Bush Says Anthem Should Be in English

AP ^ | JEANNINE AVERSA

[slowhand520]

Bush Says Anthem Should Be in English

By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer 20 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The national anthem should be sung in English — not Spanish — President Bush declared Friday, amid growing restlessness over whether to grant legal status to immigrants who are in the United States illegally.

"One of the important things here is that we not lose our national soul," the president exclaimed.

A Spanish language version of the national anthem was released Friday by a British music producer, Adam Kidron, who said he wanted to honor America's immigrants.

When the president was asked at a Rose Garden question-and-answer session whether the anthem should be sung in Spanish, he replied: "I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English, and I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English."

He made his remarks on the matters during a wide-ranging briefing with reporters.

"I think people who want to be citizens of this country ought to learn English," Bush said.

The president's comments came amid a burgeoning national debate — and congressional fight — over legislation pending in Congress, and pushed by Bush, to overhaul U.S. immigration law.

Bush called on lawmakers to move forward on legislation — now stalled — that would revamp immigration laws.

Large numbers of immigrant groups have planned an economic boycott next week to dramatize their call for legislation providing legal status for millions of people in the United States illegally.

"I am not a supporter of boycotts," Bush said. "I am a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform. ... I think that most Americans agree that we've got to enforce our border."

His remarks followed release of the Spanish language version of the song, called "Nuestro Himno" or "Our Anthem."

[pepperhead]

And trust me, I'm sure we'll hear their version over and over, and over and over.....

Which is a good thing. Since the more Americans hear it, the more it will piss them off.

[Napoleon Solo]

Isn't this the most friggin' important issue to come across POTUS desk!! Why doesn't he formulate plans to round up, arrest, deport, etc all those potential trouble makers ready to celebrate May Day!!

Nobody gives a shite about what potentially can happen. I know that I would like the feds and state commerce departments to question all employers on Tuesday about who was missing and fire all their asses!! It won't happen because our governments don't care and refuse to even go by the current laws, forget about new ones that won't be supported.

THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN WOULD BE BUSINESS ON MONDAY AS USUAL AND WE WON'T EVEN MISS THOSE MISSING WORKERS

[meandog]

Well, duh, what other language would you expect the National Anthem to be sung?

[Captain Rhino]

For information purposes, here is a comparison of the words from the "Star Spangled Banner" (first verse) and the "Nuevo Hymno"

"The Star-Spangled Banner"
(First verse)
O, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

"Our Anthem"
(Translated from Spanish)
Verse 1
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail as night falls?
Its stars and stripes floated yesterday
In the fierce combat, the sign of victory
The flame of battle, in step with liberty.
Throughout the night it was said, "It is being defended."
Chorus:
Oh, say! Does it still show its beautiful stars
Over the land of the free, the sacred flag?
Verse 2
Its stars and stripes, liberty, we are the same.
We're brothers, it's our anthem.
In the fierce combat, the sign of victory,
The flame of battle, in step with liberty.
Throughout the night it was said, "It is being defended."
Chorus:
"Oh, say! Does it still show its beautiful stars?
Over the land of the free, the sacred flag?"

Here is the source link:

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1120314.php

So now you have the English translation of the Spanish words to go along with the music track. If you haven't heard it, I recommend you do. It sounds like a heavily "salsa-ized" (new word?) riff on a thin version of the original melody. No attempt to match the majestic music of the original.

The words are straight out of the Internationale. So generalized they can be adapted to any meaning/context the pro-immigration camp wants. Given the left/liberal background of the Nuevo Hymno's creators that can hardly come as a surprise.

[ladyjane]

Yes, your point was clear.

I was simply looking for an opportunity to point out that the White House has the Spanish option on their website.

[doug from upland]

How can this country be saved? This crap is totally in your face, gringo. Republicans are generally very angry; Democrat politicians see votes.

[longtermmemmory]

you are wrong.

English unifies the united states.

EVERYONE ELSE was unified into the usa via english.

This is a direct intentional insult to the USA.

Sorry but spanish is NOT equal to English in the United States. If anything this stunt makes spanish the official language of illegal aliens which only illegals use predominantly, at least in perception.

[longtermmemmory]

If I had an employee who went to one of these rallies, I would fire them as a troublemaker and also because it would make their documents suspect.

They are 100% disposable.

[Red Badger]

I'm hoping that by the 3rd generation, the illegals' descendants will be so Americanized that they will be indistinguishable from any other. We are the Borg, they will be assimilated........

[skeeter]

I think people who want to be citizens of this country ought to learn English," Bush said.

Thank G*d for small favors.

[ArmstedFragg]

"One of the important things here is that we not lose our national soul," the president exclaimed.

We'd have to have it before we could lose it, big guy. Unfortunately, you and your predecessor gave it away.

[ssaftler]

Adam Kidron, who said he wanted to honor America's immigrants."

If that's true, I want a version in Yiddish for MY ancestors, and one in Italian for my friend's ancestors, then one in German, Gaelic, Chinese (that's about 50 versions right there, no?), Japanese, etc.

I have deliberately omitted a version in French, as that would probably have the "Rockets Red Glare" causing us to surrender!

[spectre]

Javier Rodriguez, is a leftist, socialist Journalist in Los Angeles. I am giving you just a sample of something he wrote. He is a very dangerous man to our Country. He truly HATES our President, and mocks the war in Iraq. If he could annialiate the Republican Party, he would. No exaggeration.

He writes.."Internally, the opinion polls clearly disfavor Bush. The winds of impeachment are in the air and the calls are sounding louder.

The opening and the momentum are clear for the massive _expression of national Latino outrage against the proposed Republican Bill, calling at the same time for legalization.

Latinos and the immigrant rights movement, one and the same, need to galvanize hundreds of thousands, perhaps a million unto the streets of Los Angeles, the second Mexican Capital. This will spark support and regional marches throughout the country.

With 2003 as a backdrop, it should be followed by an economic boycott, possibly national. For this, the immigrant rights ONGs, labor, community, political, civil rights, clergy, and student organizations should take the baton from anti war leaders and come together in a comprehensive broad non sectarian coalition, or coalitions, connecting in the process to the most pressing issues and movements in the country today"...snip.

THIS man is El Diablo..he should be public enemy number one.

sw

[OB1kNOb]

Actually I think the President said it more like, "El arbusto Dice que Himno Debe Ser en inglés."

[exhaustedmomma]

"One of the important things here is that we not lose our national soul," the president exclaimed.

It's more important that we don't loose our nation. Arrogant people coming in to this country illegally because they can, demanding "rights" (among those "rights" is precious citizenship). They have hoisted their flag above our nations flag, meddled in our education and healthcare syestems, overcrowding our prisons, etc. Now, arrogantly rewrite our National Anthem. As Bill Engvall says, it might be a sign.

"I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English, and I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English."

I'm glad the President is starting to feel a little what I am feeling. That's good. Stuck a chord with him, too. It will be better when he can just say it like it is... The national anthem oughta be sung in English. LEarn English and sing the national anthem in English.

[dennisw]

Cheap and easy for GW to say this. In every other area of illegal immigration he is lacking

[rrrod]

Just talk. Bush has crossed the line with me on this issue.

[mississippi red-neck]

I'm surprised he didn't say we need them here to sing the songs Americans won't sing.

[Uncle Hal]

Folks let the illegals riot, march, destroy property, write songs degrading the the USA, hurt people, disrupt peoples daily lives etc. The more they do these kind of acts the more pissed and outraged the average citizen is going to be.Maybe then the politicians will get the message.

[navysealdad]

Illegal immigrants version

Jose can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hail'd the low rider gleaming
Whose broad pin stripes and bright hubcaps, thro' the perilous night,
O'er the TV we watch'd, as amigos were so gallantly screaming
And the hot sauce red glare, the tacos cooking in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our barro was still there.
Jose, does that mexican flag yet wave
O'er the land of the food stamps and the home of free ER care