We now officially speak English (or Spanish, or French, or German, or whatever...)

I just got back from the Cabarrus County Commissioners meeting where I voiced My concerns over Coy Privette's English only resolution. If you weren't there you might have seen me do that on WBTV and WCNC news. You can see video of this here.

Apparently the commissioners had prepared a completely alternative resolution in a previous work session that completely changed and undermined the original. I can completely agree with this new resolution mostly for the simple reason that it doesn't do or change anything.
This new resolution passed on a vote of 4 against 1.

The approved resolution no longer proclaims that all county services, programs and documents should be in English only. It simply "encourages" people to learn English, asks that churches and non-profits would organize English classes and even encourages English speaking Americans to learn a second language.
It also states that this resolution "shall not be construed to infringe upon the rights of any individual".

One Commissioner, Jay White, stated that he couldn't vote even for this new and completely watered down resolution because he believes that this country was built upon diversity and that we have much bigger problems to tackle in our County (e.g. New jail, Biotech campus,...). Right on Jay. All commissioners proclaimed that this wouldn't change anything and they considered it to be a "feel good" resolution.

So congratulations County Commission, you just passed a resolution that doesn't do or change anything, but it made some of you "feel good". At least one of you (Jay White) seemed to think what I was thinking: what a complete waste of time.

Next month the Cabarrus County Commission will pass another resolution that will make them feel good by proclaiming that Earth officially is round.