Would you like 'queso' on that sandwich?

If airfares weren't so high, I'd be on my way to Geno's Steaks, in Philadelphia, to wreck my diet and satisfy my craving for a real Philly cheesesteak.

Not that the trip wouldn't be worth it in ordinary circumstances – the cheesesteaks are great – but now, Geno's owner Joey Vento is in the midst of a controversy that could escalate into a costly legal fight over his free speech rights – to say nothing of his right to run his business the way he sees fit. It's political correctness run amok.

Vento needs all the support he can get, especially since he's getting lots of criticism and threats as well.

What's it all about? A sign. In fact, a relatively small sign in Geno's, near the take-out counter.

TRENDING: GOP senator joins in the narrative twisting

The issue is what's on the sign. Seven simple words that convey the belief of the owner:

''This is America: When ordering 'speak English.'''

Seven simple words that have thrown the small eatery into the media limelight,into what could turn out to be a major legal battle and into the center of the national argument about illegal aliens, language and immigration.

The words are simple and to the point – and especially meaningful considering Joey Vento's family history.

His grandparents came to this country from Sicily in the 1920's. They spoke Italian and until they learned English; they struggled with the prejudices of the time, including living in a language ghetto that made becoming fully American almost impossible.

But they learned English and became fully American and that's what's on in Joey's mind today. He knows that without English, no immigrant can become fully American and partake of the opportunities this country offers.

While the area of South Philly was traditionally Italian, over the last ten to 20 years, the ethnic profile has changed. Asians and Hispanics moved in and there are estimates that in just the last ten years, as many as 20-thousand Mexicans have moved in, many of them illegal.

Yes, illegal, and it appears nothing is being done about them.

It appears Philadelphia is no different than most American cities – ignoring illegals, who are, don't forget, federal lawbreakers.

But, while the city ignores them, it's attacking Geno's as though it's a criminal operation, flinging around such accusations as ‘discriminatory,'' ''mean-spirited,'' ''divisive,'' and ''bad for the city's image.''

The city's Commission on Human Relations filed a discrimination complaint against Geno's, which alleges the business has violated two sections of Philadelphia's anti-discrimination laws. First, by denying service because of national origin and second, having printed material that make certain groups feel their patronage is unwelcome.

Huh?

Just about every restaurant I've ever seen has a sign that says the owners reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. That sure leaves the door open to arbitrary refusals. Why is that OK, if Geno's sign isn't?

Oh, I forgot. With this issue, we're talking about the English language and we're talking about illegal aliens.
In the looking-glass world we live in, they are a protected class and average American citizens and their First Amendment rights aren't.

No wonder, people across the country are reaching the end of their rope about this whole illegal alien/failed immigration policies argument.

As for Joey Vento, his reason for the sign is as clear as the words on the sign itself. ''They don't know how lucky they are. All we're asking them to do is learn the English language.'' He also told the Associated Press: ''We're out to help these people, but they've got to help themselves, too.''

Vento says he put up the sign six-months ago, because more and more of his customers couldn't order in English. He admits most of them are Mexican but no one complained and he says he's never refused service to anyone; his staff helps non-English speakers place their orders.

But that's not enough for the PC police.

What's the problem?

It's ''mean-spirited,'' says City Councilman Jim Kenney, who wants Vento to back down.

Vento says the sign stays.

The Philadelphia Inquirer editorialized about the ''boneheaded'' policy.

The commission's chairman, Reverend James S. Allen, Sr., calls the sign ‘discriminatory'' and says it doesn't matter whether anyone was refused, just that the sign might discourage people from even patronizing Geno's.

Huh, again?!?

Seems to me, if enough people are discouraged from buying from Genos, the place will go out of business. If not, isn't it just free enterprise?

Not according to the ACLU, which says it isn't a free-speech issue but rather a possible violation of public-accommodations laws.

Now my brain is really spinning.

Under that interpretation, any business owner has to accept anything - - any type of customer and any type of behavior because a refusal might offend someone, might reflect poorly on a city, might discourage a possible customer and might make someone feel bad.

Does that mean that I can go to a classy Fifth Avenue restaurant in bare feet, go to a Broadway play in a swimsuit or neglect to wear a tie or jacket to a formal museum event? How about if I speak any language other than English in any restaurant and demand that the waiter understand what I'm saying. After all, if they refuse, I can charge them with discrimination. Can't I?

Think that sounds silly? Think again. It's already required that voters be provided ballots in their own language; that hospitals have translators available in emergency rooms; that translators be made available in courtrooms; that many city government's require employees to speak Spanish; that most companies and utilities have phone lines in Spanish and English and often, other languages; and requests for translators are accepted so driver's license tests can be administered in a foreign language.

And don't forget those bilingual classes in our schools. We've all turned into enablers and Joey Vento would agree. he says these people are being coddled with most services available in Spanish.

These special accomodations are just the tip of an iceberg that's crashed into the United States. Given that an iceberg sank the Titanic, this is more than worrisome.

Geno's will be investigated, there could be public hearings, and if a demand to remove the sign isn't met, then what? Long expensive legal battles, fines, jail, shutting down the business? Who knows, but I sense Joey Vento isn't a man to cave in to stupidity. ''I would say they would have to handcuff me and take me out because I'm not taking it down.''

Sounds clear to me.

Now what?