Text of the Jan Hall letter
Dear Honorable Congressman,
Please consider my views when you are voting and representing voters.
I believe we must close the doors to all foreigners for awhile (sic) until we get this economy and the schools back on their feet. As a classroom teacher in Florida for 28 years, I know that foreigners are the largest users of our taxpayers' money. Foreigners are taking all of the jobs that poor and little-educated Americans could have. Many people are being paid under the table, and therefore they are not paying their fair share of taxes. Schools are dealing with too many problems with language differences, and time is lost to our American children who have parents who pay taxes. I'm seeing money going to local charities going to Mexican, Haitian, and Mid-Eastern immigrants instead of to the poorer people of American descent.
Our school at Sadler Elementary where I teach is 92% Puerto Rican. Please consider changing the laws and keeping these people home in Puerto Rico. They are trashing Orlando daily.
These P.R. children are holding American children back academically, and Puerto Rican teachers can keep getting extensions on their temporary certificates so that they are allowed to teach without proper training. I can truthfully say that Puerto Rican teachers at my school ask me continually for help with math, as they do not get but the equivalent of a fifth grade education in Puerto Rico. They almost always can do no algebra and rely on the system to get by.
I find that Haitian children are more aggressive in the classroom and have not been to school regularly. Their poor conduct is yet another real problem.
In Winter Haven, FL, a large orange grove area with Mexican migrants to do the work, jobs that poor blacks and poor whites used to take are filled by Mexicans, who I am told bring in drugs and disease, such as incurable TB, for the most part.
I know that the solution is difficult, but other countries protect their borders and do not allow foreigners to take citizens' jobs. Please do not allow criminals to stay, as they are filling the jobs in FL.
It's time to get our troops home!
Very truly,
Jan P. Hall
posted by Pat Campbell @ 9:30 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
Whether you agree with the content of the letter is immaterial. She exercised her 1st amendment right and undertook her right to contact her elected representative about her views. Why was she suspended? She didn't express this view in the classroom? What is the name of the person who turned over this letter? Why was it used against her? How come no one is supporting her "free speech" while Cindy-the-used-Sheehan gets all kinds of support? I protest any sanctions taken against this teacher.
In the last paragraph:
"as they are filling the jobs in FL" it should be "jails" not "jobs"
She is totally right, I think that the Super of the school and the school system should get suite over making her look like an racist. I am from a forgien country and I know in my country if you dont speak the lanuage you get out. We are not going to conform to the imigrants. The imigrants should conform to us.
I have several comments to share. First, I share the concerns of "anonymous said." As this letter was addressed to her Congressman, how did the letter become public record? Who released the letter to the Press and why?
Second, while it may be a little unfair to say this, her letter serves to illustrate the mediocre quality of teachers in our public schools by its improper use of address, poor use of grammar, and an apparent lack of knowledge of American history and Social studies: the letter implies that Puerto Rico is a foreign nation in a category similar to Mexico and Haiti. Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States and its citizens are citizens of the United States upon birth.
Many of Ms. Hall's statements are of questionable accuracy. With a Florida unemployment currently running at about 3.7 percent, the state is at virtual full employment -- everyone who wants a job has a job. Yet immigrants legal and otherwise have no difficulty finding work. Furthermore, many employers will unequivocally say that immigrant workers are superior to native workers -- more reliable, less likely to steal, and work harder.
Finally, while I find Ms. Hall's letter to be poorly written, not factually supported, and offensive in her basic anti-immigrant tone, I strongly support her basic request to Congress to affirmatively control our borders through the combination of a Guest Worker program and the effective exclusion of illegal entries using whatever means are necessary.
I may not agree with all the contents of Jan Hall's letter but I do agree with her right to express her views as protected by the First Admendment of the Constitution. Jan has seen first hand what is happening in the USA for a number of reasons.
One reason we are having a problem with education in this country is that Americans are being made to bend to the wants and needs of those who are in this country either illegally or are born here of illegal parents. That is a fact. If some of us don't like to hear it that's tough. It is the truth. It's only part of the issue though.
The Orange County School Board and their adivsers, Ron Blocker and his staff, and most of the administration of the school district need to be replaced with those who are dedicated to teaching the children of American citizens and legal "foreigners."
My extended family came to this country from another country. My children can be and are considered to be a minority even though they are native born Americans of parents who are legal citizens of this great country. What kind of common sense is that?
When are we as a nation going to be Americans first? My children consider themselves Americans not members of the Latin Community living in the U.S. We all need to be Americans first and we should protect what we have.
If keeping safe and secure what I hold dear is being a racist then some will call me a racist. I just think they haven't read the definition of the word lately. I think we need to protect our borders, our language, and our American way of life. We need to stop trying to be everything to everyone who makes it into our country.
JR, in Orange County
I partially agree with the Patriot….I also agree with the “thesis” of Jan Hall’s letter, that we have a serious immigration problem. However, the grammar, structure and “facts” of Ms Hall’s letter are similar to what one would see in freshman level writing, so I question the legitimacy of this letter. It may only have been a rough draft…. especially since the “Honorable Congressman’s” name is not correctly addressed in the letter heading. Regardless, her premise that immigrants, especially non-English speaking children, are a problem, I have to fully agree. As a resident of Celebration we went from an “A” rated to a “D” rated school after Osceola County rezoned us with a district of largely Spanish speaking children. Over 80% of the children in Celebration High reside outside the community and most of these are Hispanic. How is it possible that an “A” rated school, which was originally composed of primarily white, English speaking children, be reduced to a “D” rating within 1 year? I would like the Hispanic community to explain that.
How is it that the Indian, and Japanese immigrants in our community quickly assimilated with no problems and whose children, on average, perform better in school than white children. Why have my British neighbors quickly assimilated and are productive citizens paying taxes? The reasons are three-fold: knowing how to speak English, accepting American customs, and maintaining strong family values. It has NOTHING to do with the color of your skin or where you are from…. it has to do with your values, your responsibility to speak the language of this country and that you respect AMERICAN traditions and customs. That’s what the word “ASSIMILATE” means.
When the Government, Industry and our education system quit catering to non-English speaking immigrants, when they quit subsidizing below standard performance and quit making excuses, all for the sake of political correctness, maybe then we can resolve this. Until the responsibility of success and failure in school or daily life is put solely on the shoulders of immigrants, without Government (taxpayer) assistance or PC excuses, the problems will continue. In the meantime, the English-speaking children in our schools and the tax-paying citizens will continue to suffer and pay the price of PC.
A decision should be made by Congress and only by Congress. The question is: Should Puerto Rico become a state of the union and pay taxes like the rest of us or let them go free?
For over a hundred years, the United States have had the control of the island of Puerto Rico. The US acquired the Caribbean island along with Cuba and some other islands in Pacific previously owned by Spain. Independence was given to Cuba and most of the other territories, but Puerto Rico remained a property of the US.
A vital strategic location was the main reason to keep the Spanish speaking island under the Stars & Stripes early on. Puerto Rico is located at the entrance of the Americas, making it the doorway to the Continent.
In 1917 Puerto Ricans became US citizens. In 1948, one of their own became governor. In 1952, the status changed from a territory to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since then, pro-statehooders or PNP's and pro-independence or PIPiolos followers have been trying to find to put an end to what they call a veiled colony.
Puerto Ricans in general have been very loyal to the United States. They have supported and provided America with some of the best soldiers Uncle Sam could ever desire for the last 100 years. Eventhough, many Puerto Rican lives have been sacrificed for the Red White & Blue, they have yet the power to vote for president.
Referendums in 1967, 1993 and again in the late 1990's proved that the island have yet to really decide which side of the pendulum they would like to go permanently. The scores were very tightly divided down the middle towards statehood and the current status quo.
I believe Puerto Ricans are old enough as people to decide whether they want to be part of us full time or be independent. The referendums on the island reflect that the people are not sure as to what to expect from the two alternatives.
In my opinion, the political parties have done an awful job selling their story, as the one clear choice. In the meantime, more and more puertoricans move to the mainland and rightfully so. After all, they are American citizens.
What do you think of Puerto Rico's future? Should they become a state with all the fiscal responsibilities of one or should we tell our members of Congress to let them go free? What do you think America?
I think Jan Hall should be fired. She should be fired, but not because of what she said. She should be fired because she is a failure as a teacher.
Her letter is filled with historical inacurracies. Putting Puertoricans in the same breath with the likes of Mexicans and Haitians is not only insulting to them but just wrong.
FYI people, whether we like it or not, the Ricans can come here to Florida and drive their lowriders with their flags or any other state just like the rest of us.
Buddy Lingerhass -
I think the success or lack thereof of Ms. Hall's students both past and present is a better indication of whether she should remain a teacher, not one letter written to a Congressman.
I think making generalizations of a race or ethnic group is offensive. I have worked with people both good and bad that were of many races and ethnic groups.
The questions I would like to raise are:
1. If you are a US Citizen, shouldn't you know how to speak English? And if so, why should we provide bilingual classes for you?
2. Should we has Americans be forces to learn a different language to accomodate immigrants or should the immigrants be forced to learn our language?
3. Should our taxpayer money go to accomodating immigrants by paying for such things as bi-lingual education, translations of government documents, etc. or should our taxpayer money go to supporting things that help US Citizens?
TH
TH,
I think you are missing the point all togther.
Let me answer your questions as it seems like you are not aware of the world around you:
The questions I would like to raise are:
1. If you are a US Citizen which All Puertoricans are by birth, shouldn't you know how to speak English? And if so, why should we provide bilingual classes for you? The answer is YES. Bilingual classes are a must for both groups to learn more.
2. Should we has Americans be forces to learn a different language to accomodate immigrants or should the immigrants be forced to learn our language? Americans are not forced to do anything. On the same token, neither should immigrants. The thing that most of us Americans overlook, the fact that the US does not have an official language. English is not the country's official language.
3. Should our taxpayer money go to accomodating immigrants by paying for such things as bi-lingual education, translations of government documents, etc. or should our taxpayer money go to supporting things that help US Citizens?
Once again, we must learn from our own history, not sleep through it while in High School. This country was made out of immigrants and foriegners. The fact is that hispanics are now the largest minority in the country. They do pay taxes and their consumerism is much higher than any other group. They spend more money than whites, blacks and any other group. In my book, that's the American Way!
-Buddy Lingerhass
How dare this Veteran teacher who sees our system degrading, tell the TRUTH.
I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN YOU CAN'T EXPRESS YOUR OPINIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS AWFUL THAT SHE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR JUST WRITING A LETTER TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THIS IS AMERICA ISN'T IT? IF YOU COME HERE FROM ANYWHERE ELSE, YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL TO OUR COUNTRY,AND TRY TO BE AN AMERICAN, WHY DID THEY COME HERE EXCEPT FOR FREEDOM. NOW WE AMERICANS ARE THE MINORITY, AND ARE NOT EXCEPTED IN OUR OWN COUNTRY BECAUSE WE DO NOT SPEAK SPANISH. WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER, FOR AS A GROUP WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SHOW THAT WE HAVE OUR RIGHTS ALSO.
I am not sure if anyone is still reading this blog, but I thought I would post my opinion anyway.
The problem with Mrs. Hall writing the letter is that she did it as an Educator. She has every right to express her opinion as a citizen of the United States, but as an Educator who is bound by the Code of Ethics, she has a responability to her students and to the rest of the teacher's that are employed in Florida.
She could have expressed her views and opinions without using her background in teaching to give herself credability. I don't think she did anything wrong until she identified herself as a teacher and what school she taught at.
I understand that she exercised her 1st amendment and she shouldn't have been suspended for exercising her right as an American. But damn did she say some stupid shit.
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