I probably am missing the point; mainly because this point isn't very clear to me. I thought Obama's point was that immigrants should still learn English, but we need not to make English an official language so that we don't have to read signs in espanol; instead go ahead and learn some spanish so if there are signs in spanish you can tell if the store front sells groceries or ice cream.

Are people really that afraid that this country will turn into a spanish speaking nation? That just seems assanine to me. This country has had large numbers of immigrants from all over the world and English is still everywhere and strong. There will always be immigrant heavy neighborhoods and they will put out signs in their native language so the local immigrant peoples will be able to easily know what is where.

The fact of the matter is that many immigrants do speak spanish, and it would behoove some people to attempt to learn a little. Seems like common sense to me, but we can all see things differently.

Having lived in Fort Lee, NJ, just across the Hudson from New York City and now living in So California, I can tell you that far too many people don't even bother to properly learn the (should be official) language of the United States. Before teaching a 2nd language to our students shouldn't we be making sure they properly learn English first? While a 2nd language might assist in employment prospects not speaking proper English pretty much assures a person s/he'll remain at the bottom of the rung.

And another thing, of all the people who speak a 2nd language, I'm will to bet most of them were born into holds that spoke a foriegn language yet glommed onto English by watching TV, hanging out with friends, or maybe their parents spoke a little English. I see this every day.

Fanatical Wrote:I probably am missing the point; mainly because this point isn't very clear to me....

The fact of the matter is that many immigrants do speak spanish, and it would behoove some people to attempt to learn a little. Seems like common sense to me, but we can all see things differently.

What you are saying is not unreasonable... and just about everyone arguing "against" you is saying something similar... however... what YOU are saying is patently different from what Sen. Obama said.

He said: "...you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish".

Put it in this perspective... and while these numbers aren't going to be correct, I suspect they are close enough to make my point.

85% of the US population speaks English.

10% of the population speaks Spanish, but not English.
(assume the remaining 5% speak something other than Spanish, and not English)

Does it REALLY seem like the right thing to you to tell the 85%, (some of whom ALREADY speak a second language) that they need to MAKE SURE their children learn a language that will primarily benefit 10% of the population... especially in that I suspect that the vast majority of the 10% who speak only Spanish already live near a significantly bilingual (spanish) population.

You don't need to tell immigrants to make sure their children learn English. If they attend school, it is a requirement. Most states I know of also tell children that they have to take 2 years of a foriegn language of their choice to graduate. Sen Obama apparently wants to make the choice for America.

How can you see his comment as ANYTHING but promoting the Hispanic language in this country... and anything the government promotes discourages alternatives (including learning English). Not learning English is not an option for children, but it certainly is for most of 20+ year old immigrants... Further, if children learn Spanish because B.O. said to, they are less likely to learn French, Italian, Latin, Chinese, Russian Arabic... you name it.

I know he's not making policy here... but to think that a major Presidential candidate isn't encouraging/discouraging behaviour is crazy... and I don't want the President of the United States telling anyone in this country that they SHOULD speak ANYTHING but English... whether or not it is the "Official Language".

Rebel Wrote:

perunapower Wrote:What's wrong with speaking Spanish? Who knows, being bilingual may even help you get a raise or a better job. I think you're being a bit melodramatic here.

I don't need to be lectured about becoming bilingual by someone who, himself, isn't bilingual. Barack can kiss my ass.

Now! Now! En español por favor.

Barack puede besar mi culo. Barack es una elite arrogante.

I already know another language. I can half-way communicate with women, damnit.

THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:

Rebel Wrote:

perunapower Wrote:What's wrong with speaking Spanish? Who knows, being bilingual may even help you get a raise or a better job. I think you're being a bit melodramatic here.

I don't need to be lectured about becoming bilingual by someone who, himself, isn't bilingual. Barack can kiss my ass.

Now! Now! En español por favor.

Barack puede besar mi asno. Barack es una elite arrogante.

Good job using an online translator. Asno means donkey. Culo is what you're looking for.

perunapower Wrote:Good job using an online translator. Asno means donkey. Culo is what you're looking for.

I thought Burrito was a donkey.

perunapower Wrote:

THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:

Rebel Wrote:

perunapower Wrote:What's wrong with speaking Spanish? Who knows, being bilingual may even help you get a raise or a better job. I think you're being a bit melodramatic here.

I don't need to be lectured about becoming bilingual by someone who, himself, isn't bilingual. Barack can kiss my ass.

Now! Now! En español por favor.

Barack puede besar mi asno. Barack es una elite arrogante.

Good job using an online translator. Asno means donkey. Culo is what you're looking for.

How can you be sure I didn't mean for him to kiss my donkey? I thought it was culo, but since I don't Hablo español except counting to ten what I can I say.

THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:

perunapower Wrote:

THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:

Rebel Wrote:

perunapower Wrote:What's wrong with speaking Spanish? Who knows, being bilingual may even help you get a raise or a better job. I think you're being a bit melodramatic here.

I don't need to be lectured about becoming bilingual by someone who, himself, isn't bilingual. Barack can kiss my ass.

Now! Now! En español por favor.

Barack puede besar mi asno. Barack es una elite arrogante.

Good job using an online translator. Asno means donkey. Culo is what you're looking for.

How can you be sure I didn't mean for him to kiss my donkey? I thought it was culo, but since I don't Hablo español except counting to ten what I can I say.

Just a shot in the dark.

Rebel Wrote:

perunapower Wrote:Good job using an online translator. Asno means donkey. Culo is what you're looking for.

I thought Burrito was a donkey.

A SMALL donkey

Fanatical Wrote:The fact of the matter is that many immigrants do speak spanish, and it would behoove some people to attempt to learn a little. Seems like common sense to me, but we can all see things differently.

A person speaking English in this country will have very little problem communicating with the rest of the country. Those who don't speak English will have problems communicating with the rest of the country. With that in mind, who benefits more, me by learning to speak a foreign language or the foreigner learning to speak English? Putting aside political correctness, this is the most practical way of looking at this issue.

Oops. After posting this I saw the Hambone pretty much said the same thing.

Screw Obammy...I choose to have my childern be educated fully in the English language. If they choose later to learn another language...it will surely be because they feel a NEED to do so.....There is NO need to teach our children any other language but English. English is the most widely understood language worldwide.