This is freedom at work???
Published on January 29, 2005 By philomedy In Current Events
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So there's a judge. And in this judge's courtroom, he sees a mother. This mother happens to be an immigrant. This immigrant mother happens to not speak English. This judge takes the next logical step: threatening to take her child if she does not learn English.

Somewhere, the Constitution cries.

I am well aware that immigrants should learn English, certainly not for the convenience of the ignorant "In America, we speak English" crowd, but for the higher quality of life that knowing the language brings with it. However, you cannot legislate someone to learn a language, just like you cannot legislate someone to be a vegetarian, or to stop eating bacon after they've had a specific number of heart attacks.

This judge's argument, that he is concerned for the quality of life of the child, is completely ludicrous. The child will more than likely learn English, being born in America. The mother will not love the child any less because she doesn't know English. Certainly the mother could make more money if she knew English, but this is not something you can legislate any more than you can make her employer give her a raise, or force some company to give her a better job than she's got. This nation is great because it gives everyone the opportunity to improve themselves. However, you cannot make anyone improve themselves (see George W. Bush).

You can't force the child to be a vegetarian because it decreases the chance that he/she will be obese and unhealthy. You cannot legislate someone to be straight. You cannot legislate someone to be white and Protestant.

All of these things have the potential to improve quality of life. However, it is still possible to be happy and do none of them. They are our choices to make, and no one can make them for us.



Comments
on Jan 29, 2005
I do not think anybody should be made to learn english,,, I also do not think it fair to have to print things in 7 different languages, or me be forced to learn many different languages to get service at the dmv, fast food joint. 7-11 etc etc.. there has to be a line drawn somewhere.... but to jam it down the childs throat just sucks and its another prime example of JUDGES legislating from the bench.
on Jan 29, 2005
I also do not think it fair to have to print things in 7 different languages, or me be forced to learn many different languages to get service at the dmv, fast food joint. 7-11 etc etc..


Absolutely true. You should not be made to change your life, just as they should not be made to change theirs.
on Jan 29, 2005
Reply By: PhilomedyPosted: Saturday, January 29, 2005I also do not think it fair to have to print things in 7 different languages, or me be forced to learn many different languages to get service at the dmv, fast food joint. 7-11 etc etc.. Absolutely true. You should not be made to change your life, just as they should not be made to change theirs.


AGREED!!
on Jan 30, 2005
Hey, everyone who doesn't learn English and it's on a territory where English is the main language, they take a risk of their own to be able to live in that country. But I also don't think they should be allowed special circumstances just 'cause they are foreign. Yet, I also think that about people who are over 300 lbs and they are on disability 'cause they can't stop eating themselves to death. The world is not fair from so many points of view, but when things get irrational, there's a barrier that shouldn't be crossed. Some people can help who they are, but if they chose not to do it, they shouldn't a). punished for it, or . helped for it. Most people have a choice, and most choices have consequences; those should be considered first before making a choice.
on Jan 31, 2005
Judicial activism has often been decried by conservatives as it usually is legislating laws that the populace does not want.  In this case it is just offensive to everyone, but is still the same wrong that has been decried before.  The Judge should be impeached.