Illegal Immigration in Iowa (schools, camp, living)

[El Rhino]

Oh no, the t-shirt would say "US" or whatever. I didn't say "Estados Unidos" would be on it, I said it would be a token of their visit to the US of A. I suppose it could say "Hencho en E.U." on the tag.

I wouldn't make a mockery of the Spainish langauge. I think it's a nice langauge, I really do. I'm actually planning on learning it as it's spoken in Spain or Argentina, as I'm planning a visit to Argentina and Uruguay sometime in the next couple of years.

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

It seemed like you thought you were being funny by writing "Estados Unidos". Not sure if you'd want that on the original t-shirt you proposed, but it'd probably be a little more inflammatory if you wrote it like that.

You probably find it funny, I find it insensitive because you're really taking a shot at all Spanish-Speakers in this country making a mockery of the language, many of whom are here legally. Yes, I do think Iowa is more racist than other parts of the country, sorry if that offensive to you, but it's the truth. That's become another ridiculous point you will encounter in Iowa, you point out someone is racist...and they'll try and use it against you like you said the worst possible thing about them, although they're obviously racist.

.

[RonnieJonez]

Those Des Moines boards will ban you for anything. Someone could say Omaha has a superior Hy-Vee to Des Moines and probably risk getting banned. You act like it's some kind of privilege to be part of them. In many ways, they do run it like a Secret Society. It's almost painful to see how much they agree with each other. They rank their priorities in life like this.

1. Des Moines
2. Des Moines
3. Family
4. Des Moines
5. Work

[Stevie]

Then explain why you got banned from skyscrapercity.com

That wasn't a Des Moines board.

[RonnieJonez]

Originally Posted by Stevie

Then explain why you got banned from skyscrapercity.com

That wasn't a Des Moines board.

Damn, are you keeping score or what? Are you stalking me? That was well over 2 years ago even I forgot about that. I went on there because I think it's funny how some of the members can be (mainly the mid-sized city forumers). I said Chicago and Minneapolis were the only cities in the midwest that weren't going the way of the dinosaur (sarcastically) and some guy from St. Louis got really mad about that and asked to have me banned. Some guy from Indianapolis found it very offensive as well. These boards are not the Geneva Convention you know.

Not even Star Wars fans are half as fanatical as some of the people on these boards, you view being liked on them as some kind of prize which is totally ridiculous

Don't take it so seriously, for your own good.

[Stevie]

It doesn't take that much effort to Google a screen name, dude. Anyone can do it.

I only read your moronic rants because I thought they were amusing. I'm not taking anything seriously.

BTW, I believe Moochie was a girl, not a guy.

[mfrerkes]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

In many ways, they do run it like a Secret Society. It's almost painful to see how much they agree with each other.

It has a sort of Des Moines meets FanFic vibe to it. There are threads devoted to such subjects as why Des Moines International doesn't currently have non-stop flights to Mexico or speculation on whether an NBA franchise would be viable in Des Moines. The sad part is, most Des Moines residents do actually live on planet Earth and wouldn't engage in such bizarre comtemplation. They are fueling the perception that all Des Moines people have an equally pronounced fanaticism about living there.

[Steve_W]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

It seemed like you thought you were being funny by writing "Estados Unidos". Not sure if you'd want that on the original t-shirt you proposed, but it'd probably be a little more inflammatory if you wrote it like that.

You probably find it funny, I find it insensitive because you're really taking a shot at all Spanish-Speakers in this country making a mockery of the language, many of whom are here legally. Yes, I do think Iowa is more racist than other parts of the country, sorry if that offensive to you, but it's the truth. That's become another ridiculous point you will encounter in Iowa, you point out someone is racist...and they'll try and use it against you like you said the worst possible thing about them, although they're obviously racist.

There's no point in arguing further semantics.

I don't think Americans could make the Spanish language into anymore of a mockery than Hispanics have made of the English language (the ones who chose to speak at least some of it).

[RonnieJonez]

Originally Posted by mfrerkes

It has a sort of Des Moines meets FanFic vibe to it. There are threads devoted to such subjects as why Des Moines International doesn't currently have non-stop flights to Mexico or speculation on whether an NBA franchise would be viable in Des Moines. The sad part is, most Des Moines residents do actually live on planet Earth and wouldn't engage in such bizarre comtemplation. They are fueling the perception that all Des Moines people have an equally pronounced fanaticism about living there.

The rural population now living in Des Moines (which is huge) definitely has the fanaticism themselves. There is enormous pressure for young professionals in Des Moines to join one of the fanatical civic action groups as well, or not be accepted. It's very prevalent in the 20-34 age group.

[RonnieJonez]

Originally Posted by Steve_W

I don't think Americans could make the Spanish language into anymore of a mockery than Hispanics have made of the English language (the ones who chose to speak at least some of it).

Ok Steve, we're on different sides of the issue, time to move on. Them choosing not to speak it is not a "mockery". A lot of them can't learn the language well, after a certain age it is almost impossible to learn a foreign language besides learning a few words and phrases. I don't like the arrogance coming from Americans saying immigrants should be forced to learn English as if it were so easy. Learning a language takes time, most of them are working hard labor jobs and simply don't have the resources to learn it well. Some of them just pick it up living here, and some don't. Regardless, you still need to know at least marginal English to succeed in this country, if that makes you happy.

[Steve_W]

Originally Posted by RonnieJonez

Ok Steve, we're on different sides of the issue, time to move on. Them choosing not to speak it is not a "mockery". A lot of them can't learn the language well, after a certain age it is almost impossible to learn a foreign language besides learning a few words and phrases. I don't like the arrogance coming from Americans saying immigrants should be forced to learn English as if it were so easy. Learning a language takes time, most of them are working hard labor jobs and simply don't have the resources to learn it well. Some of them just pick it up living here, and some don't. Regardless, you still need to know at least marginal English to succeed in this country, if that makes you happy.

And we will continue to make a mockery of the Spanish language until that happens. I also don't find it amusing when Hispanics pretend not to know any of the English language when they are in a situation of accountability.

Yes, this conversation is over. I have zero sympathy for any illegal living here continuing to screw me on my dime. Later Ronald.