YOUR COMMENTS

Bravo to Merrimack. Like the employers using illegals, stores like Lowe's who print everything in Spanish approaching same size as English, deserve to be shunned.
- Dave Cumming, Abbeville SC

James Longfellow of Hooksett, NH seems incredulous when he rhetorically asks if a teen or adult can't learn a language faster than an infant. Well, James, in fact teens and adults are not even close to being able to learn a language as adeptly as an infant or young child. That's why if you want your child to be bi-lingual you need to start teaching them at a very young age. I'm not kidding James. I'm a language professor at a local university.
- Roberto, Merrimack

Congratulations, Merrimack. How did they get to the beach if they can't read road signs. I imagine they can count their money as well.

ALL of our forebears came from other countries and learned to speak English. Is it again, the "New Generation" of sloppy clothes, foul language and rudeness.
?
- Deborah, Holderness

I love Merrimack, good job .
Remember ignorance of the law is no excuse. Lear the language learn the law.
Common sense tells you, you don't bring alcohol and ruff and tumble to a public park, were families and their children are trying to have a good time. I can't read the sign is just unacceptable, just as is your bad behavior.
Someone said they were citizens, I doubt this, as to become a citizen you have to take a test and know at least some basic English and history of our country. They also have to have and idea how our government works.
I'm sick and tired of working my butt off to pay for illegal aliens welfare, of reading stories about illegal aliens who have crash their cars killing innocent children.
You say other countries have signs in English, well yaaa they want our money. Go to a small town in another country see how many signs you can read . Its mostly the big tourist cities were the all mighty buck gets spent..
- Bert Kemp, Groton

Jessica,
3 to 5 years for social language skills??? My son was communicating with these skills at 12 months!!! Are you telling me that an adult or teen has less capacity to learn than an infant??? You've got to be kidding!!!
- James Longfellow, Hooksett, NH

Quebec is not a drain to Canada, it is actually a huge amount of income for the country. I suggest you read something other than the Leader for international news once in a while.
- B, Manchester

Yeah!!!!!!!!! For Merrimack! If you live here, draw welfare here then LEARN THE LANGUAGE!
- Judi K, Warwick, RI Formerly of NH

Reading all the comments, even the issue is dividing by nature. As a third generation in this country I thank my family for taking the responsibility and learning the language of this country. One language is the common thread that binds different cultures. Keep your individual culture but do not expect everyone to placate to you because you cannot communicate. Make the effort. This country needs more Merrimacks.
- Paul Torosian, Franklin

Karen, What you don't get is that it takes time to learn a language. The reserach says 3-5 years for social language and 5-7 for academic. This is according to Stephen Krashen, a famous linguist. The police requested the signs in order to avoid trouble. What harm can it do? SPANISH is the 2nd language of America. Look in any almanac and you will see.
- Jessica T, Manchester

I am also glad to see someone finally standing up for our primary language(english).GOOD JOB MERRIMACK.If you come here learn the language,all street signs and road signs are in english so learn English or dont drive either.Many people that come to this country learn the language.I hope this starts a trend ,when in US speak english!!!!
- karen shutt, manchester

I can't believe the utter ignorance of the folks in this town, it astounds me.
What is the big deal of posting RULES in Spanish? This way they cannot plead ignorance to the posted rules.
I have traveled outside of NH which obviously most folks in Merrimack have not otherwise they would have seen the two big signs that say "Welcome to New Hampshire" "Bienvenue" which means welcome as most of you can't understand anything other than English. If the state of NH can put a sign up in French then what is the big deal on putting up RULES that would help the local police do their job.......or maybe they need to learn Spanish too...
Maybe the education system in this county needs an overhaul, teaching Spanish in high school is an absolute waste of time. Teach it from Kindergarten and you won't have such a problem. Just another note........I was in The Netherlands a few years ago, I was approached by elderly man who asked where I was from, I replied that I was from the USA......oh so you speak American!!!!.........I almost spit my coffee out of my mouth as I laughed.........I corrected him and said....oh I speak English, French, Spanish and some German, and presently I am learning Italian and Portuguese........guess it is the French I learned from kindergarten to 12th grade that afforded me this ability to learn another language.
How may times have I heard some American tourist in a foreign country ask in a very loud voice "DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH" they get a look of disdain....and often the reply is yes.....after the English only speaking tourist leaves you don't want to know what is said about them......in fact I wound not order room service in that same hotel if I were them.
As for Mr.Rauthaus idiotic comment on Quebec trying to secede from Canada.....most Canadians would love to see them go.....they are a drain on the counties resources.
Guess you never heard about the group in Texas that wanted to secede.....or the town in Vermont that is trying to secede.
Merrimack making national news again..can't you take a page from history...ahhemmm......do any of you remember the last time we made national news??? shame on you all!!!
- Lynda, Merrimack

I just hope that our wishwashy politicians are reading these posts. Then maybe they will get the hint that legal american registered voters are sick of all this P.C. GARBAGE!
- Colin Lynch, Manchester

Pamela was making sense. Mon dieu, I thought. I'm not shopping at Home Depot if they don't have signs in French. ;) Then I realized that Pamela is probably in Washington State. There aren't a lot of francophones in BC and you'll see more signs in Chinese than French. Maybe that's why the staff were befuddled. An official language is merely one that is required in official government business. It has nothing to do with the languages spoken in day to day life. Latin is still the official language of the Roman Catholic Church, but even priests don't use it much outside of mass.

I am perplexed why some Americans identify English as an essential part of America and Americanism, or why some identify white skins or fundamentalist Christianity as essential to "Real Americans".
Got a problem with Chinese on menus in Chinese restaurants?

Obviously, Pamela hasn't been to Switzerland, which functions peacefully and efficiently in four official languages plus English. It's not a big deal. ALL countries are multilingual except a few small dots, and even they talk to the tourists in their own languages. They have to if they want to eat.
- Brant Boucher, Ottawa, Ontario

Instead of Americans being forced to subsidize Spanish cable channels, the FTC should require a 24 hour "How to speak English" channel for free. And for Spanish or any other language, an additional charge per channel for the same set price for all different language channels i.e, French, Greek, Italian Chinese... It's one thing to be in another country and being catered to by hotels - restaurants etc but to live in a country, learn the language, learn the culture.
- Jim Sharron, Manchester

I wonder how many European settlers learned Native American languages when they arrived here...and if Spanish was the primary language spoken in many areas of this country before becoming states of the US, why do people think it's some new thing we're facing? Also, what if Puerto Rico had voted to become a state? Should they have all had to learn English too?
- Del Maxwell, Manchester

Thanks Merrimack! I am glad someone is finally taking a stand. My family are all French, but learnt the American language when they came to America...Legally. When I traveled to Korea, there were no signs in English. It was my responsibilty to learn the laws, I was in their country! Living in a border state, we have stores that have signs in Spanish first, then English. Some are begining to except Pesos. I welcome anyone from other countries that come here legally, but if they don't speak any English...they usally understand "INS". That's where I want my tax dollars going (to secure our borders),not for more bilingual signs.
God Bless America & Our Troops!
- D.Schmitt, Glendale, AZ

My grandparents came here from Italy and Portagal, legally. They learned English and fought for America. One in the tail end of the Calvary, the other in World II. Learning English does not mean you give up your roots. People need to get with the program. Your either an American or your not - plain and simple.
- Lee Ann McCarthy, Londonderry

Vanessa in Manchester - I think its great that your mother learned english and is now a tax paying citizen. If everyone that moved to this country made that a priority I'm sure it wouldn't be such an issue. Maybe the people bringing alcohol to the park and not obeying the rules could spend their time doing something more important. Learning english should be the first thing they do instead of living life without responsibilties.
- Johnny, Manchester

is it really such a burden to press 1 for english? Is it really a big deal to have 2 languages on some park signs so the citizens using the park can read them? Im thinking theres a little more than "patriotism" brewing under some of these posts.
- chris, manchester

TO MIKE IN TORONTO and anyone else that agrees with him, The definition of melting pot is "A place where immigrants of different cultures or races form an integrated society" My mother didn't know English right away when she moved into this country. She was 29 years old and only spoke Spanish from living in Puerto Rico all her life. She's been a hard working tax paying citizen in America and proud to say she can speak and read English. She just needed time!!!!! People, come on, lets try to help each other and change our thinking here not go against each other....
- Vanessa, Manchester

I'm even beginning to think that I'll be tossing a big handful of pennies into the tollbasket to support the English speaking citizens of Merrimack. Good job!! You did the right thing. Press 1 through 10 for English!!
- GR Chase, Exeter, NH

As for the Home Depot comment, when you are trying to sell something, you'll print it in whatever language works to help you sell your product. When you come to an English speaking country, YOU should be required to speak the language, not expect everyone to cater to your ignorance of the language. In this "never my fault" world, I'm glad to see a community step up with some backbone.
- Phil, Alpena, Michigan

I think lots of people are missing some of the main points of interest here, which is that the -police- were requesting that the signs be bilingual.

Merrimack is playing politics instead of effectively addressing the needs and concerns of its own police force.
- Sean Flynn, Destin, FL

Just an observation from a country that is officially bilingual - it's not the fact that our signs are in two languages that makes Quebec want to separate, it's the fact that a certain subset of their population has never accepted that their ancestors lost a war a couple hundred years ago.
And to Vanessa, the concept of the "melting pot" means that America accepts everyone and expects them to melt into the American mass. It's different than multiculturalism, which is apparently what you think it means.
- Mike, Toronto

I am so sick of calling somewhere and being asked if i would like to processed in english or spanish. The United States of America's official language is English-period. We aren't going to make exceptions to people that come to this country illegally and don't want to learn the language. Why are WE adapting to them? It should be the other way around like it has been forever. If you can't read what it says then LEARN!
- Andrea Hoscomb, Concord, NH

Everyone who wants to emulate India's society, raise your hand!!

The foundation for any culture is a common language. And we all know there's very little of that originated in this country. For once in your lives, forget "diversity" and "multiculturalism"; we need a starter dose of "COMMONALITY" and "RESPONSIBILITY". English should be the official language of this country. Period.

Once we can communicate with each other, it is only then we can understand each other's differences. This country is only 231 years old, and it's time to start growing up.
- Eddie, Rye, NH

I understand the point of citizens not wanting to spend more money for signs. But to all that made comments that this is "AMERICA" an "ENGLISH speaking country", remember that LATINOS are ALSO CITIZENS and it would be their hard working money as well that would go into the spending. Look around you! There are so many of us here that one day the "white" people will become the minority. I thought this country was a melting pot...SHAME ON YOU who are looking at it as a country of ONE race and language. Instead of creating a war of "US" against "THEM", try creating a good solution to help, and not hate!
- Vanessa, Manchester

Quote: 'My concern is that multi-lingual nations have a history of problems'

What absurdity! This is nothing but a gross misunderstanding of concepts of language based nationalism in history...

India for example, has 15 official languages, around 300 other languages and dialects, and as far as History can prove, there isn't much of problems based on multi-lingualism.

This is but a naked and poor excuse at lingual chauvinism.
- Jagan Mohan, Pondicherry

Great for Merrimack, now if only the rest of the country would follow suit and adopt English as their choice also. As for Jess's comment about Spanish being the second official language of the US she/he should get their facts straight. The United States has never adopted an "Official" language the common tongue of the US is English followed by Spanish. If you take out the 13+ million illegal aliens there might be a closer race for second than it is at current. This is a step in the right direction the US needs to adopt an official language (read English here). All of our legal documents are in English(read lawyer speak here). If Merrimack police where authorized by INS to check for green cards half the Latino’s visiting the beach probably wouldn't be there. My great grandparents migrated here legally and had to wait their turns what makes these people and the people that support illegal immigration think that these people are any better than my ancestors.
- Scott, Sanbornton

Thank you Merrimack for doing your part in resisting the current Tower of Babel that newly arrived liberals are trying to turn the state of New Hampshire into. Every one of those councilors needs to run for offices at the state level next year.
- Bob Wright, Goffstown

Bryan, Nashua: "Swedish is Sweden's official language"

No it isn't. Sweden does not have an official language. Some minority languages are protected though.
- Jorgen, Stockholm

Hats off to Merrimack.

Now the resto of the country needs to follow your lead.
- Billy C., Concord

Wow, what a fuss over a few spanish signs. Some of the posters are fairly dripping self righteousness.

I understand what you're all saying but I fail to see how having signs in a language that over half the visitors to the park understand somehow dilutes the importance of learning english.

Perhaps the Home Depot recognized that they have a large spanish speaking customer base and maybe that's why their signs are multilingual. Trust your first instinct, Home Depot isn't driven by political correctness, they are driven solely by profit.

One poster indicated that people were getting away with violations by claiming they didn't understand english. That wasn't in the article at all; the poster either misunderstood or made it up. The article mentioned that was the excuse given but didn't address whether the police are giving them a pass or not.

Mr. Rothhaus indicated that multi lingual countries have a history of problems. I don't think that is true and he didn't provide any evidence other than saying so. Does he really believe the Quebecois separatist movement is caused by multi lingual signs?

My goodness, I tend to agree that signs in this country should be in english if that is the predominant language of the area (not in El Paso, TX for example) and that people coming here should learn the language but the anger and outrage expressed herein is surprising and saddening to me.
- Lou Sussler, Concord

Ignorance of the law doesn't excuse others, so why would Spanish speaking folks "get out of" following the rules? Can I claim that I don't recognize the "65" on speed limit signs and get out of a ticket? I'm going to go out on a limb and say "no". So, English-speaking or not, folks need to abide by the rules posted...and not get out of it by claiming ignorance. That, in itself, should encourage learning the language...or at least owning up to the fact that they truly understand the rules and just don't want to follow them.
- Rob S, Manchester

Way to go Merrimack! Now we need a federal law that states English is the official language of the United States. Plenty of other countries in the world have an official language and it's NOT RACIST to declare one. Aruba has an official language (Dutch). They're not racist. Mexico's official language is Spanish. They're not racist. Swedish is Sweden's official language. You can see where I'm going with this. It's time for English to be the official language of the United States!
- Bryan, Nashua

Way to go Merrimack! My parents were both born & raised in Canada. They learned the English when they moved to the US and brought myself & my siblings up bilingual. Nothing wrong with that. This IS the US & English is THE language. I'm proud of Merrimack!
- Linda, Hooksett

Kudos to Merrimack. Perhaps other towns should declare English as the spoken & printed language as well. Maybe, just maybe, we'll be able to get in a majority of all cities & towns across the country and by-pass the Feds. They have proven they are not American, but they can't stop the locals.

And the ACLU can go jump in that lake. This is not discrimination, and show me in the Constitution , both US & State where it says that we have to have anything in any other language.

If they live here and do not understand the rules because they are not in their "language", perhaps they can go back to their homeland and learn English. Or , they can learn it her as long as it is not in schools that taxpayers pay for. You remember the taxpayers, the ones who can't frequent the lake because they are too busy working.
- Mark Galatis, Candia

Our Country's language is English. I've seen plenty of people travel to Countries with their little translation books. Maybe that should be the first purchase that people make coming to our Country. Things are going too far. People that don't want to learn our Country's language want us to change for them. The people that are trying to change it left their Country for a reason. The money they want to waste on the signs could be used to insure our children and help feed the hungey. It's time to worry about the people that have been living here, and what our American Citizens need.
- Melissa, Manchester

Congrats to those standing up to voice the English language as being the primary language of our Country! Those who do not understand the English language should be home studying it rather than at a public swimming area. The same would be for me if I were to reside in another country! English is the USA's official language; everyone should be required to speak it or else!!!!
- Valerie Lennon, Nashua, NH

See, now they will have a "reason" not to understand the rules and to break them and then people will complain about that. In Japan, signs are posted in English and some are also posted in English in Germany. Sure they should learn English, but let;s take precaustions. You all are going to criticize them for not understanding the rules. Solve the prob and post in SPanish. According to the almanac, spanish is the 2nd official language of the US.
- Jess T, Manchester

I believe the number of live languages kin the world is in the thousands. I htink listing a sign in the local common language is enough for a town park in a non-tourist area.
- Ken Snetsinger, Merrimack NH

Way to go, Merrimack!!! I hope the powers-that-be will stand up to the inevitable ACLU lawsuit.

Merrimack is RIGHT ON!!!!

Have a day. Bang Gunley
- Bang Gunley, Pensacola, Fl.

Here's my Standing Ovation and 3 Cheer's for Merrimack!!! We need more cities, towns and states, standing up for AMERICA and our English lanquage. You come here, learn the lanquage, as our ancestors from Italy, Poland, Greece and everywhere have done in the past. God Bless America!!
- SG, Manchester,N.H.

Bravo, Merrimack, for resisting the push for the bifurcation of the USA. When I visit other countries, their signs are in the language of that country - not a plethora of various languages, which is as it should be.

Now if we could only get Home Depot in Claremont to stop posting their signs in English and espanol. When I asked why - when the Mexican border is 2,000 miles away but the French-speaking Canadian border is only 100 miles away - they don't have signs in French also, all I got was a befuddled stare. Perhaps they are so tangled in political correctness that they are unused to thinking ?
- Pamela, Washington

I'm liking Merrimack more and more each day. You guys rock!
- JB, Epsom