87% Say English...

[JR4AU]

Your simple question presents an alternative perspective to the ad that is not necessarily represented in the ad, intent or otherwise.  You see this as a derogatory attack against non-English speakers.  That's the argument.  

Uh, it's quite clearly, and a completely undisguised add directed at and pandering to the "damn ferners" types in this state.  If you believe otherwise, you're naive. 

[GarMan]

The workers they brought in weren't here to stay.  They were here for months to set up machinery and to keep equipment functioning until American help was hired and trained to operate the equipment.  

Then, as a temporary worker (2-3 months), they likely don't need a driver's license, especially if they have one in their home country.  

I worked for KLP from 2004 until 2007.  Once they had the facility operating, KLP generally only had around 10-15 permanent employees from Japan.  Mostly in the upper management, and all spoke English fluently.  

Was the driving exam a deciding factor for the Honda company?  I don't know.  I'm just stating that for a fact, they did have workers over here for up to a year who could not speak English.  They also provided all of those associates with company vehicles, so they most certainly were able to obtain a license during their stay in Alabama.  

I'm not sure if you need a DL for a temporary assignment "up to a year".  Either way, if you don't know a locally accepted language, you're putting yourself at risk.  Imagine a health emergency.  How would you communicate with the medical staff treating you?  

[Saniflush]

 Imagine a health emergency.  How would you communicate with the medical staff treating you?  

Who cares?  Socialized medicine you got no chance of seeing the doctor before you die anyway.

[GarMan]

And it still holds water even if all these companies are "smart enough" to have english speaking personnel to send over.   I wouldn't do business with a bunch of snootie ass Frenchmen even if I could speak their damn language, for the sole reason that they're poopheads about Americans.  I feel certain that an atmosphere of tolerance towards foriegners (who are here legally, but might not be fluent in the language) would certainly play a part in deciding where to locate my company.  While I might employ mostly Americans, and as many English speaking people as I could...to know that if I needed to employ some who didn't speak the language life would be made that much tougher on them would factor in.  

There's a major difference here.  We wouldn't do business with the French because they have spoken out against the United States on several occasions.  This political ad doesn't say anything negative about any specific country or culture.  This has nothing to do with "tolerance".  This extends to accommodation and even to appeasement.  

It's petty, simple...  I agree, but it's nothing like this has been portreyed.

[JR4AU]

There's a major difference here.  We wouldn't do business with the French because they have spoken out against the United States on several occasions.  This political ad doesn't say anything negative about any specific country or culture.  This has nothing to do with "tolerance".  This extends to accommodation and even to appeasement.  

It's petty, simple...  I agree, but it's nothing like this has been portreyed.

I have to be completely honest...I don't have anything against accomidating people to a certain extent.  If they're here legally, looking to make a better life, and can contribute as a tax paying citizen, I look at giving them a helping hand with something like a DL test in their language as an investment. 

[GarMan]

Uh, it's quite clearly, and a completely undisguised add directed at and pandering to the "damn ferners" types in this state.  If you believe otherwise, you're naive. 

But, it's far from the direct attack that you seem to recognize it as...

[GarMan]

I have to be completely honest...I don't have anything against accomidating people to a certain extent.  If they're here legally, looking to make a better life, and can contribute as a tax paying citizen, I look at giving them a helping hand with something like a DL test in their language as an investment. 

Call me old-fashioned, but assimilation used to be part of the "here legally, looking to make a better life, and can contribute as a tax" payer fairytale.  My grandparents learned the honky-gringo language as they pursued their citizenship.  I expect others to do the same.  That's not intolerance.

[JR4AU]

But, it's far from the direct attack that you seem to recognize it as...

I recognize it as exactly what I stated it to be...pandering to the "damn ferners" type.  And an insult to me as an Alabamaian thats a bit more intelligent and eduacated than that.  I never once suggested it was a direct attack on any one group. 

[GarMan]

I recognize it as exactly what I stated it to be...pandering to the "damn ferners" type.  And an insult to me as an Alabamaian thats a bit more intelligent and eduacated than that.  I never once suggested it was a direct attack on any one group. 

Well, we'll just have to disagree on this one...  You keep pushing me into a defensive position regarding the ad, but I can't play that for all the reasons that I've mentioned.  However, I do agree with the position. 

Also, you did bring up and essentially compare this to the French which involved direct insults and attacks against the United States.  The suggestion was presented.

[GH2001]

Well, we'll just have to disagree on this one...  You keep pushing me into a defensive position regarding the ad, but I can't play that for all the reasons that I've mentioned.  However, I do agree with the position. 

Also, you did bring up and essentially compare this to the French which involved direct insults and attacks against the United States.  The suggestion was presented.

What does Juan De La McCain say about this?

[GarMan]

What does Juan De La McCain say about this? 

Construir esa cerca del dang'ed...