State senator wants English-only for Alabama driver's license tests

It's just one more act of exclusion A state senator who is vice chairman of a panel studying immigration issues in Alabama said Monday he will introduce legislation to require the state driver's license exam be given in English only. via Tuscaloosa News

[BJ Hardy]

I totally agree with the license exam be in English only. This is america and we speak English. Thanks

[Mika]

I am sorry if this isn't said very well. But here goes. Joe and BJ, have you ever wanted to travel to a foreign country to visit ? Italy, France, Germany maybe. I lived overseas in Spain for 4 years, I have been to 27 different countries in Europe, and not one time did someone refuse to let me do anything because I couldn't speak their language. I can not believe that anyone would even think to say if you can't speak english well enough to take the test then you can not drive. I understand fully that the road signs are written in English, but have either of you looked at a Spanish driving hand book or test ? The road signs are in English they have to learn what they mean in English, but what you are asking of them is idiotic. You are telling them if you can not read .
"what does this sign mean ?" in English that they should not be allowed to drive !

Who are you or anyoneelse to tell someone that just because they can't read a sentence comfortably in English they aren't fit to drive a car !

[Richard retired US Army]

the people of Alabama spoke by the vote.maybe some day all the states will get balls and do what the voters say.

In 1990, Alabama voters overwhelming approved a constitutional amendment saying “English is the official language of the state of Alabama.”

[RoboTech]

Mika wrote:

I am sorry if this isn't said very well. But here goes. Joe and BJ, have you ever wanted to travel to a foreign country to visit ? Italy, France, Germany maybe. I lived overseas in Spain for 4 years, I have been to 27 different countries in Europe, and not one time did someone refuse to let me do anything because I couldn't speak their language. I can not believe that anyone would even think to say if you can't speak english well enough to take the test then you can not drive. I understand fully that the road signs are written in English, but have either of you looked at a Spanish driving hand book or test ? The road signs are in English they have to learn what they mean in English, but what you are asking of them is idiotic. You are telling them if you can not read .
"what does this sign mean ?" in English that they should not be allowed to drive !
Who are you or anyoneelse to tell someone that just because they can't read a sentence comfortably in English they aren't fit to drive a car !

You have your opinion and that's your right.
But, who are you to say what other people should think? Are you the thought police?
The posters that you attacked have the right to to their opinions, too.
Are you so arrogant as to think the universe revolves around you? That it's your way or the highway?
That may work in your home around people that think you're "special", but in the real world, you ain't poop. Get over yourself.
MANY people feel that ALL official documents should be in English.
In fact, poll after poll shows 81% of Americans want English as official language.
Enough that this WILL happen in Alabama, guaranteed.
Get used to it, because you are in the minority.

[Native Amer German Irish]

Hi Robo!

I have a question (not relating to this forum) that I thought you might be able to answer.

Why couldn't the Feds use a reverse sting operation to catch illegal aliens?

They could open an "employment service",(very little overhead to implement) advertise in Spanish and collect information on the applicants who arrive with fake SS#s and their fake "legal" documents.

They would save a ton of money on investigations and searching for them, all they would have to do is call them in for a "job".

[RoboTech]

Native Amer German Irish wrote:

Hi Robo!
I have a question (not relating to this forum) that I thought you might be able to answer.
Why couldn't the Feds use a reverse sting operation to catch illegal aliens?
They could open an "employment service",(very little overhead to implement) advertise in Spanish and collect information on the applicants who arrive with fake SS#s and their fake "legal" documents.
They would save a ton of money on investigations and searching for them, all they would have to do is call them in for a "job".

That's entrapment.
Unless they have PRIOR knowledge that whoever shows up is breaking the law, it will just cause lawsuits.

And when it comes to doing this to our precious illegals, well, you know the outcome will be an outcry heard around the world.

[PSL]

I agree. If they want to live in the U.S. let them learn English. If they get caught driving
without a license give them 1 year in jail then deport them.

[She Be Me]

Hope this spreads Nation wide!

If they cannot comprehend English they have NO business driving on American roads because they cannot comprehend the road signs.

[areyou4real]

Mika wrote:

I am sorry if this isn't said very well. But here goes. Joe and BJ, have you ever wanted to travel to a foreign country to visit ? Italy, France, Germany maybe. I lived overseas in Spain for 4 years, I have been to 27 different countries in Europe, and not one time did someone refuse to let me do anything because I couldn't speak their language. I can not believe that anyone would even think to say if you can't speak english well enough to take the test then you can not drive. I understand fully that the road signs are written in English, but have either of you looked at a Spanish driving hand book or test ? The road signs are in English they have to learn what they mean in English, but what you are asking of them is idiotic. You are telling them if you can not read .
"what does this sign mean ?" in English that they should not be allowed to drive !
Who are you or anyoneelse to tell someone that just because they can't read a sentence comfortably in English they aren't fit to drive a car !

WAAAA WAAAAA WAAAAA another bleeding heart,hate AMERICA neo-lib....No one is saying they aren't capable of driving a car....they just aren't capable of driving a car in the US. and just who do you think you are advocating the giving away of this nation to people that are here ILLEGALLY.

[Native Amer German Irish]

RoboTech wrote:

<quoted text>
That's entrapment.
Unless they have PRIOR knowledge that whoever shows up is breaking the law, it will just cause lawsuits.
And when it comes to doing this to our precious illegals, well, you know the outcome will be an outcry heard around the world.

I'm surprised there's not more crack heads claiming entrapment, after all they're just cruising the ghettos looking for "directions". LOL

[EUR]

If they do not want to assimilate or learn, only demand they deserve nothing from this country.

[fdj]

YES!

[noliberaldemocra p]

RoboTech wrote:
<quoted text>
That's entrapment.
Unless they have PRIOR knowledge that whoever shows up is breaking the law, it will just cause lawsuits.
And when it comes to doing this to our precious illegals, well, you know the outcome will be an outcry heard around the world.

They ARE here illegally so that in itself IS a crime. GO GET THEM!!

[Marie]

WHEN I WENT TO EUROPE, I got an international drivers license.
If they can't speak the language of the country in which the license is issued. too bad. Get an international drivers license.
and if one is LIVING in a country, one had BETTER learn the language. I certainly didn't expect everyone to converse with me in English.

Mika wrote:

I am sorry if this isn't said very well. But here goes. Joe and BJ, have you ever wanted to travel to a foreign country to visit ? Italy, France, Germany maybe. I lived overseas in Spain for 4 years, I have been to 27 different countries in Europe, and not one time did someone refuse to let me do anything because I couldn't speak their language. I can not believe that anyone would even think to say if you can't speak english well enough to take the test then you can not drive. I understand fully that the road signs are written in English, but have either of you looked at a Spanish driving hand book or test ? The road signs are in English they have to learn what they mean in English, but what you are asking of them is idiotic. You are telling them if you can not read .
"what does this sign mean ?" in English that they should not be allowed to drive !
Who are you or anyoneelse to tell someone that just because they can't read a sentence comfortably in English they aren't fit to drive a car !

[Marie]

Mika:
Street signage in America is in ENGLISH. We do have many international signs, but we also have signs in English. Because this is the USA, we speak English here.
So, when people are driving on our roads, it is dangerous for all concerned if they don't read english. This applies to illiterates, as well, not just non-english speakers.
It is not a matter of being rude, or elitist, or racist, or xenophobic. It is a safety issue.