LPGA Backs Off English Only Rule; Quasi-Fascism Apparently No Longer Cool
Would she have been suspended for speaking in double-negatives?
Just when we thought Nashville was setting a worldwide trend with our English Only initiative, it all goes to hell. In a startling turnabout today, it appears bagging on people who don't speak English is no longer cool.
When we last left the women's golf tour, the LPGA, it had announced that it would suspend any player who could speak adequate English by next year. We never quite followed the logic, but it was seen as a direct attack on Asian golfers and women from California who use the word "dude" way too much.
Alas, the LPGA -- which contains 121 foreign players from 26 countries -- apparently wasn't pleased by the blowback, since the rule may have violated anti-discrimination, and seemed a lot like something Mussolini would have thought up.
So today, the league backpedaled, saying it would henceforth only discriminate against players who refuse to wear spritely pastels and maintain bouncy yet manageable hair.
Comments
"In a startling turnabout today, it appears bagging on people who don't speak English is no longer cool."
Actually it is. The French Education Minister has admitted that "...the secret to success is speaking better English."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1051805/French-minister-finally-admits-defeat-battle-English-language-claiming-secret-success.html
Posted 09/05/2008 at 04:37:40 PMIf the LPGA is an international organization, I'd say the rule is overkill. However, I object to Nashville Scene calling the rule quasi-fascism. One example of real fascism would be putting journalists in prison for expressing their point of view. Refusing to cater to foreigners in your home land is NOT fascism. Everyone has rights, not just the people you happen to sympathize with.
Posted 09/07/2008 at 02:59:01 PMOnce again, protecting a country's traditional language is not in any way "fascism." Mexico has an official language -- I guess they're "racist" and "fascist" too eh? Or is it only English-speaking nations that are "racist" or "fascist" if they prefer to hold onto their language? Tell me how that one works again? Is it like the "everybody gets to be racist except whitey" rule that you folks are also so fond of pushing?
Posted 09/10/2008 at 09:34:52 PMOnce again, protecting a country's traditional language is not in any way "fascism." Mexico has an official language -- I guess they're "racist" and "fascist" too eh? Or is it only English-speaking nations that are "racist" or "fascist" if they prefer to hold onto their language? Tell me how that one works again? Is it like the "everybody gets to be racist except whitey" rule that you folks are also so fond of pushing?
Posted 09/10/2008 at 09:35:30 PM