May30 |
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Press 1 For Asshole
There’s an article in today’s Inquirer about the immigration debate, but that’s not really what it’s about. It’s an article about assholes, and how they run some of our more popular local businesses. Or, really, only one. The asshole in question here is Joe Vento, owner of Geno’s, who has a sign on his window that says “This is America. When Ordering, Speak English.” Vento certainly has every right to run his business how he pleases, since this is America! But we (fortunately) all have the right to mock him, call him an asshole and wonder why someone pointing to ‘provolone’ would get you all riled up? Vento doesn’t limit his assholic behaviors to Geno’s, though:
Ahh, yes, the old American tradition of going around a neighborhood and blasting your stereo and telling your neighbors you hate them. And, really, is there anything more American than getting all worked up about having to spend a half-second pressing ‘1′ for English? God Bless America! Also, how does a deaf person order at Geno’s? Thanks to The 14th Windiest State for the image, although I think Joe Vento only has one mood. |
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Assholes, Enemies And Neighbors", Fun Ways To Annoy Your Friends, Enemies And Neighbors, Geno's, Immigration
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Yeah, Joe Vento better love America. Where else can you be raised a bigot, open a food stand that serves cheesesteaks that taste like shit, and still be succesful enough to own the type of vehicle that just screams, “I have a little dick but a lot of money?”
Note: Is assholic a word? If it’s not, it is now.
those deaf bastards sure as hell better be speaking AMERICAN sign language.
If you look at the photo of the sign, it contains at least two grammatical errors. Maybe he needs a sign that reads: “This is America; when writing, please use commas and avoid extraneous quotation marks.”
“those deaf bastards sure as hell better be speaking AMERICAN sign language.”
http://www.deafblind.com/spain.html
Geno’s is also noteworthy for having signage around the shop that basically makes the case for the canonization of former police office Daniel Faulkner, who was killed by that French guy.
“I say what everybody’s thinking but is afraid to say,” Vento said.
Yeah fucking right. Everyone who you know, i.e. racist pieces of shit.
I can’t believe the Inquirer tried to make Vento out into not everything that’s wrong with philadelphia, when he is. If he wasn’t spouting hate to everyone he knew (employees, friends, children…), south philadelphia would be a much more tolerant place.
when have you ever seen a black person behind the counter at geno’s?
No, but some of those Italian guys have some good tans!
“when have you ever seen a black person behind the counter at geno’s?”
Hey Joe, how come you don’t have any pictures of black people up on the wall?
Ever seen a picture of a black person behind Pats? Does Pats not also have a ‘correct’ way to order cheeseteaks?
Last time I checked English is the official language. Vento is a little overly aggressive with spouting his views; I dont agree with blaring anything out of your car speakers; let alone your personal beliefs.
Guess what though..companies that hire ILLEGAL immigrants SHOULD be prosecuted..they are hurting the economy..take a Basic Econ class to learn how.
when was the last time you checked? english is not and never has been the official language of the united states.
Joe Vento needs to realize that there are more immigrants than Americans in America. America will be nothing without immigrants.
Although the manner in which he is expressing his opinion is a little outlandish, I happen to agree with him. What’s wrong with expecting people to speak English?? When you go to another country they don’t have press 2 for English as an option.
Here is an excerpt from a letter that Theodore Roosevelt wrote on January 3rd 1919:
“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American … There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag … We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
http://www.USAspeaksENGLISH.com …a work in progress site.
When you go to another country they don’t have press 2 for English as an option.
The words of somebody who has apparently never been to another country.
Joey Vento may be an asshole, but he’s not the biggest one in Philadelphia. You, DMAC, hold that title.
“When you go to another country they don’t have press 2 for English as an option.”
That’s because in almost every other nation EVERYFREAKINGPERSON speaks English.
It’s called education, and Joe Vento could use a head full.
What a dick.
Who are all these ASSHOLES I have pressed 1 and I am changing my vacation plans this summer just so that I can fly to Philly and support this fine upstanding AMERICAN. Anybody with a problem with this needs to get the F**K out of my country. I am first generation imagrant, and the first thing my parents did when they LEGALLY arrived in this fine country was LEARN THE LANGUAGE. The only thing keeping LEGAL imagrants from realizing the AMERICAN dream is that they want to imagrate to this country and change it into their NASTY, VIOLENT, SESPOOL they ran away from. We do not want to be like YOUR countries. THEY ALL SUCK! If they didn’t these ASSHOLE would not run away like the cowards they are. STAY IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY AND CHANGE THAT ONE. DON’T COME HERE EXPECTING TO CHANGE OURS.
you made the news in Boston about the storefront signs and I agree with you 100%..Speak English in America. Keep up the great work
Hey Rick,
It’s great that your parents learned the english language; why didn’t you? Your post is filled with awful grammar and numerous spelling mistakes (imagrant was my favorite). Please learn to write at a 5th grade level before posting about how ignorant other people are. thanks.
spanish uncivilized assholes.
Joey may be extreme in his methods of expressing his opinions. I am no fan nor detractor of him one way or the other. I haven’t ever been to Philly, nor ever had a cheese steak sandwich in my life, however I am still an American.
In my opinion: Requesting people to use, and in effect, then begin learn to speak the native language of English, when in an American establishment, is not racist.
An eatery also has the right to refuse service to anyone, and that place isn’t doing that . If they were, especially based on race or religion or any ethnicity, then you would have a very strong point and I would be appalled by them , and be one of the first to let them know how completely weak such a policy would be.
However they are not .
The claim by Roberto Santiago, that this request to ask people to speak English, is in effect the same as saying” Brown men get out of here” is quite a stretch, to say the least.
I think he , (and all people in general) would do a better service to his organization ( their causes)and to Hispanic people everywhere if he (they)were to refrain from playing the race card anytime he (they)can,- as THAT- more than anything, is what harms the Hispanic , Black, White and other Minority/Majority image(s)
I believe that as whole, Americans of all backgrounds, just want everyone to be treated equally and to be responsible for living up to the same standards that apply to them. Reverse discrimination is the same thing as discrimination, and people falsely claiming they are being victimized or biased against is really just as bad as true discrimination in my humble opinion.
When I travel to the Great Country of Mexico, I always do my best to not only speak Spanish, but also to learn more phrases, and slang terms and more Spanish in general and I notice that it is much appreciated by all the people that I meet there. I would hope and suggest that anyone living in or visiting this Country would try and do the same with English.
All of us need to work together and none of us should falsely play the race, and discrimination card, as that is very divisive and if we refrain from doing that, then we will all be much better off .
As example, to say that Joey’s being against the hiring of illegal immigrants, means that he is spouting that he hates his neighbors, is a pretty ignorant, and far fetched conclusion, and smacks of that over reactive playing of the race card. Anyone who draws such inaccurate leaps of logic, as well as lowering the debate to include name calling , is not ever going to be taken seriously by those who are on the other side of the debate , and therefore, would accomplish more if they did not say anything at all.
That is unless, they just want to incite and rally their fellow extremists, and be known as being about as interesting and socially insightful as a 3rd grade cheerleader …
P.S. Anyone more concerned with If I have grammatical, syntax, spelling or other errors in this post, rather than what I have to say has missed the point altogether, and for that matter probably isn’t capable of truly understanding ANY point, in any debate.
Let’s be thankful that we live in a place where you can agree or disagree with me or anyone else.
So I say-
Regards to you all and whether you agree with me or not, you are still my fellow Americans, and I would not change THAT even if I could.
And yet I still say:
speak-a-da-english!!!
First off its HIS business and he can do whatever he wants with it…
and second….you dont have to eat there so shut your collective pie-holes.
Speak Cherokee, Dammit!
Maybe joe should learn to speak the english language first before he spews out his vile words, he sounds like an ignorant, uneducated being. The AMERICAS have been fighting illegal ALIENS and FOREIGN INVADERS since 1492 and 1848, and we will continue to remind & repeat this bit of “american” history to ignorant little people like joe. The audacity for him to come to this land and act like he is representative of what america is all about. Joe says “speak OUR language”, allow me to speak his “get the *#@% outta here”. Don’t feel threatened because these people decided to KEEP their culture and their language (which was forced upon them from the spaniards) I wish that everybody did.
One hates what one FEARS—–DEBRA
Maybe joe should learn to speak the english language first before he spews out his vile words, he sounds like an ignorant, uneducated being. The AMERICAS have been fighting illegal ALIENS and FOREIGN INVADERS since 1492 and 1848, and we will continue to remind & repeat this bit of “american” history to ignorant little people like joe. The audacity for him to come to this land and act like he is representative of what america is all about. Joe says “speak OUR language”, allow me to speak his “get the *#@% outta here”. Don’t feel threatened because these people decided to KEEP their culture and their language (which was forced upon them from the spaniards) I wish that everybody did.
One hates what one FEARS—–DEBRA Los Angeles
I’m sorry how is he biggot. The man has a damn good point. It’s a big vountry. it makes it a lot easier if there’s one language that we all understand. No one says it has to be the ONLY language.
Debra- No one is suggesting that anyone has to abandon their culture, so.. calm down darlin’ - I realize it’s a full moon, and that you are a semi informed bleeding ( heart) liberal but… What do you suggest? should we all learn the various languages of each and every type of illegal immigrant and revamp our entire infrastructure to accommodate their dialects ( press one for Spanish, two for Lithuanian, three for Congolese, press four for Sioux, five for Apache.. ( hard to explain what to press if you can only grunt?) or as you infer- should we learn the twenty or so various Native American dialects? or perhaps we should learn the language of the Vikings? or perhaps should we just go back to pointing and grunting as the evidence points to the presence of man walking into North America as far back as four to ten thousand years ago.
How about this:
when in Rome do as the Romans do.
in other words, if you want to live in America, speak English. If you want to live in Mexico, learn to speak Spanish, etc etc.
let’s review Roosevelt’s excellent excerpt ONE MORE TIME:
Here is an excerpt from a letter that Theodore Roosevelt wrote on January 3rd 1919:
“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American … There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag … We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
Why is wanting immigrates to learn how to speak English such a big deal. How are they supposed to function in this country if they can’t communicate with people? Next question is why are we catering so much to Spanish? Vento is not singling out any nationality or language, nor is he discriminating against anyone. He is just saying order in English; I mean come on the customer is probably talking to a teenager anyway so do I need to say more.
My grandmother spoke English most of the time, but when she was speaking to sisters or family from her generation she would also speak in Italian. A friend from school was Japanese and his family would speak in Japanese amongst themselves, but spoke English to others. I mean its common sense; I know a term not in the liberal’s vocabulary.
You all can bitch about the man all he wants, but if I would live close enough, his place would become my regular place to eat.
How absurd! Expecting someone to speak English in AMERICA. That asshole! That dick! How could he!?!?!?!
………..
Doesn’t seem all that unreasonable to me.
I agree that he should only take “English orders.” Too bad for the rest of the people. This is America and English is our language.
“anonymous”-are you kidding me? you seriously think that the “americans” don’t feel that the
immigrants should abandon their culture & language? What reality are you living in? give me break. Everybody SHOULD know that by the second generation people pretty much pick up the language of the country they are staying in, so the argument of “SPEAK ENGLISH” only shows the american ignorance yet once again.
“Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all”
Wow! that’s deep. NOT! I guess I don’t fit the criteria to be an american–oh well.
Though I never called vento a biggot or racist, I’ll leave that up to the intpretation of the individual, but if you listen to him long enough I think that most can see how ignorant he is. And no, this “speak english” is not a big deal, you will see in a short time that this will blow over and people will still continue to come to the u.s. and speak their language. Nothing will have CHANGED but the old ways of the “american” culture, and that is what I think everybody is AFRAID of.
Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance-George Bernard Shaw.
Not anonymous—-debra
“Ever seen a picture of a black person in Geno’s; Ever seen a picture of a black person in Pats?” what does that have to do with anything? He has a sign about speaking English how is race even interpreted into this issue?
Vento is a little overly aggressive with spouting his views but being prosecuted for having a sign up? What ever happened to free speech and all the sign says is to order in English. I’m going to take a guess and say that the sign means that he doesn’t speak another language it has nothing to due with being death. Would it be better if he had a sign up that said, “If you want to point to order go ahead but please don’t come up to my counter speaking a different language because I won’t be able to understand you”?
To all of you people who think you can bash someone online, it’s his business so if he wants to be so open with his views he can and if you have a problem with that then don’t eat there. And instead of being tough with the keyboard why don’t you go say it to his face.
Joe is a hero. He has made a stand for America and its values. And my God do we need it.
I don’t resent illegals trying to make an honest living. I do resent them remaking my country in the image of the third-world nightmares they come from. And as someone who comes from California, which is being invaded by illegals, I know what I’m talking about here.
To be tolerant is one thing, to constantly bend over backwards for the immigrants flooding this country who have no desire to become American–that’s something else.
Those of you against Joe, move to Mexico and order your tacos in English. See what response you get.
I agree with Joey. Hispanics are the only group to come to this country and be too lazy to learn English. They really dont give a shit about being American anyway. All other immigrant groups in this country have fared better than Hispanics as a group.
But if you have the balls to say this to anyone you are labeled a bigot. Well how come the Asians and Europeans don’t mind learning English and improving our country.
I may be wrong here, but growing up in Philadelphia, I always got the impression that this city was a TOURIST destination. Is it not safe to presume that many foriegn tourists would end up seeking out a “philadelphia cheesesteak” at Geno’s? How can Joe Vento tell who he’s discriminating against? Is there an acception made for those who are simply visiting? What if they are new legal immigrants and are in the process of learning English? Furthermore, how can a man with as poor a grasp on the English language as Mister Vento possibly expect anybody else to learn to speak it? Here a newsflash for Joe: Wit, Youse, and Wiz are NOT words. Maybe when he is capable of practicing what he preaches, I will consider crossing the street from Pat’s. Until then, I’ll be reveling in the mix of cultures that frequents the Italian Market.
As for Joey; Have you ever tried to serve the volume of people he does and deal with someone from Mexico holding up the line pointing and mubling? It seems no one has ever thought of it that way yet. Joey is a short order cook. His “speak English” signs are probably the best way to handle that problem. Now, are a million people going to demand that joey “hire spanish speaking translators” or he is a racist? I could scream every time I hear one of them use the word racist.
RACIST? HOW? I’m certain most Americans, such as myself would simply prefer NOT living in or around the 3rd world or Mexico. Incidently, Mexico is not just Cancun, Acapulco, and those tourist spots. It’s chocked full of desparate hungry dirty people who have nothing else to do but jump the border and “squat” up here. There are other ways to help the needy and poor but not at the expense of own back yard.
Trying “MEXICAN CUISINE” is one thing but one thing is for certain; you do not want to turn the town you live into MEXICO. This “exodus” has got to be stopped. I’m glad to hear a lot of you are not falling for that “racist” BS either.
Mexicans are a very unique ignorant and “un-sanitary” pain in the ass FAR BEYOND anything I’m sure most of you have ever seen or imagined humanly possible (study them sometime as they pick their noses and do their other dispicable habits.
I was born and raised in Jersey and have been living in Los Angeles a good number of years.I have personally seen enough of them to know quite well what what I am talking about.
As for the post from “Not anonymous—-debra;” you should move down there so you can be closer to your “poor dirty Mexicans”and kiss their A– Hole. Then you’ll be free of us ignorant racists up here. Well, you can always stay where you are too, right in the heart of “lobotomy-land” Los Angeles. You obviously can’t tell the difference anyway, right?
Mike McDermott
Way to go Joe this is America why do I have to learn another language in order to live in my country. If I go to another country to live and work I will learn the national language, to me that would be common cense. Why is it discrimination here when a store owner ask someone to Please order in English he doesn’t say anything about forgetting their heritage he makes no comment on the heritage he makes no political statement about there background. I have seen in stores and restaurants a little sign that says “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason”. Joe Vento for president. It is about time someone speaks out about the language problem and hiring of illegal immigrants, if you want to live here, conform learn English take the citizenship test I will be the first to shake your hand.
Thank you Joe! Now, if we could get the screaming orientals on cell phones to lower their off the scale decibels, so that my ear drums won’t hurt.
Are you buying the cheesesteak in AMERICA? Are you using AMERICAN CURRENCY to pay for the product?Will you take advatage of the AMERICAN CONSTITUTION if you are wronged in some way?Are you working in the United States of AMERICA?? Are you taking advantage of the AMERICAN way and the freedoms of AMERICA? My great garndparents were discriminated againts when they can here but learned the AMERICAN way so they could be accepted and showed there children the AMERICAN way so they could prosper and its been handed all the way down to me and my children.On a final note…..IF THEY CAN’T READ THE SIGN SINCE IN ENGLISH WHAT IS THE ISSUE SINCE THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT THE HELL IT SAYS!!!!!
re: THIS IS AMERICA, WHEN ORDERING SPEAK ENGLISH!
I’m with Joey. He’s not *refusing* to serve anyone whose language is not English, but encouraging everyone to learn the common language used in the United States. Do you come into the world learning how to type? With practice, you learn it because you’re going to use it a lot. A similar situation here in coming to America from another place, you will go farther knowing the English. This is what Joey is saying, okay? He’s not anti this or that.
I read the biography of The Von Trapp Family Singers and Maria’s struggles to learn English in New York after they crossed over, but she knew it was important for her success and for the family, also to learn the language.
If I were traveling to Italy or Canada, I’d be responsible for learning some basics to get around and if I had any lengthly stay, make an effort to learn the language. Foreign exchange students are supposed to have a working vocabulary of the English language before they come over, don’t they?
Geno’s serves all, but where possible, speak English for your benefit as his father’s father likely did several generations ago coming to this country.
Be bilingual, but learn the main language a country speaks.
-EG
“This is America now, speak American!”-Bette Midler from “Big Buisiness”
When all else fails, póg mo thóin.
I guess he has to rename his Italian dishes with Anglo names.
Mexicans are too “LAZY” to learn english?
Are you #%*@ kidding me? Lazy? Dumb ass “american”
Hey “Dick” Mcdermott nobody is asking you to stay in los angeles, why don’t you go back to your patato famine homeland if you don’t like it here? better yet, why don’t you go back to freakin jersey (hold up, allow me to pick my nose for a moment). uneducated little boy.
“Mexicans are a very unique ignorant and “un-sanitary” pain in the ass FAR BEYOND anything I’m sure most of you have ever seen or imagined humanly possible”, “they pick their noses and do their other dispicable habits”, “dirty Mexicans”–by MIKE MCDERMOTT
I’m sure glad people are not falling for the racist card, cause their aint no racist here! ha! ha! ha! Stupid uneducated american. Kiss my american ass—-debra los angeles
BTW I think guido is getting sued ha!
I went to Dominican Republic and was surprise at the large number of Americans who cannot speak Spanish, but demand service in English. They are served, because in most countries, money is the international language.
Mr. Vento’s comments would be valid and not racist if he required the same of his people. There are many first and second generation Italians living in Philly that do not speak English. If an non-English speaking Italian walked up the window, would he serve them?
He is targeting a specific group of people, which he has already admitted. That makes it racist. If he is requiring these of mexicans, he must require it of everyone.
What dumb ass would go on national T.V and make all those stupid statments. I am surprise Joey Vento has not been shot or his nuts shopped off. I think if i was his business insurance agent I would not be insuring his business, for fear that it would be burnt down, or destroyed, and there is no one to blame but that dumb ass Joey. A person dont make that kind of a statment with 43 million hispanic living in the United States and another 11 million immigrant ready to become American citezen. I think the best he can do is take the sign down and Opologize to the non speaking english people living here in the United States.
What dumb ass would go on national T.V and make all those stupid statments. I am surprise Joey Vento has not been shot or his nuts shopped off. I think if i was his business insurance agent I would not be insuring his business, for fear that it would be burnt down, or destroyed, and there is no one to blame but that dumb ass Joey. A person dont make that kind of a statment with 43 million hispanic living in the United States and another 11 million immigrant ready to become American citezen. I think the best he can do is take the sign down and Opologize to the non speaking english people living here in the United States.
Your country? Paaalllleeeeaassse This is MY country too and these people don’t need your stinkin “hand shake”. Hear this out loud–they don’t need your approval, never did, never will, you uneducated american–debra los angeles
Looks like the readers here have made it clear who they agree with. You liberal leftists are so afraid that George W. Bush is listening to your 900# calls to gay love-talk lines but you would have the government of Philadelphia interfere with how Joey Vento runs his SUCCESSFUL business. Mainstream media has reason to mad at Joe. He doesn’t run ads with you because he doesn’t NEED you. In fact, running ads would cost him money. Oh, and my Mexican friends want me to ask you, Mr. McQuade, where is the Latin version of this blog????
YES INDEED! Joey Vento runs his SUCCESSFUL and “CLEAN” business. In English, of course.
Mike McDermott
To R smith
HUH? Did anybody comprehend what this uneducated ignorant american was trying to convey? Debra los angeles
I don’t really want to weigh in one way or another with the main debate, however, I’d like to applaud “debra” for responding to every single comment here. I can only imagine how “educated” she must be in contrast to all of the “uneducated” masses here. So Bravo, debra, on your writing skills, your abundance of free time, and most of all, your presumably high level of education which has allowed you to possess the previous two.
I will accept your applause(curtsy)and adulations. Please feel free to spread the word. My “abundance of free time” will always be reserved for ignorant, unlearned masses who spew out vile messages. :-)
— NOT ANONYMOUS debra Los Angeles
Even the monkeys from Planet of the Apes knew English. So we better all start learnin’ it, lest we be enslaved by those damn, dirty apes.
Have we forgotten already the lessons taught by Charlton Heston? Why do you hate America, you damn, dirty liberals?
Yop Debra
you be some gansta rappin shizzle. If’n yoazz dumb azz I shizzle, den I be all down wit yo bad self.
izzn yo ass a wide as yo brain be small?
paste dis in yo browza:
http://tinyurl.com/nvuhs
joe vento is an american hero.
Hey guys and gals
Quit giving Debra more chances to spew her hatred for all things American.
Believe me, I suffered through 8 long minutes of sex with her once, and it was FAR from pleasant.
(I had to imaging that ” I ” was someone else. just to get it over with)…
Debra is not a highly educated person, trust me.
Her ” free time” is a result of that she has been sponging off her parents and other women and men for as long as she has been crawling the planet.
She is quite the hypocrite when you get to know her as I do ( god forbid you suffer that fate)
Notice how she called Joey a “Guido”!?
that pretty much sums her up.
It’s quite apparent that even on this leftist website, the majority of posts agree with Joey just as the Majority of Americans are sick and tired of the turncoats leftists that have no life and nothing better to do but cry, complain, and moan whilst all the while they suck the life out of our economy .
P.S. if all those immigrants are granted citizenship, do you REALLY think they will do those same jobs anymore that we supposedly are not willing to do? Hell no, they won’t. Once they can get other jobs, you can forget about low cost strawberries, etc.which is fine with meas the solution is to pay a decent wage for such backbreaking jobs, and require citizenship and “Speaking da english” as a pre requirement.
And Debra? I want you to stop wearing my plaid shirts and copying my butch hairstyle. Get your own image damnit!
God bless Joe Vento of Geno’s. The man is a true American hero and a patriot.
I’d like to see you self-hating Americans go to Bolivia and order food in english. See how far that get’s you.
What a bunch of morons.
Leslie
why so angry. americans love you diesal dykes too.
BTW stop dreaming of pleasures with me.
Kiss my american ass. Stupid americans—debra of Los Angeles
Debra
I’m not angry. I just want my plaid shirts back, you stYnky biYatch!
Diesal Dyke biyen, you are as angry as you probably are UGLY stupid ass american :-) debra of Los Angeles