When immigrants come to America, do they think that “freedom” means an absence of standards for behavior and employment? Or are they arrogantly seeking to impose their values on Americans in opposition to traditional assimilation?

An example of the latter is the squawking from the diverse cab-driving community around the issue of hygiene, specifically the foul odors emitting from foreign drivers in San Diego and beyond. The foreign drivers insist that a requirement that they don’t stink is discrimination.

Sacramento is not mentioned in today’s report, but passengers in that city have complained about smelly drivers as well as other examples of inadequate performance, like poor English skills and no knowledge of local streets. (See Sacramento: Update On Cabbies Who Can’t Speak English for details.)

Below, lack of hygiene is not the only problem with foreign cab drivers. Muslims routinely refuse passengers with seeing-eye dogs or persons carrying bottles of liquor.

In addition, cleanliness is more than western esthetics. Given the practices of some cultures, you have to wonder where the hand giving you your change has been.