Bush Says National Anthem Should Only Be In English

[Sojiita]

By JOHN HOLUSHA
Published: April 28, 2006

President Bush said today that he thought the national anthem should be sung in English, not the Spanish language version released by a recording company recently.
The song, recorded by a chorus of Latin pop stars, is being distributed to Spanish-language radio stations to be played Monday morning to coincide with immigrant rights demonstrations that are scheduled in many cities across the nation.
Speaking to reporters in the White House Rose Garden, Mr. Bush made it clear that he considered the language difference as part of the immigration issue.
After saying he did not consider the anthem sung in Spanish to have the same value as the anthem sung in English, Mr. Bush said: "I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English. And they ought to learn to sing the anthem in English."
Mr. Bush was responding to a question following the release today of the Spanish-language version of the song called "Nuestro Himno" or "Our Anthem."
Adam Kidron, the British music producer who released the song, responded to Mr. Bush's comments by saying that it was not intended "to discourage immigrants from learning English and embracing American culture," according to The Associated Press. "We instead view `Nuestro Himno' as a song that affords those immigrants that have not yet learned the English language the opportunity to fully understand the character of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the American flag and the ideals of freedom that they represent. Mr. Bush also addressed one of the goals of Monday's demonstrations: a show of force by immigrants who hope to demonstrate their economic power by staying home from work and boycotting stores.
"I am not a supporter of boycotts," Mr. Bush said. "I am a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform."
Congress is currently wrangling over the question of how to deal with people who, though not legal residents of the country, provide vital labor in agriculture, construction and service industries.
The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would strengthen border security and make being in the country illegally a felony. The Senate has considered, but not yet adopted a milder approach, that would provide a path to citizenship for those who have been in the country the longest. Mr. Bush has said he prefers the Senate version.

[NawdleZouss]

I'm all for respecting the integrity of a musical piece, but I think translating it symbolizes the immigrant nature of the U.S.

[Sojiita]

Originally Posted by Sojiita

After saying he did not consider the anthem sung in Spanish to have the same value as the anthem sung in English, Mr. Bush said: "I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English. And they ought to learn to sing the anthem in English."

this is the part I find interesting

[PaintTheTownRed]

This is so ridiculous. Nuestro himno= our anthem. No it's not called our anthem it's called the National Anthem and our National language is English. The only way a country full of people from different races, cultures, religions and languages can live together in harmony is to have a common culture and language so we can communicate with eachother. BTW many hispanic-americans think this song is stupid and many other Americans find it insulting. With the raging debate about illegals, this stupid song isn't a great way to show that Mexicans love America!

[Aurora]

Originally Posted by NawdleZouss

I'm all for respecting the integrity of a musical piece, but I think translating it symbolizes the immigrant nature of the U.S.

Agreed.

[darksithbunny]

I say let them have it but you still have to learn English to live here. Sorry. That's just the way it is. Now if I moved to Mexico, then I damn well better learn Spanish. RIght?

How would it be if England started having a huge amount of say Koreans move in and demand they change God save the Queen and that the language be Korean? Same thing. They would tell them to bugger off.

[Grimmlok]

Don't hispanics outnumber english speaking european descent citizens?

Shouldn't you crackers be learning spanish?

[darksithbunny]

Do all of you guys speak French? African Americans speak English so the hispanics don't outnumber them AND the white crackers in total.

[PaintTheTownRed]

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

Don't hispanics outnumber english speaking european descent citizens?

Shouldn't you crackers be learning spanish?

No, hispanics don't outnumber everyone else. There are people from all over the world here. Also I know Spanish and I lived in South America, I had enough respect for those countries to learn the language and assimilate into their country. They should do the same here.

[A*O]

Originally Posted by PaintTheTownRed

This is so ridiculous. Nuestro himno= our anthem. No it's not called our anthem it's called the National Anthem and our National language is English. The only way a country full of people from different races, cultures, religions and languages can live together in harmony is to have a common culture and language so we can communicate with eachother.

Ditto.

[Grimmlok]

Yes, but what happens when they DO outnumber the english speakers..

[PaintTheTownRed]

Technically, the US is the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Hispanics will be the largest "minority"group in the US, but Spanish won't be the first language for most Hispanic-Americans. So the majority of Americans will never be Spanish speaking only. After 1 or 2 generations they will be speak English as a first language. Most of the kids speak English well, it's mostly the parents(usually of Mexican descent)who won't learn. It's great that they celebrate their heritage-we all do, but they need to respect the country they CHOSE to move to.

[dakodas]

Originally Posted by PaintTheTownRed

This is so ridiculous. Nuestro himno= our anthem. No it's not called our anthem it's called the National Anthem and our National language is English. The only way a country full of people from different races, cultures, religions and languages can live together in harmony is to have a common culture and language so we can communicate with eachother. BTW many hispanic-americans think this song is stupid and many other Americans find it insulting. With the raging debate about illegals, this stupid song isn't a great way to show that Mexicans love America!

I really question your use of the world culture and it does not seem you have considered countries like Switzerland that have three official languages. Nationalism, in all, is a rather scary thing.

[ralphycnan]

I really hate when people say things in a mean way about hispanics having their pride but everyone is entitled to their opinions. I'm a Mexican-American and I don't agree with the National Anthem being in spanish because this is a country in which english is the primary language. But if that makes them feel better I don't think it's really hurting anyone, plus it's not like it's an "official" version in spanish.

[PaintTheTownRed]

Originally Posted by dakodas

I really question your use of the world culture and it does not seem you have considered countries like Switzerland that have three official languages. Nationalism, in all, is a rather scary thing.

A person I know said it well:

"I am an immigrant , and English is my second language.
The important commonality I have with other Americans, that which allows me to enjoy, learn about and understand them and their original cultures, as well as Americans who have been here for generations, is ENGLISH.
Without a unifying language, this country will fragment. English is the glue that binds us into one nation.
My experience is that most immigrants themselves know the value of learning English as rapidly as possible. It is the key to the door of opportunity. It is usually naive, native English speakers who believe that this nation does not require a unifying language."

Also there are immigrants from all over the world here, should the average American be required to speak hundreds of languages?