Everything is in a state of flux, including the status quo.Robert Byrne |
Agency OKs cheese steak shops English-only signs [Link is Broken] http://www.cnn.com PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A Philadelphia agency has ruled that English-only signs at a famous cheese steak shop are not discriminatory. The Commission on Human Relations says in its Wednesday ruling that the signs at Genos Steaks do not violate the citys Fair Practices Ordinance. Joe Vento posted the signs at his shop in October 2005. They read This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING PLEASE SPEAK ENGLISH. Critics allege the policy discourages customers of certain backgrounds from eating there. They say the signs discourage non-English speakers from going to the shop. Vento says he has never refused service to anyone because they couldnt speak English. MjL --> Ive been following this silly flap for some time now. I would have never thought it possible a complaint would ever be accepted by ANY agency or court in America for ASKING people to PLEASE speak English. It has never been contended that the store owner ever refused anyone service, simply that he had posted signs asking them to speak English. Its his store ... if he wishes to discourage non-English speakers it should certainly be his right. At this rate everybody in the country will be free to do nothing whenever they want. |
 British-born science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, pictured in 2007, died at a hospital in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, 03/18, his aide Rohan de Silva told AFP. He was 90. |
Monk A man is driving down the road and his car breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night? The Monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, and even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound. A sound unlike anything hes ever heard before. The Sirens that nearly seduced Odysseus into crashing his ship comes to his mind. He doesnt sleep that night. He tosses and turns trying to figure out what could possibly be making such a seductive sound. The next morning, he asks the Monks what the sound was, but they say, We cant tell you. Youre not a Monk. Distraught, the man is forced to leave. Years later, after never being able to forget that sound, the man goes back to the monastery and pleads for the answer again. The Monks reply, We cant tell you. Youre not a Monk. The man says, If the only way I can find out what is making that beautiful sound is to become a Monk, then please, make me a Monk. The Monks reply, You must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of grains of sand. When you find these answers, you will have become a Monk. The man sets about his task... After years of searching he returns as a gray-haired old man and knocks on the door of the monastery. A Monk answers. He is taken before a gathering of all the Monks. In my quest to find what makes that beautiful sound, I traveled the earth and have found what you asked for: By design, the world is in a state of perpetual change. Only God knows what you ask. All a man can know is himself, and only then if he is honest and reflective and willing to strip away self deception. The Monks reply, Congratulations. You have become a Monk. We shall now show you the way to the mystery of the sacred sound. The Monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, The sound is beyond that door. The Monks give him the key, and he opens the door. Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone. The man is given the key to the stone door and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby. And so it went that he needed keys to doors of emerald, pearl and diamond. Finally, they come to a door made of solid gold. The sound has become very clear and definite. The Monks say, This is the last key to the last door. The man is apprehensive to no end. His lifes wish is behind that door! With trembling hands, he unlocks the door, turns the knob, and slowly pushes the door open. Falling to his knees, he is utterly amazed to discover the source of that haunting and seductive sound ... But I cant tell you what it is because youre not a Monk! |
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