Obama to American parents: 'You need to make sure your child can speak Spanish'
The Democratic Party presidential hopeful says we have to stop clinging to English as our language.
The controversy continues over Sen. Barack Obama's recent comments that Americans should learn to speak a foreign language, preferably Spanish.
This is what Obama said Tuesday in Powder Springs, Ga., as reported by The Associated Press:
"I agree that immigrants should learn English. But instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English — they'll learn English — you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish. You should be thinking about how can your child become bilingual. We should have every child speaking more than one language."
Obama's comments brought condemnation from English First Executive Director Jim Boulet Jr.:
"What next, Senator? Will you be saying that too many Americans are bitterly clinging to our English language? Why does it seem you are always looking down your nose at the rest of us? "It is one thing to dislike America. It is another thing altogether to dislike America while seeking America's highest office."
"Following the hard lessons of New York Governor Elliot Spitzer's failed attempt to give licenses to illegal aliens and John McCain's close call with political destruction for supporting Comprehensive Immigration Reform Amnesty in 2007, Barack Obama has stepped on a political land mine by stating Americans should be forced to learn to speak Spanish."
There's an online petition at English First to tell Sen. Barack Obama that he's wrong about forcing American children to speak Spanish.
Tony Phyrillas is a leading conservative political columnist and blogger based in Pennsylvania. He is a veteran journalist with 25 years experience as a reporter, editor and columnist for several newspapers. Phyrillas received recognition for column writing in 2010 from the Associated Press Managing Editors, in 2007 from Suburban Newspapers of America and in 2006 from the Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter. A graduate of Penn State University, Phyrillas is the city editor and political columnist for The Mercury, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper in Pottstown, Pa. In addition to The Mercury website (www.pottsmerc.com), his columns are featured on more than a dozen political websites and blogs. Phyrillas is a frequent guest (and occasional host) on talk radio and has been a panelist on the "Journalists Roundtable" public affairs TV program on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). Phyrillas was named one of the '10 Leading Greek-American Bloggers in the World' in 2007 by Odyssey: The World of Greece magazine. BlogNetNews.com ranked Phyrillas the Most Influential Political Blogger in Pennsylvania for three consecutive years (2007-2010). You can follow Phyrillas on Twitter @TonyPhyrillas
Cover
•
Commentary
•
Books & Reviews
•
Climate Change
•
Site Links
•
Feedback
