Larry Whitten Interviewed On CNN

[numonemofan]

The funny thing is a BIG majority of hispanic people AGREE with him. If I had a dollar, for every GEORGE Ive met, that ID says Jorge, I would be a rich man!

[MrSergio575]

GO GIRL

[westside159]

LEX STEELE , EVA ANGELINA , SHANE DIESEL , JACK NAPIER , NACHO VIDAL , MANDINGO FAN

[enriqueroman62]

Picandroll I totally agree with you, on the other hand some IMBECILES like ROMTR DOLIATH, ARE IGNORANT HILL BILLIES, PICANDROLL is in denial, and BROWNATION is living in the past.

[romtr23]

FUCK YOU WETBACK BASTERDS!

[Doliath]

The woman who is interviewing Whitten is being unnecessarily combative.

[glitchesandglitter]

@Doliath i agree. and she's also talking crap about texas, who we don't mind mexicans here, and most texans i know aren't racist.

[Bumblesbettedavis]

Why would the vast majority of people visiting that motel be latino? That was a silly thing to say.

[picandroll]

The ladies made fools of themselves. The Spanish changed the Native American names of the area. As a Spanish speaking Gringo, I understand why he asked them to speak English in front of him. And he only asked them to use pseudonyms on the phone. Something many companies all over the world do. I think the ladies got their panties in a bunch over nothing.

[gina7177]

I was thinking the same, many companies use "Anglo" names in call centers for the clientel they are dealing with. It's not racist or uncommon for this to be done. He didn't ask the housekeeping staff to do it he asked the front line people.

[picandroll]

This is not about language. Nor is it about racism. Its about an unsophisticated, paranoid and uneducated group of people that tried to get their own way. He's not the same person that the previous Gringo's were. He's not going to let a squeaky wheel run his business into the ground like the other 4 owners.

Everyone does not know the Spanish language, and it's not the Latino culture, but the Native Americans who make Taos special.

[stonethemason]

This is not about language. Nor is it about racism. Its about an unsophistcated, paranoid and uneducated small business man with experience in setting up mom & pop hotels and Inns in the backwaters

of America and suddenly deciding he wants to open an upscale, upmarket business. It just doesnt work that way. Its like a guy who runs a McDonalds or a Piggly Wiggly trying to open and run a Sachs Fifth Ave or a Wofgang Puck restaurant.....

[Zoesmiled]

You need to rethink the whole situation, without calling LULAC, NAACP or another group. Maybe you should have contacted the states employment commission instead and asked for a mediator. I hope you can work towards a peaceable armistice, I know as a consumer; I would not want to visit Taos, NM knowing that the community is at unrest and not a united community.

[stonethemason]

Bad business plan equals failure. Starting a business in a cultural backwater like texas is a much different proposition than starting one in an upscale, upmarket area like Taos. He didnt do his homework and admits such in the video. He says that he came to Taos with a business formula that has worked in the past....dudes...Taos is not bumfuck texas. Taos is not Podunk Oklahoma. Taos is Taos.

[stonethemason]

This is not about language. Nor is it about racism. Its about an unsophistcated, paranoid and uneducated small business man with experience in setting up mom & pop hotels and Inns in the backwaters

of America and suddenly deciding he wants to open an upscale, upmarket business. It just doesnt work that way. Its like a guy who runs a McDonalds or a Piggly Wiggly trying to open and run a Sachs Fifth Ave or a Wofgang Puck restaurant.....

[Gkklein]

That is right. Los Angeles it is easier on most americans than Los Pueblos de Los Angeles. She cannot even make her point right.

She says that most of people in Taos speak spanish and THOSE would be her clients. How stupid is that? The hotel is for people visiting from far away areas!!!!

[tbrunke]

This chic is a bitch, fuck her.

[JustinU1984]

i hate niggers!

[optimist900]

Jane is a RUDE LOUD-MOUTHED IGNORANT EX-DRUG (???) DRUG ADDICT. She is trying to push a book on her pathetic sick illegal life.

[optimist900]

Jane needs to do her homework. Taos is a tri-cultural town with two-thirds Anglos and Native Americans and ONE-THIRD Hispanics.

I believe the hotel began having problems when the new owner announced that everyone had to be drug tested.

There are always people like the two Hispanic families who started the boycott who would rather live off of lawsuit proceeds than working and doing an honest day's work for fair wages.

Women have no problem changing their names when they get married.

[asbusu]

What a farse the fact that your tube name is Optimist. How about biggoted close minded idiot? That would be much better. You don't know anything about Taos New Mexico and you certainly are un-cultured. I suggest you travel outside of the United States and meet other cultures. Learn a foriegn language and get some class. Then come back in a few years and attempt to make a logical dialogue on youTube. Moron.

[optimist900]

I have lived in Taos for over 15 years. I speak fluent Spanish having taken 3 years at the UNM (straight A's ) & traveling yearly to Mexico. I have also taken multiple "cultural" courses at the University.

"Local" Hispanics in my Sp. classes fail because they tell me that they never spoke SP at home. It would have helped had they studied and came to class but they put in NO EFFORT!

[ssszar]

optimist900, having lived in taos for so long you should know better, those you call local hispanics fail your classes because of the cultural lose we have had to go through from the american invasion,, as a new mexican hispano my spanish is justt fine and i can speak for many more hispanos ive grown up with, your getting caught up in this left wing bs of the three cultures of new mexico, new mexican culture is new mexican not tri cultural nonsense, thats a left wing perversion.

[optimist900]

Tell that to the Native Americans who have more grace and class than you do. Your English could use a lot of work. Perhaps that is why you are unable to get and hold a job that supports you and your family. To me, the Native Americans are held in far higher esteem that no-nothings like yourself.

[ssszar]

new mexican hispanos and native americans fought side by side against the american invasion,but as an american you would not know that part of new mexican history, if you want to bring up native americans, it was your country men that placed them in reservations, not mine, it was your country men that forbade their language to be spoken, not mine,those native americans here are just as patriotic new mexicans as any hispano nationalist,you can say i have no grace and class,but thas only opinion.

[ssszar]

my english is just fine and ive had ive had a job the last 5 years, so what on earth you are talking about i have idea, but with the way your leftist president is running things i may not have a job much longer, its this sort of attitude you americans bring here that is the reason we do not like you, your elitsts, and communistic and your pollute our country and culture to no end,

[optimist900]

The Native Americans ON THE PUEBLO were the ORIGINAL NATIVES OF OUR COUNTRY, not the Spanish explorers and conquerors of which you are one.

By the way, are you employed by a Hispanic or one of the rich Anglos who invested money in our community who most likely employs you.

[ssszar]

optimist, where did i say teh spanish explorers were the original inhabitants, my country new mexico, is for new mexicans, regardless or race or ethnic background, however those who did build this country were the native americans and the spanish, the americans had no hand in building t his country but are playing a hand in destroying it, you americans had to fall back on the native americans, like its a trumph card, however your people treated them worse than anyone

[ssszar]

you are the second american to attempt to use the native americans as a trumph card, the issue was this man coming in to our country and disrespecting our heritage and language, and you, so ignorantly proclaim new mexican hispanos cant speak spanish, i suggest you visit elsewhere than santa fe and taos and see new mexico, not the places you left wing elitsts have destroyed. btw are saying that new mexicans have no businesses here? again go outside of santa fe and see new mexico

[stinkweed007]

to bad this isnt the entire interview.. just GI Jane plugging her name for interest in her book. I guess we should go back and change everything right NOW!! I just wrote on my DVD of Desperado.. I mean El Mariachi.. that it stars José Antonio Domínguez Banderas and Salma Valgarma Hayek-Jimenez . Give me a break... he wanted the guy to use the english version so he could get credit for his work as phone customers would understand his name.. search CNN Rick Sanchez's response.

[backspacetube]

Los Angeles had a Native American name that was changed to El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula. America changed it to Los Angeles.

Go get 'em Sonora Jane! (The Spanish, for changing the Native American name).

If they don't want to use a nickname, then don't work the switchboard.

[asymmetricblog]

Anglicizing the name makes it easier to pronounce. It's called being considerate. Would you like to go to Egypt or China and asked to pronounce names in a native accent?

[picandroll]

Oscarxx234, call centers and business in this country do it. Kmart called all of their managers Parkwood at one time. Emachines customer support where I worked did it.

Asking people to use a pseudo name or nickname while on a switchboard is totally acceptable. Your not asking them to legally change thier name.

[GARAGEHERO1]

All nazis go back to the fatherland!!!

[GARAGEHERO1]

Wow...Jane really pasted this wiggler. Whitten ended up like a kitten, ha!

On the AP interview, having had some time to be retrospective about his actions and failed business plan, he was very contrite and low-key.

[GARAGEHERO1]

Bad business plan equals failure. Starting a business in a cultural backwater like texas is a much different proposition than starting one in an upscale, upmarket area like Taos. He didnt do his homework and admits such in the video. He says that he came to Taos with a business formula that has worked in the past....dudes...Taos is not bumfuck texas. Taos is not Podunk Oklahoma. Taos is Taos.

[GARAGEHERO1]

This is not about language. Nor is it much about racism. Its about an unsophistcated, paranoid and uneducated small business man with experience in setting up mom & pop hotels and Inns in the backwaters

of America and suddenly deciding he wants to open an upscale, upmarket business. It just doesnt work that way. Its like a guy who runs a McDonalds or a Piggly Wiggly trying to open and run a Sachs Fifth Ave or a Wofgang Puck restaurant.....

[Oscarxx234]

For all those that say a name change is normal and it happens in other countries, I say, yes it is normal and it happens in other countries WHERE PEOPLE DONT HAVE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS! If Martin had chosen to change his name on his own will to better his opportunities at Whitten Inn hotel, that would have been perfectly acceptable, but that was not the case. Whitten asked Matin to change his name, and that is the issue

[Oscarxx234]

He admits that whitten only wanted Martin to change his name so that "people" in Carolina cam understand. He admits he is only trying to cater to the anglo customer. That is proof of bigotry! He also says he's "learning about diversity". He served on the military! Come on seriously. They're all diverse! It's only when it hits him in the pocket, that he starts to change their tune!

[PREZofUSSA]

she really wants him to be a racist

[MrFreshgarbage]

There are cities in the US with French names, Middle Eastern names, English names.

Jane was abusive. Why not add Rick's comments to her? He answered for most of America.

[picandroll]

If your not willing to do the work and use a "handle" like Americans and people around the world do, then don't take the job.

But stop complaining about a business model that is used all over the world by various ethnic groups.

[scottdtexas]

I am hispanic and I find it very disrespectful to force someone to change their name. If they did it on their own then there would be no problem. Larry has hotels in Abilene, Texas and I know most of the people that worked there, many of them have hispanic names. Would any of you who so gladly side with him change your name to something hispanic or to something with a more African American sound to it? I doubt it.

[scottdtexas]

If Larry has such a problem with the name someone has, or better yet if America has such a problem with someones name, why don't we just enforce a law mandating everyone to be named John Smith or how about just using numbers. Its rediculous to ask someone to change their name. If I was told to change my name, I would tell them where to stick it.

[backspacetube]

Jane, they changed the Spanish name of LA and other cities. You lost.

Diversity and tolerence Jane, check it out.

[picandroll]

I find Jane attacking him, highly offensive. Companies all over the world do this, and only Taos complains?

Jane is not a Latino name.

[lhiggs]

I wish this video had the part where CNN anchor Rick Sanchez says that he agrees with the hotel owner. Rick said that with respect to his job at CNN he changed his name from Ricardo Sanches de Reynaldo out of respect for the country that has allowed himself and other Hispanics to come and live a better life. Now, I'm not sure changing the name from Marteen to Martin was necessary but it's not racist. Also people use easy to remember and understand pseudo names on switchboards all the time.

[DangerLoc]

fuck rick sanford.we should be gracious they let us come here shit you forget the spanish had brought guns, weed, and horses.its not like they didnt have shit to barter wit.they got all dat shit documented bruh they had to offer up somethin to tha tribe mexican archives bruh every piece of land transaction.U forget most of the men Onate brought were of the Tlaxcalan tribe from tenochitlan and meztizo.Tlaxcalan had there own Barrio in Santa fe 1607 bruh!they go back at least 12000b.c in mexico.

[1brownnation]

Tlaxcalan were opressed by the Aztecs and sacrifised all that shit.they put up like 20,000 warriors to defeat the aztec.there were only 500 spanish soilders many realeased from prison if they lived they earned there freedom that came with Cortez.Cortez burnt the ships like a G when they got to Mexico and said we gone do this.

[picandroll]

Yes, when you work in cutomer support in other countries they sometimes will ask you to shorten a long name. A short version such and Mathew to Mark, Jonathon to John etc. In India, when product support people deal with English speaking countries they use Bob, Ted, Mary etc.

Latino's need to accept diversity. He was asking a couple of switchboard operators to use the short version of their name. It happens with all ethnic groups all over the world.

[dragonflytru1]

Just because it happens all over the world, doesnt mean we should accept it here. :)

[noctambulo10]

This is simple, would some american (named "Charles" or "John" making business or working in an Hispanic country) change his name to "Carlos"=Charles or "Juan"=John just to make his boss happy, hell noooo,you wouldnt, right? well is the same case for these people.

[lhiggs]

noctamulo10, if they interacted on a regular basis with customers they certainly would do this. This happened to me when I lived/worked in Bolivia for over two years. We learned Spanish and spoke only Spanish in front of people who only spoke Spanish.

[dipdac]

Her point fails because los Angeles, san Fransisco, California, Texas and New Mexico all have 'anglicanized' pronunciations.

[mr602505575]

President Obama did not change his name to become president. A name has nothing to do with job performance. These people should not be asked to change their names to do their jobs.

[mr602505575]

If Mr. Whitten came to Taos before his purchase how could he not see the culture of Taos? It is everywhere, from street names to the adobe buildings that blanket the town. That is what its residents and tourists love about it. This should not be about race. It should be about equal rights as employees.

[dipdac]

This doesn't looks like an issue of race to me, more like an issue of language...

[mr602505575]

2nd half to my response

This country was FOUNDED BY IMMIGRANTS, but now if we are not "American" enough we are seen as foreigners in our own country. I teach my kids to respect their heritage, just as my parents taught me. Just because a man with money comes to town does not mean that we have to do everything he says.

[mr602505575]

1st half

Some of these responses are very ignorant! I live in Taos, NM. I have joined in the protesting myself because I believe in the equal rights of ALL people. These people who were terminated are not immigrants who are working to send money back home. Their families have lived in the region for hundreds of years. Their ancestors did not come from other countries to escape persecution. This was their own land that was invaded by those same people fleeing persecution elsewhere.

[asbusu]

Yeah he owns the hotel and should be able to do what he wants. Likewise the people of Taos should ban together and evict him from Taos. No wonder many Americans get so much disrespect when they visit other countries. They have a crappy attitude and think that English is the only language on the planet.

[dipdac]

not the only language, but it is what is called the 'lingua franca' which means most people in most parts of the world understand a least a little of it, and in places that may be international hubs, like hotels or airports, the best way to cater to most of your customers needs is by using a language most of them understand.

[jeffmagic32]

he owns the hotel - he should be able to do whatever he wants

[daveVT18]

It's amazing how different CNN and CNN international are. Now I see why Americans tend to hate CNN, it's the same kind of mind numbing crap you get on Fox News, except with a different underlying political bias.

On CNN International we only see the likes of Amanpour, Anderson Cooper, and Kristie Lou Stout, all of whom I find very respectable. This lady should be on Fox News, she doesn't listen to her guest but just attacks him. Her guest (Larry) incidentally seems quite polite and nice.

[asbusu]

Just another redneck American cracker showing his ignorance. At $49 per night, this hotel must be a real piece of scum. I wouldn't let my dog stay there. When I go to Taos I stay in the nice hacienda resorts that run around $200 per night. I enjoy the culture there and enjoy speaking Spanish to the cultured and classy Spanish and Indian people there. In my oppinion people like Larry Whitten are white trash.

[quinine121]

not everyone can afford housing at 4 times the price you piece of shit classist

[dipdac]

you're a snob

[damkid2]

She is an ignorant cunt, and a great reason why I don't watch CNN.

[picandroll]

Call centers all over the world do this. Matthew is changed to Matt. etc

Some people are very intolerant of different cultures and peoples way of doing things. This is used all the time in India

This is America Jane. You could use a little tolerence towards other cultures. Not everyone is Latino in New Mexico.

[Wraythhmark]

DEYTUKERJERRRRBZ!!!!

[backspacetube]

Is Jane a Latino name? He only asked people who worked the switchboard to use the short nickname while on the switchboard. His customers are NOT local people, but outsiders. The area belonged to the Pueblo indians, until conquered by the Spanish who installed theier culture. When America conquered the area, shouldn't the culture change?

The Latino's need to be open to other cultures, and embrace diversity.

[joes805]

fag republicunt

[franknyt]

Lee Chin = Leeroy Chinman

Mohamed Ali = Moe Alister

Kareem Jabar = Karl Jabarski

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad = Martin Adams

Geraldo Rivera = Jerry Riverside

Oprah = La Shanda Washington

Barak Obama = Bartholomew Olbermann

Rahm Emannuel = Ralph E. Manualmanskiberg

[joes805]

ROFL!!!!!

[franknyt]

I think you may have tourettes. Or simply retarded.

"Jew, spiks, japs, commies, rednecks, borders, birth certificate, death panel, tea, you lie.."

[Jennerator72]

You cannot move into a town and expect everyone to bow down to you and change their names! Taos is a gorgeous city, and has a lot of charm and culture. When you go to a Japanese restaurant do you want Doug cooking your food? If I call a Hotel in a cajun part of Louisiana am I gonna complain if someone that is Cajun answers the phone? IF if you are going to travel to NEW MEXICO then you would most likely expect to be interactive with Latino people. I would NEVER give this guy a DIME!

[brooke5617]

Did these ladies just steriotype marines or did I just imagine that? I personally know Larry Whitten and can honestly say that he is an honorable man that has worked his whole life to be where he is today. I am a former (caucasion) employee of the Whitten Inn of Abilene, and just for the record, Larry and I both came to the agreement that I would use my middle name on the reservation line for the security of the business and the security of our guests. DRAMA! Someone looking for a hand out?

[communistrussia]

O'Shean?? What kind of a name is that, change it to Sheenson please. No Irish Need Apply.

[stonethemason]

hey moron...these are nt illegals,,,this is TAOS, you lamebrain!! These guys are descended from the original Spanish and Mestizos who came here in the 1500s. In fact, shithead,,,theyve been Americans longer that your worthless ass!!LOL!!!

[shamrockman19]

Not a Rick Sanchez fan but his take on this one, was for once spot on.

[Gkklein]

The brouhaha just shows that we have a national problem here: an hispanic problem, an Anglo-Saxon hating problem. The sooner we face it and deal with it, the sooner we can have undocumented Americans into the fold.

[Gkklein]

As an immigrant from South America myself, I am appalled by this CNN hate fest. The man wanted to save those jobs. He knows from experience that, to attract tourists from other parts of the country that would not otherwise visit the area, he needs, at least, make the initial communication of those less challenging from a cultural point of view. That is why he asked some of the customer-interacting staff to make their names more familiar to those guests.

[Sugarwater802]

I can't believe he expects Martin (marTEEN) to change his name to Martin (MARtin). What's year is it? 1940?? How about we start learning people's names, whether they're hispanic, asian, east indian, middle eastern, european, etc. The sad thing is Larry probably represents the majority of Americans who miss the fact that part of what defines America is it's diversity.

[JohnAdamCulligan]

Right out of the Fox News playbook. Is she interviewing or lecturing?

And people at this network have the nerve to posture as though what they were actually in the business of was reporting.

[stonethemason]

This is not about language. Nor is it about racism. Its about an unsophistcated, paranoid and uneducated small business man with experience in setting up mom & pop hotels and Inns in the backwaters

of America and suddenly deciding he wants to open an upscale, upmarket business. It just doesnt work that way. Its like a guy who runs a McDonalds or a Piggly Wiggly trying to open and run a Sachs Fifth Ave or a Wofgang Puck restaurant.....

[stonethemason]

". or house illegals, but don't push it on me. Democrats wanted to keep slavery. There! I mean since you want to bring history into what is going on now. Democrats are still keeping the black man in slavery"

Who wrote this claptrap??? You call yourself a name...and its not a very nice one. BTW...its the republican businessmen who house and hire illegals by the million, not libs.

[sneezy1974]

Very intolerant of you.

Goodnight.

[stonethemason]

Intolerant of anti-American fools. G'night!

[sneezy1974]

And, you haven't actually said anything. Just called me names.

[sneezy1974]

Your comments prove the point. Liberals are intolerant.

[stonethemason]

I dont suffer fools easily.

[flydyce]

I HOPE HE FAILS

[johnnypoo63]

Whitten should change HIS name to Dobbs.

[sneezy1974]

I don't mind if you eat tofu, bicycle to work, meditate for an hour each day, or house illegals, but don't push it on me. Liberals are getting as in-your-face as protestants. Democrats wanted to keep slavery. There! I mean since you want to bring history into what is going on now. Democrats are still keeping the black man in slavery, with the cradle to grave welfare state, just hand them a few dollars, don't educate them, and remember they're BLACK (I'd forget if libs were always telling me.)

[stonethemason]

Most blacks i know can think for themselves, unlike you, who keeps spouting GOP speaking points and drivel

[stonethemason]

Another paranoid repuke who thinks someone is out to get him...or push something on him...oooohhh!!!

Watch...here come the "black" helicopters.....moron!!!

[stonethemason]

Bad business plan equals failure. Starting a business in a cultural backwater like texas is a much different proposition than staring one in an upscale, upmarket area like Taos. He didnt do his homework and admits such in the video. He says that he came to Taos with a business formula that has worked in the past....dudes...Taos is not bumfuck texas. Taos is not Podunk Oklahoma. Taos is Taos.

[sneezy1974]

Actually Stone, I was refering to the commenters on this and any other comments section. But thanks for calling me names. At the rate they're outlawing things your ukulele is next, you might get a splinter.

[stonethemason]

"liberals are so intolerant"

Was it Libs that stuck Jews in the ovens? Libs are not the intolerant ones.

[stonethemason]

***This is not about language. Nor is it about racism. Its about an unsophistcated, paranoid and uneducated small business man with experience in setting up mom & pop hotels and Inns in the backwaters

of America and suddenly deciding he wants to open an upscale, upmarket business. It just doesnt work that way. Its like a guy who runs a McDonalds or a Piggly Wiggly trying to open and run a Sachs Fifth Ave or a Wofgang Puck restaurant.....***

[ConspiracionDeBarrio]

damn this girls is the whitest latina i've ever met...

[johnnypoo63]

I Believe her father is from Ireland.

[sneezy1974]

Liberals are so intolerent. Stone, if I came to Hawaii and my boss wanted me to have a more Hawaiian name I would find it a great hoot. The people coming to this hotel are not from the area, and therefore might not know what a Marteen is. This was consideration for the customers, not intolerance of the workers. I had a east european working for me. Nobody could remember his name. He agreed that we could call him Sid. You left-leaners will have the PC hammer come down on you as well. Just wait.

[stonethemason]

Moron....the Spanish folks in New Mexico are mostly conservative.....

[GARAGEHERO1]

I guess the boycottt will end his business. Too bad.he should have researched the area a little better.

[JONATHANPIANISTA2010]

what she si talking about veléz?is that how you say your hispanic name?listen to your self woman!! natives of USA in this 2009 year speak english!! Taos ?look at the map is in the USA !!

you like spanish come to my country MEXICO !!

HEY mr Whitten i´ll take any job this people wont!! i´m mexican and my name is JONATHAN so no problem!!

you are in your country,your state ,your town and your hotel ...so you do what you want!! freedom for all in AMERICA!!

[GARAGEHERO1]

This guy is a real mexican, he'll suck "things" just to get ahead. mexican-Americans wont do that.

[MrsGuero420]

Good answer!!!

[MrsGuero420]

Is there any reason you like kissing white ass? He is not in his State or town este maricon es de Tejas!!!!!! So is he still your hero? Did you know his employess were not allowed to speak spanish!!! Do your homework, Pendejo!!!!!!!

[stonethemason]

Oh man, Jane really kicked his butt....didnt this guy realise that Taos is a cool upscale and diversified town, much like Park City, Sedona, North Beach San Fran, Santa Cruz??? Maybe this hick should stick to revitalzing cultural backwaters like he's used to. Go back to texas!

[stonethemason]

I thought this guy was some sort of halfwit...but then i read he's from texas....that explains it!!!

[stonethemason]

test

[stonethemason]

This is not about language. Nor is it about racism. Its about an unsophistcated, paranoid and uneducated small business man with experience in setting up mom & pop hotels and Inns in the backwaters

of America and suddenly deciding he wants to open an upscale, upmarket business. It just doesnt work that way. Its like a guy who runs a McDonalds or a Piggly Wiggly trying to open and run a Sachs Fifth Ave or a Wofgang Puck restaurant.....

[sneezy1974]

What isn't shown on this is that when Rick Sanchez came on the show a little later he agreed with Whitten. "Rick Sanchez" is much more anglicized than his real full name.

[1vad]

This man is a hero! I am brown man that speaks fluent spanish and english. This is a business that he invested money in to save it !! He should run it as he pleases without committing a crime. And in my good to honest view of racism in this country..... People other than anglo saxon are the most RACSIT people on the PLANET!

[valglass12]

racist? Hispanics are an ethnic group. And he is the owner. Owners of privately held businesses can pretty much do what they want. Tough Shit. In this economy the ball is in the employers court. Don't like it, hey, quit. I'm sure another American-Mexican will be very happy to take your place and have a job.

[midnightghost03]

Ignorance is bliss, but too much of it can make you look stupid. He is the nation's most ignorant man.

I am tired of people saying "Speak English." Remember, there were Native Americans here way before there were Americans. Larry hired a Marcos, he didn't hire a Mark. Catch my drift?

[valglass12]

and what language did Native Americans speak?

[AlexKCH3563]

how many jose's do you know that go by joe?

[mimana2]

Mr. Larry Whitten:

No joda y aprenda espanol.

Spanish is just part of the US because we are in America. This is not UK.

[mumbleora]

I do agree they need to speak english in front of him.

[MrsGuero420]

Why i he afraid of somethhing?

[icitnow]

Good for Jane! Now I have a lot more respect for her! While I think that Whitten is not a blatant racist-he is very ignorant to the people's cultural sensitivities he employs. I can see (maybe) the speaking the language thing-although that is a strong judgement of distrust-thinking that your employees are talking about you.

I think he came in-heavyhanded and he needs to know that those people will not tolerate being denigrated in this way.

[emkimmel]

Larry needs to understand that it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of ethnic origins. If his policy had been that every male person on the switchboard would be called "Robert", that would be legal. Dumb as a sack of hammers, but legal. But if his rule is that Spanish surnamed employees have to pretend to be British, then he is violating the law.

[oxforduniversity]

The real name is Martin, not Mar-teen. Too many illegal aliens are not even legal to live in the US and they are complaining about their names. They should be deported and apply for real citizenship. God bless you Larry, it is about sometime an American says and does something that means something.

[mumbleora]

oxford, if they are illegal, then they should be deported. Right after people like Larry go to jail for hiring them.

[sansaviera]

If they have a difficult name to understand or pronounce or a thick accent don't hire them for positions dealing with the guest and for those who were already there either learn English, switch duties or resign/get fired. This is what I would be faced with if I chose to live in Japan, or Brazil or India. You learn the language of the country you choose to live in, its not about racism its about business, common sense and respect for the country that is supporting you.

[sansaviera]

She is so angry about someone not understanding the spanish language but I have a question for the interviewer. Why can't most of the Spanish speaking people on my job read or write Spanish? If you are so proud of it why can't you read it or write it?

I don't agree with changing a persons name but I do agree that they SHOULD speak , read and write ENGLISH fluently!

[radudeATL]

She should have called Larry Lair-REE - see how he likes it!

[StoryBalloon]

Look, it's the female version of Geraldo.

[DrBobNM]

Why did he agree to this interview/trap???

Same boo-boo that he made coming to Taos to try to help them out.

oh well