What kind of person reacts with such anger to criticism of overt intolerance? In your eagerness to attack the author, you have thoroughly mischaracterized her point– but I suppose that made your job easier. The argument is not that Vento has an affirmative obligation to take orders in languages he does not understand. (Did you really think that was the point? Really?) Rather, the point is that posting a sign like that (original version: “Speak American”) and handing out similarly-themed bumper stickers is a campaign against non-native speakers of English. If Vento doesn’t speak Spanish, then a friendly shrug would convey that message when someone tries to order in Spanish. If you can’t muster the common sense to understand this point, I recommend keeping your reactions private rather than trumpeting your ignorance.

By making a post like this, talking about this issue, you’re doing the exact thing you criticized the media for: bringing extra attention to a nitwit like Vento.

((And it’s “whiz wit” anyway, meaning “cheese whiz, with fried onions”. For those who haven’t tried, fried onions are a must, but for the love of all that’s good and holy don’t get a cheesesteak with cheese whiz. American cheese is better and doesn’t run the risk of killing you.))

I wonder if they have similar signs posted elsewhere… like “when ordering meat and produce only buy from farms and factories that employ employ naturalized American citizens”? Do they prefer serving to any special dialects of English? Do people who are actually FROM England get special treatment? How about Native Americans? Is sign language okay?

I’m going avoid all possible pitfalls by going dressed in an American flag, an eagle perched on my shoulder, a copy of the US Constitution in hand. On second thought, maybe I’ll skip the constitution.