On November 17th, 2006 Crablaw wrote yet another stand-up post for which I admired: “Thank You to Kevin Dayhoff and MD Conservatarian for Taney Correction.”
Thank you for this post. Yes you may have not been aware of the history of Taneytown, (20061115 Taney Taneytown and Tupac Shakur,) but please do not lose sight that you never-the-less made your point.
What it is that can be learned from Crablaw’s post is that the “English First” initiative in Taneytown sends a negative and perhaps, even more importantly; an inaccurate message as to how welcoming a greater community that is our Carroll County.
My family roots in Carroll County may very well go back to the 1700s and the Carroll County I grew up in is by and large, a much more welcoming community than what it is that I worry, is our reputation.
To be certain, we have our challenges and we have to be ever constantly vigilant, but Carroll County is still, to a great extent, a friendly and welcoming community that cherishes hard work and family, and values a work-ethic that places emphasis on “it’s performance that counts.” Look that up in the dictionary and you will see a picture that includes a hard-working Spanish speaking family.
Yes, before anyone reaches for their keyboard with their itching flaming fingers to call to my attention slights and unpleasant behavior, there are examples of folks behaving badly in Carroll County, just as there is in any community.
The problems are important, but it is the response that is critical and for the most part, the Carroll County community comes together to address the unpleasant behavior as aggressively as possible.
Crablaw’s inadvertent point was excellent; that folks are going to be pre-disposed to think the worst of not only Taneytown, which is, by the way, is a wonderful community; but folks will also think poorly of Carroll County as a result of this misguided “English First” initiative.
Thank you for both your posts (here and here) Crablaw. I have more to say about the “English First” initiative in a piece that I began writing as soon as I read your original post. Time has not been my friend recently; however, as soon as I get this up on the blog, I’ll take a look at what I already wrote and see if I can’t get that post up also.
I grew up in the green industry and I made a living as a landscape contractor, designer – and raised nursery stock on a small farm for over 25 years. I have spent my entire life around Spanish speaking workers and they have my utmost respect and I think that “English First” effort is misguided and ultimately, unfair. Please read my Tentacle column on May 31, 2006: “The Great Mexican Maginot Line,” which begins;
Last Thursday, the United States Senate passed the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006" by a vote of 62 to 36. The legislation has sparked rigorous and rancorous debate as it supports a bi-partisan, multi-disciplinary approach to the challenges of immigration reform embraced by President George W. Bush.
Meanwhile, Crablaw’s forthrightness is exemplary. Besides, I will make more “mistakes” than you and I depend on colleagues and friends to keep me straight.
Mi amigo, te deseo a ti y tu familia un felíz día de acción de gracias. No comas y no bebas demasiado. Cuida tu dieta.
Kevin
Ref: http://www.crablaw.com/2006/11/thank-you-to-kevin-dayhoff-and-md.html
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