More Embarrassing News From Our State Capital

Nashville votes on "English Only" today. 

Supporters say English-only will make government clearer, unburdened by costly interpreters, and an environment that fosters assimilation by non-English speakers. But even a casual observer must ask: How can one assimilate if they cannot first get basic services -- deeds, permits, driver's licenses, police and fire protection?

"Specific exceptions" may be made by Metro Council, the proposal says. Exactly when will Council make these exceptions? How many wrongs might be committed before Council carries out three readings to enact a remedy? The sheer negligence that this law would engender is staggering.

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Call it English-only, or English-first: It's discriminatory and it would damage the city of Nashville.

And, speaking here as a non-native Tennessean, it would be a humiliation for the entire state--the entire region really--in the eyes of the rest of the country. If this thing passes, which, admittedly it probably won't, we should all move.