English Not Spoken Here

The discussion of making English the national language of the United States can cause many to think of discrimination. After all, America is a melting-pot of many nations. However, I agree with Benjamin Huggins’ blog National Dispute where he articulates the dumbing down of education to enable immigrants to stay inside their comfort zone can adversely affect American English speakers. This may be the land of opportunity; however, to succeed in any country, whether it's Germany, France, Spain, or the United States of America, it is important to learn the language spoken in that country. This is evident when you travel overseas, you must attempt to speak the local language to get around. This fact seems to be lost on some of those immigrating to this country, whether legally or illegally. This same lack of desire to learn English can be a factor in promoting segregation by pooling those that cannot speak English into a geographic area of a city which in turn furthers segregation by not promoting the assimilation into the American culture. This vicious cycle of inequality will continue as long as America placates other cultures by changing our culture to accommodate the inability to speak English. This doesn't mean those that immigrate to this country need to leave their culture at the footstep of America, rather they should embrace American ideals along with their own and blend them, after all, isn't the American dream one of the reasons they chose to come to America?

Playground bullies

After months of indecision President Obama has finally made a decision about Afghanistan. He has finally come to the same conclusion that others have long been saying and pleading with him to do - there is a need for more troops in Afghanistan so this war can be brought to a conclusion. This decision comes after spending much of his time campaigning for an election he has already won, traveling the world apologizing for everything American, and playing rounds of golf while decent hardworking men and women sacrifice to protect this country from those that have attacked us and wish to destroy us.

The fact that the President has exercised his constitutional authority of commander in chief has caused some to be upset. Some in Congress and some so-called grassroots organizations are pushing to end the war in Afghanistan now instead of sending more troops. While no one likes war, not even people in the military, these fringe groups believe we should turn our backs on the people of Afghanistan, a country that has a history of repression of freedom and killing dissenters. By not supporting the military and sending them the additional troops they need, we would soil the memory of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

While I have no problem with disagreeing with the commander in chief’s decision, the idea that a group feels the need to reprimand someone for making a decision is akin to bullying. That’s what these groups and members of Congress do if you disagree with their ideologies; they bully you into submission to get their way. This latest form of bullying comes in the disguise of a “war tax” to pay for additional troops. While Congress suggests this would only affect those making more than $250,000 a year it is more like the playground bully extorting lunch money from others.

While making this decision may not have been easy, the notion that the President took nearly 3 months to review the request is disturbing and displays a general lack of understanding when it comes to military matters and foreign policy. While this necessary decision will boost the morale of the fighting men and women, it may not be popular with those that have a lack of understanding of military life and a desire to bully those with their opinions. It is the difficult decisions that build character, and make playground bullies cower because someone finally stood up to them, even if it took nearly three months.