How Typically Leftist!

As many people know, Joe Vento, owner of Geno's Steaks in South Philly, recently put up a sign on his window urging his customers to speak English when ordering. A firestorm of leftist protests has since cropped up, but here's some of the most brain-dead reasons why, courtesy of that whiny purveyor of all things "progressive," YPP:

In terms of taste, one cannot say that Geno's is for the discriminating palate. In fact, its rubbery meat served in a mushy role with just an ounce of rudeness is really $7.00 better spent elsewhere.

A city agency, the Commission on Human Relations, however, has found that Geno's Steaks' "English only" policy discriminates on the basis of national origin or ancestry. In fact, the Commission plans to file a complaint against Geno's today. The basis of the Complaint is the City's Fair Practices Ordinance, which like the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in public accommodation and on the basis of race or ethnicity. For a full discussion of this news, please see:

This is a follow-up on a previous leftist rant:

Fear and Loathing in Philadelphia
Submitted by Caetanus on Fri, 06/09/2006 - 10:04am.

Is Geno's Steaks Violating the Civil Rights Act if 1964?

Potentially.

As some of you are aware, Joe Vento, the owner of Geno's Steaks has placed a sign in the window insisting that patrons order in English. No doubt, this is a response to both the current political climate and the changing demographic in that neighborhood, which includes a significant influx of Mexican-Americans and/or Mexican Immigrants. Joe Vento has always been very outspoken. But, in this instance, Mr. Vento may be on the cusp of some very important civil rights issues. For some additional context, please consider a portion of an article from philly.com:

"How do you say cheesesteak with in Spanish?

Joseph Vento, the owner of Geno's Steaks, doesn't know. And he doesn't care.

(snip)

Some would say, a cheesesteak is not a constitutionally protected right, therefore, being denied one really does not mean anything. But, in reality, it is so much more important than that. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (the "CRA") makes it so. According to the CRA, "[a]ll persons shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodation, as defined in this section, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin." 42 U.S.C.S. Sec. 2000a(a). It could be credibly argued that language is an indicia of national origin. Some people only speak Spanish, Cambodian or Chinese. To deny them the ability to order food based on their language necessarily relates to their national origin. In my mind, this is paramount to discrimination. Also, the racial classification of "Latino" could be implicated in terms of this language dispute.

The CRA requires that a place have an effect on interstate commerce and includes "any restaurant, cafeteria, lunchroom, lunch counter, soda fountain, or other facility principally engaged in selling food for consumption on the premises . . ." 42 U.S.C.S. Sec. 2000a(b)(2). In this instance, the interstate commerce requirement is met because Geno's undoubtedly "serves or offers to serve interstate travelers . . ." 42 U.S.C.S. Sec. 2000a(c). In fact, Geno's name is almost synonymous with Philadelphia. It is, arguably and regrettably (perhaps) an institution. Geno's brand is found in tourist books and is a haven for tourists.

For God's sake people, its a f**king cheesesteak! If you don't like his sign, go eat somewhere else!