Why not Klingon also?

Our city offering something to emigrants that will assist them in getting around a very unfamiliar place. You think this is a bad idea?

"Our city offering something to emigrants that will assist them in getting around a very unfamiliar place."

Why the heck are they riding a bike if they can't understand a map in English? I'd expect a minimum comprehension like being able to understand traffic warning signs (like Merge) and bus maps (posted at kiosks).

THis is all about getting a consultant another few bucks.

Well, our city is increasingly more like Burma, so that makes sense.

In helping to evaluate whether "this is a bad idea" or not, consider that much of Portland's PBOT's Transportation Options' program is funded by vehicle gas taxes which is suppose to go to our road infrastructures. It was part of $189 Million dollars (09/10) in STIP (gas tax)dollars Sam foisted from our state to fund programs like this.

When it is easy money like this it is amazing how many ways can be found to benefit a few while potholes persist and you can't get a sidewalk in your neighborhood. It is not a matter of whether something is good or bad, but can we afford it and setting priorities.

If you object to anything authorized by the PBOT director, you should take your complaints to the director's supervising elected official...the divisive, vindictive, alleged mayor. That's how Portland's antiquated form of governance is designed to function.

They must think people drive only because they can't read English.

Brilliant.

Michael,
I don't think we are doing enough for immigrants. I believe that we should have live translators at every street corner.

Plus, we should give every immigrant an IPad with language translation software for every language possible. Cost is no object, obviously, we have the money to do this. "You think this is a bad idea?"

Everything else our taxes, and fees are collect for are frills nobody NEEDS. We do have our priorities straight.

Can we assume DHS offers Oregon Trail Club membership applications in Burmese?

Our city offering something to emigrants that will assist them in getting around a very unfamiliar place. You think this is a bad idea?

First, it's a good idea to become familiar with language, which is a skill that has apparently evaded you.

Let's get you up to speed: An emigrant is someone who leaves his or her country. An immigrant is someone who who chooses to enter another country, legally, and who therefore decides to assimilate into that country.

That means, among other things, that they learn the language and the culture of their new home country.

Most Americans welcome immigrants. Most do not welcome emigrants nor illegal aliens.

Obviously, these are difficult concepts for you.

The Oregon DMV offers the driving tests in Russian, Vietnamese, and Thai languages among others.
So obviously a person doesn't have to speak or read English to operate a motor vehicle in this state or many other states as far as I can tell. Driving tests are offered in several states in as many as 26 different languages including Arabic!
I find this especially ironic as many Arab countries do not allow women to drive.

An immigrant is someone who who chooses to enter another country, legally, and who therefore decides to assimilate into that country.

A Maxipedia entry, no doubt, since it contains some facts not found here.

Such as the "legally" part and the baseless "therefore" conclusion.

It's a good idea to become familiar with reality before going to full snark mode.

Obviously, this is a difficult concept for you.

cc,

There are rules for legal immigration. Are you familiar with them? That's a "reality."

There are rules for legal immigration. Are you familiar with them? That's a "reality."

Say what?

There is no Burma.

There is only Myanmar.

I want my maps to have Myanmarese.
not Burmese.

Say what you want its all the same: Myanmarification! Not Burmeseification.

Let us be politically correct or somebody's feelings will be hurt.

Like mine.

cc, this was one of those occasions in which you should have read for comprehension before hitting the ol' keyboard.

Youdo know the difference between "emigrant" and "immigrant", I assume. It therefore follows that you likewise should understand, as does PDXLifer, that countries have rules regarding immigration.

You may be into "multiculturalism" and everything else green and politically correct, but if you follow international news, you should be aware that both the German Chancellor and the French President have stated in recent weeks that multiculturalism is a failure. That's reality.

It's a good idea to become familiar with reality before going to full snark mode.

Nothing like an immigration debate to bring out the best in people.

Max, don't forget Brit PM Cameron, whose position is described in this journal from the mosaic nation to our north:

"In the past four months, the leaders of Western Europe's three largest democracies -- Germany, Britain and France -- have each declared multiculturalism a failure, largely because Muslims in their countries have failed to assimilate into the mainstream culture and are now growing increasing radicalized and dangerous.

This, they have said, applies as much to native-born Muslims as to those born elsewhere who have immigrated to Europe. Multiculturalism has encouraged segregated ethnic communities to develop within which Western values such as equality of the sexes and pluralism are disparaged."
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Multiculturalism+failure+Europe/4273602/story.html

"Multiculturalism" is a polysemous term. The Canadian scribe suggests:

"...before we Canadians jump on this bandwagon and declare multiculturalism a failure in Canada, too, we have to understand what kind of multiculturalism we are opposing. I think Cameron spoke of 'state multiculturalism' deliberately. It is the active promotion and funding of cultural differences by governments that have led to most of the problems with multiculturalism."

Further,

"Official multiculturalism, unlike the private generosity and openness of Canadians, feels it is condescending for the broader national culture to impose any values on ethnic communities, so instead it almost always insists newcomers fight integration into the mainstream.

A good book on the subject of multiculturalism is called
The 10 Lenses: Your Guide to Living and Working in a Multicultural World by Mark A. Williams.

You may be into "multiculturalism" and everything else green and politically correct...

Oh, dear - are you serious?

I simply pointed out that the definition of the term "immigrant" does not include legality, as Max stated. I also took issue with his assertion that an immigrant necessarily wants to/will "assimilate" - QED.

Max jumped all over someone who got the freakin' term wrong and I thought (however odd it may sound to some) his post was needlessly nasty - as well as incorrect itself.

Should I use shorter words?

Oh, sorry Max - I thought you were PDXLifer.

I'm so easily confused.

Simply substitute you for Max above.

I'm actually surprised that they bothered to also print them in English.

Gardiner,

Yes, I overlooked the comments of PM Cameron, and appreciate the update there.

CC:

simply pointed out that the definition of the term "immigrant" does not include legality, as Max stated. I also took issue with his assertion that an immigrant necessarily wants to/will "assimilate" - QED.

Max jumped all over someone who got the freakin' term wrong and I thought (however odd it may sound to some) his post was needlessly nasty - as well as incorrect itself.

In case you hadn't noticed, every country has this little thing that they call "rules" or "laws" as they pertain to immigration.

Further, again in case you hadn't noticed,countries that have experimented with the "multiculturalism" concept have pronounced it an abysmal failure.

Moreover, and again in case you hadn't noticed, integration is part and parcel of the American approach to immigration.

If you immigrate legally into our country, you will swear to support it above all others.

That is what legal immigrants do, here in the USA.

Do you not understand that? Should I use shorter words to help you grasp the concept?

Let's see, what words are shorter than "support" "your" "new" home" "country"?

Are you really that stupid?

Do you really want to get into this, cc?

I suggested earlier that you should try reading for comprehension. I now reiterate that suggestion, and apologize if words like "reiterate" and "comprehension" are too hard for you to understand.

I just use words because they have meaning. Look them up, if you must.