Spanish Star-Spangled Banner?

I totally agree with Renee, your version of the United States
Nattional Anthem is like a slap in the face. If immigrants/aliens
want to come here, they need to learn our language, we should not have
to change our way of life for them!! The thought of your Spainish
version makes me sick to my stomach!1
Sue

I definetly agree with you! Spanish people need to be legal, most
important, and they need to all learn English. It does make me mad
they say the Pledge of Allegiance and like you said, the Star Spangled
Banner. The song was All American not Spanish. If it was meant to be
Spanish, then so be it.

I agree that our national anthem should be sung in the USA's official
language (English), but the way you worded your letter just makes you
look like a nut.

This country was founded on the English language?

Funny, In these parts, our hillbilly teachers taught us the country
was founded on freedom.

English just happens to be the language we chose to use.

I agree, learn english or go back where you came from.

I feel they need to take all of the spanish people out of the United
States. Deport every last one of them. I don't know where you live,
but in Indiana, they do nothing but live off the government, welfare,
foodstamps, work under the table for cash money so they don't have to
turn it in. I think they need to have people sit at the border with
guns, and every immigrant that tries to sneak into the US, shoot
em!!!!

I feel they need to take all of the spanish people out of the United
States. Deport every last one of them. I don't know where you live,
but in Indiana, they do nothing but live off the government, welfare,
foodstamps, work under the table for cash money so they don't have to
turn it in. I think they need to have people sit at the border with
guns, and every immigrant that tries to sneak into the US, shoot
em!!!!

While I completely agree that our National Anthem should be in
English.. it was written by LEGAL US Citizens and LEGAL US Residents-
NOT illegals as you stated.

Since the people who wrote the anthem are a legal part of our society,
what do you propose be done with them?

Maybe we can start deporting legal citizens too because we don't like
what they do/say.
(and if that's the case, come get the white trash that can't use
English properly and lives down the street from us. They are always
breaking our laws, and get off with the smack of the hand.)

Puh-lease! People have the right to be upset about anything they
want, regardless of "the war in Iraq." I'm so sick of that crap. If
he/she was offened, as I was, by the singing of our National Anthem in
another language, then is are we not entitled to state our issue with
this? There are bigger problems, but I see people complaining about
the temperature of their hamburger on this site. BIG DEAL!

After reading what you had to say, I've changed my thinking. I'm glad
that you, and other folk of your ilk, are spending energy on this
issue. It keeps you from messing any further with the important stuff
that's going on in this country.

As for your comment concerning the picayune nature of complaints of
this site, well, what can I say? Whenever someone has a letter which
has a complaint that is all out of proportion with the expected
service or product, they get their chops busted for their lack of
perspective. The OP had the right to keep this letter private and did
not. Since it's public, I also get to comment as I see fit--and I did
so, focusing on the relative importance of the complaint with regard
to other political issues facing the US. I live in a state that
encompasses seven dependent sovereign nations so I guess I have a
slightly different take on the whole jingoistic argument and the
concern with draining federal dollars to support people who are
considered a drain on society by many.

Again, it's all about perspective. This site is meant to alert
companies and the public to commercial shortfalls and errors.
However, this particular letter also raised political issues and to
relegate the complaint and the ensuing comments to the level of
complaints about hamburger temperature is insulting.

As a side note, as a hard-core lefty who finds the iconic use of
Tiffany jewelry somewhat gross, I can only wonder at your sense of
entitlement when it comes to your country. I'll be sure to tell my
girlfriends with PTSD who are in and out of hospitals that what they
went through was irrelevant.

I'll try to put this in perspective. I have no problem with LEGAL
immigrants, wherever they come from. Nor do I care what they sing in
whatever language. However, this Spanish version of the National
Anthem is being promoted as a rallying cry for the Illegal Immigrant
lobby. Before we give in an inch to illegal immigrants, we ought to
restore voting rights to people who have been released from prison who
are U.S. citizens! Sing a song in any language you want, but the
National Anthem is officially in English...always has been and always
will be. BTW, has anyone checked what Mexico's laws are towards
illegal immigrants into Mexico? Much stricter than our laws!

One of the most unique and important aspects of our country is our
defense of the right to free speech. More than most developed
countries our laws reflect Americans shared respect an admiration for
an open forum where we are all free to express ourselves.

Moreover, the Supreme Court has continually invalidated laws as
constitutional which advocate prior restriant of expression. For
example, the Supreme Court in the last ten years declared that a Texas
law which outlaws the burning of an American Flag was unconstitutional
because it imposed a restraint on expression before the expression
could occur.

If it is unconstitutional to prevent people from burning the American
flag, then how could it be constitutional to prevent people from
singing the Star-Spangled Banner in Spanish?

And what about those Indians? How dare they be on our land before we
got here!

I think you are right the Star Spangled Banner needs to stay in
English and it is a disrespect to any country to do their anthem in
another language. The only issue that comes into play is that English
is not the official language in the entire country. When Mexico sold
California and what is now New Mexico and Arizona the purchase
agreement the US government agreed to allow those citizens to keep
their language and customs, thus did not make English the official
language.

Ok - I'm usually better at sarcasm so I don't know where this will end
up. Anyway, the complaint ultimately here is that someone would come
to this country and try to impose their language on the people that
are already here. Is that outragous or does it sound a lot like when
our founding fathers showed up, not speaking the language of the
native people, and then took over the country? Luckily, those same
founding fathers realized the importance of diversity and allowed all
nationalities into this free world. I'm sure glad that someone,
anyone, is paying respect to this great country of ours in whatever
language they speak than saying or doing terrible things to it in
English.

I noticed today that one of my favorite movies (Peggy Sue Got Married)
was on a Spanish channel, so I turned it on not really caring what
they were saying because I know the dialogue by heart. Now that I
think of it, that might be a good way to learn a foreign language.

Anyway, when it got to the part where Peggy Sue sings "My Country Tis
of Thee" in her homeroom class, I realized the words were in English.
It made me think of this letter and wonder if the movie was done that
way out of respect or the fact that if translated, the song would
become something different.
Just wondering.

I totally agree! English is our DE FACTO language (the Constitution
was written in English).

It's not unreasonable to request that a nation's national anthem be
sung in that nation's language(s). Spanish, contrary to popular
belief, is NOT an "official" language of America!

You immigrate here, it's best that you ASSIMILATE. I don't care if
you speak your "native" language at home, just don't expect everyone
else here to know it!

I was watching West Wing the other day, and they were debating with a
signer of American Sign Language about whether English should be
considered an official language. Her reply was, "I don't think we
need special laws to protect the language of Shakespeare." I thought
that was pretty good, not to mention a propos. :)

I wanted to state my humble opinion to the writer of this letter.

In the history books that I have read this country was originally
owned by the American Indians and Texas was originally a part of
Mexico.

I'm not certain, but I do believe the native language was not Olde
English.

If Spanish is a persons native language and they want to sing the song
then let them sing it.

America is the greatest country in the world and one reason is that
the freedom of speech doesn't require a qualifier like; Freedom of
speech for English speaking U.S. Citizens.

This is America.. North America. The main language is English.. speak
it or shut it.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with a lot of the posters here. The
tone of the post is questionable, but a lot of people agree with her.
Think of it this way, the OP is upset because the anthem is being sung
in Spanish. While I understand the literal translation will change
things in almost every other language, the anthem was originally
writen, sung and adopted in English. People who are proud of their
country (any country) will defend what they know, or grew up with.
America is different as we take everyone from any country (Give us
your tired hungry, etc.)

I believe the living relatives of Francis Scott Key are upset as
well.

Freedom of speech goes both ways folks. I think both sides of the
immigration issue have their rights & wrongs, but then again, it seems
like we all have to be ultra PC about everything regardless of our
real opinion on things.

I received the following in an email yesterday. I'm not saying
whether I agree or disagree as I would prefer not to get in to the
"illegal immigrant" debate, but I did find the email somewhat
interesting. So interesting, in fact, that I believe they deserve
some investigation (but I haven't had time yet). Even if the supposed
person writing doesn't really exist, I found the points to be of
interest, not the author. I attempted to remove all hard returns but
can't be positive I was successful so if this posts with hard returns,
my apologies! Here it is:

Received the following from (Tom O'Malley) who was a Director with SW
BELL in Mexico City.

You remember I spent five years working in Mexico.

I worked under a tourist Visa for three months and could legally renew
it for three more months. After that you were working Illegally. I was
technically illegal for three weeks waiting on the FM3 approval

During that six months our Mexican and US Attorneys were working to
secure a permanent work visa called a FM3. It was in addition to my US
passport that
I had to show each time I entered and left the country. Barbara's was
the same except hers did not permit her to work.

To apply for the FM3 I needed to submit the following notarized
originals (not copies) of my:

1. Birth certificate for Barbara and I.

2. Marriage certificate.

3. High school transcripts and proof of graduation.

4. College tra! nscripts for every college I attended and proof of
graduation.

5. Two letters of recommendation from supervisors I had worked for at
least
one year.

6. A letter from The ST. Louis Chief of Police indication I had no
arrest
record in the US and no outstanding warrants and was "a citizen in
good
standing."

7. Finally; I had to write a letter about myself that clearly stated
why
there was no Mexican Citizen with my skills and why my skills were
important
to Mexico. We called it our "I am the greatest person on Earth"
letter. It
was fun to write.

All of the above were in English that had to be translated into
Spanish and be certified as legal translations and our signatures
notarized. It produced
a folder about 1.5 inches thick with English on the left side and
Spanish on the right.

Once they were completed Barbara and I spent about five hours
accompanied by a Mexican Attorney touring Mexican Government of! fice
locations and being
photographed and fingerprinted at least three times. At each location
and we remember at least four locations we instructed on Mexican tax,
labor,
housing, and criminal law and that we were required to obey their laws
or face the consequences. We could not protest any of the Governments
actions
or we would be committing a felony. We paid out four thousand dollars
in fees and bribes to complete the process. When this was done we
could legally
bring in our household goods that were held by US customs in Loredo
Texas. This meant we has rented furniture in Mexico while awaiting our
goods. There were extensive fees involved here that the company paid.


We could not buy a home and were required to rent at very high rates
and under contract and compliance with Mexican law.

We were required to get a Mexican drivers license. This was an amazing
process. The company arranged for the Licensing agency to come to our
Headquarters location with their photography and finger pri! nt
equipment and the laminating machine. We showed our US license, were
photographed and fingerprinted again and issued the license instantly
after paying out a six dollar fee. We did not take a written or
driving test and never received instructions on the rules of the road.
Our only instruction was never give a policeman your license if
stopped and asked. We were instructed to hold it against the inside
window away from his grasp. If he got his hands on it you
would have to pay ransom to get it back.

We then had to pay and file Mexican income tax annually using the
number of our FM3 as our ID number. The companies Mexican accountants
did this for us and we just signed what they prepared. I was about
twenty legal size pages annually.

The FM 3 was good for three years and renewable for two more after
paying more fees.

Leaving the country meant turning in the FM# and certifying we were
leaving no debts behind and no outst! anding legal affairs (warrants,
tickets or
liens) befor e our household goods were released to customs.

It was a real adventure and If any of our Senators or Congressman went
through it once they would have a different attitude toward Mexico.

The Mexican Government uses its vast military and police forces to
keep its citizens intimidated and compliant. They never protest at
their White house
or government offices but do protest daily in front of the United
States Embassy. The US embassy looks like a strongly reinforced
fortress and during
most protests the Mexican Military surround the block with their men
standing shoulder to shoulder in full riot gear to protect the
Embassy. These protests are never shown on US or Mexican TV. There is
a large public park across the street where they do their protesting.
Anything can cause a protest such as proposed law changes in
California or Texas.

Please feel free to share this with everyone who thinks we are being
hard on illegal immigrants.

personally, i think that a spanish star spangled banner is a
compliment. people who do not know the english language that well can
know understand the american culture through their national anthem.
also, if undocumented immigrants never came to this nation, we'd never
have the colonies. this country was based on immigrants and their
culture! how very foolish and short sighted of you to write this
hateful letter. if you want to have "true" american culture, take some
time to visit the indian reservations.

amen

Jeez, Ugly American much?

You are aware that English is simply the default language, right?
There isn't an official language here, nowhere in the Constitution or
Bill of Rights does it say anything about songs and documents in the
PD (public domain) be rendered into or remaining in English.

America can lay claim to every major language and the vast majority of
dialects since as a nation, we can claim descent from every country in
the world. I've seen translations of the Declaration of Independence
in dozens of languages and thought it was rather awe inspiring.

Personally, as a musician I cringe when I hear "The Star-Spangled
Banner" because it is a difficult song to do well and when it is done
badly.....it is really bad.

After reading the translation of the Spanish version of the song, I
thought the words were lovely and did a good job of conveying the
spirit and intent of the song.

someone mentioned "we're all immigrants" Those born here are
citizens. Maybe you may have not been born here, you are an
immigrant???

Actually, if you ask me, a Spanish version of the Star Spangled Banner
is quite the compliment. ONLY, and I do mean ONLY if the musical
notes are sung as written. The most offensive thing I hear is all of
these "BIG STARS" turning the anthem into something of their own. It
is not now, nor will it ever be, theirs. It is our nation's song and
deserves to remain as originally written. The original version does
NOT, I repeat, does NOT take 10 minutes to sing, there aren't any runs
during the singing of "o'er the land of the free and the home of the
brave". I don't need to hear how talented you are through the Anthem
unless you are singing it correctly.

I'm more than willing to listen to various versions of various songs
but I draw the line at that one. It is not one person's song to
rearrange, it is a nation's song and it should remain as written.

Just my opinion. No need to get all upset over it as obviously it's
not going to change. But I always and will forever get angry if
someone chooses to change it from the original melody for I am
standing for the National Anthem of the United States of America, not
Brittany Spears (or any other singer's) version of the National
Anthem.

Psst - Renee... English is not the "official" language of the United
States.

Get a life.

I have no objection to the National Anthem being sung in Spanish.
That is, if it is a LITERAL translation. The version promoted is
divisive and a put-down to the USA. Although difficult to do so, the
Star Spangled Banner has been translated into several languages.

To the poster who mentioned Italian flags on Columbus Day or Irish
flags on St. Patrick's, those flags are displayed in celebration, not
PROTEST. Even though I am not of Irish heritage, I've been involved
in many St. Paddy's Day parades and I will freely carry their flag!

I've read the words in the Spanish version and object to them.

This letter is disgusting.

I am all for people who come here from other countries doing it
legally and learning the language. Its a fact that most of us speak
English and natural born citizens should not have to learn the
languages of the world to live in our own country.

You can bet that it doesnt happen like that anywhere else in the
world.

I am NOT for stopping emigration. I just want people to do it
legally.

However, when I heard the Spanish version of the Star Spangled Banner
it choked me up. Whoever did it did a beautiful job and its very
pretty. And for reasons I am not yet sure of it made me even more
proud to be an American. I felt more feeling and emotion from that
version than from most of the English versions I have heard. At first
I wasnt sure if I liked the idea of it or not but really...why IS it a
bad thing? We arent going to turn into the United States of Mexico
just because someone sings the national anthem in Spanish. I think it
shows what America is really about. Or at least what it USED to be
about.

As a singer/musician, even professionals have trouble doing this
complicated song justice. I think "America the Beautiful" would be a
better song as our national anthem--it extols the virtues of the most
beautiful aspects of this country, rather than being a song about a
battle in a war.

Then heck, who could get mad that someone was singing in another
language (Spanish, Chinese, Swahili) about how gorgeous this country
is?

Wait until Sunday when the lyrics are released. People may change
their mind about this version.
This version is about dividing the country, not uniting it.

I have a question,

Someone here posted the "no immigration day" thing, where the illegal
immigrants won't spend any money for a day?

Well, if they weren't there anyway, then they wouldn't be spending
money. Isn't that what you want?

Also, it will probably be like the whole "boycott gas for a day"
rumour, they will just need to buy things the next day anyway.

A previous poster was dead on. We are all immigrants to the U.S.

I'm frightened of what could happen. All it will take is a flag
burning on either side and we're all in the s**t.

To the Pro-immigrant side I say this: Getting here is a good thing.
Try to do it legally. To see another side is to realize there are
people waiting to get here who didn't come from the south. Don't cut
in line. I know this as truth because of the people I work with, and
to demand your rights without the benefit of citizenship is
presumptious.

To the Anti-immigrant side I say this: Be patient. I will concede
that the demanding of rights by non-US citizens is at the very least,
dubious. Don't let the fact that a Mexican flies the flag of Mexico
during these times affect you. We don't get up in arms about Irish
flags on St. Patty's day or Italian flags on Columbus day. To get
judgemental now smacks of jingoism.

I guess I just hope nobody does anything stupid.

How very ugly of you. This country has no official language. We are
free in this country to speak any language we want. That is what
makes America great. This country was founded not on a language, but
on the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness.

There are literally millions of legal American citizens who speak
English either not well or not at all, and their freedoms are
protected by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, just like
yours. For you to insist that these American citizens learn English
is, in effect, cramming your culture down their throats. I'm not even
going to comment on the debate surrounding illegal immigrants. It is
obvious that I am not able to solve that problem, and to be honest I
don't know enough about it to comment intelligently on the subject.

I have only one more thing to say to you, Renee. If you love English
so much, perhaps you should learn to speak it properly.

Ok...I do believe that if a person is to become a US citizen they
should learn to speak English. However, I believe that the Star
Spangled Banner is such an inspirational song, that it should be done
in several languages so that the whole world can appreciate it.

I'm with you Renee - There is no place in this country for
foreigners...what would my grandparents think or my grandparents,
grandparents think? - they wouldn't stand for this - to think that
someone from another country could come here and feel that they had a
say in what this country was all about...it's just not right - I mean,
after all, what was this country founded on?

Lol. This has to be a joke post? Are people really this racist?

Our founding fathers discussed making an official language of the
United States but couldn't agree. At the time, most people living
here spoke German.