Senator Chris Harris (R-TX) says it is "very insulting" to use Spanish in his presence

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Texas Republican says it is "very insulting" to use Spanish in his presence

http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/06/texas-state-senator-scolds-man-for-speaking-spanish/

A man who gave testimony in Spanish before a Texas State Senate committee Monday was told by a Republican lawmaker that using his native tongue is “insulting” if he also knows how to speak English.

At about 2:17 into the video below, a man testifying against a controversial bill that seeks to ban so-called “sanctuary cities” by withholding state grant money is interrupted by state Sen. Chris Harris (R), who asks why the man is speaking in Spanish with the aid of a translator.

He responded in Spanish, and his translator said: “Spanish is his first language and since it’s his first time giving testimony he would rather do it in Spanish.”

“It’s insulting to us,” Harris snapped back, to voices of approval from the audience. “It’s very insulting, and it means if he knows English, he needs to be speaking in English.”

[seabeyond]

1. de nada.... nt

[LynneSin]

2. That's ok I find myself offended when he is in my presence

nuff said

[LanternWaste]

3. I imagine he avoids speaking the words "San Antonio" and "Rio Grande" aloud.

I imagine he avoids speaking the words "San Antonio" and "Rio Grande" aloud. Must be a real drag to order from a good Tex-Mex menu while speaking English Only.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

5. You can order a burrito if you call it a "freedom wrap"

"I'll have a beef, bean and cheese freedom wrap with tomato, lettuce, sour cream, rice and onion, my good man...chop chop!"

"Would you like avocado?"

"Depends...is that Mexican?"

"Maybe."

"Hold the avocado."

:rofl:

[w8liftinglady]

14. lol...

[hlthe2b]

4. A question for the ages...

What are Repugs so friggin NASTY, RUDE, and BELLIGERANT? Someone needs to turn off their hate gene.

[MineralMan]

6. Seems sort of insulting to me that a Texan who has been

elected to the State Senate doesn't speak Spanish himself. I dunno...

[arbusto_baboso]

7. Then being in Texas, he must spend a LOT of time being offended.

Just like I would be in California, if I were offended by people speaking Spanish.

Probably Harris, like most paranoid Anglos, thinks the Spanish-speakers are saying derogatory things about him. Truth be told, we just don't feature that importantly in the lives of non-English speakers, Senator, so get over yourself.

[LeftinOH]

8. One would think that an elected official in TEXAS might at least know enough Spanish

to not be intimidated when he hears it. -And what is with this "very insulting" bullshit?? Que pendejo es ese.

[damntexdem]

9. Well, I'd find his presence insulting when speaking Spanish, or English, or any other language, ...

or, for that matter, when not speaking.

Actually, everyone testifying who can speak Spanish, no matter what their first language, should from now on testify in Spanish with a translator. ;-)

On my way up I35 in Texas, I stopped at a gas station and was buying something. The guys in line ahead of me were speaking in Spanish and trying their best to indicate their needs to the clerk. After they left, she turned to me and said she was glad she could now deal with someone who spoke English. Needless to say, I answered her and did the whole transaction in Spanish.

[barbtries]

11. i wish i could do that.

though only speaking english i do sometimes struggle to communicate with people who don't. i don't consider speaking english a prerequisite for being in this country.

[no_hypocrisy]

10. Hey, Señor Harris,

Vas a ti mismo mierda.
http://www.spanishdict.com/translation

[Scuba]

12. Tell him I find it "very insulting" to talk about tax cuts for the wealthy. n/t

[w8liftinglady]

13. Pos,soy una jueda quien habla espanol cada dia.

Quiero hablar con todas que viven aqui.
Porque no quieres hablar con sus vecinos?

What a king-sized bigot.
Welcome to Texas,y'all.

[blogslut]

15. Good old boy paranoia

Harris sounds like one of those people who automatically thinks that when people are speaking in another language, that must mean they're saying bad things about him.

[GentryDixon]

23. In his case, he may be right.

What an ass.

[struggle4progress]

16. The major Texas shrine was once called Mission San Antonio de Valero and was renamed Alamo by

La Segunda Compañía Volante de San Carlos de Parras

Cities in the state include El Paso, Laredo, Plano, San Antonio ...

About 35% of Texans are Hispanic and about 30% of Texans speak Spanish at home

Why? Well, it was once called Coahuila y Texas and later called El Departamento de Texas -- until a gang of illegal immigrants severed from Mexico at the river Texans call Rio Grande and Mexicans call Río Bravo del Norte

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. And then those bastards, when you spend a lifetime appeasing them

by not speaking Spanish in their presence, will tell you that you're not Hispanic.

It's all part of the plan so speak Spanish in front of them until they have to take their ativan because of the paranoia it causes them.

[me b zola]

18. You forgot to put contact links in your OP

:evilgrin:

Time for everyone to break out their spanish skills :)

The #@&%*# Chris Harris
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
[phone]
[phone] fax

522 South Edmonds Lane, Suite 200
Lewisville, Texas 75067
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

2001 E. Lamar Blvd., Ste.150
Arlington, Texas 76006
[phone]
1-866-724-0109 (toll free)
[phone] (fax)

http://www.harris.senate.state.tx.us/

[lpbk2713]

19. Any relationship to Katherine Harris?

He passes the dumb-ass test. :rofl:

[SoCalDem]

20. Anyone testifying should always use their NATIVE tongue.

there is no wiggle room when you are under oath:)

[Permanut]

21. What about Mexican?

I suppose that would be insulting as well.

"Neither in French nor in English nor in Mexican." -George W. Bush, declining to take reporters' questions during a photo op with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, April 21, 2001

[latinaliberal]

22. Señor Harris

Besame el fundillo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!