Bush Opposes Singing Anthem in Spanish
By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent
Fri Apr 28, 10:54 PM ET


WASHINGTON - President Bush said Friday the national anthem should be sung in English — not Spanish — in a blunt rejection of a new Spanish-language version. He also expressed opposition to a national work stoppage called for Monday to dramatize the importance of immigrants to the U.S. economy.

Bush made his comments at a Rose Garden news conference as a Spanish-language version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," hit the airways featuring artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon.

Called "Nuestro Himno" — "Our Anthem" — the Spanish version rewrites some of the English version. For instance, the second stanza says, "My people keep fighting. It's time to break the chains."

"I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English," Bush said.



What do you think?

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney

Well if it were my national anthem i'd want it sang in my language...

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the US does not have an "official language" and it's part of our proud heritage to be a melting pot of all kinds of nationalities. many languages are and have been spoken by our citizens.
that being said, i do believe that the nat'l anthem shoulnd't be messed around with. translating the song in different languages is one thing, but to change the lyrics, the rhythm and the title is another. imho, it's not our national anthem.

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I’m not sure if the work stoppage is going to have the desired effect or if it would be good for either side. I do agree with the president that any one who is becoming a citizen should learn our national anthem in the language of the land and I’d add our pledge of allegiance to that. I also do not believe ANYBODY has the authority to rewrite our national anthem OR our constitution ……………….. including him!

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IMHO the work stoppage will just alienate more people against the ILLEGAL immigrants and not help their cause. I have heard more and more legal immigrants talk agains the illegal immigrants actions. As for the National Anthem, do not change the words or it is no longer the National Anthem but an imatation or parity.

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Well said!I agree! Irish
P.S.I'm not against immigrants,just illegal immigrants!

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Irish---Better to be dead & cool,then alive & uncool!
(Harley Davidson & the Marlboro Man)

Also well said!

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My opinion is that it is a protest song not a spanish version of our national anthem. I of course have no problem with protest songs.

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Gentlefolk,

I wonder if the French would accept people signing the La Marseillaise in English as a sign of patriotism. I can see it now… nah... but the image is amusing.

This is a political statement.

Incidentally, there are already different versions of the Star Spangled Banner, including Gospel and Country. Many fans butcher it when it is played before the game starts. It survived Jimi Hendrix’s rendition in 1969. It will survive this trial.

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Eudaimonia

I see no problem with the national anthem haveing a Spanish-language version. The US is a country of many difernt cultures that are celebrated in many diferbt way. No one say anything about Polish days, October fest, tulip time, St. Patricks day or any other such celebration that people have to celebrate there heritage. But some how when someone who isn't of europen descent celebrates there heritage it unamerican.





There is nothing wrong with Jimi Hendrix's rendition of the national anthem. Just because he didn't play it note for note he played it with more feeling then most everyone else dose.

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whip me, beat me, tie me up, break my arm, but please don't break my heart

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid people are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt" -Bertrand Russell

I think the national anthem needs to refect the heritage and emotion of the people in the country, and Spanish-speaking Americans are quickly becoming a huge constituency in the US.

Since I do not speak Spanish...I cannot judge. But I have been told that some of the meaning has been changed in the new version. If that's true, then I tend to believe (like Lilith) that this is a protest song, not the Anthem.

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney

Booger,

I can't say that I agree with your positions.

If it is not too great a burden, would you be kind enough to explain how a Spanish rendition of the national anthem of the United States of America is a celebration of the heritage of Guatemalans, Hondurans, Mexicans, or Nicaraguans? Or perhaps you are suggesting that there are Polish, German, and Gaelic renditions of the Star Spangled Banner – and that these renditions have been well received?

I suspect that this version of the Star Spangled Banner is a political statement advanced to promote Latin(o/a) inclusion because Congress has failed to come up with useful immigration reform.

While the good Mr. Hendrix may have, in your estimation, “played it with more feeling then most everyone else dose [sic]”, I believe that his rendition is not one commonly played before the opening of popular events – baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse, etc. While the demonstrated preference for other versions may have many explanations, one likely one is that Mr. Hendrix’s rendition is usually considered inappropriate.

Should you be interested, you can follow this link for other occasions of the Star-Mangled Banner.

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Eudaimonia

As a foreigner, I look at this from outside the zone of emotion (this time).

Surely if they wish to sing the national anthem, a song revelling in the joys of being an American, then surely giving voice to your commitment to your country transcends language.

As far as not having an official language, try giving your tax return in Uzbek or answering a cross-examination in erse.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

I LOVE it! What a great idea.

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http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4269.pdf

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small...d=98970,00.html

__________________

The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas