[jwalsh07]

America HAS a common language...it's English, and nothing has ever changed that.

Well, we agree here although I might have changed tense from has to will.

Here's my question. How do do you enforce a common language?

You don't, you require immigrants to become proficient at some level before making them citizens. After that or if they choose not to become citizens, they can speak whatever language they please.

Are you willing to monitor people to assure ourselves that they are speaking the Federally mandated language?

You're strawman expired in the previous sentence Luis. But, good try!

The children of immigrants will strive to speak English because they do not wish to remain outsiders, and the American culture is too strong to be denied.

That has been my experience as a youth and a young man. I see evidence of that changing in the conclaves formally known as the melting pot of New York.

This is a subject that I happen to be an expert in. I lived it.

So did I Luis but not in the same sense. Two of my best friends when I grew up were named Marrero and Conde and neithers Madre's, who I adored, spoke English.

[Torie]

Should war heroes that did not speak English be denied citizenship after they met the requirements, including the expedited Bush requirements? Again it is a prudential issue in the end, although since the progency will be citizens in any event, this brouhaha seems to me to be rounding error over the longer term. Should Luis' parents be denied citizenship assuming they can't speak English? I don't think so.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Strawman? The comment that spurred the thread, and the majority of the posts, revolve around "speak English or leave"...simply saying "strawman" doesn't cut the mustard, you need to substantiate.

Your statement "After that or if they choose not to become citizens, they can speak whatever language they please." flies in the face of every other statement here...including Angelique's.