Nashville mayor vetoes English-only bill - The Firearms Forum

White Hawk · 02-12-2007, 10:13 PM

Nashville mayor vetoes English-only bill

By ERIK SCHELZIG, Associated Press Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mayor Bill Purcell vetoed a measure Monday that would have made English the official language of Nashville, saying it was unconstitutional, unnecessary and mean-spirited.

"This ordinance does not reflect who we are in Nashville," Purcell said.

The measure passed 23-14 last week by the Metro Council required all government documents to be in English, except when multilingual communications are required by federal rules or are needed "to protect or promote public health, safety or welfare."

Opponents and supporters of the ordinance agreed it was largely a symbolic slap at illegal immigration that had no significant effect.

Purcell said his legal staff had advised him the bill violated the U.S. and state constitutions and would be costly to defend.

"If this ordinance becomes law, Nashville will become a less safe, less friendly and less successful city," Purcell said. "And as mayor, I cannot allow that to happen."

His veto seems likely to stand. It would take 27 council votes to override it.

Councilman Eric Crafton, who sponsored the measure, said it would offer an incentive for immigrants to learn English. Opponents including the Chamber of Commerce worried it would hurt the image of Nashville, which bills itself as "Music City USA."

Crafton told WKRN-TV: "It's almost ridiculous to the point of being absurd for the mayor to say, 'Well, I'm afraid that somebody might sue us because we want to conduct our business in English.' To me it's a lack of courage and a lack of leadership."

Several smaller communities have passed similar laws or resolutions, including Pahrump, Nev.; Taneytown, Md.; and the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, Texas.

Nashville, a city of more than 600,000, is home to the nation's largest Kurdish community and has been a resettlement site for refugees from Africa and Southeast Asia. The Hispanic immigrant population also has boomed.

Researchers say Nashville's foreign-born population has grown 350 percent since 1990.

Link

Pistolenschutze · 02-12-2007, 10:23 PM

I wonder if he chose to write his veto in Spanish, Arabic, or Vietnamese, White? I don't imagine he wrote it in English.

White Hawk · 02-12-2007, 11:12 PM

The funny thing is, Pistolenschutze, the bill's author spent the first three minutes of the session reading the bill in Japanese. Made for a good point.

I've known Crafton since the early 80's when we went to school together. He studied in Tokyo for several years, speaks the language fluently (much better than I do, in fact), and his wife is a legal immigrant from there. His brother-in-law is hispanic, and not only came here legally and studied English, but also had to take his driver's test three times because he insisted on taking it in English instead of Spanish.

Mayor Purcell? Well, let's just say his background isn't as... diverse. But his business lobbyists speak in a language he sure understands.

Crafton is hoping to put this bill on a referendum later this year and let the public vote on it. The last controversial referendum we had was on considering gay marriage. The public shot that down with over 85% of the voters saying "no thanks".

Lead Lobber · 02-13-2007, 01:40 AM

English is the official language in this country, therefore any mandates to make it so are just plain silly. What I see here are objections to illegal immigrants, or more specifically, non-English speakers, which is certainly a serious concern. To be conversant in English should be a requirement for anyone wishing to move in and work here in order be a constructive part of their community.

But let's not deny the immigrants their cultural heritage. Their descendents should know the language and customs of their ancestors, but also asimilate western ways. This must come to pass, or we are forever doomed to hate and mistrust 2nd and 3rd generation descendents of immigrants. Like Jews, for instance. This is supposed to be a free county. Unfortunately, it is no longer a shining example of our forefathers' dream, but rather a bloated bureaucracy dedicated to supporting itself by spending about half of tax income collected from us to support itself. Yes, one half of your taxes go to perpetuate big government.

So I cheer that mayor for avoiding yet another piece of unnecessary legislation. But that's just my 7 cents worth - inflation, you know

LL

02-12-2007, 10:13 PM	#1
White Hawk V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 458	Nashville mayor vetoes English-only bill Nashville mayor vetoes English-only bill By ERIK SCHELZIG, Associated Press Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mayor Bill Purcell vetoed a measure Monday that would have made English the official language of Nashville, saying it was unconstitutional, unnecessary and mean-spirited. "This ordinance does not reflect who we are in Nashville," Purcell said. The measure passed 23-14 last week by the Metro Council required all government documents to be in English, except when multilingual communications are required by federal rules or are needed "to protect or promote public health, safety or welfare." Opponents and supporters of the ordinance agreed it was largely a symbolic slap at illegal immigration that had no significant effect. Purcell said his legal staff had advised him the bill violated the U.S. and state constitutions and would be costly to defend. "If this ordinance becomes law, Nashville will become a less safe, less friendly and less successful city," Purcell said. "And as mayor, I cannot allow that to happen." His veto seems likely to stand. It would take 27 council votes to override it. Councilman Eric Crafton, who sponsored the measure, said it would offer an incentive for immigrants to learn English. Opponents including the Chamber of Commerce worried it would hurt the image of Nashville, which bills itself as "Music City USA." Crafton told WKRN-TV: "It's almost ridiculous to the point of being absurd for the mayor to say, 'Well, I'm afraid that somebody might sue us because we want to conduct our business in English.' To me it's a lack of courage and a lack of leadership." Several smaller communities have passed similar laws or resolutions, including Pahrump, Nev.; Taneytown, Md.; and the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, Texas. Nashville, a city of more than 600,000, is home to the nation's largest Kurdish community and has been a resettlement site for refugees from Africa and Southeast Asia. The Hispanic immigrant population also has boomed. Researchers say Nashville's foreign-born population has grown 350 percent since 1990. Link __________________ Remember the good old days, when everything said "Made In Japan" on it? -->

02-12-2007, 10:23 PM	#2
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Nashville mayor vetoes English-only bill I wonder if he chose to write his veto in Spanish, Arabic, or Vietnamese, White? I don't imagine he wrote it in English. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

02-12-2007, 11:12 PM	#3
White Hawk V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 458	Re: Nashville mayor vetoes English-only bill The funny thing is, Pistolenschutze, the bill's author spent the first three minutes of the session reading the bill in Japanese. Made for a good point. I've known Crafton since the early 80's when we went to school together. He studied in Tokyo for several years, speaks the language fluently (much better than I do, in fact), and his wife is a legal immigrant from there. His brother-in-law is hispanic, and not only came here legally and studied English, but also had to take his driver's test three times because he insisted on taking it in English instead of Spanish. Mayor Purcell? Well, let's just say his background isn't as... diverse. But his business lobbyists speak in a language he sure understands. Crafton is hoping to put this bill on a referendum later this year and let the public vote on it. The last controversial referendum we had was on considering gay marriage. The public shot that down with over 85% of the voters saying "no thanks". __________________ Remember the good old days, when everything said "Made In Japan" on it?

02-13-2007, 01:40 AM	#4
Lead Lobber Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central California coastal area Posts: 965	Re: Nashville mayor vetoes English-only bill English is the official language in this country, therefore any mandates to make it so are just plain silly. What I see here are objections to illegal immigrants, or more specifically, non-English speakers, which is certainly a serious concern. To be conversant in English should be a requirement for anyone wishing to move in and work here in order be a constructive part of their community. But let's not deny the immigrants their cultural heritage. Their descendents should know the language and customs of their ancestors, but also asimilate western ways. This must come to pass, or we are forever doomed to hate and mistrust 2nd and 3rd generation descendents of immigrants. Like Jews, for instance. This is supposed to be a free county. Unfortunately, it is no longer a shining example of our forefathers' dream, but rather a bloated bureaucracy dedicated to supporting itself by spending about half of tax income collected from us to support itself. Yes, one half of your taxes go to perpetuate big government. So I cheer that mayor for avoiding yet another piece of unnecessary legislation. But that's just my 7 cents worth - inflation, you know LL