Rick, I’m calling on you to take a courageous personal stand. It’s time to call out CNN on the Lou Dobbs issue. I’m certain Lou Dobbs’ hateful rhetoric would never find a place on your show. And with the current airing of CNN’s commendable “Latinos in America” series recently, it’s time to forcefully tell CNN’s management that Lou Dobbs is severely damaging their brand. No one any longer believes that CNN is “the most trusted name in news.”

Hi Rick,
I and my family just LOVE YOU !! keep up with the great work in defending the immigrants rights ! There is something about the 2010 census that I would like to comment:

Many Immigrant advocates here in Massachusetts are asking the immigrants to boycott the 2010 census in retaliation for immigration crackdowns . They alleged that census information will be use to target the undocumented population. And, also the cities and towns are only interested in have extra federal money and never care about the all problems and discrimination that immigrants face daily. As in many other states, here in MA there is a huge undocumented population and and crackdown have resulted in the arrest and deportation of thousands of illegal immigrants. In the church where we worship is often you hear a comment by someone saying that will not answer the door when Census officials agent knock their door.
If you need more information about this, you can contact Fausto da Rocha, director of the Brazilian Immigrant Center here in Boston. He is one of the activist who is asking the Brazilian and Latinos communities to refuse to participate in the census.
What is the right thing to do? I would like to hear opinion of the specialists in order to inform people in my church. I think this is a very important subject and the media should bring this matter up.

Thank you

Marcia

rick u r right on dart,
we need to make things easy to move farward, we do not have the luxuary of time to argue and explain how my name sounds in my own lnguage, i am a muslim KAMAL and a lots of time i say yes when people call me KUMAR , Hindu name,
what diffrence it makes as long as business is taken care of .

Rick–I know you will take heat for your comments about "Anglicizing" your surname, but here is one Mexican in full support!

I am constantly offended at the way I receive advertising and emails in Spanish, presuming that because my name is Garcia, I must not speak English.

Excuse me–most of us speak the language quite fine, thank you!

Hi Rick:

What has happened to Bill Schneider? It seems that anchors, correspondents, reporters, etc, just disappear.

Where is Bill?

Jack Melick

Amen Rick you are exactly correct, this poor man is not a racist he is trying to improve this hotel. It sounds like Jane and Kyra Wanted to hang him before he had a chance to tell his side of the story. Shame on Them. I appreciate you taking up for him, I greatly respect your unbiased take on his situation. Lt Col Craig Flanagan USAFR

Just saw your comment on television about you being in agreement with the hotel owner who asked those using the switchboard to use a more "American" name so customers would be more easily communicated with.

You made a great point and thank you for taking a stand for logic!

Nobody was talking about getting rid of culture, it was just good business. If the hotel does better business, it's better for employees. You would think the employees would be all for it. It's sad when a decision that was made for good reasons now has a man labeled as a racist.

Good job Rick!

Supporting Lou Dobbs while airing “Latinos in America” is hypocritical and an affront to” the most trusted name in news.”

Hi Rick:

Oh the different languages and language barriers which cause major problems among people. No exception, their accents, the manner in which they speak.
I had to smile at your language comment to Kyra. Now, here is my question. Parlez-vous francaise? Or parles-tu francaise? Do you speak English? (smile)
I have not spoken a French sentence for a very long while. I reside in a predominantly English speaking Province.

Rick
You are right ! The guy in New Mexico (Larry) did not mean any harm.

Hey Mr. Rick, don't think that changing my name will help me do any kind of business. Do you think that anyone will care about your name if they are making money and you are making money as-well.

Fantastic Rick. I couldn't have more respect for you after hearing you stand up for your decision to simplify your Latin name for the benefit of listeners. I respect your Latin heritage, and find your Latin name beautiful, but understand your desire to use Sanchez. In no way does that negate your heritage. Too bad people can't understand that the motel owner in NM was just asking certain employees to do the same. Much too much sensitivity out there. I'm Italian, and certainly don't pronounce my name like they do in Italy. Doesn't make me less proud to be an Italian. Keep it up. Love your show.

Rick,

Just saw you comment on the Santa Fe, New Mexico, situation, requiring English speaking employees and "Americanizing" names. I moved from LA where i was born (I'm as gringo as you get) to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico this year, with very little Spanish skills. I wouldn't dare assume everyone would speak English or understand me here. You're right that doing business and communicating does require knowledege of the language of the country you are in, especially living or working there. I try every day to learn more Spanish so I don't feel so insulting to others when I can't communicate, especially with people I consider my friends here. I'm the one that needs to know their language.

And great job and congrats on everything you accomplished in your career! I went to University of Miami and moved back to LA a few years after Hurricane Andrew, watching you grow over the years into a fantastic newscaster and civil rights advocate.

I do also agree with the hotel manager in part any way. I travel often and always wonder what the employees are saying (is it about me) when they use other than English. The name thing, call for computer tech help you get India or wherever and not only do they have English down well but "live" in America. He owns a business and should have some control over it. Maybe he didn't do things the way he should have, but he also has rights and management rights.

Hey Rick, Do you realize that the "public option" will be administered privately? Behind closed doors again.

Rick, Thafirst thing I noticed, if we tried to speak the language, the locals would bend over backwards to help us. Those tried to converse only in English got little help or consideration.nkyou for your comments to Kyra concerning Latinos speaking English. You are correct. The last guest she had spoke of prior immigrants, but she forgot that they all tried and assialate into "our" sociaty. All would be received more openly if they were to try to learn English. In 1967, my family were transferred to Spain, with only a few words in Spanish. The

The ladies on CNN think that you should call yourself Ricardo. By changing to the anglized version "Rick" you are insecure and perhaps even a racist. I disagree. I think that a motel owner can expect a smoother and more profitable operation if names are more easily recognizable and memorable. Long live the memory of John Wayne, Marilyn Munroe, etc.

This is not related to your current topic. i just wanted to commend you for your stand on the name changing. When my grandparents arrived at Ellis Island, their names were changed because no one understood their ethnic names. That Jane person that was on before your program was strident and had a chip on her shoulder. Not a responsible newscaster - if that's what she is. Also, I beieve my grandparents had to learn English to acquire citizenship. We are all Americans and while they spoke their native language at home, they were proud to speak English outside of the home. She bulldozed that poor man who I do not believe was a bigot.

Ricardo, congrats on being such an opportunist. Your positions are not directed by the ideas base on what is right. Instead on what sells. By the way, If you really believe in Respecting the American culture and Nation. How many years did you serve in the US Forces?

Get our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan! Tired of the debate. While we are trying to figure out why and what are we doing there, troops are dying. Pathetic!

Agree with you completely on the spanish/english issue at the hotel in Taos. I have traveled to many countries and the hotels require dual languages with their receptionist and telephone personnel to accommodate visitors. Also, many hotels in the USA require dual language by their personnel as we have so many foreign visitors.

Think this hotel owner would have been better understood if he had classified the job reqirements for his telephone and reception personnel to include the english language.

Greeting Sir, I think we have been fighting in Afganistan since the 80s
when we were arming and financing the Warlords of Afganistan. The US/CIA was allowed a free hand there and it came back to bit us.

I just lost all respect for you "Rick" Sanchez. I can't believe that you agreed with that narrow minded racist. I’m sick and tired of people trying to identify American beliefs as just “hamburgers and hotdogs”...when it’s hotdogs, tacos, fried rice and any other plate that you can find world wide. American is not a way of life it’s “ways” of life. You just lost a fan.

We need universal health care for all of our citizens. The party of NO will let us die on the streets.. VOTE THEM OUT NOW!!!!

I totally agree with you Rick, trying to understand people over the phone is tough sometimes. It's why many refuse to call the computer help desks which seem to employ many from India who don't make themselves understood. One airline recently dropped India as a call center. Course, now they added Jamaica although the singing accents aren't too bad, at least you can understand them.

Another airline uses the name Ms. Gray when people used to call back for schedule changes to their flight plans, a code word that we all knew to check their reservations.

After the mother in Dallas, TX got ticketed, we are now in hock for the $7,000 she got charged at the hospital for her 'stress' on this issue, her daughter wasn't asked to translate, though just now more info said the mother did speak some English, but since I wasn't there, can't comment on that. After being here since 1980, you'd think someone would help her learn some English as her kids are bi-lingual.

I am glad people can speak another language, but honestly, if they had the care and ESL training perhaps, it would be easier when there's an emergency and cannot be understood.

Luckily when traveling abroad, the people who want your business speak terrific English and even broken English is appreciated. American's are taught way too late to have it become second nature. Most European countries especially Scandanavian teach English in first grade. Here we get it in high school or middle school, which isn't the best idea there either.

Thanks for listening. Be more than happy to respond to any more comments, but Rick, you're great!!

Anita, Irving, TX

righton rick, full agreement on what you said to kyra on the innkeeper storyused to be that people tried tolearn english as soon as they got to us and only spoke their native language at home or when with a group of same speak people. live in america,speak american

In terms of your comment of changing your name para sonar mas americano, you should not called yourself hispanic, you should be ashamed. I am boricua. One thing is that you are here in the States, you should learn english but to change your name that is something different. If you are able to learn another language, Americans should be able to say once you tell them your name. Soon you may change your last name to Smith, RICARDO.

RICK THANK YOU FOR AMERICANIZING YOUR SELF THAT"S WHY I MUST WATCH YOU IT 'A SHAME MORE LATINO'S DON'T . THANK YOU

"

Rick ,you have always been one of my favorite news anchors even though you interupt far to much.But you have now become my favorite. I was watching a moment ago while they were attacking the hotel owner for asking his employees to speak english .Today its so politically correct to yell racism at every turn and this was just another example of that.. he didnt refuse to hire them. He simply asked to speak the language accepted by most of this country.
for those who say that was wrong ,Did anyone notice all the protest signs were written in ENGLISH ?

Rick, thank you for your input about the situation with the hotel and the manager asking an employee to use a different name, when they are working because the clients can not pronounce his name. The manager explained why and how this will help the business and the employee as well. The way the manager explained and talked this was not intended to be a racial issue, just trying to bring a business back to good standing that will help the city as well.

Kira and the other woman were really hitting on that caller / manager with no remorse at all. They were condemning him before they even gave him a change to explain at all. They were showing there narrow mindedness at that point while saying he was. Kira is a very open woman I watch her all the time but that other woman she needs to move back to Mexico. I am very surprised that Kira was okay with the way the other woman talked to there guest.

Some one needs to stand up for the American coulter which is being killed by every other coulter. You are as you say from another country but still care about our country and coulter as well, thank you for that.

Lou Dobbs is a glen beck wannabe. He hates this President and CNN gives him a platform for his hate rhetoric. Dont turn CNN into fox(make up the news). Lou should go back to reporting the business news. Then again that spot is already filled by more qualified people.

Rick our boy's are just sitting ducks. We can't even win a war anymore. More so a goverment that does't work. You know like the economy. Lets get the hell out of there. If we are threaten in our own land then we must do what we did in Heroshima.

Reid's "public option" is a JOKE!

What do they mean the states can "opt out?"

We will have a mass movement of the uninsured from those states that "opt out" to those states (like Oregon) who don't "opt out."

It is unfortunate that politicians don't have the balls to do the right thing!

The majority of Americans want the damn PUBLIC OPTION!

There is no betwix or between!

Hi Rick,
I am listening to you now on the TV, I must admit that I gained a lot of respect for you today with your comment about your real name vs living in America. I have been passed over for employment on two occasions recently because I do not speak Spanish as a second language (state jobs). My heritage is French Canadian, American Indian with German and Dutch mixed in (H57). Born and raised here as were my ancestors since the early 1600's. I served nearly 22 years active duty in the Army (VietNam vet) and while in the Army, everytime I was sent overseas (total of 9 years) I learned the language of that country so I could better communicate and gain a deeper appreciation/understanding of that country. Now nearly 58, unemployed for 2 1/2 years now, I am shocked to come to the realization that speaking english in this country is not good enough to for finding work. Too many companys are now looking for those that speak a second language, and in my book that is messed up.
Any way, where to go, it is great to hear your position as you earlier stated it just befor you came on the air.
Thank You

Charles

as the mother of an 18 year old who just went to the military, it is so sick to see these young men and women being sent to die for a war that has no end and no merit. What are our young people dying for, they should be here protecting our country, not giving their life for someone else's country.

Deciding between a home foreclosure or paying health insurance is no way to exist in our 50"s in America! Give us an option now!!!

bottom line on health care,nomatter how it turns out,the gov't will screw it up and we will be holding the bag,ie:the telephone dereg., oil companies etc. we will pay the price again and there is nothing we can do about it

Rick,
Thank you so much for making good sense. That employer has a right to run his company as he sees fit. It is his company, and his Country. It is simply good business sense to cater to the majority population which is largely white Americans who speak English. Its stupid business to not seek out customers. He simply wants to reach customers, who he feels are mostly speaking English, and in this Country, at least for now and for the last several hundred years, that is the language of the majority. Anyone not liking to work for him can apply elsewhere. This is a democracy. Thanks very much for showing smarts, courage, and appreciation for the country (and its employers) that treats people better than any other country on earth. I'm impressed in this instance with your integrity and in being a gentleman. This is an impressive testament to your upbringing. If we cannot appreciate something (like our Country – check out some others, if you don't agree with me), then we don't deserve it.

Happy to hear that you agreed with Larry who owned the motel and wanted his employees who were on the switchboard to use a more Americanized name when interacting with perspective customers. All of my past relatives with Italian names did as you did, and used an "American English" version. In fact, in most cases when I speak with those in another country while ordering or receiving computer help, most of them give an "Americanized name" and say so!!!

To Rick Sanchez

Rick, i just wanted to say how much I appreciated your comments to that silly girl who was spending too much time berating the owner of a motel regarding his treatment of an employee whom he asked to use a different name when he answered the phone.

You said it all and I only hope that girl might get another job where she can vent her absurd philosophy to her heart's content

charles hunt

Need you to keep up the good work. Thank you. How about keeping this radio show for Latinos in America going?

By the way, can I switch subjects. If Reid and Co. let the states opt out of public option, then we, in Texas, are losers. Rick Perry and his conservative cronies here in Texas will never let us have the public option here. They are too busy taking care of their lobbyists and not those who do not have and cannot get health care here. We need it badly here, but they do't care. Make them help us. All they care about is the energy companies that line their pockets.

Sorry, I was just upset.

Maria

While a understand and agree with the point that you made about changing your name so others in this country would find it easier to pronounce I do disagree with you on your reasoning. You said that you made the change out of respect for the people who have "allowed" you to come to this great country and prosper. If that is the case should we all change our names to accommodate the wishes of the Native Americans. I don't believe the Pilgrims made such concessions when they arrived way back when. If the shoe was on the other foot I highly doubt any Americans would go to any Spanish speaking country and change their name to something more acceptable in that culture just to appease the uneducated or intolerant masses.

Your thoughts and comments are from the Liberal DNC Talking Points and are self-serving and shallow. At this time of the day you are just repeating 24 old hour news even if just using CNN earlier news. Nothing creative.
Like most news readers you are chatting with tour own mirror like
must at MSNBC specially.
Ever subject is Breaking News as you break bread and wine daily with
Gibbs from the White House.
Limo to work, elevator to news stage.
Public option, not !
You are playing with a stacked deck and insult your aged viewers.
Mute after three minutes.

DL Davis
Leavenworth, Kansas

HEY RICK , IS YOUR RATINGS GOING DOWN OR YOU JUST

WANT TO START A "CONTROVERSY" ON A "CONTROVERSY",

INSTEAD OF YOUR TYPICAL "CONVERSATION" ?? !!!

RICK, SANTA FE IS THE OLDEST CONTINOUS ESTABLISHED TOWN

IN THE UNITED STATES GOING BACK TO THE CONQUISTADORS

AND YES "IN THAT REGION" OF THESE "UNITED STATES" THIS

AREA'S HISTORY IS PREDOMINATELY HISPANIC

BASED "PERIOD" !!! WHICH SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND

ACKNOWLEDGED BY "ANYONE" WHO COMES TO THIS AREA

AS A TOURIST OR RESIDENT. RICK THAT'S WHY SO MANY

PEOPLE FOR SO MANY YEARS HAVE COME TO THIS UNIQUE

HERITAGE CENTER OF THE GREAT SOUTHWEST !!!

NICK G. XALIS

PS MY SURNAME IS OF GREEK DECENT AND I'M VERY PROUD

AS I'M SURE MY HISPANIC FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ARE OF

THEIRS. TRADITIONS IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT ONLY WHAT

THE PILGRIMS CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST THANKSGIVING.

Hey Rick, I really enjoy your show but I was dissappointed in a remark you made to Kyra. You said that we should be respectful when we come to someone else's country???? I have Mexican roots and we did not come here...we were always here. We are indigenous to Cali,Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. This is our country!!!!!

If I may Rick, one last comment about something on tv show today, since I can not seem to reach you through twitter or other means.

Reference the Public Option. My position is simply this. Since our elected officials do not appear to belive that we the American people deserve and should have the same level and quality of Medical care that they receive at tax payers expense then maybe we should take away their medical care and let them feel what it is like to not have any health care. Our elected officials deserve no more or no less than the average American they swore to serve when they took office and we as Americans deserve no less and no more than what they have.
Public option belongs in this bill, and that option should be that all Americans have identically the same health, dental, and life insurance coverage they as our elected officals have. What makes them think they are any more deserving then they are? By what right do they think they are better than we the American People are, that is the impression they are giving me by their lack of action on this matter.

Rick

The comment you made today about the business owner in Taos New Mexico being right to fire his employee because she refused to make her name of English friendly is offensive. To suggest that you do it out of respect for this country is nonsense. My family has been in Texas before it was a republic much less a state. This IS MY COUNTRY. Why you feel that out of respect for being in some one elses country is beyond me. What kind of an example are you setting for young latinos? What would have happened if you would have said that young blacks should change their names if they sound too African out of respect. I am surprised and ashamed.

I found that I got more job interviews and job offers as Marie Newhouse instead of Maria Newhouse. Sad, but true. That's why I go by Marie, although I am proud to be Maria. Things are changing, so that in the future, it won't matter for our kids. They can go by whatever name they have or wish to call themselves.

Again, keep up the good work representing us on CNN. We're proud of you.

Maria Newhouse

Rick,
Thank You so much for your comments about Anglicizing your name etc. One of the main issues regarding acceptance of Latinos is refusal to learn English and insistence on carrying the flag of their country of origin in protests and marches.
It seems to a lot of Anglos that so many do not want to assimilate into this country at all. From appearances they wish all the benefits of being a citizen of the U.S. but wish to remain separate.

Do you wish to be an American or not?

When you wish to be accepted in a new area, it is much easier if one embraces the culture of the new place of residence. This also applies to those of us who are not Latino but move from one State to a new one. It is not a good idea to fly the California flag from your new house in Iowa or to constantly tout how wonderful things were in California. The response of your new neighbors in Iowa would be that if you loved California so much ....go back.

Rick: I'm getting upset with all these people that are in these Health care Tea Parties & Republicans.. They don't want Obamas' healthcare, but they seem to want the insurance companies to rule our healthcare where they can deniy the people care that may cost insurance company more money. I'm also talking about the public option. since this "Recession" has put more people out of work who still get sick with serious illness'. When is our lawmakers going to get on our side instead of worrying about getting reelected. Thanks for letting me vent.

Rick,
I totally agree with you about gentleman who asked that his employers changed their name to help his hotel business in New Mexico. I listened to the interview and it sounds like Mrs. Velez and the other CNN reporter are out of touch. They made it sound like the gentleman was a racist. She used the word anglicized. This happens all the time in the business world or the “real world”. Let me educate her bit; Actors, actress, businessman, athletes, politicians and yes even real people do this all the time. If worked at a corporation like Disney. An employer would probably answer by the name of one of the characters. The hotel worker was asked to say his name different over the switchboard. What is wrong with that? If it generates business then why not do it. Not only would he help the business but help himself. Recently I needed help with my computer. I was transferred to a technician overseas from the Philippines and she had an anglicized name. No racism there. Mrs. Velez and the other CNN reporter need to educate themselves in business and diversity. I am of Asian descent with anglicized name. Daniel

Rick,

Your show is great, and gives credibility to the 'CNN' branding. However, it is unavoidable to see the hypocrisy within CNN in regards Lou Dobbs, as he is propagating against immigration reform and Latinos in general. I agree with 'John from Tahoe' that it is time to take a stand. Dobbs is the number one reason I rarely watch CNN and use other online news sources for quality, trustworthy news.

Thank you, Jerry Dinzes

I'm all for the public option; why shouldn't we get the same health plan that Congress enjoys. I comend Senator Reid; however, if states are going to have the right to opt out of the public option it should be left up to the people in each state, not their legislature. In other words it should be put on the ballot as a referendum because in many cases our representatives do not do the bidding of its people, but rather what benefits them politically.

RE: Hotel owner anglicizing names etc.

Rick,

Your discussion with Kyra on this subject missed the mark. You made the personal decision to anglicize your name. The people in the piece were forced to anglicize their names. That is the difference.

Tom

Rick, A+++++.
I've always followed you but this is the first time I'm writing because I feel strongly about you standing up for that hotel guy Larry. That guy seem to be a nice person, seem to get what he got himself into and was willing to make ammends but Jane especially( Kyra was more courteous) wouldn't even listen to what he was saying.
To make it easier for others to communicate, it is sometimes appropriate to "anglicize" your name as it was in school when my Chinese and other asian classmates took up english names to make it easier for everybody.
I am an imigrant from Ghana and a dentist and to make it easier for my patients and even my own staff calling me Dr. Ofosu-Mensah, they call me Dr. Prince and I don't think it is disrespectful at all.
Rick, you stood up for that poor man, you may have some heat from others but you have our support. Keep up the good work, you're one of the best open-minded people we've got, God bless.
prince.

Hi Rick, I appreciate you saying tha you love this country. I'm a Cuban-American. There is no place on earth an immigrant (that has never worked here) can receive food stamps and a check from the government every month, sometimes for more money than their own citizens receive on SS. Only in America! That's why I am disgusted with the new wave of immigrants and illegals (not all) that feel they own this country. Unlike the immigrants that preceeded them, they really DO NOT like America, only what they can get out of it. It's like someone opening their home to help others, but some instead of coming through the front door, break in through a back door and afterwards make demands. Every where in the planet you'll find discrimination,but I thank God every day that my parents brought me to the U.S. to escape communism, but would have never entered illegally. Sure immigration reform is necessary.They should go after employers that hire illegals,and not deport peole who have been here for 15, 20 or more years. That's cruel.But there's still no place like the US! There are no lines of people trying to get out of the US. I'm proud to be an American and tired of hearing about illegals.

Rick I have a question . This healthcare plan with opt out option will give the option to the state. Does this means that state legislature will male this decision? If it is so aren't senators (esp. conservative dems) dodging the problem to state legislation?

Hi Rick, Candy sure looks sexy. Good for her. the other thing is, Harry Reid is a weak kneed politician and I hope he gets voted out of office.
You and Candy are so right on your annalasis. I as a progressive know that we are being sold a bill of goods on the option. We are not to be played with. We vote.
Good job as always

Hi Rick, I heard your comments about this gentleman who forces his employees to anglicize theirs names, and I have to say that I felt sorry for you. I felt sorry that you feel that you live in someone else’s country. But mostly, I felt sorry that you believe that in order to show respect to this country, you need to disrespect your loving parents who probably spent countless hours choosing your real name. I pity you, but I certainly don’t agree with you. My ancestors came to the Southwest region of the United States before there was a United States; some of them came years before the Mayflower even arrived to the east coast. So if I thought like you I would have to require my non-Latino employees to Spanish-cize their names. Heck, this is the United States of America, “the land of the free.” If you are not “free” to use your real name here, then we have seriously lost our way.

How about a dump Lou Dobbs blog and see what you get? I would far prefer my surname to his!

Hi Rick, Can somebody explain why the most rich and powerful nation on earth can not have Universal healthcare with public option while the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which is a US territory has a Universal healthcare system that covers the people that do not have health insurance, and there is no premium to pay, the health care card is free. Also, the government has it own insurance agency called "EL FONDO DE SEGURO DEL ESTADO' to ensure that all private employees are also covered. I think that our congressmen should take a look at PR and find out how they are able to do it. We can learn a lot from them about "PUBLIC OPTION".

Sincerely,
william

I think the public option being currently proposed is a sellout. It conviently neglects those of us from states with political leaders like Rick Perry and Louie Gohmert. We don't stand a chance of our state taking this option and Texas needs it as bad as any state. I feel like the democratic leadership in washington is abandoning some states just to get a bill passed. If we can't get better legislation passed with the current majority what hope is there for improvement?

MR. RICK SANCHEZ ON THE TOPIC OF VETERANS AND THEIR BENEFITS, I AM A 63 YEAR OLD VIETNAM VETERAN 1966-67/IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS 1979/80, WHO IS RESPONDING TO THESE POLITICIANS WH VO TO TAKE CARE OF WE VETERANS. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE VA TO PROCESS TWO APPEALS/CLAIMS FOR OVER 10 YEARS. I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE WHITE HOUSE,SECRETARY OF VETERAN AFFAIRS (PRESENT AND PAST),DAV, AND CONGRESSMAN WHO HAVE NOT RESPOND TO ANY OF MY CORRESPODENCE NOR HAVE I GOT ANY RESULTS. ONE CLAI M IS FOR MY KNEES OF WHICH I WAS AWARDED 10% UNCOMPENSABLE BY THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL OFFICE IN 1989 AND SINCE THEN MY KNEES HAS GOTTEN WORSE!! THE OTHER CLAIM IS FOR A LETTER SENT TO ME AND MY FAMILY STATING THAT I HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED POSITIVE FOR HIV,HEPTATITIS A/B,BI-POLAR SYNDROME,MULTI-DRUG ABUSE,ETC. THE VA HAS YET TO THIS DATE ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS LETTER, THAT CAUSE ME AND MY FAMILY DEPRESSION,FEAR,ANXIETY, AND EMOTIONAL STRESS!! I ATTEMPTED TO FILE A "TORT" BUT WAS ASSURED BY THE LOS ANGELES VA THAT I WOULD JUST BE WASTING MY TIME!! THREE WEEKS AFTER RECEIVING THIS LETTER AND MY TAKING HIV TEST , I RECEIVED A CALL AFTER BUSINESS HOURS BY A FEMALE CLERK, STATING THAT THE VA WOULD REMOVE THIS LETTER FROM MY RECORDS. I STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH THE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY FAMILY! SHE STATED "SHE WAS JUST DOING WHAT SHE WAS TOLD TO DO"
I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS,CONGRESSMAN,DAV, AND SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS, WHO SUPPOSE TO ASSIST VETERANS WITH THEIR ISSUES, WITH NO RESPONSE OR RESULTS. IT THIS THE PROMISE OF OUR GOVERMENT TO TAKE CARE OF ITS VETERANS!! IS THIS WHAT THE OTHER VETERANS HAVE TO ENDURE WHEN THEY FILE FOR BENEFITS? YOUR COMMENT WILL BE APPRECIATED!!!

According to the CIA( see their website , World facts ,Then People) INFANT MORTALITY in the US is higher than that in CUBA, a country which is clearly underdeveloped !!! . Also the percentage of individuals infected by the HIV virus is 6 times higher in the USA than in Germany !! Why do you think that is ? Well with this dreadful HCS you would have to be a saint to get yourself checked . People do not know they have the virus . In order to protect our families this country needs to offer a Health Care System that works for EVERYONE . A system that emphasize PREVENTIVE Health Care . Look what they have achieved in Europe . Their medicine is NOT socialized . Doctors have private practices , you choose whatever doctor, hospital you want . There is NO Wait time . All that are just propaganda lies .It is just the Insurance system that is regulated by the government . No profit will be made by anyone if you get sick, that is the idea . Doctors make more money over there than here. Anyone who criticize the European system has never set a foot in Europe and does not not what he is talking about.. Health should not be a partisan issue . it is a matter of National Health.

What healthcare does Lou Dobbs have? I probably want that as my option.

No, we do not need the public option. Why should we give the government the opportunity to tax us more for another program to drive into bankruptcy i.e. ssn, medicare, etc. We need a program to help those incapable of covering their health care costs (citizens’ not illegal aliens) vs. a program that forces those which are covered or not interested in purchasing insurance.

I love Lou Dobbs. He is one of the only voices on CNN that is not blatantly liberal.

Taos is uniquely tri-cultural and imo THE most knowledgeable, astute Taoseno for CNN journalists to contact and/or interview is Larry Torres [Google lists a few credentials]. May find him at UofNM – Taos campus.

Taosenos are Hispanics whose forebears fled The Spanish Inquisition. Taos Pueblo has housed the same family for over 1,000 years and any not born into 1 or 2 are Taos' third culture [Anglo] – a fascinating study of woven tapestries Larry Torres lives it. His gifted mind runs warp-speed, enriching his tasks de jous with humor, impeccability and true humility.

Rick–
well–I'm shocked –yes –SHOCKED - that u agree with the the guy about simplifing/Americanizing yr Latino name in America !!!

many wld say the guy is not sensitive to the Latino culture–bla x 3 - or worse–

well I'm a WASP American (ie Gringo) married to a naturalized Chinese –I do NOT know a Chinese in America that has NOT taken a short /American first name –
Further –I do NOT know of a Chinese that is in the USA illegally–(altho I'm sure there r some) they call America the "Golden Mountain"– and are happy to suffer YEARS of hardship to come here legally-work hard – obey our laws- and share our country –with NIL complaints.--
I do enyoy yr show - we need UNITY more than Diversity–
claude & "sin" allen

i agree with your comments concerning the decision to anglicize your name, i am italian, my great granpa pasquale digiacomo, came the U.S. in 1888, my grandpa used that name until he almost lost a deal on a house because everybody here spelled 'digiacomo' four or five different ways...........he went from anthony pasquale digiacomo, to tony james......pretty simple........and guess what we are still italian and proud to be!!!!.....
and i might add that english was learned and spoken in the families, about the only italian words that where heard, were cuss words!!!

thanks for your show and your honesty,

don james

Rick, I have found over the years that you and I don't agree on everything, but I must let you know that I do agree with you in the discussion you had with Kyra today about simplifying Lantino names in some cases. I think that when there are discussions about maintaining cultural identity we can often go overboard and forget that living in and becoming citizens of the U. S. does engender some effort to adapt to the culture of our adopted country. If we are all confident in who we are and why we came to this country in preference to our birth countries, why do we have to be so fierce about maintaining something(our culture) that no one can take from us. Do we chose this country with the intent to bring the country we are leaving with us? If so, why leave the country of our birth? As for Ms. Velez-Mitchell, she is wrong that we are all immigrants, I think she meant that our anticedents were all immigrants. Anyone born in the U.S. is not an immigrant but a natural born citizen. In our zeal to maintain our culture, we must be clear in the ideas we present, in order to maintain credibility.

Great response to the two female anchors re the hotel owner in Taos. Number one it is his hotel and he can do as he pleases as long as he does not vilote any laws. Number two as you pointed out the US is an English speaking country. Why shouldn't he require his employees to be conversant in the language of the entire country. Well said.

I'm new to your show, but I'll begin watching from now on..

I dream of one day I too can fly south just like the Monarch butterflies that start their journey back home when the weather up north turns cold, I too dream of the warmth and safety of my home, safe from fear and loneliness, safe from my own human desires, safe from my own desires to do good by inflicting unintentional harm to those who dare love me.
Undocumented Immigrant Virginia 2009

Rick I am sorry I missed your radio show, first question, I want to asked you what laws do you want the US to enforce? I am glad you are honest and you clearly state you want amnesty for all people who are here illegally. Do you think that US citizens who want to protect and enforce our US laws and who are criticized and called racist by liberal media? So second question, is it racist wanting our US laws protected? Because the US does allow many immigrants in this country yearly, that will become citizens. Which is a great thing.

Congressmen Luis Gutierrez from my great state of Illinois wants amnesty for illegal’s and wants immigration reform; he shouts out that we in America don’t have any will to enforce our laws.

However, Rick, he doesn’t state at all on all he plans to stop illegal immigration, or how to enforce our laws, which is the issue; enforcement, just like in the health reform bill being passed by congress.

Democrats and this administration stated clearly that this health care reform bill won’t be offered or issued to people, who are here illegally, but the republicans wanted to add some enforcement laws in the health reform bill, but the democrats said no.. Just cause we have laws doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t enforce the law. Would you agree?

Rick, life isn’t fair, but should the US offer citizenship to everyone that lives in harsh environment? If so then lets open our borders to every nation and to anybody who wants to come here.

One comment on the show, where I though it wasn’t fair and balance, where I commend you for always trying to be but,

Saturday nights show seem to deal a lot with illegal immigration and their stories of struggle it appeared to me CNN was trying to show how the US is immoral. Illegal immigration is not just a Latino issue but also anyone who comes into this country illegally no-matter what their race is. Soledad showed some pretty moving stories where US citizens did some unthinkable and cruel things that should not have happened, but she didn’t show the other side of the story like the Jamiel Shaw’s story out of LA or the New Jersey and San Francisco tragedies. what do you tell those families

Never the less that you and I differ on this one issue, Rick, as always you are great person who does care.

Rick what do you think about you Cubans that come here from Cuba
and all you have to do is touch down on American soil and you
automatically become residents? Frankly I don't feel thats fair to
all of the other people trying to come here legally!!!

a month back while on the computer looking for work in constrution i saw several ad stating need to speak spainish. yet when working with non english speaking hispanic, ihave tried to learn their lang., but they never seem as eager to learn mine. why should they we are accomadating. called racist if we want people to speak eng. the one thing that give amer. a common bond. if my geog. is right n. mex. is still part of amer.

Rick I loved the documentary 'Latino In America' but there was one segment regarding the church and the functions they had. The young Latina girl said that the whites never came to their functions and the commentator asked her 'do you go to theirs'? Her answer was no. I think this is the problem. I have often wondered why there is a 'you cater to my needs but I will not cater to yours attitude' among Latinos. They want you to conform to their ways. This is America and all cultures should celebrate and appreciate their individual cultures but adopt the American way and this will help you greatly, without loosing your culture. Learning the language will not make you loose site of your culture, taking part in the countries different functions will not make you loose site of your culture. I really liked that town outside of Los Angeles that celebrates many of their adopted countries ways but still not loosing site of their own culture. That is what assimilation is all about. We are all Americans now.

By the way. The lady in Dallas who got the ticket for not speaking English now that was totally wrong. I am more concerned about the fact that if she cannot speak English how is she driving with a valid drivers license? She could cause some serious accidents because if she cannot speak English I would bet that she cannot read it.

CNN Drops to Last Place Among Cable News Networks
By Bill Carter

Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images

CNN, which invented the cable news network more than two decades ago, will hit a new competitive low with its prime-time programs in October, finishing fourth – and last – among the cable news networks with the audience that all the networks rely on for their advertising.

The official monthly numbers will be finalized at 4 p.m. Monday and will include results from Friday. CNN executives conceded that will not change the competitive standing for the month. CNN will still be last in prime time.

That means CNN’s programs were behind not only

Now that Hispanic Heritage Month is almost over, when is this country going to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, Scandanavian Heritage Month, Asian Heritage Month, Black American Heritage Month, Irish Heritage Month, and so on. The Hispanic get a whole month to celebrate plus Cinco de Myo, while the other nationalities that buil this country only get one day or maybe a week, and in some cases they get nothing at all. I think that the celebration of each of the nationalities that built this country is in sad need of becoming a reality. In addition to the Native American Heritage Month, we need to also celebrate the Veterans of this country more than just a couple of days a year!!

We have Black History month already. Seems to me we don't have enough months for all the nations the U.S. immigrants come from. I most certainly would support Native American week or month though. They were victims of genocide here and many still struggle considerably. Most are only known as stereotypes. They definitely deserve more than that!

I commend you for standing up to your peers regarding the Hotel owner and his desire to run his business the way he wants to...KUDOS!

Soledad's Latino in America series was superb. I wish I could hear you on the radio, Rick. Really enjoy your 3 -4 time slot on CNN.

Some thoughts: If any of the tea partiers are unemployed and/or homeowners, I hope they refuse any recently extended benefits or tax credits made possible by that pesky, "useless" Obama administration!!

Barbara

Concerning the woman in Dallas that was ticketed for not speaking English, I feel that was wrong. But, after being in the United States for 20 years shouldn't this woman be speaking more English. Shouldn't friends and family have helped her learn. This is the USA and we speak English.

As for feeling low self-esteem and being stressed and having to be hospitalized 3 days because of it, I say fooey. I have had those feelings for over 20 years and have not had to be hospitalized. Sounds like a lawyer got involved or someone trying to stir up trouble. The City of Dallas should not be held responsible for those costs.

I don't feel I'm being prejudised here, but I would appreciate your take on this.

Hello America!!
It seems that the powers that be arent overly interested in seeing every american to be able to live their lives in dignty and with healthcare, so you want healthcare and live in northern border states, secceed from the Republic and join the Confederation and you will have govt sponosred medicare, leave being a state and become a Province and see what we have to offer. "welcome to Canada!

Blair

don't forget the H1N1 is grown in eggs, a 50 year old technology which is slowing the production, we need the new insect egg technology which can create much more vaccine but is still a few years away...

Hi Rick

i am married to a latino and I am caucasian'
thanks for the non biased reporting on your part. I think the US embraces all immigrants from every race and country but there is too much racism on latinos especially mexicans. Most people have respect for Cuban americans and Puerto Ricans and I think it is because they strive to go above the stereo type society has placed them under. Also, these drug cartles and gang bangers in the Westcoast aint helping their reputation.

It was interesting watching the series of Soledad O Brien coz most Dominicans and Cubans or Puerto Ricans were shown in a positive light but the Mexicans not so much: EARLY teen pregnancy, droppin gout of scool and being associated with gangs. I mean when will this drama ever end? It seems that girls just want to get pregnant coz that's how they grew up hence broken familie equals broken societies

I can't believe that you're now making an issue of President Obama's kids getting the swine flut shot. The American people trusted and elected him to lead this country...so it's expected, not to mention that it's the right and common sense thing to do, that he and his family gets treated first. It's truly amazing that certain people are forever finding excuses to bring the president down.

Reading some of the comments posted above, I can't decide what the 'discussion' is about? Is it about "Latino in America" or "Reid's Public Option"? Or about the wars?

My opinion.....

1. "Latino in America" was great, love Soledad O'Brien! We were deeply disturb by the men who killed an immigrant and got away with murder. We are sadly becoming a country where hate is acceptable. We are either Christians or Haters which is it, America?

2. The wars are wrong, Bush will go down in history for having bankrupted our nation for OIL. We are not safer today, because the wars are just helping terrorists recruit more terrorists. Instead of wars, we need to win over the hearts and minds of the Muslim people. By first pulling out of their countries! And then allowing a Palestinian homeland.

Peace everyone.

PS. We need a Public Option to ensure that Big Insurance has competition!

Competition = Capitalism

Drew , Thank you for speaking English for the hour . the reason I watch this network not CNN Esp. is because I speak English . I wonder if Rick would go on the Spanish network and speak English to people who have chosen programing they could understand . I realize Rick's mission is to promote all things Latino . However maybe he should practice his advocacy journalism on another network . Thank you again , Chris

Lou Dobb no CNN Yes...Lose this raciest closet Rebublican loser and make your network crediable again.

cnn will continue to plummet in ratings until the programming recognizes that opposition to many things on the wish list of ALL minorities is 5% racism & 95% politics!!!! imagine the reaction if some network decided to air a program pointing out the obvious impossibility of forming groups to protect white people from black racism or straights from gay radicalism and on and on. how about a White Caucus in congress? would your commentators accept this group with the same deference as the Black Caucus?

didnt know a word of english? so in other words the drill sergeants wasted their time and everyone elses by spending extra time trying to explain things to him. your in america, and you want to be a part of it? start by speaking the language. you would get ahead quicker and stop wasting peoples time.

And that's why I don't fly!!!!!!!

Hmm. Wouldn't have believed that both were napping at the same time nor do i believe they were both on a laptop at the same time looking up the exact same thing. Only one could have done that. So that leads me to my first gut feeling as to what they were doing. Hope they have a way of checking the cockpit....because these two were having SEX!! This is the only imaginable thing that 2 people could have been doing at the same exact time in the cockpit besides operating the plane.

i read john in tahoe comment about lou dobbs. I have been thinking the same thing about him. He just doesn't fit with CNN. I think he is a better fit with FOX. I don't watch FOX and I don't watch CNN during his slot.

I was a flight attendant in the sixties – married to a pilot. In these days it was common knowledge that pilots frequently "killed" time by reading Playboy-type magazines during long flights. As a matter of fact, they were located in a specific place in the cockpit. Of course – laptops were not available in those days.....

Hi Sanchez,
In regards to the pilots in the cockpit, I think airlines should install cameras. Remember that is a workplace, not a lounge! All of us are being recorded everywhere, why not the pilots? Also, they should pay someone to randomly watch those videos and point to their misbehaviors; I believe there is much to learn about their behavior that certainly would scare us all. A few bad apples can kill hundreds of passengers.
Vera

Keep talking about the latinos and blacks all the time and cnn will stay in last place.

October '09 Ratings: Fox News Unchallenged at the Top
By Kevin Allocca on Oct 27, 2009 03:50 PMFox News won every major ratings category in October, especially with its dominant prime time line-up.

In total day, FNC averaged 1.23M total viewers and 337k in the demo. In prime time, the averages are 2.59M and 692k, respectively, with no one else coming close.

The Huffington Post notes that the network had the top 11 programs in the A25-54 demo and the top 13 programs in total viewers. Bill O'Reilly was number one with 3.39M total viewers (875k in the demo), followed by "Glenn Beck" and "Hannity." As we've mentioned in the past, some of FNC's daytime programs, including "Happening Now," "Live Desk," and "Fox & Friends," outdraw all primetime programs on the other networks.

Glenn Beck's program is up roughly 64% in total viewers and 188% in the demo compared to the same time slot last October. Beck joined FNC in January.

The Swamp also reports that "Beck had his best month of the year," and that "FOX viewership is up 9 percent and 14 percent among adults since the feud with the White House started."

Does Rick understand this is an English speaking country? What's up with the "Foto del dia"? Shouldn't immigrants learn to read and write in English or is he proposing the native English speakers learn Spanish to save them the trouble?

Many of us have children or other family members or friends that don't have health care coverage. If we have the will, there is a reasonable way to make this happen in the USA.

We the People want to recover the Pride of America...we can be the best or one of the best countries for taking care of it's citzens, can't we?
We are a hard working people we just want America to wk for the regular guy again...not just for the Greedy or Super Rich.

Universal Health Care will rebuild the core of America...Divided we will not stand, we will wobble and maybe fall... God help us make Wise choices to keep this nation strong.

Great job rick and your one good looking guy. muchos bessitos your way, texmex

Sorry Rick, I like you, but disagree. Illegal workers in America shouldn't have the rights U.S. citizens have. If they want the rights, they need to become citizens of our country. It's not rocket science. They are not contributing to the U.S. They are sending their money to where they came from.Not to mention the drain on our medical facilities. If they want our benifits, they need to pay the same taxes we do, buy the same health ins. we do,pay the same rent and mortgages we do, aquire the same drivers licenses we do. I have no problem with those that want to live and work in the U.S. provided they become LEGAL.They need to know that they are taking risks when they work and live here being illegal. They are NOT Americans and do not have the rights Americans do. I could never get away with living in a foriegn country, remaining American and expect the benefits and rights of citizens of that country.And I wouldn't assume I could.

hey fluffy, did you see what happened in Richmond California? That guy Ortega raped the little girl and twenty people wathched and said nothing. This reminds me of illegal immigration stand back and watch. If one of the twenty tried to stop it the good people would have done untolerable things to them. That's Obamanation.

Congress passed in the Stimulus package last year Assistance for those unemployed where they assist with cobra insurance payments, this assistance helps with 65% of cobra insurance payments. this assistance only lasts for 9 months when the majority of unemployed Americans are unemployed for greater than 9 months here is what I am experiencing and am sure many others are also. I was laid of in Feb 2009 with the stimulus assistance with cobra payments my cost monthly is $131 to keep my insurance coverage although this seems very reasonable when you are unemployed its very expensive but I have no choice I need my insurance. As of Dec 2009 when the stimulus assistance runs out ( 9 ) months my cobra premium jumps to $377 per month. that's almost an additional $250 per month increase while still unable to find work. Can the President consider addressing this issue, the HOT topic is healthcare. I as well as many others lose their coverage every month because this stimulus assistance goes away and there is no discussion of this being addressed or extended. but guess what I see today GMAC is going to ask for anther $6 billion and of course they will get it what about the rest of us out here that just need health coverage while unemployed. any and all Americans should have health care coverage while unemployed. very simple if we are desperate enough to need unemployment insurance then we should also have healthcare included with this unemployment insurance

Why don't car dealerships care. If you purchase a car care package and they close. Why want they let you refund the difference. I talked to dodge and they want give me the difference i haven't used since they closed my dealership and didn't let me know or choose something else besides drive 39 miles for a 19.99 oil change. Would they fly 300 to pick up a letter for a cancelation. nope so why make the consumer.

I am still trying to figure out what we are doing in Afghanistan, I have read this book before only last time it was titled Vietnam, better start checking returing bodies for heroin, perhaps that is why all the secrecy with returning vets, we are not very good at interviening in civil wars, we tend to lose and go apart as a society when we lose, add to that that everyone is out to scam us and you have a recepie for disaster, I remember when President Obama was campaigning and said he would pull the troops out of afghanistan, time is wasting.

Hey Rick, loved to hear you speak spanish the other day, but was thinking that I was on the wrong channel, people of minority decent should learn to speak the current language, english, at least show some respect for your new home land. Larry-Idaho

Rick,
I'd like to make two points, first of all (1) about the gang raping of the young girl in California. I would be interested to know in which states (obviously in California) is it not an offence to witness or watch a violent crime being commited and not report it, I know here in Texas that's called
copability or Guilt by association, and (2) My two children are allergic to Erythromycin, we called the C.D.C., and were told that the H1N1 vaccine does contain a "mycin" type component and would not be recommended
for them, this could be harmful or fatal. I understand that there are many children in the U.S. that have the same type of allergy. Thanks. Love your show.

Ms.Keenen,

I personally don't think that you are wrong. I agree with you 200%. The fact that this lady in Dallas has been here for many years shows that she has a lack of respect for her adopted country. Maybe someone can tell me the answer to this. How can the lady get a drivers license if she cannot speak English? If she cannot speak it , how can she read it. No wonder she made a wrong turn and was stopped by the police.

I cannot remember who made the comment that Rick pushes anything Latino but that is also true. Right or wrong if it is Latino he is for it.

Rick, I have a comment about the teenagers' problems in America. I think it is mostly for the absence of the religious education in school and from the family. When I was young I was told that if no body is watching you when you do something wrong, God is. My daughter told me that she is not allowed to say God name in school. She got in trouble with the teacher for saying "oh, my God".
I wonder if this teacher forgot that America was built on the name of God and the money has on it "In God we trust"?!

Rick,
As a Latina, your comments, re Jane Velez-Mitchell's commentary re Mr. Whitten's decision to have his staff Anglicize their names, were stellar. How can she claim that to be racism? Your comeback was so eloquent. I applaud you so much.
I listen to Dennis Prager on the radio and he, too, was overwhelmed with your response. She's was outrageous with her attack.
This politically correct climate we're living in has gone overboard.
I live in Los Angeles now but was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico and none of our family in Santa Fe or L.A. feel this to be racisim.
God Bless You Always and keep up the great work, values & morals. You're awesome.
Rita Silva

AMEN! Thank you Mr. Sanchez for defending America!

Hello Rick, I was listening to a radio talk show and heard your comments regarding the motel owner in New Mexico. I completely agree with your comments and totally support you. I too am an AMERICAN of hispanic descent and appreciate and love this country as much as you do. I wish there were more of us who are appreciative for what this country has given us rather than being spiteful for what it hasn't. I do not feel entitled to anything yet thank God for allowing me to be born here. Please continue speaking your mind because you are speaking for me and many others! God Bless You and stay well.

Roberto

I just watched a video of illegal immigrants demonstrating because they are not being paid for their work. They are complaining they have the legal right to be paid. WOW–the lawbreakers wanting to be protected by the law. What will they think of next? Where are the immigration officers when you need them.

Obama just sign the military budget, but I did not get the figure. Ben of Ben and Jerry has gone to congress and gave demonstration using oreos. When the stacks were compared to Russia's military expenditure was less than 1/3. Social and education service stack were almost none existent. He attempted to persaive the Congressmen in attendance that if they took one oreo and place education and one half each for day care/preschool and social services. the military industrial complex would still be more than double than Russia's. Why does not anyone comment about this issue.

Rick,

on behalf of those of us in America, the majority, who actually have common sense and can think, we THANK YOU for the common sense and respect that you showed by standing up for the hotel owner in New Mexico. Your argument made so much sense and showed such pride in this fantastic country. Thank you for rising above the PC attitudes and speech that has become so ridiculous!

In accepting another cultures way of saying my name, it shows me that they have accepted me. I do not lose my identity by how you say my name. THINK people, THINK!!!!

I think the NW pilots were playing Microsoft Flight Simulator during the time they flew past their destination.

All those people participating and especially those who watched and did nothing just took their first step towards hell. gloria

The whole gang rape story is another perfect example of a much greater issue in our country. We have lost touch with American values, and doing things for the greater good. At the root of all that happens are people making decisions based on their value system or lack thereof.

Thank you Rick Sanchez for your respect of America and your response to Jane Mitchell.

Hi Rick,
Enjoy your show. Latino in America is well done. Informative & underlines prejudice is alive in US. Parents are NOT teaching their children by word & action. We are all human beings. So glad Pres. Obama signed into law discrimination against gender, disability, sexual orientation...some people are evil & full of hate. I do believe some people encourage these actions espec. Limbaugh, Palin, Beck...GOP says NOTHING...
Jay

When is Rick coming back? I miss him

GDP increase: Up 3.5 percent in third quarter, the first rise in a year
The assumption that President Obama STIMULOUS PAKAGE wasn't working fast enough was erroneous by right wing Conservative Republicans. Right wing Conservative Republican misread the direction of the economy THAT IT WAS MOVING TO SLOW? Could the Conservative Republican also be wrong
about direction of PRESIDENT OBAMA HEALTH CARE PLAN?

Hi Rick:

You are back! You were missed! This is not to say that your substitute did not do a great job. He did! Since you are the regular host I wondered where is Rick. Is he OK!

Where are Al sharpton and Jesse Jackson at Richmond? Don,t they show up when a black has been hurt? This is a hate crime. Rocky

Rick.....
While watching the World Series last night, I noticed something very strange in Home Depot's commercial. In the commercial, there was an older man wearing a Home Depot apron.....and he was wearing a BUTTON on his apron. What's up with THAT ??? Why wasn't he (the actor) fired???

Lighten up folks! I spent 57 years in Miami and I have heard a lot more harsh words spoken by latinos to each which brought about roars of laughter.

Many Fortune 500 companies such as visa ..delta ..that have large call centers ask employees to use common names on the phone its not race related its business do the employees want to work for a successful company

Change their names to English pronunciation? What is wrong with those employers? In this day and age, do bosses not know the Law and discrimination against their employees? It is downright discrimination. It is dicriminating to inform an employee to change hs/her name in order to have an English name. The employer should be sued. Human rights should take up this cause.
There are some people from foreign countries who change and/or shorten their names. It is legal only for those people because some names are difficult to pronounce. HJowever, it isnot for employers to inform them to change their names which depicts discrimination.
There are some employers/employees who will ask how would you like to have your name pronounced. The employee may give a shortened version of their names. That is OK!
It is not what people, namely employees say and expect but how they say it. This goes for everyone in general.

Rick, what do you think about bob Grieses taco comment. yes it was wrong in my mind but also maybe people r becoming very sensitive in this country and can't handle some guy talking stupid. maybe we should toughen up a bit and stop crying. what do you think Rick?

As to the hotel owner in NM asking workers to anglicize names, other companies have been doing this for years. Just call some businesses customer services, like Verizon. You are speaking to someone in Mexico who's real name might be Julio, but they are required to use a name such as Michael or John when identifying themselves to customers.

This happens in the workplace all the time. How often do you call for support on so service you use like cable that you get someone on the line to help you. I have asked many times of there location and I get India or some place like that. Not only have they adopted and English name but have been trained to sound like they come from your neck of the woods like having a Texas Drawl.

Just a thought about the New Mexico Inn Keeper, and comments per where this Hotel is located. Even though it's New Mexico and Hispanic culture is more prevalent. Who comes to stay in Hotel's? usually people visiting. I live in Michigan and can't tell you the last time I stayed in a Hotel here in Michigan.

Rick, Bob Griese should have to do more than publicly apologize for his "off color" comment. If he had made a reference to an African American eating fried chicken, we all know what would be happening. That is the problem with our country and our inability to deal with racism, double standards.

Years ago, I worked for a private employment agency and had to make dozens of phone calls to potential employers. We were asked to use 'simple' names – Susie, Mary, Jane – for the convenience of our employer. No one squawked about it. It just made sense.

And, by the way, my uncle was a WWII decorated veteran when his employer suggested that if he wanted to get anywhere in business, he should change his complicated Polish name to something simple. He picked a one-sylable name and retired as a Vice President of a Fortune 500 company!

Ricardo: I think that Rafael is off base. The New Mexico hotel operator only asked them to pronounce their names differently on the telephone. They were dealing with customers in the East who were in North Carolina and South Carolina. I can tell you that this hotel will not be successful with clients from Taos because the level of income is so low. This owner is trying to attract people for outside New Mexico. Is is wrong for the Indian (India) business to change the names of their operators calling on behalf of us companies and not use indian names and use anglicized names? I think the hotel operator was correct to make it easier for his customer base who is not spanish speaking. I wish people were more pliable but they are not. If they feel uncomfortable they will just not call and then business is lost.

So what about the name Jesus, will radical people will not be offended if we start pronouncing the name in english "anglo".

Ricardo,
2 points that need to addressed: You made the decision to change your name. No one demanded for you to do it.

If the hotel owner want someone with anAnglo name at the switchboard, why not hire one. Could it be that it is cheaper to hire a Latino?

Hey Rick! AJ from Vancouver...

RE: Hotel owner changing hispanic names... where is the outrage for the customer support industry in India? My guess is the guy I'm talking to there isn't really named "Dave"... That's what they do to make it easier for us to understand and feel comfortable, it seem like that's all this guy was trying to do too. I felt he was treated with little respect yesterday. I bet there's more tech support workers in India than receptionists at his hotel... where's the real story?

About that guy in New Mexico insisting that his Latino employees Anglicize their names. That is so ignorant! This is a diverse country, people need to learn more about each other, including how to pronounce Latino names..And by the way, you didn't Anglicize your name, you're still Sanchez, not Sanders or some such. What that guy is doing is an insult to his Latino employees. If one of his employees was named Gunther, I bet he wouldn't ask him to change it.

Im not saying the guy was right to ask for a guy to change his name, but maybe did anyone take into consideration how deep the person's accent was?maybe he was just doing it to help the guy pronunciate better or something,seriously if he was that "racist" would he even have them working there?

Regarding changing your name when immigrating to the United States.

When my grandfather moved to America from Poland he had to change the Ü in our family name to U. This in itself changed the pronunciation of the name. It's a part of being in this melting pot of nations to have your name changed to reflect the language.

I'm Hispanic and I don't understand what the big deal is. Would it be different if he had said, 'he's out getting a Hot Dog instead of a Taco??

It seems everything is a rasict comment these days!! Just ridiculous!

With a name like mine growing up in the 1960's I was forced to anglozize my name from Maritoni to "Mary Tony" . It wasn't until My freshman year in college that I had instructors that respected a persons given name and pronunciation. Since then I introduce myself with my hispanic pronounciation. If people can't pronounce it I say just call me Mari (not Mary). We can still help people understand our names without changing them. The positive side is that we live in a democratic society where people have the right to protest perceived injustices regardless or just say no I won't pronounce my way in a different way.

Greise's comment reminds me of what Brent Musberger said about the city of San Antonio when the Spurs went to the Eastern Conference for the first time. "This team is just too good for this city. This city is about as American as Enchiladas."

Hi Rick,

I am a Cuban American who has been in this country for 43 years. My experience with most American is that they do not differentiate between Hispanic nationalities and that they may be insulting when we are all grouped together

Rick!

My wife is 100% Italian and I am Norwegian and Scotch, We have heard all the one liners about Spaghetti and Fish. So what these people have to get over their self’s.

Gary Reid

This is absolutely media driven. It seems like the media tends to make something out of nothing. It was done in a harmless way and you need to see the source and see if this behaviour is common and the person is know to make actual hurtful racist comments before the media starts picking away at this scab that needs to be healed and let go because what I believe is that those who have been subject to racism seem to me to be more racist than anyone. If this subject keeps on being opened and nitpicked over any harmless unintentional comment by anyone especially the media then fuel keeps being added to the fire and no one will ever get over this issue and put it in the past where no one can go back and change. We need to stop looking at each other as black, white, hispanic, asian and start looking at each other as human beings because the more important issue is the environment because if things get worse we will be forced to forget our nationalities and worry that there will no longer be an earth to live in by human beings. We are all brothers and sisters regardless of color. John from Toronto

hey rick I have a way to get jobs back.. As long as the rate is above 4% no federal elected person gets their salary or health insurance. They can be just like us!

Rick, so you are tired of the story of Wall Street first, employment on Main Street last, do some research and see if in our history of downturns, you come up with anything different, Be patient!!!

Come on,Rick....keep it real! The president said the recession was abating....he didn't say it was almost over. We all know that companies like to operate with the least amount of employees as possible to make the most profit. They hire when they asolutely have to......

Hello Rick Sanchez,

I have an odd name, and a few people have problem pronouncing Theodosia. I do get mad when people butcher it, so I‘ll just give people an easier name to pronounce (like Thea or Theo). When I speak to people on the phone, and they ask me my name I automatically spell it to them. Some will ask how to pronounce it, and then tell me it's a beautiful name.

Thank You

At what point do we declare that a given ethnic group in America has a thick enough skin? If Bob Griese had said that the driver was out having a beer, we would not be having this conversation. But if the driver was Irish (like me) would that have been taken by me as an insult? Absolutely not. There seems to be an ethnic sensitivity tipping point. And i imagine the measuring stick is the length of time being resident (familiarity) in a given area. In my state (Texas) the Anglo, Mexican, German, and Czech cultures have been blending for almost 200 years. If the I was car driver and Bob Griese said I was out having a taco, he would probably have been right. Perhaps the tipping point of ethnic sensitivity comes when folks think of themselves as Americans first.

As a proud Hispanic 56 year old American citizen it saddens me to see the need of a Latino anything on CNN. Why are Hispanics such rude guests? Why are my Spanish speaking brothers & sisters unwilling to be gracious guests in an English speaking country that has been so good to them? Why don't they do the right thing like I did and become a citizen before entry? I see Whites and Blacks that have been tax paying law abiding citizens look away from me at the grocery store and I cry myself to sleep at night.

Lou Dobbs is conservative..that makes him hateful? Scary, the intolerance we seem to have right now in this country for anything that is middle of the road or right leaning! I remember in college in the late 60's..our activism and left leaning was barely tolerated by those "in charge"..now it's exactly the opposite..why can we not debate in the country, or disagree without being demonized!?

On that motel owner in New Mexico it's much to do about nothing. Just some people trying to get their fifteen minutes of fame. First of all the owner, owns the place and he should be able to run it as he likes. Second most of the people renting rooms are not from that town but from out of state. If the employee doesn't like being called by an American name them he should just clean rooms, or quit. If any motel workers are protesting they should be fired. I work with many hispanic workers, and some are my best friends, they pronounce my name sounding like an H. On the football player saying someone out's buying a taco. Trying to be funny is what usually gets people in trouble, obviously it's just a attempt at a joke, gone bad, everyone just needs to lighten up.

I think Latinos will adapt to whatever comes their way. For anyone though to change their name to sound more white sounds to me like they want to be white anyway. Hey by the way Rick was the rape in Cali commented by Latinos? This is what I heard and I also heard the girl was white? Can you shed any light on this Rick? If what I heard was true why isnt this a hate crime? Whats good for white people should be good for us too!

Rick,
While I think Griese's comment was insensitive, I think it's rather hypocritical of you to be offended as you bring Carlos Mencia on your show, a man who makes his career on racial stereotypes.

Thomas

p.s. You said it made you angry when people accentuate Spanish pronunciation of certain words (you mentioned Nicaragua). Have you listened to your "photos" intro lately?

Many Immigrant advocates here in Massachusetts are asking the immigrants to boycott the 2010 census in retaliation for immigration crackdowns . "

What immigration crackdowns? Do you mean illegal immigration? Because my sister in law came to this country as an immigrant. She took the first job she could find, after applying for paperwork to allow her to be here and work (green card). Then for 5 yrs she worked, bought a car (which she paid off before time) and a townhouse, which she also owns, and in 5 yrs time she applied for and became a citizen. Is that what you mean..that someone is trying to apply the same standards to all immigrants? How unfair!

Severly elevated levels of unemployment should encourage Americans to volunteer. A Double-Dip Recession. WT??? And Rick I believe the term for gang rape differs region to region. In the south it means the young lady is concentual to become apart of the gang. What is she saying? The onlookers maybe gang members. Seems to me, broken homes, locked up fathers, disfuntional families, and south carolina's politicians, are all coming home to roost. This is a good time for Americans to prepare for troop return, raise smart American children, not murderers. Children are the reflection of a world's woes. And save the earth! Thanks for reading!

rick, how is the "chicken fried steak" comment about the racist assailant any different than mr. griese's "taco" heard 'round the world?

Rick,
What Bob Greise said about Montoya was meant with humor, It was not ignorant to say it, but it was completely ignorant not to know this. As for the name changes with the hotel owner, don’t work for him you have a choice because you are free in America, Latinos are quick to try to change and complain in America but they say and change nothing in their homeland. Maybe i am wrong Rick, but that's what i get from all latino media
Patrick

Mary Jo--the plane that overshot the runway by 150 or more miles was being watched. When they could not contact them, there were planes following them. When they did contact them, they were asked to perform certain maneuvers to make sure that the plane had not been highjacked. These two men had their licenses revolked. They had been on their laptop computerers and didn't watch the time.

I am of Mexican decent and personally think Mr. Sanchez puts way too much on illegal aliens and their rights! I entered this country legally and took the steps nessesary to become a legal citizen and that included speaking the English language! It sounds to me that Rick Sanchez would like to see the official language become Spanish, is this true Rick?

I think understanding differences which divides us should help improve ourselves to be better Americans. Therefore, how we unite our differences should be the ending point of this discussion.

I get tired listening how our differences should divide rather than unite us together. The take away should be how does knowing about this difference help make all of us better people and improve our UNITED States.

REMEMBER: United we Stand – Divided we Fall.

Ricardo,

I think that you are wrong about anglonizing your name to accomodate the English speaking community. This is America, and nobody has the right to force hi/her will on others just because... remember that we have the freedom to change our names, but is on a choice basis and not because somebody wants to impose it.

Nobody from this country goes to other country and chage his/her name to accomodate that country population, in fact they espect that the people of that country that they are visiting also speak English.

Hi Rick,On behalf of Bob Griese humor was intended in the taco comment .No offense to you or Latinos/Hispanics but if he said an Irish driver was out getting a beer would you have had the same response? I doubt it .Griese is a class act and so are you ,Humor is a must in any culture.ty

God Bless Our Awesome President, I wish other could care like him. The respect is so very wonderful. But there are those who just criticize whatever he does. Thank you Mr. President.

I agree it would have been better in private, but it was the media that fought to be at Dover when they come home. There is no way for him to pay respects WITHOUT the press being there.

Hello there Rick,

I'm not usally home at this time so you are not a "cnn face" i've encountered before, I like your style! I may have to reconfigure my lunch breaks now, keep up the good work.

1. I applaud the Pres in going to Dover. There are those who will criticize him for going, for not having gone sooner, for the whole thing being videotaped. Obama will be wrong in someone's eyes regardless of what he does. Damend if he does, damned if he doesn't. Goes with the job!

2. Griese's comments were ignorant and he should realize he's on the air and will offend someone with off hand remarks. Goes with the job!

3. I believe the media make too much of these things and the stories feed upon themselves and make them bigger than they really are. We waste TOO much time on these things. There are so many other important, tragic, and world-affecting things that we should be covering in detail.

Bless the presendent for being there when our fullen soldiers came home. Remember he is the presendent so the media will be there to cover what he ever he does. The American peolpe should know that our presendent is given his repected to our heros.

I was so glad to see President Obama paying respect to to fallen troops coming off the Military Planes today. The public needs to see more of this in order to realize the cost of continuing the wars we are fighting. Out of sight out of mind. Maybe more people will realize the need to bring our troops home.
Thanks you,
Michael Minor

I dont feel that President Obama owns this war, the verbage used implies that its his war. He wasn't in office when it started, and if it continues after his term of office, then will a new President claim it, ..I doubt it. This war belongs to all of us so dont try to find "the fall guy" to blame when things go badly, I guess its very easy to throw stones isn't it.

I am touched that he made the effort. Sunday was St Crispain's Day, perhaps he was taking his manhood for cheap in the wee hours of the night, since he didnt have the opportunity to serve. The Gov't should fly the fallen into JFK and have the caissons roll down Wall St at high noon.

The President is showing respect for our fallen heroes; however, during his campaign when he went to,I believe Iraq, he used the basketball shots as a photo-op, BUT did not acknowledge the troops, not even with a glance, as they stood watching him. This information was provided by a mother whose son wrote her about the President's visit. What should we believe, another photo-op?

Rick,
As someone who lost a soldier in Vietnam, I can tell you from experience, you want all to know of his sacrifice and of him. Going Public is respectful and an honor, secrecy is shameful and disrespectful and dishonoring.
Beleive me, you want all to know of the loss – it's comforting, respectful, and an honor to your fallen soldier.

Hi Rick,

Your "NEW MAN at CNN" today tried to make me think only Latinos stay at the hotel in Taos, just because of the higher population in that area. I'm not so sure that's the case. Thanks

Regarding the President going to Dover Field. Leave him alone. He can't win no matter what he does or does not do.

As a Vietnam era veteran and one who had difficulty understanding our need to be there, I have to say our troops being in Iraq and Afghanistan is wrong. We have tried to flex our muscle and impart our ideals on other parts of the world and these countries in particular and are paying the price in the blood of our troops. We call this protecting ourselves against terrorism? We can not continue the military diplomacy of the previous administration. Bring our troops home and stop the loss of our citizens. We can fight terrorism on our own soil using the dollars and the men when are losing every day. We can not afford the cost of this illconceived excuse of terrorism diplomacy. We are contributing to it by offering up our blood.

It's too bad you only post responses that agree with your view... just more one-sided journalism. Walter Kronkite would get a good laugh if he watched the "news" today.

I`m LMAO!

I can't recall any thing that the President has done,and the comments weren't negative. I often wonder about the life styles of these people?
Are they unhappy? America has always call itself a Christian Nation.
For those of us who believe in God, we know he was pleased. I cried so often when WNBC. use to show pictures of our young fallen heroes.

Sincerly,Dorothy a. Oliver

Let me get this straight. Bob Greise brutalized by showing his picture, the audio and going on and on. Then the rape at Richmond High. No pictures of the accused who at least some where hispanic. I have seen their names and pictures elsewhere. But you fail to mention that. Was that a mistake? Forgot to put up the names and pictures? Inconvienient truth? Or maybe the accused had americanized their names? Or is it just better with your bosses to stick with picking on old white guys. And when are going to sue Notre Dame for calling their teams 'The Fighting Irish'? Catholic college after all. Suprised you aren't calling to have their teams called 'The Fighting Latinos" or the 'The Fighting Mexicans'. I'm joking of course, but maybe you didn't realize it. And I don't want to hear about you growing up loving Bob Griese. That comes across about as well as a white person saying 'But I have some black friends'. Think about it.

Rick,
Please take a look at the last segment of your show today. You are probably aware that you have a habit of interrupting your guests in the middle of a response. This may be a function of being a moderator (at times), but today you interrupted the woman at the end of your show repeatedly. It was very annoying and distracting to watch. I do not think she was able to finish any of her sentences. The contrast between your attentiveness to the male guest in this spot was stark. You did not interrupt him once. In fact, when he started to speak you appeared to be listening to the content of what he was saying. The woman was unable to complete much of what she was trying to communicate due to your interruptions.

Hi Rick,
this President has a load of troubles dumped in his lap by the previous president who in his foolhardy arrogance & with the help of his incapable cronies got us entangled in these messy wars which are literally bleeding our great nation. Our brave sons & daughters are dying & financial drain is unimaginable.Funds that are direly needed at home are going into these misadventures.
President Obama has an uphill task ,faced with opposition from those in both the houses who just pander to special interest groups & lobbies & do not represent us the American people who sent them there in the first place.He is doing his best & wisely.
In Iraq we should get out as soon as possible & in Afghanistan the troops should be pulled out with efficient covert operations replacing all out war.History has proved time & again that invasion has never been a success in that part of the world.

hi rick , about pronoucing my name if ur not spanish you can,t get it right maybe 1/1000 can. but I look white, so when a spanish person that has la mancha ( that looks latino) get pull over they r going to get a ticket and that is a fact.

Rick:

All the Latinos that come here illegally and then complain about their rights should go home and fix their own country. For example, ending the system of feudal serfdom throughout Latin America would be a good start. I would be glad to chip in to help pay for their transportation back to their own country where I know they would be treated so much better than they are here.

It's funny how you and your CNN colleagues spend all your time vilifying people who don't measure up to your notion of what is poltically correct but that the people you & CNN vilify are always white males. Why have you not labeled the rape of the 15-year old girl by the gang of blacks and/or hispanics a hate crime? Don't you believe that whites can be victims? I think you and those rabid, male bashing, female commentators on CNN who want to start gender wars are pretentious, self-rightous, politically correct morons and that you and they are clearly ethnocentric and/or gender-centric hypocrites.

As you can see, my name is not easy to pronounce in English, and it wasn't until recently I could not even write it correctly because most systems would not take the special character (tilde) that sits on the n. So I simply dealt with it. Most people call my name incorrectly but will try and ask how to pronounce it the right way. For whoever asks, I spell it so it will sound Spanish: m-y-d-a. I'm happy that they make the effort and they are happy they can call me by MY name. I think it comes with the right attitude. You get respect only if you give respect.
We live in a melting pot and we must all be tolerant, respectful, and learn how to communicate with each other. We won't go anywhere if we keep jumping at each other assuming always the worst.
Mrs. Jane Velez- Mitchell should know better that to slam the hotel owner: her own last name has been 'americanized'! its not Ve-lez its Vélez, accentuated on the first e. So, what is she talking about? I rest my case.

Continue what you have been doing, Sanchez. Happy Anniversary!!

Rick Sanchez is not, by any stretch of the imagination, performing as a Newscaster. Both he and Ms. Soledad O'Brien devote most of their broadcast time to one subject, thet being presumptuously promoting the Latino population and culture in America. The day may come when those millions of us who are proud to be American (andproud of what America's principles and generosity have done for so many nations in this world) will abandon CNN in favor of a legitimate ' news' network Like every ethnic group that has settled here, every Latino should be accepted at face value without the etnic group as a whole being 'crammed down our throats' daily under the guise of 'news'. Mr. Sanchez's and Ms. O'Brien's personal agendas have no place being broadcast incessantly under the banner of 'news', let alone news at the quality level CNN has previously been know for.

While I don't doubt that Mr. Sancheez's and Ms. O'Brien's motives are genuine and heartfelt, let them do their promoting as invited guests on someone else's programas as perhaps a newsworthy subject .. but not as the daily news highlights we select the CNN channel for.
Jim M.

About President Obama saluting our death heroes:

I SIT ON MY HANDS WHILE YOU FIGHT
BUT I WILL BE THERE SALUTING YOU
IN YOUR CASKET WHEN YOU NO LONGER ARE ALIVE.

SUBJECT: Greise comment

We as Latinos are not going to argue about this are we?? If it were a White(non-hispanic) player, and Griese says, "He must of went off and got a good ole hot dog", you wouldn't have American (non-hispanics) making an issue. We as Latinos can separate ourselves and not dignify that remark with any negative attention. Let's keep doing what we do best and stand tall, as we already do. We are bigger and better than this. it's 2009 – we got it!!

as an american, i thank you for your comments on the larry whitten interview... you are awesome, respectful, and upright. thank you for having the courage to speak up.

Mr. Sanchez:

With respect to your justification for changing your stage name to Rick, while I appreciate it was your personal/professional decision, and I likewise appreciate your own circumstances with respect to having fled Cuba to come to this great nation, I take issue with your opinion that "we Latinos" (as if we are one homogenous group, which we are not) should be glad to be "allowed" (your word) to come to this country. Do you realize you said this when Kyra Phillips was segueing to your program the other day? I had hoped that today you would clarify this glaring and historically inaccurate generalization, but my hopes were dashed. Your comments and failure to clarify your position lead me to believe that you must be unaware of the long Hispanic history of the United States, particularly regions that were part of Mexico and Spain long before Anglo encroachment – such as New Mexico, where the Taos hotelier is seeking to drum up more business in his Mexican adobe-styled hotel, of all things. That is to say, there are MILLIONS of Latinos in this country whose ancestors had been here for centuries! No one "allowed" us to come here. If anything, one could argue that our ancestors were reluctantly forced to “allow” the Anglos to come to our “country”, and we have suffered many legal, social, cultural, and linguistic indignities as a result, including the one exemplified by the Taos hotelier who does not even allow us the dignity of keeping our Latino names for "business reasons" (as if the people from outside New Mexico cannot pronounce or understand a name like Carlos or Pedro). Again, I respect your personal circumstances, but please do not continue to make the mistake of painting your opinions about “We The Latino People” with the historically inaccurate broad brush of Latino homogeneity. Latinos who fled Cuba and who felt it necessary to change their names to work in television are NOT the same as long-established, multi-generational Mexican-Americans who are comfortable with their Latino names, for example.

Additionally, one dangerous result of your mistaken and myopic "happy assimilation to the newly adopted, decidedly English-speaking country" posture is that your comments are now being heralded by some of the most rabid, right wing anti-Latino commentators who likewise employ the broad brush of over-generalization for their nefarious purposes. Was this your intention? Will you address this in your national conversation?

Hi Rick: RE: Latin/Spanish Name & word pronunciations

Very much appreciate your rational view of Latino/Spanish word pronunciations. It is comforting to see a person with your heritage question why news anchors pronounce words with a heavy accent but other words they speak clear English that any viewer can understand. I am learning to speak and write the Spanish language and am enjoying the process. However I turn the channel quickly never to return to an anchor that overtly rolls R's and other letters (ie J as an H). I know you have strong views regarding immigration etc. that I listen to the view and may not agree with – but I continue to watch your show when a nugget of gold like your wisdom re word pronunciations is vocallized on at least two seperate occasions. Thanks Michelle

Like Nascar Drivers, every member of congress should be required to wear a jump suit with Logos and Ads, showing exactly what lobby firms they are working for, and the more money they receive from a special interest group,,, the BIGGER the signs should be. Now, that would be a hoot at any press conference, or public statement. : )

My Great Grandparents arrived in America from Germany on March 18, 1890.
They didn't come here to claim land and start a new nation of their own. They came here to asimilate and become proud Americans. They didn't hang on to their old world ways. They didn't demand that the rest of America spoke German. In fact, they came here for a new start in a new world. They proudly became Americans and made sure that their children did the same. My Great Grandfather left Germany as Frank "Josef", he was buried as Frank "Joseph". My Grandfather landed in New York as "Franz". His tomb stone reads "Frank".
Latino'e seem to think that the rest of America owes them something. That they don't need to become "Americanized". That when they show up, the rest of us shoult adapt to them rather that the reverse.

I think this may be the reeason that many people resent their presence.

I used to take a fishing trip to Quebec, Canada, once each year. Even for that, I did my best to learn a little French. To go there and demand that they speak English, to me, seemed as though I was being that "ugly American" that we've all heard about.

To be forced to change your name.........probably not a good idea.
To do it as a patriotic American.......different story.

I enjoyed yhe documentary/show immensely. What was of particular interest to me was the part about the boys in Shenandoah, PA killing the young man because he was Hispanic........made me very angry especially when an Ex-Marine was a staunch supporter of the youth involved. I feel that the boys got off completely, the incident was completely raceially fueld. If itwere the other way arounfd and the young men involved had names like Martinez, Gonzelz, Rayos and Garza they would all been punished to the fullest extent of the law. Now the question is why? First of all we can cite racial profiling where police target individuals of color,. Anther reason they would have been punished is because there is a "push" to convict people of colors to send a "message" that we are not going to tolerate "criminals" in this country. Police activity has changed from policing to doing the job of Border Patrol agents. If u want proof, come to West Texas where the main task of a Deputy sheriff is to police ranch land and report border crossings or to intercept illegals. Does the statue of liberty say give me your sick, your poor etc....exculde our brethren south of the border.
Jobhs – "they are taking our jobs.....I do not believe that we can find whites, blacks, or american born mexicans to take the jobs in the fields, or washing dishes ot intensive labor related jobs. I know this cause I worked for Texas Workforce Commission for three years! Where are our priorities as Americans to judge and blame or lead the world in extending our hands to immigrants for a better life. Is it convenience? Racism? Frustration or even the recession....watch out for what u ask for America!!
'

Teen Suicide of Latina girls:

The show was brave and provocative in showing the very difficult transition of immigrants blending in as Americans. You know it is very difficult to ttransition as a Latino in America. Americans want you to be as American as you can be and the effort is made to fit in but the youth of today are caught between the values of a latino household and the norms, values of youth in America. Youth already in the midst of an identity crises because of their age are thrust into an American lifestyle and yet a re drilled in the traditions of thier culture at home. As an adult I deal with this everyday, as a young man I was taught English first and had to teach myself the Spanish language, I wish t this day I could have reversed this process and learned Spanish first. Bilingual proficiency is an invaluable assett in todays job arket, it help people maintain a sense of identity within their culture and race. The bias is two fold becaise Mexican born immigrants expect us to speak the language and carry out our traditions and if we can't do this we are labeled as "mocho" or "too american" . In the Selena movie Edward James Olmos went on a rant about how Mexicans need to kow John Wayne and Pedro Infante, Oprah and Christina, we have to prove how American we are and how Mexican we are and this is exhausting. Teens are incapable of handlinh these pressures and often feel out of touch with their roots and their common daIly lives. Some turn to suicide – what was shocling was that the mother-daughter relatinship was cited as one of the main reasons for their depression and sens of despair. Shocking becuase the mother -daughter in the Latino community is usually VERY strong. Latino teens are forced to make decisions about their identity that are very "grown up".

I would like to leave a comment to Bill Biel's post. You stated "That when they show up, the rest of us should adapt to them rather than the reverse." Unfortunately you speak big of being an American but seem to know little about American history. Hispanics did not 'show up' in America. They were here well before you and your brood. Anglo's encroached upon their land. Lucky for the States, Mexico sold off a good portion.
I say give in and enjoy a margarita. Eventually white people will be the minority...I have already mixed up the race by marrying a beautiful latina and am raising a wonderful mix of Spanish/Aztec/French/German/Irish/Etc kids. I would hope that someday in their future, they can be referred to as a fellow human being and not given some name to separate them from other races such as Latino.Black.White.Chinese.etc.
We all came from the same primordial ooze .....so let's just refer to ourselves as the race of "mutts"

Happy Anniversary Rick. Great job. Keep up the good work

Do all comments await moderation?

Hi,
I used to watch CNN but do not any more because all they do is advertise books, it seems to be a large book club with every one working there supporting each other and their books, who is buying all these books and do you have a large bookstore in back of your building filled with ghostwriters, its theCNN Bookclub, not news.

Thank you for standing up to Jane Vellez-Mitchell on NM hotel owner asking reservation employees to change their names to be better understood over the phone. Having lived all our lives in the SW and being able to speak a bit of Spanish I understand the gentleman entirely. I have several Japanese and Chinese friends and they've added American names when arriving here. Example: Xuan (I can never pronounce) chose 'Grace.' Tutsomi selected "Mary.'

I am Oglala Sioux and French from Pine Ridge, SD. My legal name is 'Williametter Eugenie', which no one understands or can spell. I go by Jeanie and don't care what folks call me.
Jeanie

How refreshing to hear your positive comments about adapting to your adopted country. I am sure that it has not diminished embracing your heritage one iota and we are blessed to have you here.

This makes as much sense as a Jewish audience getting offended at Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Re:Blackface The kids didn't even know it was a case of racism! This reminds me of south park racism episode.

If I have nothing, I have my name. The least a person can do, the most courteous, is to try to pronounce it properly. Why should I change my name to "englisize it" because someone is too lazy or too disrespectful to pronounce it correctly. America is a beautiful melting pot full of many different ethnicities and languages. I love my name and am proud of it and if you think I am going to change it for someone else's convenience, you are wrong. Enough "englisizing" has already taken place. Listen to you pronounce your last name.

With all the comedians on Comedy Central making fun of themselves which is mostly derogatory and condescending, why do others outside of the culture get blamed for the same thing if all things are equal. I don't get it. And please Rick, that is when it is only done in fun!
gracias para tu ayuda

Rick

Every immigrant that ever hit the US dirt has had problems like you continue to voice on your show.
Names, spelling have been changed to keep others who had to deal with the same thing when they came from admonishing them.

My own father in-law is a case in point. He changed his name from a french name (as he was French) to keep others from calling him
Frenchie, as well as other things.

Maybe Latinos should get over it like the rest of our families had to do.

Rick, enough already with this guy In NM asking his employees to Anglicize their name. Do they think everyone can understand their names, after all we speak ENGLISH here. My parents came over from Italy and their names were Americanized at Ellis Island so that they could be better understood. This didn't diminish who they were at all and they didn't put up a stink. Are these folks so happy to live and work here, yet ashamed to learn English and perhaps make themselves better understood? And that woman who was ticketed for not speaking English...I agree she shouldn't have been, but what's her problem with learning English now that she's here. And then, they are going to SUE to really further bog down the courts with needless litigation. What seems more important to me is that the "Latino Boom" as it is called, seem to stem from latino teenage girls having children before graduating High School and getting on the welfare dole and their parents accepting this behavior. Let's concentrate on what is really important and get off the trivial crap.

Rick.

Just a question, why did your parents teach you ENGLISH?

Rick , You truly are a coward who just can't handle the truth . What is it about my comment that frightens you so much . I would love to know so if possible please explain . Lou Dobbs would in a Havana minute

Remember the blackwater/mobius project/connect the dots message I sent. Start here; Where is russel ferstandig and/or paula gough. Demand proof of life

Rush is wrong Obama sould be down whenever or dead troops come home Iam not like some who noses what in a person heart.

Just heard Conservative spokesperson "Rush Limbaugh" say that President Obama's appearance at Dover Air Force Base was nothing more than a photo-op.

I wonder how he and the rest of the Conservatives view President Bush's landing aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. [After flying in the co-pilot's seat of a Navy S-3B Viking and after making two fly-bys of the carrier.] And to top it off, he stood under a sign that said "Mission Accomplished", no less.. No money to taxpayers there and certainly NOT just a photo-op.

I'm just saying......

I think CNN should be given a lot of credit for hiring Rich Sanchez, I think he is one of the best personalities that appear on CNN, because of him, I have stoped watching MSNBC during his time slot. He is right of point and goes over well with the viewer.

Bill Cirimele

Rick!

When ever you take over on CNN news desk. afterword CNN becomes lively. Man i like your show keep doing it. you are the best.
i hope others should learn from you.

-Jaison

Southwest U.S. History 101

The Taos Pueblo Indian and the Spanish of northern New Mexico are indigenous to the area. The Indians for over a 1,000 years and the Spanish some 500 years.

They do not need to take ESL lessons. The Spanish are bi-linqual and the Indian, tri-linqual.

Against all odds, they both have preserved their rich culture.

I'm an Anglo of French, Irish, and English descent. And after living here in New Mexico for 34 years, I now add my assimilated Indo-Hispano heritage.

Come visit. And then ask yourself if you would ask any of us to change our surnames to fit into your business plan. Most visitors come to experience these old and rich cultures. Duran, Martinez, Medina, Vigil, Archuleta, Lujan are as much a part of northern New Mexico as green chilie, adobe homes, santos, rancheros, the Rio Grande, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Deer Dance, fry bread ... .

It's best to visit with hat in hand rather than a bill of Manifest Destiny in one's pocket.

Bueno. Do come visit.
Kate

Why do you guys assume that we are all "SPEED READERS"
Plese slow down the blog ticker at the bottom of the screen.

Dear Rick:
I view your program on cnn and others as well ,Ialways hear about the thousand of jobs being lost and how high the unemployment rate has gone.
But i never hear about how many thousand of jobs have been sent over seas and how mny jobs are there noe that over the years have been there and the name of the companies that are sending them..
Every time I go to Walmart ,target or any store I have yet to see "MADE IN AMERICA " label and could not find one ,I know we need trade but we also need jobs,every job we send over seas it is another job we take away from an american and those payrolls and taxes go with it and who benefits one CEO.

thanks for reading this mess. Pleas3e postit

Immigrant Rights! Illegal immigrants have no rights, the only right they have is to turn themseelves in and return to their country and apply to come back here legally. Rick I am tired of your Del los photo. We speak English so stop the Spanish stuff.

Latino in America ......

how about Latino in Latino America – your "home"? what have YOU done with YOUR home during the same 500 years since Columbus discovered this land?

some Europeans went to NORTH AMERICA.... some Europeans went to LATIN-AMERICA Incl. Mexico)......

NAmerica: 300M people – 15Trillion in GDP
LatinAmerica: 500 M people – 5 Trillion in GDP

what conclusion are we to draw?

thanks to CNN for courageously NOT caving in to the LEFTIST DEMAGOGS who want to kill FREEDOM OF SPEECH..... THANKS FOR LOU DOBBS – the lone voice of truth in this corrupt immigration debacle....

THANKS FOR LOU DOBBS

shut down the RACIST LA RAZA....etc...

Your "follow the money" bit was unreasonable and if you don't admit it on the air you are merely a mouthpiece for the Socialist Democrats.
If I were a congressman and understand the stupidity and
danger of the health bill just passed, I would have accepted donations from anyone who opposed same, because it is so evil, not because of your distorted thinking that all who oppose the Marxist Obama are somehow bribers.

You are too intelligent to be anti–Capitalist.

CB

Rick, you get mad at the Sheriff in Arizona, saying he doesn't respect the constitution of the country, yet we are infiltrated with millions of illegals who don't respect our constitution at all. If they did, they would not have broken the law to cross the border and stay illegally in the country. Sorry Rick, you can't have it both ways. Either we are a nation of laws that are respected or we are not. Right now, we're not. Our laws are not respected as millions here illegally can attest.

yeah
rick, I too believe in the constitution and laws of this land. That is why I believe so strongly in deportiing all the illegals of this land and love Sheriff Joe so much. You believe in our laws too don't you?

Rick, tell me why the illegals have to have a baby every year. It is true, I see it only in the illegals. Don't they know they are dooming their children to a life of poverty and living in the slums. then they get in a gang, end up on death row and we kill them.

Rick, none of the networks mention the fact that Maricopa County has the HIGHEST KIDNAPPING RATE in the United States, and second highest in the world (second only to Mexico City itself)!!! This tragedy goes unreported each day, and the Sheriff's Office is left at a point of this type of desparation in fighting the issues. Why don't you report on THIS? Or the way that the kidnappers are dressing up as Sheriff's Deputies to perform their HOME INVASIONS / KIDNAPPINGS here in Maricopa County? Being a resident here, I understand the Sheriff's desparation. Be a part of the solution and report both sides of the WHOLE story!

rick lets see 49 million legal hispanics in america. now lets do some math.
49 mill. + 12 mill. – 1 mill. that equals 60 mill. thats 20% of a population group living in this country illegally.
more math.
49 mill. + 20 mill. -2 mill. that puts the number of illegals close to 30%.
we both know that most illegals come from lat. and cent. amer. so i minus 10 % from other nations.
why should we allow 20% to 30% of a population group to live here illegally;

Hello Rick
Can you please tell me what the difference is between the shootings at Ft. Hood and the Oklahoma bombing and the DC shiper. All three were pre-meditated, done by radical thinking men, all were american citizens. The Oklahoma bomber and the DC sniper were called "Home grown terrorist". I was under the impression that anyone killing other people for no reason other than their own twisted ideals were doing so to create terror to bring attention to their ideals. Why can't we refer to Hasan as a "Home grown terrorist". He appears to have done this to protest American policy. Don't think because he is a Muslem he should be treated any different that the other terrorists.
Regards, Bonnie

I am an anglo raised in a hispanic community. Most hispanic friends tell me they hate the "Latino" image that you are using. Do your homework... Your malitia story was good. Jim Acosta talks about few women being involved. How many women enjoy camping? Not that many. I would be concernd more with values than background or ethnic group. Most of all I must trust the people that I am with. With the Government knowing that there is a lot of ak-47s' and ar-15s' in civilian hands do you think that will keep them from doing something really stupid like suspending the Constitution for no good reason? This Administration is already of its vets returning from Irag and afganistan because of the training they recieve. Without the second amendment the Constitution would fall. The 2nd Amendment keeps people like Hugo Chavez on their toes. It keeps News people free to report on bad politicos.

Just a comment on the "Will" not pledging allegiance. My comment is maybe his father and Will should sit down and it together. No were in the pledge does it mention anything about discrimination!! Gay, lesbian, black, white, yellow or any other sort, "one nation under God with Liberty and Justice For All"

Wal-mart in Mizzou. People are so rude in Wal-mart but that doesn't justify hitting an offier, period. If she hit an officer she should be jailed, however not for 15 years. Tax payers don't deserve to cover the cost of this woman for so long. If she hit police officers and is playing the race card, that is shameful and wrong. I am white, and guess what happens to me if I bust a cops lip??? JAIL plain and simple.

I am white. I lived for years as a minority in an all black neighborhood. I encountered racism all the time. I was told that I better do this or I better do that because "I owe it to them". I owe no body except GOD. I do not see anyone protesting for this reverse racism.
The young woman in Kennerly(?), MO most likely behaved badly and was called out on it. Nobody has a right to cut in line when everyone else has been waiting just as long as the next person. She acted out like a spoiled brat having a temper tantrum in the middle of the store. The results for a child is a spanking but for her the police were called and she assulted a cop or two. She will get what she gets according to the law. But in the mean time, she and others will continue to cry "Racism".

Ex-Military its militia they've been around before our founding fathers, but common since should be used in every manner. its sad we jump to the gun instead of trying to put down the guns. SAD,SAD day for Democracy and the Republica in which we live upon. I can fight with you, But not live right next to you. LOL

Well idea is the start of democracy, any country which is banning books and freedom of speech is a repressive and a reactionary government

ya cnn lost it because of Lou Dobbs leaving he was just saying what he was thinking. Not that I like his way or your way, its just wrong. I guess you better toe the line at cnn . I do change to another network when ever you start speaking spanish. I feel your trying to program me .