enter one furious journalist

[chanter1944]

How dare they?

I've just heard via the BBC that the US Congress is attempting to pass a legislation amending the constitution so that English would become the official language of the United States.

What the *colorful phrases in several languages* do they think they're doing? The answer would probably be some long-winded speech heavy on the rhetoric and involving words like "fitting in" and "should be thankful", unless I miss my guess... or my more than slightly satirical view of the right wing.

Have they not taken one nanosecond to realize that this proposal flies in the face of everything from the Civil Rights Act to the concept of the open, nonjudgmental society we're supposedly promoting around the world? Emphasis on supposedly. And don't even get me started on the imposition of an official language inflaming tensions between social groups, to say nothing of international relations.

This makes the idea of our promoting democracy here there and everywhere that much more laughable... granted that isn't hard to do to begin with. So it's another case of do as I say, not as I do, is it? God, what am I still doing in this bloody country?

and this coming down from a right-leaning Congress lead by a president who can barely master his choice for "official" languages. Nucular indeed.

Todos los ciudadanos educados y creen que los libertidades civiles y derechos humanos deben continuar, levantanse y hacen los politicos oirlos!

Take *that* to your capital hill and smoke it.

Comments

[meiling196.livejournal.com]

Oh that is sad. That is very very sad. Especially coming after this big controversy over illegal immigrants... Not to mention all the other dumb things Bush does. I want a new president.

You should email the white house and mention Bush should try mastering his choice for an official language though.

[kitrona.livejournal.com]

At least I know that, somewhere in Wisconsin, there is someone who agrees with my political views.

This is flat-out STUPID, and I haven't the slightest doubt that they hatched this "wonderous plan" because of the immigrant issue. Sure, encourage people to learn English, require it to immigrate, even, but official language? Does that mean people who speak another language in their own homes (because we know the government likes to push themselves even into the bedroom) are punishable by law? What if someone /doesn't/ speak English, but they're trying, by taking classes or such? Is THAT punishable by law?

This is so stupid. There are so many other issues that need attention, and they're wasting their time on THIS??

I call for a march on Washington! Er. Somethin'. Considering that I'm entirely sure that... no, actually, I'm not. I was going to say that I was sure our representative would vote against it, but Indianapolis used to be a big KKK headquarters, and much as I want to secede from Indiana and attach our county to Illinois, it won't happen. Unfortunately, we seem to be the only county that has more than about 5 Latinos, so they're not exactly visible to the rest of the state. (I actually like the Latinos that live near us... don't know much about the others, but these guys seem hard-working, and they're mostly quiet, except fo the circus music they play. Even that's better than rap, though.)

Sorry for the rant. :)

[spunbutterfly.livejournal.com]

Just, FYI, this is not the first time someone has tried to make English the official language. It was done at least once that I recall during President Clinton's terms.

There's also the difference of Congress wanting to pass this legislation and President Bush fueling it, are you guys positive it's Bush pushing it forward, especially given his homestate of Texas is one of the 23 states that have NOT enacted an official English law in their state constitution? There are 27 states that have, including California, and as one of your comments stated, their state (Indiana) and Illinois both have enacted official English legislation.

Y'know, I'm all for Bush bashing because he's not a very good president, but it's good to know some of the story before bashing.

[swami-bob.livejournal.com]

Well, let me put it to you this way.

When I'm at the DMV, they have TRANSLATORS to take their tests because they can't read the street signs and frnakly that scares me. They have tests in multiple languages. People who do not speak English well do not progress in society.

Making English the official language makes sense to me. Beaureaucratic expenses will be reduced and the playing field will be just a bit more level.

Also, let me put it to you this way, since you liked to say something in Spanish, do you think Mexico has dual language forms? I can tell you for a fact they don't (at least as of the last time I was in Mexico). If you were to move to France do you think they would provide you with dual language forms? No, you have to learn French.

And for the comment about being unable to speak their native language in their own homes, well, at the risk of being offensive, that's stupid and alarmist.

But then again, I wouldn't expect anyone who has such blind hatred for Bush and Congress to step back and actually look at this objectively.

As for me, I'm all for it.

[morcath.livejournal.com]

Take a deep breath. Making English the official language of the United States is not the first step toward the jackbooted Thought Police reading your mind. It simply makes it possible for everyone to know what to expect from government offices, and encourages newcomers to learn the language of the government that runs things.

Canada (where I live) has two official languages. It's a pain to have two. I wish we only had English.

[goldenlily.livejournal.com]

Ahem.

It's not English. It's American. :)

*duck*

Besides, I happen to agree it's a good level playing field, though I think it should be for everything outside the home. What happens in the home is your own business.

I'm a scientist. The official language of Science is English. I'm also from a country that's in danger of being consumed by the EU and be a homogenous mix. My parents are also moving to France. No one speaks English, everything is in French, and as such, even though it's part of the EU they are taking French lessons (including my father who has no tongue for languages).

I think there's room for individual identity within a common goal.

[chanter1944]

Holy crud crunchies. All this for a furious post made at one in the morning. Yes, I'm still steamed over the idea, but... wow, I didn't expect it to spark this sort of a flurry.

*reads through all the lively debate* ooh, lots to think about, certainly. My reaction stands, but I have loads to think over now. And *blushes* I suppose I should have done a little more research there... would have if I wasn't jolted out of half-asleep contentment by that story coming over the radio.