It's Now Official! We Speak English!

It was announced today that President George W. Bush supports two Senate proposals that: 1) English is our national language and 2) English is our "common and unifying" language.

It was also announced today that French is the official language of France, that Italians speak, well, Italian, and that the world is round.

What does this bill do? Are we really that insecure with our "situation" here in the U.S.? Do we truly fear that Latinos are going to storm across our country and raid us like Anglos did to the Natives? Are we really that afraid? Considering the country is 70% Anglo? Give me a break. Only 10-15% of the population is Hispanic and what out of them are "illegal" and don't speak a lick of English? A minority. There you have it, a minority of a minority. Does this make us feel more secure, to not only teach English in school from the time we put a pacifier in our mouth until we graduate college, but to suddenly announce that English is our national language? Are we going to announce that automobiles are our official vehicle for the highways? That shoes are our official clothing item we use to walk around in? That sunglasses are our official product to protect our eyes on those sunny days? Pretty soon, Bush will announce that umbrellas are our official product to prevent us from becoming wet in rainy weather.

I'm sorry, but this is stupid. A person doesn't need to announce to the world that I'm a male for me to see that I'm a male. A person doesn't need to publish a best-selling book about my hair being brown for me to realize this. A president doesn't need to pass a bill announcing that our official language is English for me to see that for myself.

It's funny (in several ways) that Bush gave approval here, because, I imagine that even those who have a primary language other than English can speak the language better than he can. Bush should have a live debate with a Latino-American whose primary language is Spanish and I'll put money on the Latino that he speaks better English than Bush.

Link:
http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060518052609990015&ncid=NWS00010000000001