Posted on 05/19/2006 1:24:24 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
HOUSTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush has long opposed making English the country's national language, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said on Friday, the day after the Senate voted to do so.
The vote came in an amendment to proposed legislation overhauling U.S. immigration law and directed the government to "preserve and enhance" the role of English. Opponents said it could affect the status of some multilingual services offered by government organizations.
Adding to the confusion, the Senate also adopted a softer amendment calling English the "unifying language" of the United States. Senators take both versions into negotiations over a final bill with the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gonzales did not directly address Bush's position on the controversial amendment because the Senate has not yet voted on the whole bill. But he said that Bush has in the past rejected such efforts.
"The president has never supported making English the national language," Gonzales said after meeting with state and local officials in Texas to discuss cooperation on enforcement of immigration laws.
He said Bush has instead long supported a concept called "English-Plus," believing that it was good to be proficient in more than one language.
"English represents freedom in our country and anybody who wants to be successful in our country has a much better chance of doing so if they speak English," Gonzales said. "It is of course a common language."
But, Gonzales said, "I don't see the need to have laws or legislation that says English is the national language."
While visiting Arizona on Thursday to press his plan to send up to 6,000 National Guard troops to the Mexican border spoke of the need to unite Americans.
"We've got to honor the great American tradition of the melting pot," Bush said. "Americans are bound together by shared ideals and appreciation of our history, of respect for our flag and ability to speak the English language."
Intervening in a recent furor over a Spanish-language version of the national anthem released by Latin pop stars, Bush said that the "Star-Spangled Banner" should be sung in English.
The United States currently has no official language and the amendment was showing signs of further inflaming an already incendiary issue, with Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada calling it "racist."
Your reply was profound, but for some reason the phrase, "How could reality be more plain?", struck me as humorous this afternoon. But unquestionably that post was profoundly profound.
Those are apparently some conflicting statements by Snow and Gonzalez. The White House needs to get their position straightened out over the weekend and then stick to one position.
Why start now?
I'm starting to wonder if there hasn't been some kind of mind/body takeover that has happened 'under the radar'. Newt's a different person now than he was when he was SOTH and promoting the CWA. Bush has suddenly gone leftie. I wonder where they're holding the REAL Newt and Bush (and others). It's freaky weird.
(This is just a joke to change the subject from immigration for 5 seconds.)
Well, I think you're halfway there. Over 500 now.
I don't mean this in a sarcastic way, but how has Bush "suddenly gone lefty?" I think his positions have been fairly consistent throughout his presidency. It seems more like the perception of Bush by some people has changed.
Would you feel better about the country going to hell with a Republican at the Helm, because if you would, just open your eyes. It's right before you now!!
I cant wait for the end of this FAILURES presidency
Georgie doesn't care. He is setting things up for Hildy to slide in to "home" in 2008.
He is going to hand her the presidency just as dear old dad did for the bent one.
Well, a couple of things come to mind. For instance, Bush wanting to give the illegals amnesty (which all or most of the DemRats are for), Bush not wanting to make English the national language (which Harry 'I'm ugly and I know it' Reid is also against), and Bush not exactly chomping at the bit to close the borders and only sending a token effort re: guardsmen, even tho we on the right are supposedly concerned about terrorism. I could probably think of a few more odd twists (in my opinion) that Bush seems to have taken, but it's late and I've had a rough work week. Maybe later.
Rush is very discusted. He said he could understand the democrats standing for what they do but the republicans...Rush said the republicans know very well what their base wants yet they continue to do the opposite. "They're not just giving us the finger, folks. They're mooning us!"
If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, you may want to read some of my earlier posts and replies from people about possible MSM distortion of Bush's postion on this issue. In a nutshell, Bush probably supports English as a national language in principle, but opposes certain legislation because of the details and hidden "trojan horse" liberal amendments in specific legislation. Watch out for political staw men from the left.
I think what we're seeing is Bush's acknowlegement that he no longer has to worry about running again. He's in his 2nd and final term so, he's just going to do whatever he wants and to heck with the base and to heck with the House and Senate.
Yeah. I know very well how the mainscream media loves to paint Bush and how the DemRats love to pad bills with their Ratty stuff. I admit I've just read a few posts to get the gist. But I DID hear Rush rant about it today and the mooning comment was an understatement. I guess I'm just tired and weary of all the BS lately (not in a great mood tonite). It'll all look better in the morning. I'm almost certain!
"If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, you may want to read some of my earlier posts and replies from people about possible MSM distortion of Bush's postion on this issue. In a nutshell, Bush probably supports English as a national language in principle, but opposes certain legislation because of the details and hidden "trojan horse" liberal amendments in specific legislation. Watch out for political staw men from the left."
______________________________________________________________
U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services......NATURALIZATION
Welcome to the naturalization home page.
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The general requirements for administrative naturalization include:
a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;
residence in a particular USCIS District prior to filing;
an ability to read, write, and speak English;
a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;
good moral character;
attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution;
and, favorable disposition toward the United States.
________________________________________________________________________________
We should only print Ballots and Drivers license tests in English.
:)Easy Does It:)
YOU know of course it is currently required that before citizenship is granted the applicant must demonstrate an ability to read, write, and speak English; .
Do you think Immigrants should be expected to assimilate?
Why would they not want to do that if they want to be citizens?
If they do not want to be citizens, as far as I am concerned, they are foreigners and why they are here is suspect.
:)Easy Does It:)
Well if citizenship requires an ability to speak English, which is BS, because there are many citizens who don't speak English, in any sense that seems reasonable to me, so what? How does this current proposal change anything? My inquiry is the delta function? What is changed? Focus on how this proposal changes anything.
Maybe if they pass some legislation people will become aware of the requirements.
I think the ballots should be in English.
I think the drivers license test should be in English.
How about the assimilation?
How about the desire to be a citizen?
How about you?
:)Easy Does It:)
But that will be his legacy.
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