Rudy Visits Controversial Cheesesteak Shop

At Geno's Steaks, Sign Went Up Reading "This Is America. When Ordering Please Speak English."

(CBS)  This story was written by CBS News' Ryan Corsaro.

---

Monday night Rudy Giuliani visited a famous Philadelphia cheesesteak restaurant that serves as much controversy as it does calories.

Geno's Steaks has been a famous Philly hot-spot for years. It was thrown into the headlines last year when the owner posted a sign at the counter that reads, "This is America. When Ordering Please Speak English."

The national spotlight on the restaurant and its owner, Joey Vento, came at a time when both the media and Congress were fixated on illegal immigration - a subject that Republican candidates have been returning to in the past few months.

Giuliani, who has had to defend his record on illegal immigration as mayor of New York City, seems determined to prove he is a strong opponent of illegal immigration. Vento believes him.

"He's the right man - he's tough," Vento tells CBS News. "I'm hoping from what I've read so far about him - I believe we're on the same page as far as illegal immigration."

In the past few months, Giuliani has offered a slew of proposals signaling that he wants to end illegal immigration: increased electronic surveillance at borders, more patrol stations, "tamper-proof ID cards," and enforcing immigrants' fluency in English.

"We should make certain that they can read English, write English and speak English," Giuliani has repeated over the past several weeks at campaign stops and in radio ads - a sentiment that echoes Vento's views.

"Immigration is wonderful," Giuliani said on Monday, according to the Associated Press. "Immigration is the best thing we have going for us. We need new people. We need people who are going to inform us, give us new ideas, but it has to be legal.

"Illegal immigration is a bad thing," he added.

Vento says even if you speak fluent English, "if you're not a legal citizen, you need to get out of this country. People say we can't get rid of them. We can get rid of them in a heartbeat."

Vento is currently awaiting a court hearing regarding his sign. According to Vento, the complaint says that he's "violating and discriminating against a certain group which they don't identify."

"But the sign doesn't say we won't serve you if you don't speak English," adds Vento.

All in all, the staff at Geno's Steaks is excited that Giuliani will make a stop at the steak-and-cheese joint tonight. Whether the candidate will use the event to take aim at illegal immigration or just to meet the locals at a Philadelphia landmark is unclear, but its owner says he'll ask Giuliani to be on his side.

"We're not going to agree on everything, but I hope we agree on illegal immigration," Vento says. "Take care of Americans first, that's what Joey Vento has to say."

[draftreid]

Good for Rudy - that''s delivering a message to the ILLEGAL Alien abating, MoveOn.Org goosestepping Leftist (NOT Liberal) bozos, cowards and traitors of the Democratic Party.

The ACLU and all of the Dem Mechista affiliates tried to close Geno''s down because it is an establishment that sticks up for America - shame that the MoveOn. paid ILLEGAL panderers of Pelosi''s party will never do the same.

[draftreid]

I only wish all of the Wal-marts and other similiar shops in this country would do the same.

This is America - speak our language, learn it, or go home.

[sftodd]

Wow -- more unapologetic hate-mongering from republicans. Shouldn''t a president avoid this kind of endorsement of mean-spiritedness, or is it okay for our president to tell entire segments of our country that "we don''t like your type"?

[sftodd]

By the way, Draftreid -- your grammar really needs improvement. Were you born in the U.S.? I could understand if English were your second langauge, but if you were born here, you should learn the language or shut up. :-)

[telltruth99]

Who Is Paying For Your Vote To Keep Control Of You And To Keep This War Going? Remember The Bankers Hold The Stock In Companies That Are Getting Billions In War Contracts, And The President Keeps Their Profit Going!

Obama''s Contributers: bankers / Special interest!
http://tinyurl.com/2nd4f8

Hillary Clinton''s Contributers Lawyers / RealEstate:
http://tinyurl.com/2ontpq

Rudy GIULIANI Contributors: Bankers / Hedge Funds!
http://tinyurl.com/2m2c4n

Ron Pauls Money Is From the People! We have someone who is NOT Paid Off By Special Interest or Bankers Money!!!
http://tinyurl.com/2q8vr3

If you ever want this War to End Vote Ron Paul 2008, No OneElse Is Going To End It!
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues

[realpatriot1]

I don''t generally think too much of people who make the argument that immigrants should learn the language or go home because usually the same people oppose ESL programs and any means for immigrants to learn the language. Hatred and intolerance of immigrants should itself not be tolerated in a nation of immigrants.

However, I don''t expect every business to be able to cater to the non-English speaking public. People who come here without proficiency in English should be provided with opportunities to learn but until they do they will be limited in their opportunities.

I don''t blame Geno''s for not having bilingual staff to cater to non-English speaking customers; it''s a matter of practicality.

[sftodd]

I don''''t blame Geno''''s for not having bilingual staff to cater to non-English speaking customers; it''''s a matter of practicality.
Posted by realpatriot1 at 10:45 PM : Oct 01, 2007

It''s not that they don''t have bilingual staff -- the problem is their arrogant hate-filled "This is America" attitude. I''ve never encountered such a hateful attitude at a restaurant in France, Italy, Spain, etc. and I don''t speak the language in any of those places, but when they don''t speak English, we muddle through it -- there''s no excuse for treating a restaurant patron so rudely. Guiliani is obviously just another David Duke.

[dutchfarmer]

Puke. This ain''t news. This is biased and subjective propaganda. Hypocrisy reigns in the news mafia.

[sftodd]

Puke. This ain''t news. This is biased and subjective propaganda. Hypocrisy reigns in the news mafia.
Posted by dutchfarmer at 11:45 PM : Oct 01, 2007

Dutchfarmer -- please enlighten those of us who can''t understand your obscure logic. This ain''t Fox News, so I can''t tell who the media is trashing here.

[realpatriot1]

SFTodd,

I hear what you''re saying, good point. They certainly could''ve been more tactful and said something like, " We can only respond to orders in English."

Rudy is certainly pandering his butt off to every reactionary sentiment he can from the Confederate flag wavers to changing his stance on assault weapons for the NRA.

[dante805]

Only controversial because some Liberal said it was. Speaking Fluent English should be a requirement for Citizenship. That way anyone who can''t speak it gets deported. What easier way could there be? Go Rudy the ONLY candidate that can win a few Blue States from HITLARY. ABC -Anyone But Clinton, But Not Obama

[draftreid]

SFTOAD,

If you don''t like their requirement that people order in English, tough.

This is America, not some third world entity that you Lefties and Neo-Fascists with your appeasing terrorists and open borders rhetoric want - at least it still is. Get used to it.

Try living in Mexico - legally or otherwise. If you try to retire there, as some friends of my folks did, the Mexican government will tell you you can''t own the land. Better yet, sneak across the border and see what happens there.

Geno''s is doing the right thing - and good for Giuliani for patronizing them. When you decide to condem the hypocrite Boy Obama for calling Abraham Lincoln a "Racist" then gratefully and gleefully accepting dinner invitations from his good buddy, Grand Kleagle Byrd, then you have the right to spew about Rudy. Till then, It''s our country - you speak English here, or get out.

[nukeem123]

Hey SFTodd,

Get a life. This is america, and we speak EEEENGLISH here guy. If your ILLEGAL CRIMINAL immigrant buddies want to come here....the smallest bit of brainpower should tell you that they should probably learn to speak OUR language first. My ancestors learned english and came here legally 5 generations ago...there is no reason why today''s immigrant pool cannot do the same.

This store owner is doing all he can within his power to send a message. And the message is clear to most...since YOU don''t get it-here it is: We are tired of illegal criminals coming to this country illegally and committing crimes, spreading their nasty diseases, sucking up social security the DON''T pay into, getting free medical care at taxpayer expense and free government housing and not paying taxes...And that''s just the start of it.

The mine field idea is good...SHOOT TO KILL IS BETTER!

[nukeem123]

SFTOAD,

If you don''''t like their requirement that people order in English, tough.

This is America, not some third world entity that you Lefties and Neo-Fascists with your appeasing terrorists and open borders rhetoric want - at least it still is. Get used to it.

Try living in Mexico - legally or otherwise. If you try to retire there, as some friends of my folks did, the Mexican government will tell you you can''''t own the land. Better yet, sneak across the border and see what happens there.

Geno''''s is doing the right thing - and good for Giuliani for patronizing them. When you decide to condem the hypocrite Boy Obama for calling Abraham Lincoln a "Racist" then gratefully and gleefully accepting dinner invitations from his good buddy, Grand Kleagle Byrd, then you have the right to spew about Rudy. Till then, It''''s our country - you speak English here, or get out.

Posted by Draftreid

AMEN BRO! I''m with ya!

[shingles1]

I can''t tell if Giuliani''s pandering or flip flopping here...or both. Take a look at his record in NYC - "More Ted Kennedy than Main Street America".

On the bright side though, since his latest wife Judith was there with him in person, he didn''t have to interrupt a speech to answer her phone call...like he''s done OVER 40 times. For more on this see John Fund''s Op Ed in yesterday''s Wall St. Journal.

[eggy1620]

%u201C. . .sucking up social security the DON''''T pay into. . .%u201D Posted by nukeem123

It is not possible to collect social security benefits if you do not pay into your own SS account. That leads me to my second point. If some illegal worker wants to use my SS # to get a job and pay payroll taxes into my SS account, then I welcome it.

[hungry1968]

"This is America, not some third world entity that you Lefties and Neo-Fascists with your appeasing terrorists and open borders rhetoric want - at least it still is."
Posted by Draftreid at 08:49 AM : Oct 02, 2007


Why do you neo-con idiots keep blaming the left for doing the right thing? If George Bush had his way, we wouldn''t have a border with Mexico - he would build several illegal alien superhighways.

If you remember, which apparently you don''t, the AMNESTY BILL was Bush''s baby and he lobbied both the Senate and Congress very, very hard to get the AMNESTY BILL passed. Then when the DEMOCRATIC controlled Congress killed the AMNESTY BILL, Bush nearly broke down crying because the AMNESTY BILL didn''t get passed into law.

Thank God for the left leaning Congress and Senate to kill the AMNESTY BILL!!!

[hungry1968]

It is not possible to collect social security benefits if you do not pay into your own SS account. That leads me to my second point. If some illegal worker wants to use my SS # to get a job and pay payroll taxes into my SS account, then I welcome it.
Posted by eggy1620 at 09:01 AM : Oct 02, 2007


And a credit card and car loan?

[ov442]

I think its kinda dumb actually.
Philadelphia relishes in the enormous amount of Tourism they get. Tourists from other countries that dont speak English flock there all the time. If they hear about this awesome famous cheesesteak place to visit for a great taste of Philly, and they walk in there and see this sign, often they can read english but not speak so much, they may walk out.
I guess if you dont want tourists in a large tourist destination from other countries, then its a choice, but hey im sure they do fine with just the regulars.

[briannorwood]

Rudy Giuliani is a disgusting panderer and flip-flopping moron.

[ov442]

Eggy1620 and hungry1968, about the SS#s, they are also often using a different name with your # when they are filling out forms. Which leads to some level of confusing and possibly serious credit damage as well as mixups. What if they get your name and # and some of their debts find your address and start sending you bills for things you didnt buy?
i think it should be the #1 concern about illegals.

[hungry1968]

Posted by ov442 at 09:20 AM : Oct 02, 2007


That''s basically what I said in my post.


????

[ladyjaneg]

To be honest, I don''t think you have to Republican/Conservative to see the logic here. Sure, if you go to another country, just for an example, France. If you go as a tourist and you don''t speak French, whatever, you can get through. But if you go to LIVE there and you don''t speak French....good luck. Really, it''s the same thing as here--- I also think that once you decide to live in America legally, you need to yes, still be proud of your roots, but realize, that this isn''t where you come from. Speak your language at home, fine sure, and teach it to your kids, by all means. But if you want to order a sub, or whatever, you do need to to speak the language of the country you are in. I am SO for LEGAL immigration, so nobody take my words and twist them. I am for LEGAL immigration. Again, you really don''t have to be Conservative/Republican to see the logic here. :)

[ladyjaneg]

To be honest, I don''t think you have to Republican/Conservative to see the logic here. Sure, if you go to another country, just for an example, France. If you go as a tourist and you don''t speak French, whatever, you can get through. But if you go to LIVE there and you don''t speak French....good luck. Really, it''s the same thing as here--- I also think that once you decide to live in America legally, you need to yes, still be proud of your roots, but realize, that this isn''t where you come from. Speak your language at home, fine sure, and teach it to your kids, by all means. But if you want to order a sub, or whatever, you do need to to speak the language of the country you are in. I am SO for LEGAL immigration, so nobody take my words and twist them. I am for LEGAL immigration. Again, you really don''t have to be Conservative/Republican to see the logic here. :)

[crater7]

IMAGINE THAT;

SPEAK ENGLISH WHEN ORDERING.

IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, WOULD YOU ORDER IN ENGLISH, OR USE THE LOCAL LANUAGE?

STAY THE COURSE.........

[ladyjaneg]

My apologies about the duplicate post. :)

[radiob-2009]

June 15, 2007
Dogpile Gazette






Dogpile Missouri: We caught up with Drew our hometown champion on the steps of the state capital yesterday and inquired to his campaign for president. He stated that all was going well and that momentum was gathering in his favor. When pressed on issues such as Iraq he replied that he had a concrete plan to end the war inside of six months of his presidency. Asked about the immigration issue he again reiterated that he had the only viable plan. Asked about his plan and details of Drew was quick to respond to our questions with great insight and knowledge of the subject. He spoke fluently to the mixed audience outside the steps of the capitol, which was followed by applause. He promised his plan would indeed provide better security at home and abroad. He then went on to state that he would not only finish the war in Iraq inside of six months but he would also put an end to the war on terror bringing it also to a end inside of two years. Dogpile residents and America will indeed be watching this candiate.

[xlib]

Seems as if the real point behind this is lost on the lib/dems, no surprise there. The issue IS libs is this, we (the majority who don''t scream and screech)do not want to be forced into learning another languague. That''s the point. As for travel abroad, I personally try like heck to speak the native tongue. For the most part people recognize that effort (except in france) and help you out.
Now, anyone who actually saw and heard the owner of the cheesesteak shop knows that he was protesting being forced into speaking in Spanish and having his menus in Spanish-THAT''s THE POINT!
Coming from Philly, I totally understand this man''s point. Sad to say, I''m not at all surprised by the total lack of understanding on the left.

[killtheliars]

This is America and the language is English. Any other language is a SECONDARY language and nobody should have to learn another language to make life easier for someone else. THe non-english speaking person needs to learn english, not the other way around.

[blondmadison]

What''s in a language?

Throw out the languages since they didn''t work to communicate peaceful harmonius healthy ways to live. They are not used to communicate love.

Throw all of them out. What would we have with which to communicate? Lots of other ways. Many. It would be fun and much less noise. Be creative.

There isn''t one specific language which is the best to speak, the most convenient to know, the least trouble to learn. All of them have quirks. Throw them all out as testers which failed - because obviously, if one has to fight over a language, the language/s failed both sides.

[nexgen99]

Speak English or press #1 if you are illegal so we can deport you. Press #2 if your here legally so we can send you to school to learn English.

[deadanimal]

This is America and the language is English. Any other language is a SECONDARY language and nobody should have to learn another language to make life easier for someone else. THe non-english speaking person needs to learn english, not the other way around.
Posted by killtheliars at 10:05 AM : Oct 02, 2007

Strange that your post isn''t written in Cherokee. I mean I thought this was America and people should speak the "American" language. I see your point though, we stole this country fair and square so we should be able to make everyone speak whatever language we see fit.

[jn122736]

Geno''s Steaks, has every right to ask people to order in English, or even to refuse to fill orders NOT made in English. English is, and ALWAYS has been, the ONLY written language taught in our grade schools.
Everyone is prejudiced about different things; only most are not honest enough (even to themselves) to admit it.

I admit that I am prejudiced in this respect. If I visit France, Germany, Italy, etc. and I don%u2019t speak their language, I know I will need an interpreter, or if I live there I will need to learn to speak their language. There is nothing wrong with that.

Our borders do not need fences to prevent illegal entry, that%u2019s what laws are for.

Punishing illegal immigrants through deportation and/or imprisonment for repeat offenders, plus fines and/or jail time for those who hide/hire them is the correct and easy way to end the problem.

Laws already exist to accomplish most of this but are simply not enforced. Those responsible for enforcing these laws must be held accountable also, up to and including the highest-ranking officials.

The %u201Canchor baby%u201D problem is also easily solved.
If the mother is here illegally the baby should also be considered Illegal, otherwise, in this case, crime really does pay.
The parents and the country they are from are responsible for the baby, not America.

Any baby born in a foreign country is and should be a natural citizen of the Parents country.

[nolalou]

Guiliani & restaurant owner Vento. Two Italians who''s immigrant parents or grandparents came to this country, mostly likely not speaking a word of English. When they went shopping they probably did so at stores or restaurants owned by fellow Italians, and ordered in Italian. Some learned just enough accented English to get by, but it would take the next generation to attend American schools to learn fluent English. So it''s surprising to me, the son of Italian immigrants myself, that Mr Vento and Rudy are so intolerant of immigrants! Yes, we do need to reform immigration laws and enforcement, but these idiots that think we can just kick out all illegals are delusional! There are estimates of over 12 million illegals in this country! It some counties where the laws have been enforced, crops are rotting un-picked because of lack of workers! The idea that there are Americans willing to do this work is a myth! If by means that did happen, and all our crops had to be picked by American workers for American wages, you''ll see even more outrage at the high prices we''d have to pay for produce at the supermarket!

[thgdriver]

The sign was wrong, it left off---No shoes, no shirt, no paints, no service.

It''s obvious to me the sign was aimed at folks who live here and not foreign visitors on vacation.

Puerto Rico is a territory of the USA we acquired that
nation after the war with Spain in 1898. The people there are as American as any body in Philadelphia or any city in the USA, I still feel that if I went there to live "indefinitely" I should learn Spanish. When they move to the mainland to "stay" they should learn English.

[missingamerica]

I don''t see what the problem is with having English declared to be the "official" language of the United States.

Since our Constitution and Bill of Rights are written in English, does that not implicitly state that we already have English as our official language?

If someone comes from the fictitious country of Gerbral, must I learn Gerbralian in the name of political correctness? Should I also, using the same rationale, give him or her all Gerbralian holidays off?

Should I not, then, also acquiesce to the Gerbralian custom of determining the final ownership of property by dueling?

How can I think to hold the newly arrived Gerbralian accountable under our laws, since I don''t require him or her to learn the language our laws are communicated in?

Silly analogies?

No. Just like all accommodations of immigrants must end somewhere, an immigrant''s accommodation of their new nation must begin somewhere.

Let them begin with English.

[nukeem123]

Illegal ''criminal'' immigrants get out! Come back legally and when you learn to speak OUR language.

[pghlady3]

Thank you Rudi.....As for people who live in Puerto Rico, on our last vacation there, EVERYONE we spoke to spoke english. My family came from europe along with my husbands family, and everyone learned to speak english.
Somos arrepentidos que usted se puso entiende usted NECESITA aprender a hablar ingles.
(We are sorry you dont understand, you NEED to learn to speak english).

[nukeem123]

Our borders do not need fences to prevent illegal entry

posted by jn122736

Correct! Our borders need a modern day great wall of china with armed outposts every 100 meters. With minefields in front and shoot to kill ROEs.

[thgdriver]

pghlady3

Just curious, did you also visit these----# American Samoa
# Baker Island
# Howland Island
# Jarvis Island
# Johnston Atoll
# Kingman Reef
# Guam
# Midway Islands
# Navassa Island
# Northern Mariana Islands
# Palmyra Atoll
# Petrel Islands
# Puerto Rico
# Serranilla Bank
# U.S. Virgin Islands

You think everyone you meet will speak English? Let me know when you get back.

[blondmadison]

"...why do i care what they speak in as long as they understand me and i understand their english."

Posted by parrots7 at 10:43 AM : Oct 02, 2007

Great Point parrots7!

The idea is to communicate. Period. Use sign language, use your eyeballs if need be but to commandeer all to use the language of one stinking area is pure idiocy, discriminatory and way narrow minded. Combine the differences and come up with communication. Gawd. Every day Americans look more and more like sick morons.

[rudy654-2009]

Correct! Our borders need a modern day great wall of china with armed outposts every 100 meters. With minefields in front and shoot to kill ROEs.
Posted by nukeem123 at 10:42 AM

Ah let me guess, you were once a part of the Stasi? It figures that you Schweinehunden now try to spread your hatred everywhere you go.

[missingamerica]

HOW MANY OTHER LANGUAGES HAVE YOU HAD TO LEARN .... why are you so DUMB... I bet the Racist and Redneck end to this argument always resort to Fear instead of common sense ...
Posted by parrots7 at 10:43 AM : Oct 02, 2007

Let me think...when I was stationed in Thailand, I had to learn enough Thai to get by; when I was stationed in Korea, I had to learn enough Korean to get by; when I was stationed on Okinawa, I had to learn enough Japanese to get by; oh yeah, and when I was stationed in Georgia I had to learn to pretend to like grits.

Dumb, racist (wish you''d told me earlier - if I''d known I was a racist I would have insisted all the people in those other countries speak English) redneck that I apparently am, I thought it was important to protect Americans from losing their national identity to invasion.

Invasions come in all shapes and forms.

[rudy654-2009]

Somos arrepentidos que usted se puso entiende usted NECESITA aprender a hablar ingles.
(We are sorry you dont understand, you NEED to learn to speak english).
Posted by pghlady3 at 10:41 AM

To you and all other white sheeted racist slime: There are a million other places (restaurants) that don''t care what language a person speaks, and will gladly do business with their multilingual clients. The rest of you hate mongers can find refuge where this Rudy finds his. As for Spanish, Spanish has been spoken in the United States long before the country was ever founded, from coast to coast, and has been continually a part of the US culture since.

Pero con respecto a tu estupido intento de escribir en espanol, debes a lo menos tratar de impresionarnos con lo que es gramaticamente correcto. Lo unico que hiciste es demostrar tu estupidez. Ciao, mensa!

[rudy654-2009]

Invasions come in all shapes and forms.
Posted by ibsteve2u at 11:01 AM

Invasions from racists is just one example.

[missingamerica]

Did ya know Spanish is a descendent of Latin? That is what amused me as I was taking Latin; if I spoke Spanish, I was really speaking Italian.

[missingamerica]

Hows come if I want people to speak English in America, that makes me a rascist, but if I insist upon people speaking English in Mexico, that makes me an "Ugly American"?

Hypocrisy at its finest...

[vancouverboo]

He''s tough when he''s running, but action speaks louder than words.

[jn122736]

parrots7

Nowhere in my comment did I mention any political party, and I certainly did not suggest that Democrats alone were responsible for the immigration problem.

Jumping to conclusions (assuming) is hazardous at best.

[missingamerica]

.. here''''s since CA, TX through to AZ used to be a part of Mexico as of ????? - now you see where the DUMB comes in .....
Posted by parrots7 at 11:24 AM : Oct 02, 2007

Do I EVER get tired of that specious argument.

Hey, the Americas used to be just a part of Pangaea - maybe we should scrap all human languages and talk dinosaur, eh?