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."
I feel exactly the same and I voted for him twice.
LOL! You always put it into perspective....:)
Moving along......
Sounds like a good tag line.
Hell... lets just all start speaking French! :\
Flip-flopping like Kerry.
Against a fence. For a fence. Against increasing border safety. Now for it. For now. At least til the bill gets to his desk.
Of that there is no doubt! Why Republicans want to join him in his moron-osity is what is mystifying!
PING!
"White House spokesman Tony Snow said Friday that President Bush supports both measures."
I also saw that report, that W supports both proposals. So what gives? Is the AG backstabbing the Pres?
you should use that for a tag line.
If this is true, Bush is ensuring the GOP defeat in November! Last conservative out please turn off the lights.
1000+ easily before bedtime tonight.
Cuum un tally voo, moan ameese?
I'm sorry, but our street and traffic signs are all written in English - how can you drive here if you can't read the signs? (oh wait - that explains it!)>>
Because traffic signs are an international standard, except for language.
And do what, forget about the country going to hell with a liberal at the helm?
Same here, and given the alternative i'd probably vote for him again if it were allowed...
I vote for Elfin.
Sadly, I took German in high school. Damn.
"Press 2 for English-Plus"
"English-Plus" makes me want to vomit.
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