt.

I do believe that anyone choosing to live in the U.S. should learn to speak English because it is the international language of business. If one does not speak English it is limiting socially and economically. And, yes, in emergency situations it can be life-threatening for the non-speaker and speaker alike. These are all valid reasons to require a level of fluency in English of anyone seeking to become a citizen. But to make demands for these requirements out of some deep-seated, xenophobic intolerant attidude does us no good, it doesn't make use better people--it just stokes feelings of frustration that leads to hate within our hearts and minds. This is not a good way to live your life.

Posted by ForTheGoodofBama (anonymous) on May 1, 2010 at 2:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And, I'll just close by speaking to the illegal immigration issue which is at the heart of the "Speak English" issue: I do think that people who are here illegally are wrong. The government should crack down on companies that employ them--this is the root of the problem. Illegal immigrants come from poor lands of poor opportunity and they come to America for opportunity, an opportunity for a better life. This is a noble reason to come to America but to do so against the laws of this country is an ignoble act--they should respect the law enough to wait in line just as legal immigrants have done. But entering this country should not be left up to the would-be illegal who's thinking "how am I going to give my kids a better life...I don't have money or means to get to America...but if I just walk across the border"...I don't know about you but, I'd do almost anything for my family (God/Family/Country). This is why it is up to the government to secure our borders and enforce the law.

So, I’d like to hear Tim James talk about how he's going to crack down on companies who hire illegal immigrants--or wait, can he not do that if they give him campaign dollars?

Posted by antiky (anonymous) on May 2, 2010 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you, Coondog24 and Firefly, you took those very
words right of my mouth (Keyboard). Seems that all legal
citizens of the U.S. do have a certain tradition of conformity
and together with Apple Pie, Love of God and Country all
adds up to a good life! Thank you, Lord.