By zeke

March 8, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

English ONLY in the USA! An official language is needed to retain the character and culture that has been the US for more than 200 years! Anyone that desires to be here needs to learn the language! NO EXCEPTIONS! Unless the liberal socialist have changed the rules, you must be able to read and speak English to become a citizen!

By Dick

March 8, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

I disagree with our students taking foreign langauges until they can speak correct English grammar. As to English being the official language of America, You bet!!!!! Don’t like it? Go back home

By Carl

March 8, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

If they want to live in this country, they first need to become legal. Yes, they are less of a citizen if they don’t speak English. If they don’t like it, they can go back to their own 3rd world country and continue to live like pigs. Their choice, learn English or get out. I think Mr. King still wets the bed.

By GTJohn

March 8, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this

If you realized what it cost in our tax dollars to support multi-lingual, you would be for English as the official language also.

By no mas

March 8, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

English isn’t even the official language of this blog.

By Jen

March 8, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

When we start having lawsuits because the person that signed the contract says they shouldn’t be held to it because they didn’t understand the contract well enough to sign it, then what?

Having English as the official language will prevent those types of lawsuits.

And guess what? Know what the official languages of Mexico and France are? Take a guess - not English. Check out your favorite country and see what is their offical language.

Having English as our official language will protect the citizens of our country.

By Michael H. Smith

March 8, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Oh I’d say there are a couple of problems. One the illegal alien proponent grandstanders’ seem never to have any objections to Spanish being the official language of Mexico and the Mexican government requiring all official documents be submitted in Spanish – like articles of incorporation. Illegal immigration supporters find no racism in that, they find no bigotry there, no xenophobia either. Seems Salsa and Sauce apply differently depending upon the bird we are talking about, or rather basting? And then there is always this willful intent by Op Ed writers to confuse the subject of illegal immigration and legal immigration by simply referring to immigration or immigrates as if all were one and the same.

Of course there is a problem when ‘legal immigrants’ become citizens without learning English. In doing so they choose to disenfranchise themselves from this country; yes all men are created equal, however, the declaration did not proclaim that “all languages are created equal by their creators” and obviously those writing that document chose to show their prejudice in English. Though unfortunately we citizens do have somewhat of a conundrum present in the 14th amendment under any person equality without just cause: There legal immigrants, except where the constitution specially says a privilege is exclusive to the citizen, all things otherwise pertain equally to the legal immigrants.

It is more than simple fairness. It is the constitution and what our immigration policy under Article one Section eight Clause four intends. Nothing should be lost in that translation: Every ‘legal immigrant’ shall be treated as one of us.

Any ‘illegal immigrants’ warrant deportation on grounds of just cause equality - deportation notice to be translated into their language of prejudice.

By Bill

March 8, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

Isn’t English the “Universal/International Official Language??”

By Borat

March 8, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Yo creo lo que pasa es que los gringos no nos quieren aqui. por que?

By Fall Line

March 8, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Si, es verdad.

By Crazy Prof

March 8, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

I am for translating official government notices into languages other than English but if and only if the AJC starts publishing its editorials in those languages. Fat chance that will happen. It is not financially justifiable for the AJC to do so – so it will never happen. Same for government notices – who is to say how many and who’s language would merit translation. It would be a financial nightmare. There is a certain risk that you take when you elect to live or even travel in a country and not become proficient in the language of that country. Take it or go (stay) home.

By steve

March 8, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

So what are we to do if someone complains that official notice isn’t in his native language? As John Wayne would have said, “Why in the hell should I have to press 1 to speak english” ? A multi language, multi cultural country cannon exist… If these people in our country want to live here then why in the hell don’t they take the time to learn the language? If after three years someone cannot converse in our language then Delta is ready to take them home…

By Al

March 8, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Who cares?

By Jason

March 9, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

I am sick you GD grandstanding conservatives. Most small business owners and corporations that hire undocumented workers are closely aligned with the GOP. Most of the exurban houses bought by conservatives are built by these workers. If you really get down to it you don’t like them because their different than you.(BTW I am white and a native Georgia) You’ll probably respond to this with the typical fringe answer that your not anti-immigrant blah blah your anti-illegal-immigrant. If all of these workers were legal you all would still be b*** about them and you would pass grandstanding anti-hispanic legislation just the same. Admit it you all don’t like them because their diffent.

By Bill Wright II

March 9, 2007 2:19 AM | Link to this

Yes! we need an offical language.English. What needs to be done is all the lawyer wording needs to be required to be put in everyday language. Heck, most long time Americans don’t fully understand the garbage english the Goverment puts out, State, Local, Federal etc etc.

By Pops from Dunwoody

March 9, 2007 6:32 AM | Link to this

May I make a suggestion to all you racists gringo’s who are whining about someone not learning your fractured English; In about roughly 50 years, you all will be learning Spanish instead of English as a first language! Why? Because you’ll be in second place in the population race for control, with Latin Americans first and white racists gringo’s in second place!Then the shoe will be on the other foot and your sweet obnoxious,little grandchildren will be screwed! But they can thank their racists grandparents for their problems!By the way, I’m a white 60 year old, Disabled Vet, ashamed of my leaders and my Country!

By Bob

March 9, 2007 7:16 AM | Link to this

If Latin Americans take control of our country as they have already taken control of many cities, it is OUR fault for not acting. Something should have been done to slow down the invasion long ago.

By RW-(the Original)

March 9, 2007 7:34 AM | Link to this

I go to Mexico, and I have to learn the language to function there. I go to France, I have to learn the language to function there. By God, you come here to live, you should have to learn the language. Assimilate or get the hell out of MY country.

By RW

March 9, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this

Jason, Get your head out of your #ss. State your evidence. What? You don’t have any? You are just stereotyping? Jeeezus, you’re a moron.

By fernando

March 9, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this

people that wrote down here is because they speak only one language and they are lazy to learn other language. En europa la gente habla hasta 3 idiomas aqui en Atlanta solo uno almenos yo hablo espanol mas mitad ingles , que verguenza. If you don’t unederstand this wauuu

By fernando

March 9, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this

people that comment or wrote down here is because they speak only one language and they are lazy to learn other language, en europa la gente habla hasta 3 idiomas . if you don’t understand please don’t be lazy and learn other lenguage

By Peter Hoover

March 9, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this

HEY JASON….YOU’RE A MORON….HEY FERNANDO…IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T FIGURED IT OUT, THIS IS THE UNITED STATES, NOT EUROPE. IN THIS COUNTRY, ENGLISH IS THE LANGUAGE OF OPPORTUNITY, AND IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, LEAVE THIS COUNTRY. AND DON’T GO AROUND CALLING YOUR HOSTS LAZY. OH YES, THAT WILL GARNER YOU A LOT OF POINTS. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF IMMINGRANTS HAVING EVERY EXCUSE IN THE BOOK NOT TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF OUR LAND…OFFICIAL OR NOT. I TRAVEL EXTENSIVELY, AND I SPEAK SPANISH…WHEN I AM IN PERU, DOMICAN REPUBLIC AND OTHER SPANISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES. AND THEY ARE SPANISH SPEAKING THERE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. BUT HERE…IN AMERICA…IT’S ENGLISH. LEARN THE LANGUAGE, IMMIGRANTS!

By CJ

March 9, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

Yes, we need an official language. It is no surprise to anyone who has ever immigrated to the USA that English is the primary language spoken here. Now, had English come about overnight I would understand the hesitation, but it hasn’t. Think about all of the Americans who have already completed school and are either working or retired. They do not have time to go back to school and try to learn Spanish or some other language. They were educated in government schools to learn English, so it is a slap in the face to force them to accommodate another language!!!

By AM

March 9, 2007 8:09 AM | Link to this

The English language is what binds us together. It has been this way since the beginning of our country. It makes legal immigrants melt into our society and become Americans. For the illegals they don’t need to learn English - they need to be deported and learn to follow the law. Why would we even discuss this. 80% of legal Amercians don’t want our country changed for the illegal invaders! If I wanted to learn spanish I would move to Mexico!! And yes I can Speak German - however I live in the USA where we speak English!!

By Cruzin

March 9, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this

When my grandparent’s came to America, they learned the language, learned the customs, became citizens, and were proud to be American’s. When you let every cultural group in, and allow for multiple languages, you dilute American culture, and you create a financial nightmare trying to be multi-lingual. See how difficult it in Quebec Canada.

By blacksheep

March 9, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

Nobody really wants the immigrants to go away. It’s about cheap labor, people. Water runs downhill, employers seek cheap labor. Laws such as these serve only to harass the vulnerable and keep them in their place.

By Mark

March 9, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Lighten up. Learn the language if you decide to become a naturalized citizen.

By Political Mongrel

March 9, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

When immigrants come here, it’s generally the older ones who have trouble learning a new language. Their children learn fairly quickly and usually sound like natives of the USA within a few years. Their children usually grow up bilingual sounding like a native in both. Concentrate language assistance courses on the adults, and the problem will take care of itself in a few years. It’s not going to be a permanent divide any more than it was when floods of Italian, Russian, Asian, or Swedish immigrants came here.

By Philip

March 9, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

I think it would be best if we focus on everyone learning english appropriately who currently claim to be native speakers. Also, our interest in newcomers learning to speak english is contradited by our efforts to assist them in learning the new language.

By ben

March 9, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Why don’t all of you die-hard conservatives let the free market decide this? If a company or employee is unable to communicate with the market, then they’d fail. If the don’t fail, then obviously the market requires it.

By ddukes

March 9, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

I think the Ga. Legislature ought to issue an apology to the black community for slavery in spanish.

By MA

March 9, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Belgium has TWO official languages — French and German. Switzerland has THREE - German, French, and Italian. And in both those countries the children are taught English as a foreign language. Is it just that the citizens of those countries are so much smarter than we are? Maybe learning languages is what makes their kids smarter than ours.

By Frank

March 9, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Um, well if I were to move to the liberal utopia that is France and tried to get citizenship, do you think they would issue the citizenship test in English? No. Do they spend rampant amounts of money trying to be conciliatory to immigrants who don’t speak French? No, they tell you to learn French or begone.

So why do liberals in this country have such a problem with encouraging people to learn the lingua franca (as it were)?

By Ernie

March 9, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Sinple solution for the problem the article poses for the innocent. It puts the burden of getting a translator on them instead of the goverment having to do it for them. All it does is shift the responsibility over to the “innocent” as they call them. Its suprising that our unoffical language of English wasn’t made official a century or more ago.

By Ernie

March 9, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

ddukes said: “think the Ga. Legislature ought to issue an apology to the black community for slavery in spanish.”

Actually, when the Spanish settled on the Georgia coast in the 1500s they enslaved some of the native population. So your comment may really be appropriate for those descendants.

By Renap

March 9, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

I work for a large global company. When I call one of our offices in other countries they answer the phone in their language and then when they hear me speak in English they speak to me in English. This happens in offices in Mexico, Thailand, Netherlands, France, and all over. We are so determined to make everyone here speak English that we don’t realize how we are missing out for ourselves and especially our children. Why don’t we find a way to start teaching our kids not just one other language besides English, but several other languages? That’s how it is in other countries.

We Americans look like ignorant fools!

By Lori

March 9, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

English should be an official language. First do we remember biblically why we all speak a different language anyways? Secondly, If I were to move to another country that spoke another language, then I should learn that language. If I am visiting it is nice to have the people there know my language. Just because we are the “land of the free” doesn’t mean we should have to accomodate everyone that crosses our borders. Apparently you crossed for a reason.

Could you imagine if we (Americans) crossed borders illegally, would we get the same treatment?

By Hey Pops

March 9, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

If Latin America will take over, who will pay for all your babies and wellfare? The country will go to hell becuase there will be to many Mexicants and yes I meant cant’s who can’t afford to feed themselves and STILL have babies on Wellfare. So in the end they will die off because there will be no one to take care of them, and thier businesses will close becuase to much competition for lawn service and Mexican foods.

By Princess

March 9, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Yes, Yes, Yes,English should definitely be the only language spoken here in the USA. Why should folks come here and expect us to learn their language or make exceptions for them. If you can’t learn English, then maybe you need to go back to where you come from so people will understand you. That sounds harsh but I am tired of we Americans having to bend over backwards for everyone else.

By Hey Renap

March 9, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Youre the fool, in other countries you said it yourself they answer the phone in thier native langauge. But you are talking about busines, not having a nation speak many different languages just to appease uneducated foriegners who won’t learn English. Thats the difference we are learning thier language so we can make it easier for them to be in our country and they will not learn English. Whose the fool????

By Michael mitchell

March 9, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

Renap just made my point.Yes, they answer the phone in their native language and then can switch to English if they here you talking English. Get it ,they can speak the native language. Everone here need to speak the native language which is English. Anything less and we become a fractured Nation unable to communicate with each other. How can someone who doesn’t speak the language expect to funtion completely. If I move to Italy I would expect that I would have to learn Italian.

By Guy Pinestra

March 9, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Official English is a good idea because a single language acts as it always has, as a unifying force, rather than a dividing one. With over a million legal immigrants from around the world coming to America yearly, we are indeed the most welcoming country on Earth. Each of these legal immigrants is required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language, as well as provide documentation of their financial and health status, assuring us that they won’t be a burden on our health and welfare systems.

Illegal aliens, on the other hand, are required only to make it across the border without being caught. Not too hard to do, considering that only 1 in 5 are actually stopped in their tracks.

The Border Patrol caught 1.2 million last year trying to enter illegally. That means that 4.8 million made it, and that figure is only for 1 year.

A recent news article said that 2/3’s of new construction jobs are taken by Hispanic workers. When did building homes become a ‘job Americans won’t do’?

By Jason

March 9, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0329/p01s04-uspo.html

*Please read this before you try to blame the PC liberal crowd for “YOUR” ANGER OVER THE CURRENT SITUATION

I stated earlier that the GOP deserves the lions share of the blame for the immigration crisis that we are facing. BTW St. REAGAN of Hollywood granted blanket amnesty to 3 million illegal immigrants during his presidency! I was told that I was an idiot, a moron, and I was accussed of sterotyping and not pulling facts out of thin air. I encourage all of you RUSH O’HANNITY WANNABEES to read the article I posted above and look at the facts. You all are so brainwashed and ingrained to blame liberals for all of your problems that you don’t realize that it’s people aligned with your party that are PROFITING most from illegal immigrants. BTW I encourage all of the GOP pundits and wannabee pundits like you all to keep up your rhetoric. The GOP share of the hispanic voted went from over 40% in 2004 to barely 20% in 2006. These “legal” residents are leaving the GOP in droves and they won’t come back anytime soon. Blacks left the GOP in droves because of Goldwaters 1964 campaign and Nixons southern strategy. The GOP was able to replace them with millions of people like you all. The GOP can’t replace these lost hispanic voters. Bush would have LOST in 2004 if he didn’t improve his hispanic totals from 2000. BTW if the trend in hispanic voters moving to the Democratic party and their population growth continues the GOP will only be able to hold 175 seats in the house and 40 seats in the Senate by 2015. Go for it folks! Keep up the grandstanding and remember REPUBLICANS are profiting most from the migrant workers.

By Guy Pinestra

March 9, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

I forgot to add the last line of my comment. Mea culpa.

It’s only the illegals that need everything in Spanish, and we should do everything possible to make their staying here as uncomfortable as humanly possible.

By Trae

March 9, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Anyone has a right to be here. Our forefathers started that with the Statue of Liberty…”Give us your poor, your tired and your hungry….”

However, it’s now become an issue that has been blown out of proportion and I’m sure has exceeded any expectations our forefathers could ever have imagined.

The main problem I have is that I live in the USA not Mexico. Why do I have to choose English or Spanish at the ATM’s in MY OWN COUNTRY? Why should I have to choose between English or “Diga Espaniol” when attempting to talk to a customer service representative??

We, as Americans have made it too easy for people from other countries to NOT have to learn our language. We have allowed them to be lazy. But my question is, how do we stop it now? I don’t think making English an “official” language will help. Action is what is needed, not another useless law. Stop offering the immigrants the choice and force them to learn the language to function but also ENABLE them by offering them opportunity to educate themselves.

I would rather pay for increased education and ESOL then for their welfare and child care.

By American Born & Bred

March 9, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

We DO have an offical language-Spanish!!

By Jason

March 9, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Peter Hoover encouraged me to leave the country because I don’t share his views. Peter, this country is fairly evenly divided between conservatives, moderates and liberals. I can’t stand it when people like you and Shawn Hannity define what it is to be a patriot or “true American.” I am not a part of the “hate America first crowd”. You don’t own this country and that flag still stands for “freedom and you can’t take that away”. I use that freedom to vote for people that are the opposite of you. Why don’t you leave this country if you can’t deal with the fact 70% of the folks in our broad land don’t share your worldview.

By mad one

March 9, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

If anyone comes to the USA they must learn the language.

By Jason

March 9, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2006/2006-11-09-hispanics_x.htm

I want to encourage all of you in the talk radio crowd to keep up the good work. A Democratic majority depends on it!

By JustMe

March 9, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

IMHO, we do need an official language, English, but not for many of the reasons mentioned. We need it for more pragmatic reasons….. namely cost.

It would cost billions to start replicating all of the federal and state forms into various languages. That alone is reason enough to adopt English.

Years ago, people coming to the US had pride in our Country and in themselves enough to want to learn English and to ‘fit in’. What is wrong, now?

By blah, blah, blah

March 9, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

ENGLISH is and should be the language of this country. The people who immigrate to this country should be required to learn English. It does not make anyone less of a citizen. If people want to preserve their native languages and use them they are free to do that too. We are being invaded by illegals and the politicians are too lame to deal with the issue. Neither party will deal with the issue. Republicans won’t deal with it at all and the Democrats want to turn this in to an underprivileged “what about the innocent victims” game. We, the taxpayers in this country are getting screwed every which way from Sunday because who do you think pays for all of this…..WE DO and while the Repubs ignore, the Dems want to find a way to register them as voters and keep them on the taxpayer dole.

By Mike King

March 9, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

O.K, I get the thread line. (Although I have no idea how Carl got my urology report about that bedwetting incident a few months ago.) Fluency in English is symbolic for assimilation and we don’t think immigrants these days are assimilating? Have I got that right? And does that mean all immigrants, legal and illegal? Bosnians? Chinese? French-Candians? Or just the illegals from Mexico? I ask because the proposed constitutional amendment makes no mention of illegals. It would impact anyone who has a hard time reading English, including naturalized Americans who may have been here for years.

By Observer

March 9, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

I agree with Blah, Blah. The USA once had the same issue with English & German and fortunately chose English as the official language. The justificaions at that time still apply I’m sure. It seems everyone else in the world speaks English and wish to speak English except a few Latinos who want to make it an issue.

By Adam

March 9, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

This country has bowed to others in a way that belittles the rest of us who are hard working Americans. It’s bad enough that regular tax payers have to pay for others so they don’t have to work. If other countries provided for foreigners the way that America does, then I would agree. They don’t and we shouldn’t either. This is America. If people decide to move here, they should learn the language, and therefore other laws and regulations that govern us. We shouldn’t give tests in other languages to potential drivers. What about when they are on the road? Will they be able to read the signs when they are in English. Next thing you know, every sign on every road will have English at the top and several languages underneath. Don’t you think there will be more accidents then? If you think non-english speaking individuals are innocent, what about those of us who have had to learn the very language ourselves. Most of these individuals don’t care if the learn English or not…they know the liberal left will provide no matter what.

By ahhh

March 9, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

ddukes - the people who are truly owed an apology are the American Indians. They were needlessly slaughtered, had their land stolen, taken into slavery, families separated, children forced to school away from family, not allowed to speak their native tongue, forced to live on reservations, accused of worshiping idols because the invaders couldn’t speak their language and assumed their own superiority. The the list goes on and on……the history books skip a lot of those details. BTW November is Native America month…how about a little respect for a deserving people.

By Deborah

March 9, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Half the people on this blog and in this country can’t speak English correctly. Their spelling and grammar are horrible. I’ve met many immigrants who speak better English than many Americans. And most of the ones who don’t, want to learn. They know that their life will be better here if they speak English.

That being said, I believe if you are going to live in a country, you should learn the language. But that can take time, especially if you are an adult. It’s harder for an adult to learn a new language than a child. Encouraging people to learn the language is a good idea, but passing ugly laws that discriminate is not the way.

Way too many people on this blog are from the Ugly American crowd.

By ben

March 9, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Ugly, scared, xenophobic, pathetic American crowd. Seriously, you people rail against the “illegals on welfare,” being lazy, etc. Last I checked, they worked harder than most Americans. But that’s off the subject. Are you people also railing against corporate welfare, sugar subsidies, oil/gas grants for “exploration,” etc. because, in fact, more of our tax dollars go to support those programs than those darn “illegals.”

If you are equally against corporate welfare, then I’ll give you credit for consistency. If you’re not, then you’re playing right in to the plutocrats’ hands and blaming the people who have little to no power. But hey, then you might have to actually do some research beyond listening to Ann Coulter. God forbid you educate yourselves.

And you people have the nerve to call illegals “lazy….”

By Michael H. Smith

March 9, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the credit ben. I am against corporate welfare and illegal immigration is indeed welfare for corporations and businesses. It is an illegal subsidy we citizens and legal immigrants are forced to provide these entities through our taxation, lost and depressed wages.

Though both your thoughts are off topic the very fact that we Americans take in about one million legal immigrants a year and in addition to these, thousands more through visa programs every year, should just about totally expose the very ignorant claim against Americans as an ugly, scared, xenophobic, pathetic crowd that doesn’t work as hard as the illegal aliens.

By Ted

March 9, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

I am sure that Mr. Mike King is a strong champion of the Public Education System in America and at the same time finds fault in requiring a single language for commerce. Correct me if I am wrong - for its been a while since I was in school - but isn’t the Public School System still free? If this is still the case, then why can’t these people who have lived here for 15+ years according to Mr. King not be at least functional in the language? Is it idiocy that Mr. King is protecting, or simply some misguided liberal belief that no one is responsible for their own failures.

By OpenYaMind

March 9, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Please, folks. Do you realize how ridiculous having an “official” language for Georgia is. Come on, I have an English degree and I couldn’t disagree more with most of these posted comments. First, in my line of work I see how much the locals here can’t spell or write anyway. Read some of these posts and note the atrocious spelling and slack usage. So here’s my point: Those immigrants you hate so much speak better English than you do Spanish. Who cares if we have to spend some money to help folks from Mexico and other countries function here. The more cultures we have here the better. What happened to the American spirit? It’s just a sad day when people are so set in their ways. Any action to make life more difficult for immigrants is blatant racism in my book. Don’t tell me that someone who chooses to live here forever isn’t going to pick up the language. What are we going to do next, make natives pass grammar tests to vote? You country hicks here would go nuts and complain that it violates your rights. Do you think Spanish-speaking players for your beloved Braves should be fined for speaking their native language? We can all learn from one another. You’re kidding yourself if you don’t think you can. I can’t tell you how much a study of Spanish actually helped me in my English research. Languages complement one another. If you’d open a book every year or two you might notice that.

By Virginia

March 9, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

ENGLISH should be the Offical Language. Yes, we would save billions of dollars if that was the only language on the ballots and every other piece of paper that came from the Federal, State and County Government. In Sweden, you have 6 weeks to learn Swedish. That is the language you use in Public. Whatever, you speak at home, is your business. That’s what we need here. Can you imagine, the money that would be saved??????????

By lopro

March 13, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

English only will save businesses and governments a great deal of money and time. (Have you ever had to work in or been to misdemeanor court?)

English only is no excuse to be ignorant and not learn other languages however.

Also, this is America. Speak whatever you would like at home and with friends but respect the country and assimilate with language. Common sense.

By cliff zeider

March 13, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Hey, The English language is the comm on thread needed for people to comunicate. Cliff

By Najeh Davenpoop

March 13, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

Immigrants should take it upon themselves to learn English when they enter this country. If they don’t, they will realize that they cannot progress very far in American society. But America has been a multicultural, immigrant-based society for over 200 years and hasn’t ever needed a national language. Waves of immigrants have come to this country from Ireland, Italy, China, and Japan, among other places, and nobody pushed for a national language then. If there hasn’t been a need for one up to this point, there’s no need for one now. If private businesses want to use only English, they should be allowed to, no questions asked. But legislating a national language is not necessary in a country that has flourished for so long without one.

By i'm bubba

March 13, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

To OpenYaMind I’m a country hick, I say ya’ll..get in the truck…and I don’t wear underwear with men’s names on them..but I bet I could buy you a* several times over. I made my money on out of towners like yourself. There shouldn’t ever be a debate on what we speak here. I don’t speak the best english but I can say enough that you can understand that you are driving like an idiot or don’t cross over my lake property.

By lucky

March 13, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

The illegals who enter our country are only here out of desperation and inability to solve their problems at home. Although Mexico is a rich country, it is controlled by a corrupt system which has figured out how to export their poor illiterates to become our problem. The Mexican nationals here are either too stupid or too lazy to figure out how to demand better from their own country.

Because our massive illegal population are illiterate and unable to solve their own problems in their own country, they are neither capable nor motivated to learn the language of the country supporting them and their broods. And that is exactly what the employers want for their cheap work force - downtrodden ignorants, unskilled and uneducated, destined to be bottom class forever while continuing to breed another generation of culturally deprived uneducated second class citizens to tote that barge and raise that bale. Never learning English only helps keep them desperate.

Both illegals and their employers are living out their dreams while the taxpayers subsidize them all. Whatever language they speak is not important, the return of the caste system will be the downfall of our country and culture as we know it.

By John Austin

March 13, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Georgia needs to join the union. This state is so far backwards. Don’t you realize america is the only country that caters to one lanquage. This is now a universal planet. Every country speaks at least three lanquages. Our kids future depends on speaking other lanquages.Georgia get a life.

By Charles

March 13, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

ENGLISH, ENGLISH, ENGLISH. HEAR ME NOW?

By bronco

March 13, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Would the people who are opposed English, please type in another language. Thank you

By 911

March 13, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Hello people this is America! we do have freedom of speech! why do you care what language other people speak? Are u afraid if u are in a elevator full of mexicans & they are speaking spainish do u think they are talking about u? When do u ever socialize or with them anyway? So whats the big deal if they want to speak there own language in there neighborhood? When do u ever come to buford hwy anyway? If you go to their place of business and u are spending money they will understand you! If u go to any country in the world u will be abel to speak English, especially if u are spending money! If u have a business & u want to make a profit why learn spainish?They spend money too. If u need your grass cut or nails done why does it matter if they don’t speak English if you are getting a good price and getting good work done also.

By Gary

March 14, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

Make English the official language, now! It used to be that people immigrated to America to become American. Those immigrants are who made America great — the melting pot. They integrated their cultures into our society while learning our language, learning our way of live, on the way to becoming American citizens. Now, that isn’t the case. Please are coming into this country, legally and illegally, to take all the benefits of living in America, but without the desire to BECOME American. No interest in learning the language, customs, traditions, etc. Now, you have many Spanish broadcast tv and radios stations in every major market. In the past, immigrants learned English by being emmersed in daily life, often learning from watching tv shows.

I welcome all immigrants who legally enter the country…but they must learn english.

By Gary

March 14, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

John Austin, most countries do not speak more than one language. If that were the case, this wouldn’t be an issue. How many of the illegal immigrants speak english? Most don’t. I work with many spanish speaking people every day (I am a home builder). I have a great deal of difficulty finding someone on the job site who I can tell what is needed. Often, mistakes happen when someone acts as if they understand what I am saying, but they don’t. They would be better off learning the language. I know one framing crew who was taking English classes. He understands that if he can speak English, he can make more money.

Many countries do have a basic knowledge of English, thanks to the former colonies of England.

By Brad

March 14, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

Why is it that a topic which calls for actual, intelligent discourse only evokes hateful, uninformed bickering from both sides? For those of you who are disappointed with America, and from what I read many of you are, perhaps the more significant reason for disappointment is not our immigration policies but our utter inability to carry on substantive, civil debate. Shame on us all.

By WWWWW

March 14, 2007 2:35 AM | Link to this

I work internationally and while English is spoken in every country I have worked I do everything possible to learn the native language. To date I can communicate in China, all Middle East countries, and several European countries.

If you work and live somewhere, learn the language.

By Tom D

March 14, 2007 6:45 AM | Link to this

Lets make the State language Bolivian. This way nobody will understand anybody. We can then fire all the English teachers from the schools and save a lot of salary money.

By Al

March 14, 2007 7:16 AM | Link to this

Of course English should be the official language. We need to stop pandering to these illegal aliens and other oddities of society that believe we should bow down to them. If they don’t like it, just leave the USA. Delta has plenty of flights to other countries.