GOP Nominee
Former Candidates
I’ve seen Barack Obama complain to Iowan farmers, asking: “Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately and see what they charge for arugula?” I’ve seen him tell us “we can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times.” I’ve seen him say people in small towns in Pennsylvania and throughout the Midwest are “bitter” and “they cling to guns or religion” because of jobs lost in the region. And yet, I still find myself shaking my head in disbelief, amazed at just how out of touch and disconnected this man is, who claims to have been instilled with values “straight from the Kansas heartland”, from the nation he wants to be president of, after reading what he said this morning, while taking questions from an audience in Powder Springs, Georgia.
Obama was asked whether there was anything he could do to prevent teenagers from dropping out before graduating from high school, and if he thought “there should be a push more for our citizens to become bilingual here in America.”
Obama encouraged states to set their own limits to require students to stay in high school up until a certain age. Then he said he understood the problems teenagers face when looking for jobs without a high school diploma.
“You can’t find a job unless you are a really, really good basketball player, which most of you brothers are not. I know you think you are, but you’re not. You are overrated in your mind. You will not play in the NBA. You are probably not that good a rapper. Maybe you are the next Lil Wayne, but probably not, in which case you need to stay in school.”
Obama then turned to the question of bilingualism. (Watch Video)
“We live in a global economy. And, you know, I don’t understand when people are going around worrying about, “We need to have English- only.” They want to pass a law, “We want English-only.”
Now, I agree that immigrants should learn English. I agree with that. But understand this. 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.
You know, it’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe, and all we can say [is], “Merci beaucoup.” Right?
You know, no, I’m serious about this. We should understand that our young people, if you have a foreign language, that is a powerful tool to get a job. You are so much more employable. You can be part of international business. So we should be emphasizing foreign languages in our schools from an early age, because children will actually learn a foreign language easier when they’re 5, or 6, or 7 than when they’re 46, like me.
Update: Rasmussen Reports - Voters Reject Obama’s call for Bilingualism
July 8th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Senator Obama, the international language of Business in english.
Okay, now I am scared.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
is*
July 8th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Obama is “embarrass[ed]” by Americans who speak one language?
July 8th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Encouraging kids to get an education … what an idiot!
The attitude of ‘i speak English and everyone else wants to speak me will learn it’ is what made this country great and what will keep it great!
Sådana snak är presis vad är fel med Rublicanpartiet.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Take a look at this…..would this not be crazy?
http://politicker.com/kerry-silent-whether-he-submitted-vp-vetting
July 8th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
The difference is that knowing other languages, for Europeans, borders on a necessity. They learn English because it is a lingua franca.
The need for Americans to know French is rather limited. Only 50 million people or so speak French. English is a universal language of business and communication. The language most useful for Americans to learn is probably Spanish.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
#6, Je parle français parisien et il n’a pas été utile, autre que m’aider pour commander la nourriture à Montréal, à Paris ou à Grenoble. Je sens peu éclairé, mais le sénateur Obama est un idiot.
Alex, pour des Américains, je recommanderais de me pencher Hindi ou Cantonais, non espagnol.
Hey, I was able to use my French! Thank you Senator Obama.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
So… what foreign languages does Obama speak? Arabic?
July 8th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
#8, Actually Obama does. This was a major international story, but the US media ignored it. In fact for some reason, you could not find it in Google News? I honestly do not care, but if Obama used to pray and read the Qur’an (Arabic), what is the issue?
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1204546440616
July 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Sorry, link would not through, deleted by Google.
“The Jerusalem Post reported on June 12 that “Barack Obama’s half brother Malik said Thursday that if elected his brother will be a good president for the Jewish people, despite his Muslim background.”
July 8th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
#10:
Well that should put an end to all the rumours of “Obama’s secret Muslim past”
July 8th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Malik Obama says Israel shouldn’t worry about Barack’s Muslim “connection”
July 8th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I don’t see the issue with Obama’s comments. He’s basically saying that young people should get an education and that foreign language skills are useful because they’re powerful employment tools. How are these things at all controversial?
July 8th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
He said he was embarrassed that Americans can’t speak European languages. English is the language of business in the world today, so it seems pretty optional to me, and certainly nothing for him to be embarassed about.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
If he had said that it was embarrassing that American children were doing so poorly on science and math testing, that wouldn’t be controversial. Why should this be any different?
And just because English is something of an international language is no excuse; foreign language still remains an important skill.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
As a college student who’s majoring in linguistics, I just would like to say that conservatives’ reactionary attitude towards bilingualism (and the Spanish language) is ignorant and xenophobic. There are *soooooo* many things to attack Obama for having said; this is not one of them.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
My issue is not his “embarassed” comment, it is that he is wrong, dead wrong on, well let me translate my comment en francais.
- “that is a powerful tool to get a job”, no it is not, English is the international language of business.
- “Spanish”, wrong again, if I had young children, they would be learning Hindi and Cantonese. Essentailly (along with Arabic and English), these are the growing languages around the world. The “other” European languages are dying. Go to Germany or The Netherlands. All the kids are speaking english, and with the internet, this will grow more rapidly.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Seth,
I mostly agree. I’m against bi-lingual education for immigrants, because I think English ought to be the primary language of every American, but I see nothing wrong with pointing out that our lack of proficiency with languages does us no credit. But, Spanish isn’t the answer; logCabin is right. Cantonese and Arabic are the languages that Americans ought to be learning; I’ve been putting off learning Arabic myself, mostly because I’m not skilled at foreign languages, and one without the traditional alphabet seems frightening. But, I’ll get around to beginning in earnest within the next year, because it is important.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Middle Snu,
I think it goes without saying that it’s beneficial to be fluent in as many languages as possible, but you shouldn’t pander to Hispanics with whom you struggled in the primaries by telling Americans “you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish.”
What percentage of English-speaking Americans would you say are embarrassed by their inability to speak with a tourist from France or Germany in their native tongue, when they’re visiting the US? What percentage of Americans have travelled to a non-English speaking European country, and were ashamed that they were unable to converse in French or German? My guess to both questions wouldn’t exceed five percent of the electorate.
Now, let’s look at some data to measure the sentiment in America in contrast with the views of Obama.
English language legislation gathers steam across the USA
June 19, 2008
English as an official language has gained momentum as proponents keep going to the ballot box with measures that discourage bilingual ballots, notices and documents.
Thirty states now have laws specifying that official government communications be in English, says U.S. English, a group that promotes the laws. This year such bills are under consideration in 19 legislatures
Typically the proposed laws require that documents, ballots and other communications be published in English. Exempt are communications to protect public health and safety or efforts to promote tourism.
This year:
•In May, the Ohio House of Representatives approved a bill making English the state’s official language. It is now before the state Senate.
•In April, the Oklahoma House passed a bill requiring the majority of state business to be conducted in English. It is before the Senate.
•Missouri will decide this fall on an amendment to the constitution requiring English for “all official proceedings.”
Rasmussen poll (11/19-20, 2007)
Should a company be allowed to require that employees speak English?
Yes 77%
No 14%
Should English be the official Language of the U.S.?
Yes 84%
No 11%
Should election ballots and other official government documents should be printed in English only, or in both English and Spanish?
English only 59%
English and Spanish 35%
CNN poll (10/12-14, 2007)
“Do you think people who cannot read or write English should be permitted to vote, or not?”
Permitted 45%
Not permitted 55%
CNN poll (6/8-11, 2007)
I would like to get your reaction to a part of a possible new immigration bill. Please tell me whether you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the following part of this bill. . . .”
“All immigrants who apply to be U.S. citizens would be required to learn English.”
Strongly favor 73%
Somewhat favor 16%
Somewhat oppose 6%
Strongly oppose 4%
July 9th, 2008 at 12:07 am
I can picture Aron in a bunker on the island of Nevis, with several tv’s (each with a news channel on 24/7) mounted on the walls surrounding his swivel chair, in addition, cables from satellite dishes are running down the walls to a server that connects to 12 pc’s. On each of these pc’s, Aron has employed Romney’s former illegal alien gardeners to conduct keyword searches at his behest.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:27 am
What timing…
French Most Obnoxious European Tourists, Survey Finds
Kristofer,
That’s some funny shit!
July 9th, 2008 at 12:46 am
Hey Senator Obama,
Here is what happens to countries that “fool” around with liberalizing language laws;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUKorhH5CFA&feature=related
July 9th, 2008 at 1:13 am
On eBay I was able to get my hands on some of the Race42008 hosts working Aron’s bunker. (after this, my silly time is over).
Aron
http://bp1.blogger.com/_XK0UjjBelYQ/RbS5jzg42TI/AAAAAAAAAB4/VnU4ktcig3M/s1600-h/225px-ErnstStavroBlofeld.jpg
Alex
http://codeshack.com/2002Photos/20020314-Harry5OnTheComputer.JPG
Jason
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/01SSeL5gpr7D7/610x.jpg
Doug
http://blogs.amctv.com/scifi-scanner/wargames560.jpg
July 9th, 2008 at 3:36 am
I have a problem with Mexican immigrants not learning English, but I see nothing wrong with stressing a foreign language early in schools. Certainly the presence of mandatory Spanish would necessitate the Spanish kids having an English class early, too.
I think.
Whatever. I speak some Spanish, I like it, I’d like to know more. My in-laws are all Cubans, most of whom speak perfect English. While I want to keep our cultural heritage (and we will), I think the English-only thing is overstressed.
The real danger of Mexican immigrants not learning English is the creation of a permanent underclass for those who can’t speak English.
July 9th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Kristofer: The link you provided does not say that Obama used to pray in Arabic or read the Quran.
A quick Google search indicates that Obama claims to speak some Indonesian and some Spanish. I don’t know what his fluency levels are in those languages, though.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:10 am
#25 Joshua, the link to the full J-Post article is gone. It had more details. I have nothing to back my claim up anymore. Sorry.
July 9th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Convención Nacional Republicana 2008 Amplia Alcance a Los Hispanos
July 9th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
MENSAJE DE LA PRESIDENTA Y DIRECTORA EJECUTIVA DE LA CONVENCIÓN MARIA CINO
July 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Haw haw just let the novice keep talkin’
July 9th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Just Obama doing his version of pandering to secure the minority vote.
I speak English and I learned Portuguese. Does it improve my life? No. Am I happy I learned another language? Yes. Should every American be embarrassed that they are not bi-lingual? No. Should Americans consider learning another language? If they want to learn another language go ahead. It could open a door for that person in their life as no one really knows unless they go for it.
Do I want this country to become Europe? Guess that is why I will not be voting Obama.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
[...] http://race42008.com/2008/07/08/obama-a-gringos-y-los-hermanos-%C2%A1si-se-puede/ [...]
July 10th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Personally, I think no child should graduate from school knowing only one language. In a number of districts in this country, you have to take at least a few years of another language to graduate. I don’t think we ought to promote any one second language but some obviously are more important than others. Spanish, Mandarin are no brainers, French, Japanese, Arabic, Russian, Hindi are pretty important too. Dont count out German, Farsi/Persian, Italian, Portugese or Swahili either.