Here is a letter to the editor that appeared in my local paper today. I thought I'd share it with you guys. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Editor,

This letter is in response to our national anthem ("The Star-Spangled Banner") being written in Spanish. This is appalling. I can't believe this was allowed to be done. Our ancestors came to this country from many different countries and they did not rewrite our anthem in their languages. They were proud to be here and worked very hard to survive; there were no access cards for them. Illegal immigrants should not have any rights in the good old U.S.A. As for their protest on Monday, May 1:

• Not going to work for an illegal excuse should have them terminated.
• Why would they spend money? It's called an "Access Card!"
• Marching in the streets is disturbing and disrupting the peace.

Well, at least this will be one day we will be able to leave our home and be safe. The Hispanics that are in our country are trying to turn it into the country they came from. If they love their country so much, then why are they here? My father died for his country in World War II. I love my country and I do not want my national anthem in any language but English. After all, this is the United States of America - but I'm sure the Hispanics will want to change that name too.

Samuel Huntington, anyone?

I recommend reading his "Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity". I haven't been able to find an unbiased review for you to read.

Well if Huntington says so..... I have adjusted my opinion about his other book, so I am more weary to say he is incorrect.

But regarding the anthem. Hispanics must realize that the American love to speak english just as much as they do Spanish. Only they have moved to an English-speaking country, so it 's up to them to change!

Originally Posted by Ted

But regarding the anthem. Hispanics must realize that the American love to speak english just as much as they do Spanish. Only they have moved to an English-speaking country, so it 's up to them to change!

You'd be hard pressed to find a majority of Americans that "love to speak Spanish." Not that the language isn't as good as the rest of the romance languages, but when it is forced on you as it has been on us, it is kind of a turn off.

It used to be that you had to have some command of the English language before you were allowed citizenship, now even that is lax thanks in part to the Clinton administration. You can now take the citizenship test in Spanish. And all of those history questions that used to be on it? No more.

I believe everyone should have a second language, but I don't think it should have to be Spanish. Americans are being denied some jobs now because Spanish is a requirement and this shouldn't be the case when dealing with domestic customers.

It has become my principle not to address anyone within the borders of the United States who addresses me in a foreign language without first trying English. The arrogance in that is enough to turn me off. It is akin to some of the "Ugly Americans" visiting a foreign country and not bothering to take the time to learn at least basic greetings, phrases and questions. I have found that in ANY language, learning "Hello," "please," "thank you," etc is pretty easy to do.

These people are doing nothing but alienating themselves from the American people. They can call us racist, mean, et al, but the fact remains: this is OUR country, OUR rules. They have no right to come here and attempt to assimilate us, disrespect our way of life, our history and culture and then tell us we're wrong.

What we need to do is officially declare English the official language of the United States. It already is, so there is no reason not to have it on paper. We also need to bring back the old requirements for citizenship. If you don't have basic knowledge of the English language (enough to continue to build upon on your own or through instruction), you can't take the test. The test also needs to be revamped and it needs to include the questions of old.

I am afraid we are victims of our own complacency.


If anyone is interested, read: Americans No More: The Death of Citizenship by Georgie Anne Geyer.

Loose immigration rules and loose integration standards are the quickest way to racism.

The Italians came here, they learned English.
The Germans came here, they learned English.
The Polish came here, they learned English.
The Japanese came here, they learned English.
The Dutch came here, they learned English.
The Chinese came here, they learned English.
Why can't the Hispanics?

Originally Posted by The Cooler King

Why can't the Hispanics?

Because they're maaaany more people than those were.

Originally Posted by The Cooler King

The Italians came here, they learned English.
The Germans came here, they learned English.
The Polish came here, they learned English.
The Japanese came here, they learned English.
The Dutch came here, they learned English.
The Chinese came here, they learned English.
Why can't the Hispanics?

i like that. i like that a lot.

Cooler King.
What he said.

Originally Posted by Italian Guy

Because they're maaaany more people than those were.

Not true. Way back when, most of the United States immigrants were from Europe. If you could find statistics on it, for the past 100 years, I'll bet Europeans outnumber Mexicans in immigration to the US. Funny thing about that? Most of them did it legally.