[dwestemesse]

I don't see why this is a big deal (in other words, I wouldn't change it so that English is the official language). I don't see any reason to oppose it either though.

JM

[BoarmomorurrY]

I'm with Ming on this.

Only Americans could get worked up about this. English is the language of most of the nation. Immigrants have had to learn it for generations up to now...except for the english who arrived speaking a bastardized version . It's only now with politicly correct Hollywood morons *****ing and moaning about every single thing that there's a problem. We have to worry about how speaking different languge will make people feel.

No, I suggest the US should be more like Ming's Apolyton. You speak English or YOU'RE BANNED.



Case closed.

[Bvghbopz]

It's only now with politicly correct Hollywood morons *****ing and moaning about every single thing that there's a problem. Among with spoiled rich kids who always seem to see it fashionable to be masochist-nationalists...

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D) was upset by the measure that passed the Senate and declared it “racist.”

[Averti$ingGuru]

I'm not against the measure, necessarily... I think everyone who comes here should take it upon themselves to learn English.

However, why the need for this legislation? Just pandering to the frothing anti-immigrant right-wingers?

America did all right without an "official" language for 200 years... I see no reason to do this now... just because people are getting all pissy about Mexicans.

[rozneesitcn]

I agree Jimmy.

Plus, I happen to think English is a stupid language.

Communication and language is a constantly changing and evolving process. To make a particular language "official" and part of law is just ridiculous... especially when it's not needed.

A lot of people outside of America are all *****y because they think America is exporting its culture... but yet, in America, people are whining about this crap?

STFU NOOBZ

That's really all I have to say on the matter.

[EsAllCams]

English will obviously win. But there's no reason to force anything, for example by not providing any education or information in Spanish. That's about as useful as Oerdin's proposed solutions for China.

[LindaSmithIV]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
English will obviously win. But there's no reason to force anything, for example by not providing any education or information in Spanish. That's about as useful as Oerdin's proposed solutions for China. Oh yeah, I would be against them removing education or information about Spanish (or other languages).

I don't see how that directly relates to having an official language. About the only place where I could see it, is that in school English would have to be taught (maybe this is already true?). If they removed ESL I would be against it (and I think most people would be also).

Jon Miller

[Toossehew]

So what? I mean, English is hardly threatened as the major language of America, and the entire school system is controlled by English speakers so it's highly unlikely to change in the near future.
I fail to see the value in this story at all. Unless you want to wonder at the other 14%.

[beonecenry]

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D) was upset by the measure that passed the Senate and declared it “racist.” It is racist because it's sheer immigrant bashing.

It's also pandering. When you have immigrants to bash, there's no need to deal with the deficit, with lack of affordable health care, with a bogged-down war in Iraq, with a nuclear-armed Iran and North Korea, with global warming, with a widening wealth gap between the rich and poor, with high energy costs, with the re-emergence of inflaction, with a crumbling public education system, with unsecured seaports, etc., etc. etc.

Look....immigrants come here (a) so that they can succeed and/or (b) so that there kids can succeed. They know that to succeed in America, a person needa to speak English. So, most of them learn English without being forced to, and those that don't make darn sure their kids do.

I can hardly wait until Congress figures out that breathing air has health benefits and begins to expend its efforts to require everyone in America to breathe.

[Equackasous]

Originally posted by VJ

America is not exporting it's culture. Americans are.

This matters since governments like France have been actually spending billions every year for a long time now into actively increasing the influence of their language and culture. United States hasn't, unless we count the Voice of America. They use subtler techniques. Like diplomacy, to "open up" markets.

[AutocadOemM]

yes

[Marat]

I can't wait to go to Taco Bell and eat Freedom Wraps. Then I can go to Hellenopolis and eat a Freedom Wrap with Greek Food.

Does anyone else understand that American English has probably incorporated more bits and pieces of other languages than any other? I don't see any point in messing with anything. The government doesn't print out billions of different pamphlets in different languages and it won't for the forseeable future, official language or not. There is no threat to the english language and there are no major costs associated with how language is treated in this country today.

I wonder how the Governator feels about this. "Good-bye, baby!"

[russianstallian]

Originally posted by Whoha
this is clumsy, it is ineffective, but calling a language racist is absurd. No one's calling a language racist.

What's being called racist is the arrogant attempt to force our language upon others for no reasons other than xenophobia and/or jingoism

[IRYzouNv]

I support this, because I utterly failed at learning French back in high school, and I would no doubt utterly fail at learning Spanish if push came to shove.

Also, I'm racist against immigrants. Because immigrants are a race.

[endulundaSauh]

anyone who wants US citizenship is already required to learn english,this is what makes the law ineffective. It also makes calling the law racist absurd.

[Creelaleps]

Originally posted by Whoha
anyone who wants US citizenship is already required to learn english,this is what makes the law ineffective. And so...what do you believe is the motivation behind the movement to have it passed?

[enlinnyGoob]

I wonder what the French think of the sudden American desire to protect English. Originally posted by Zkribbler
It's also pandering. When you have immigrants to bash, ... with unsecured seaports, etc., etc. etc. I couldn't resist this one. Do Democrats save Arab bashing for when they don't want to deal with this one?

[tweriaroats]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
I think you mean al-Qaeda bashing. No, I don't.

[ivandiadser]

Because they might not like living in ghettos.

[disappointment2]

They might like living in their own territories and stille be able to conduct business with their government.