Bus wants new people coming into the USA to learn English

[yogib37 3]

By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 5 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The White House took both sides in a dispute over English being the national language Friday as a broad immigration bill moved toward a final Senate vote next week with one conservative predicting it will never become law.

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Bush's support for the dueling sides doesn't stray from his long-held view on learning English, said White House press secretary Tony Snow.

"What the president has said all along is that he wants to make sure that people who become American citizens have a command of the English language," Snow said. "It's as simple as that."

The Senate on Thursday approved an amendment sponsored by Sen. James Inhofe (news, bio, voting record), R-Okla., that would declare English the national language. But it also approved an alternative proposal sponsored by Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., designating English the nation's "common and unifying language." Before the vote on the alternative, Inhofe warned his colleagues, "You can't have it both ways."

The White House seemed to. "We have supported both of these," Snow said of the two amendments.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, speaking Friday in Houston, added to the confusion.

"The president has never supported making English the national language," Gonzales said, adding, "I don't see the need to have legislation or a law that says English is going to be the national language."

As governor of Texas and a presidential candidate in 2000, Bush supported bilingual education programs. He sprinkles Spanish into his presidential speeches and has released political commercials in Spanish. But he also has said the national anthem should be sung in English.

The president plans to address immigration reform in his weekly radio address Saturday. He has generally favored a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and a guest worker program that would bring more foreigners to the U.S. to fill jobs. Both are central elements of the bill before the Senate.

Sen. Jeff Sessions (news, bio, voting record), R-Ala., an ardent opponent of the bill conceded Friday it is likely to pass next week. "The Senate should be ashamed of itself," he said. But he also predicted to reporters that it won't become law unless House and Senate negotiators rewrite it.

The adoption of Inhofe's amendment drew a heated protest Friday from Latinos.

John Trasvina, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said the amendment could be misinterpreted and lead to a cutback in services for those not proficient in English.

"Latinos don't need a law passed to say we ought to learn English. There are long waiting lists for adult English classes," Trasvina said. "It's false patriotism to pass an amendment to say you ought to learn English and not fulfill your responsibility of providing the opportunities."

New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici (news, bio, voting record), the only Republican to reject the Inhofe proposal, said the country should "move beyond the notion that English, and English only, will ensure the future of the United States."

[almaty 19]

pleasing the right wing of his part..whoring

[yogib37 3]

I feel if Bush wants them to learn English when they come in, that He Himself should take a English class himself.. Maybe he will understand it and he wont look like a jack ### up their when he makes a speach and wont be so much a butt of the jokes..

[almaty 19]

I feel if Bush wants them to learn English when they come in, that He Himself should take a English class himself.. Maybe he will understand it and he wont look like a jack ### up their when he makes a speach and wont be so much a butt of the jokes..

brother yogi, you are a right thinking type of guy

[luv2teach77 41]

Is that really such a bad thing ??

Honestly I don't see any problem with there being some expectation that after a certain amount of time, immigrants into ANY country should have a basic ability to communicate with the rest of the population in their common language.

How does an immigrant expect to be able to both contribute to their new country and communicate with their fellow citizens if they can't speak the language. I dont beleive that it should be an entry requirement but I do think that participation in English lessons or some kind of basic english test after being admitted would encourage people to embrace their new life in the US, rather than relying on friends and family to translate for them for the rest of their lives.

Obviously I'm an English speaker and so have no idea how hard learning English as an adult would be. However, I don't think it can be healthy to never learn to speak the language of the country you have decided to live in.

Just my 2 cents worth

Mark

[almaty 19]

Is that really such a bad thing ??

Honestly I don't see any problem with there being some expectation that after a certain amount of time, immigrants into ANY country should have a basic ability to communicate with the rest of the population in their common language.

How does an immigrant expect to be able to both contribute to their new country and communicate with their fellow citizens if they can't speak the language. I dont beleive that it should be an entry requirement but I do think that participation in English lessons or some kind of basic english test after being admitted would encourage people to embrace their new life in the US, rather than relying on friends and family to translate for them for the rest of their lives.

Obviously I'm an English speaker and so have no idea how hard learning English as an adult would be. However, I don't think it can be healthy to never learn to speak the language of the country you have decided to live in.

Just my 2 cents worth

Mark

in some areas of usa..english is not spoken much and the native language is used..parts of chicago..san francisco..and other areas..when i was in new mexico ..i have been to small towns that everyone soke spanish..this was awhile back so it may have changes...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This is an instance where Bush should simply allow the free market to operate. Fact is, English is the lingua franca of the business community in this country. Without it, you can only get so far. If you're willing to limit yourself and not learn English... I say it's your funeral, you should be welcome to dig your own hole in the ground. But if you're smart, you'll learn English. There need be no government interference in this matter at all.

[I'm Gone 60]

He also wants people to be able to spell his name. LOL

[Kez/JWolf 6]

He also wants people to be able to spell his name. LOL

perhaps Bus is a better desciption..... Large unfeeling vehical, that never runs to schedule and fails the people its ment to serve....

[almaty 19]

He also wants people to be able to spell his name. LOL

perhaps Bus is a better desciption..... Large unfeeling vehical, that never runs to schedule and fails the people its ment to serve....

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

This is an instance where Bush should simply allow the free market to operate. Fact is, English is the lingua franca of the business community in this country. Without it, you can only get so far. If you're willing to limit yourself and not learn English... I say it's your funeral, you should be welcome to dig your own hole in the ground. But if you're smart, you'll learn English. There need be no government interference in this matter at all.

otherwise you wind up isolated and self segregated due to the inability to communicate in english

[yogib37 3]

Is that really such a bad thing ??

Honestly I don't see any problem with there being some expectation that after a certain amount of time, immigrants into ANY country should have a basic ability to communicate with the rest of the population in their common language.

How does an immigrant expect to be able to both contribute to their new country and communicate with their fellow citizens if they can't speak the language. I dont beleive that it should be an entry requirement but I do think that participation in English lessons or some kind of basic english test after being admitted would encourage people to embrace their new life in the US, rather than relying on friends and family to translate for them for the rest of their lives.

Obviously I'm an English speaker and so have no idea how hard learning English as an adult would be. However, I don't think it can be healthy to never learn to speak the language of the country you have decided to live in.

Just my 2 cents worth

Mark

in some areas of usa..english is not spoken much and the native language is used..parts of chicago..san francisco..and other areas..when i was in new mexico ..i have been to small towns that everyone soke spanish..this was awhile back so it may have changes...

yes that is true. Look at miami.. try to find a english speaking person. You feel like your in a differnt country.

THey should be required to speak english. If you take a driving writen test, it should be in english and english only. if they can't read the test I sure dont want them on the road cause they will not be able to read the signs.. I dont see the road signs in Spainish,french,germen,chinese or japaness or what ever it may be.

Same with other things in the USA.. If I go to a differnt country that english in not the langage, should I expend their goverment to cater to me and have everything changed? I should learn their native tounge.

That is my opinon

Chow

yogi the retard bear

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

speaking spanish is a de facto requirement for working in the miami office of my company -- you can speak only english, but you will only go so far (seeing as its the headquarters for latin america). the same goes for speaking english, ohh, in eveyr other office around the world

Edited May 20, 2006 by robinklake

[Fandango 1,439]

speaking English in America...wow, what a concept!

Edited May 20, 2006 by LisaD

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

This is an instance where Bush should simply allow the free market to operate. Fact is, English is the lingua franca of the business community in this country. Without it, you can only get so far. If you're willing to limit yourself and not learn English... I say it's your funeral, you should be welcome to dig your own hole in the ground. But if you're smart, you'll learn English. There need be no government interference in this matter at all.

I totally agree.