Jose, Can You See?
So George W. Bush doesn’t think the National Anthem should be sung in Spanish.
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.”
But as we’ve seen time and time again, the rules—not even his own rules—don’t apply to President Bush. From Think Progress:
But Bush’s highly-scripted 2001 inaugural ceremony actually featured a rendition of the national anthem sung in Spanish by Jon Secada. From Cox News Service, 1/18/01:“The opening ceremony reflected that sentiment. A racially diverse string of famous and once famous performers entertained Bush, soon-to-be First Lady Laura Bush, Vice President-elect Richard B. Cheney and his wife, Lynne, who watched on stage from a special viewing area.
Pop star Jon Secada sang the national anthem in English and Spanish.”
Apparently, Secada singing the anthem in Spanish was a regular feature of the Bush campaign.
So when it helps get him elected—by misleading some voters into believing that Bush is tolerant— Spanish is fine. Viva diversity! But when his base decides to get upset about all those brown people mowing their lawns, raising their children, and making their beds, Spanish is very, very bad.
I’m going to bed now. Someone wake me up when it’s 2008. (Hat tip: Atrios.)
Bush thinks "people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English"?? Then I say he should lead by example and FUCKING LEARN TO SPEAK IT PROPERLY HIMSELF.