Letiecq’s thread entitled the ‘Traitors In Our Midst’ is as close as actionable litigation as I have seen posted on any blog site. Honestly, you’d think that someone who thought their Puerto Rican neighbors were ‘illegals’ might be a little more cautious in his future allegations. Personally, I’d love to see some Chipotle attorneys decend upon him with a ‘cease and desist’ order. Or better yet, SUE SUE SUE….
In case you haven’t had the opportunity to read the lunacy first hand, here it is –
I am writing this to inform about the General Manager from Chipotle in Manassas. Her name is Juana and she is from El Salvador. She works in the Liberia location in Manassas. I used to work in Chipotle and at that time Juana told me about her ties to the MS 13 gang. I reported this to Chipotle but no action was taken. She is also illegal. She does not have documents to work in the US. Chipotle knows this. Now she is the General Manager. And she is in charge of hiring other employees. She has pretty much filled her restaurants with illegals. Someone should stop this.
Then Letiecq continues on with his basis allegations from an unnamed source which most likely is either a disgruntled employee or conceivably Letiecq himself who seems anxious to attack anyone or anything associated with Mexicans even if it’s an American company with the word ‘Mexican’ in the title, like Chipotle Mexican Grill.
My only question is how long will it take before Letiecq accuses the company of being part of a zapitista reform movement? This wouldn’t be too much more far fetched than his current attempts to tie a Mexican restaurant to an El Salvadorean gang.
So according to this person, when you patronize Chipotle, a portion of the money you pay them is used to provide financial support to the Mara Salvatruca 13 gang. How lovely. I wonder how many patrons are aware of this, and whether they might change their spending habits if they knew.
He tries to suggest the unnamed person intimates ties between the corporation and an MS13 gang when in fact it is he himself who makes the assertion.
One can only hope a Chiptole attorney gets wind of this lunacy. Any bets on whether or not this thread will be permitted to stay on his blog?
You misread what I said. I was trying to get the thread back on topic. I was actually trying to do it with humor. I see that it didn’t work. Color me NOT funny.
I am concerned that anyone would ‘out’ someone the way this was done. If I thought someone was doing something wrong, I would call ICE or the company. Unless you have proof, it is a mighty dangerous accusation to make.
@Moon-howler
From this other thread, there was a discussion of Mr.Bentley being a member of the infamous HSM. Here is part of the conversation:
Anesthesia
May 20th, 2009 at 09:23 | #49
Reply | Quote
To me, encouraging “self deportation” means “let’s persecute them enough so they will leave.” Unfortunately, that’s the real-world interpretation of the phrase.
Rick Bentley
May 20th, 2009 at 09:32 | #50
Reply | Quote
persecute, prosecute, punish … yes, that’s the idea.
Whoa, I think some of our regulars are taking a giant leap by assuming anything Greg Letiecq claims might actually be true. I think we should assume that his claims are not true 99 percent of the time. If his claims involve someone of Hispanic ancestry, I’d say they are not true 100 percent of the time.
Bravo Witness Too!!
“If I thought someone was doing something wrong, I would call ICE”
You might just as well mail it to Santa Claus.
That said, I certainly don’t think the woman’s name should be given unless and until something real is proven.
So is she legal?
Even if she is, is she hiring illegal aliens?
I read Greg’s blog entry yesterday, and I was compelled to go to Chipotle on Liberia last night. I think it’s very irresponsible to publicize baseless accusations.
He can always count on being backed up by like-minded folks. “Just because you don’t know doesn’t make it false.” What’s that supposed to mean? Does that make it ok to make accusations based on heresay.
The comments by anonymous participants are always the worst on blogs like that. People were suggesting boycotting establishments who hire Spanish speaking persons. To me that’s disgusting.
Go ask the lawyers, Rick. Tell them Greg sent you.
I sincerely doubt Chipotle’s corporate attorneys are going to appreciate this latest bout of irresponsible witch hunting sponsored by the anti-taco king himself.
Perhaps this is a pathetic attempt on the part of Mr. Letieq to get his name in the newspaper. With an election coming up, he may be trying to increase his readership so he can preach his brand of political idealogy and tell people(or himself) that he is still significant in this areas political discussions. Besides, he seems to thrive in the limelight.
It’s more likely a response to his diminishing site visits. His numbers have been consistently declining for more than year and are less than half what they used to be. I guess its his rage against the good night of irrelevancy.
If she’s illegal, deport her. If she’s hiring illegal aliens, deport them and prosecute her and fine Chipotle. How hard can it be to get to the truth here? When did Americans give up the right to even ask these questions?
Bring it On, are you denying the truth of the firefighters’ story?
And no, I do not get “talking points” from Rush. The firefighter story was on NBC Nightly News. I guess I must have been sleeping when that became a bastion of right-wing extremist thought.
Been to West Virginia lately?
Because you cannot make accusations about an individual without proof, unless you want to assume the consequences. Emma, what if someone told me you were a hooker. Then what if I put it on this blog? You would have ever right in the world to seek legal action against me or at least drive over to my house and punch me in the nose.
That just isn’t right to do. (and before anyone tries to make anything out of the example, I am NOT saying that about Emma.)
Classy example, Moon-howler.
Mom, one reason his numbers might have dwindled even more is that no one from the county wants to post on his website. He recently outted somone as a county employee for a rather innocent remark. I don’t blame the county folks at all.
I don’t think commenting on a blog during your lunch time is against acceptable use policy.
I don’t think it would be any worse than saying you were an illegal alien. The point is, it shouldn’t be said based on the report of another.
I don’t think you would have liked any example I chose. That is sort of the point.
I liked your example, Moon! 🙂
“People were suggesting boycotting establishments who hire Spanish speaking persons. ”
IF they don’t use English in the workplace.
I guess that’s their right. I don’t go places where English isn’t spoken because I don’t know what is being said, except for occassionally I go have my nails done. English is limited in nail places. Also other languages are spoken amongst the employees. I think that is the same as whispering. I started doing my own nails for that reason.
MH – I deliberately went to an english limited nail place. The english speaking woman I went to before couldn’t keep her yap shut. Drove me insane…. Kept telling me what was happening on certain shows before I watched them not matter how many times I asked her not to!!! I am happy in my non-english nail place. I relax and don’t have to talk OR listen.
I also stop at a very nice McDonalds in Dale City for morning items. ABSOLUTELY the most polite people in any McDonalds, guaranteed. Sir/Ma’am/Thank you – things of the past. And they are mostly hispanic. Sooooo – sure beats unintelligable english which is generally is accompanied by rudeness and certainly no Sir/Ma’am/Thank you.
I think it would be a leap for me to assume they are illegal which is the point here. I generally patronize places based on levels of service.
I like having my nails (fingers and toes) done by non-English speakers. I find it distracting to my oblivion state when the manicurists and pedicurists speak English, a language that I understand about 50% of the time.
You both have made me rethink this one. The only part that annoys me is the rudeness part. Carrying on a private conversation while doing nails is about like your hair dresser talking on the phone during your highlight. Don’t do it.
I don’t want to be talked to either. I don’t care if people speak foreign language around me unless I am in the nail chair. I just cannot conduct business in any language but English. I don’t consider sitting in a trance while having my nails done ‘conducting business.’ I would be in serious trouble if I went to say DMV and had to do business in any language other than English.
And no worse than disparaging apparently intelligent women for their eating habits and physical appearance, right, Moon-howler? Oh, wait, I guess some things still are considered offensive here.
Well, I don’t consider it rudeness if my hair dresser is talking on the phone. If it’s hands free and I don’t have to answer I am happy she is happy. I think it’s a personality thing. I am not interested in what is going on around me when my hair or nails are being done……I am happier not being involved.
Who is being disparaged for eating habits and physical appearance?! I thought we were talking about people making assumptions with few facts.
I can often pick out the main points when people speak Spanish. In salons, they usually talk about the hair, the business or each other–not customers. Most Spanish speakers who have been here awhile are smart enough not to assume customers only speak English.
By the way…big plug for CJ’s Hair Cuts in the Wal-mart/Home Depot complex on Streamwalk Lane, Manassas. They speak Korean,and while my hair dresser and I had some communication problems, she worked them out nicely and did a great job!
That is, the hairdressers at CJ’s mostly know Korean as their first language. Obviously, they can speak English, just not as clearly as some native English speakers.
emma,
Listen, Greg throws this crap up there. He doesn’t name his ‘source’, if there is even one. I mean for all I know he got bad service and has decided to exact some revenge. Then he names a person, their position in the company and the address of their work. This is UNBELIEVABLE.
What kind of example do you need in order to understand the gravity of the situation? Does it need to be personal to you? Let’s try this. What if I named a teacher, gave their school name, then proceeded to state lies as if they were factual. Would you have a problem with that?
Rick,
Honestly, I don’t know the legal status of everybody at Chipotle. But I know Greg has been wrong in the past, so I’m going to say there’s a high probability that he is incorrect atleast on the legal status of the GM Juana.
Maybe Emma and Rick are illegal and want to direct attention to other people. Heh heh.
– My brother-in-law was born in Cuba and his family fled to
Miami soon after Castro came to power (part of a wave of
engineers, doctors and lawyers that made the same decision and
that RAISED the level of education in that city).
He rememered being ridiculed when he first got here for his
accent and vowed his children would speak only English.
My brother and I, wishing we were bi-linguals, changed
his mind and now both his son and daughter, college grads,
easily flow between the languages, a plus on their resumes
that helped them land great jobs. Cuba Libre.
– Having worked fast food in H.S., certainly not a soft or well
paid job, and muddled through Spanish classes in H.S. and college,
honestly marvel at the ability of those that can switch
between languages from customer to customer, get the
orders right and quickly — and smile. Also marvel at
the number of young children I’ve observed translating
for their parents/grandparents in our community.
– Interesting times. As for French-Canadian Greg
– Surveillez votre langage!
I believe anyone who has an opportunity to be bilingual should take advantage of it. I am fairly limited as I have only studied 2 foreign languages. I never set the world of fire with either one of them.
I just believe it is rude, in a place of business, for workers to talk amongst themselves in a language not common to everyone. To me, it is like whispering in front of people.
I also mind very much if people who are waiting on me are having their own private phone conversation. It means they aren’t paying attention to what they are doing. Again, it is all about good manners.
I think I should make clear that I certainly do not mind signs in Spanish or workers being able to speak Spanish to customers and doing so. That is just good business. However, if I am paying someone to cut my hair, I don’t want them camped on the phone discussing who did who last weekend. Not on my nickel.
There you go, ratting us out, Thumper. What gave us away?
There are people that have conversations in English and no one knows what is going on – should the whole salon participate? Should everyone be provided with a summary of disucssions prior to their arrival so they know what is going on and can jump right into the conversation and feel at ease? Or, just listen but not feel left out?
Again, it’s not rude just a matter of preference. I don’t feel a need to be part of whatever conversations are going on around me. Some do. I understand your preference but it doesn’t mean it’s the only way. And I don’t think you’re wrong becuase of your preference. 🙂
Emma – you are a troublemaker. Relax with a frappe. 🙂
“I think I should make clear that I certainly do not mind signs in Spanish or workers being able to speak Spanish to customers and doing so.”
Well, I do. I don’t want America to slip towards blingualism fueled by lawlessness fueled by desire for cheap labor.
I don’t think they automatically go together all the time.
@Rick Bentley
So speaking Spanish = lawlessness and cheap labor?
Little by little, I am beginning to understand the larger social constructs and dynamics promoted by Help Save Manassas. I am not sure I am enjoying the learning process.
Emma, the name Greg gave it away. It sounds south-of-the-border. I just assumed you crossed over together –grin–
bilingualism fueled by lawlessness
lawlessness fueled by desire for cheap labor
yes, that is what is and has been happening in America
Rick, how do you feel about Yiddish being spoken in many stores in New York City? If I went in a store, say, to buy a camera, I would be addressed in English. However, Yiddish or even Hebrew is spoken in many of those stores. Does that offend you?
Emma, I am not sure I understand your drift. Perhaps you would like to explain further.
But MH you’d think them rude if they conversed among themselves in Y
iddish while you were in the store?
Where I grew up and where my parents still live it is very common for the owners to converse in Italian Potugese or Polish even when others are in the store! No one would be in business if that was rude!
My Mom told to stop staring and close our mouths when it happened – she told us that was rude.
I don’t care what language people are speaking in stores, but when they are serving me, I want their full attention and comprehension, and I don’t want the uncomfortable feeling that they are talking about me. As far as service in the nail salon, that is my one opportunity to catch up on celebrity minutiae, so I want to stick my nose in an US magazine and be left ALONE. Heaven.
It offends me slightly but would offend me more if the Yiddish were infiltrating this country illegally and depressing the value of American labor, and if the Yiddish had turned my neighborhood into a barrio. So make of that what you will, there’s the btruth of it.
This appears to be a California case which has some similarities to the current issue. I sure hope that any attorneys retained will pursue this and not just issue a cease and desist order.
it just goes in cycles. Growing up, the Canadian French swarmed parts of NE. Lots of unsavory characters and bad neighbors among them. It was limited regionally.
And here it is defamation of character –
http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide/virginia-defamation-law
Actually Rick, go back a century or so and you can take it said against the ‘Yiddish-speakers.’ They weren’t exempt.
If the Yiddish speakers were waiting on me, I wouldn’t expect them to be socializing with their co-workers in a language that wasn’t English. I wouldn’t like the socializing with co-workers in English.
The earth will rotate backwards. For the second time today, I am going to agree with Emma.
While I am at it, I also hate people smacking gum when they are waiting on me.
I work with a co-worker who is bilingual…english first, spanish when she was older in order to communicate with her mother better. Her English is of course accent free as she was born and raised here in the US, her Spanish is tinged with an American accent. At work we have english and spanish speakers. When we are together, the Spanish speakers want only to speak in Spanish to my co-worker, though she replies to them only in English, and she gets frustrated by them because they only want to speak to her in spanish no matter how many times she tells them that English is her first language. Then when they speak in English, with an accent, she gets frustrated because she cannot understand their English spoken with an accent. And I have to interpret their English for her. Funny thing is that she can grasp African English accents, but not hispanic english accents from south america, dominican english accents, or portuguese english accents.
Alanna, that is a very interesting bit of legal explanation. I notice that few people are commenting. Perhaps they are holding back. I feel like we are all tap dancing around this issue.
I feel badly for anyone having to deal with something like this.