Two thoughts
Yesterday, Wisconsin joined the shameful ranks of those states dedicated to legislating bigotry in the name of "protecting" wedded bliss. Maybe someday, someone can explain to me the logic and humanity in prohibiting our gay citizens from entering into long-term, loving, committed, monogamous relationships. Maybe. But I doubt it.
Almost simultaneously, the State government voted to allow residents to carry concealed weapons, overturning a 133-year-old ban. The bill's lead sponsor, Republican David Zien, said that the move would "save lives." Yeah, I'll just bet it will.
Maybe I'm looking at it all wrong. Maybe, a pissed-off, secretly armed gay and lesbian population which has been denied legally-wedded status, health insurance, and custody rights is just the thing Wisconsin conservatives need to confront on a daily basis. Maybe it will give a moment's pause to those bigots tempted to hurl the word "fag" or "dyke" at a fellow human being, especially knowing that their intended victim might just be packin'.
God, I hope so.
- - - - -
Meanwhile, the Kansas school system doggedly continues its march backward in time. The Washington Post reports on a high school student summarily suspended for the crime of speaking Spanish in the hallway. Adios mio...
There are two broader issues inadvertently raised by this idiotic action that bear discussion, though. Numero uno: The dominant language in America is English. Now, we don't need a special act of Congress to make it officially so - it just is the common tongue. I have to agree with Arnold when he states, "As an immigrant, I know the importance of mastering English as quickly and as comprehensively as possible." After all, if I move to France, I expect to have to speak French.
But, at the same time, Numero dos: If "20 percent of the U.S. school-age population is Latino," there should be no resistance to making our English-speaking children bilingual. What could possibly be the rationale for opposing the broadening of our children's minds with a required second language? I mean, that's what we're talking about here, isn't it? Is bilingualism such a frightful thing to native born Americans, just because they might have to exert a little mental effort?
Both sides in the language debate need to take a deep breath, and realize that absorbing elements of a new culture doesn't automatically translate into a betrayal of one's native origin and customs. Bilingual ability is always a valuable tool, and can only make us stronger, smarter, better members of the global community. Seems like resisting that knowledge, from either side of the ethnic coin, is a ridiculous position to defend.
As for Kansas... Well, maybe 49 stars wouldn't look so bad on our flag after all.
Almost simultaneously, the State government voted to allow residents to carry concealed weapons, overturning a 133-year-old ban. The bill's lead sponsor, Republican David Zien, said that the move would "save lives." Yeah, I'll just bet it will.
Maybe I'm looking at it all wrong. Maybe, a pissed-off, secretly armed gay and lesbian population which has been denied legally-wedded status, health insurance, and custody rights is just the thing Wisconsin conservatives need to confront on a daily basis. Maybe it will give a moment's pause to those bigots tempted to hurl the word "fag" or "dyke" at a fellow human being, especially knowing that their intended victim might just be packin'.
God, I hope so.
- - - - -
Meanwhile, the Kansas school system doggedly continues its march backward in time. The Washington Post reports on a high school student summarily suspended for the crime of speaking Spanish in the hallway. Adios mio...
There are two broader issues inadvertently raised by this idiotic action that bear discussion, though. Numero uno: The dominant language in America is English. Now, we don't need a special act of Congress to make it officially so - it just is the common tongue. I have to agree with Arnold when he states, "As an immigrant, I know the importance of mastering English as quickly and as comprehensively as possible." After all, if I move to France, I expect to have to speak French.
But, at the same time, Numero dos: If "20 percent of the U.S. school-age population is Latino," there should be no resistance to making our English-speaking children bilingual. What could possibly be the rationale for opposing the broadening of our children's minds with a required second language? I mean, that's what we're talking about here, isn't it? Is bilingualism such a frightful thing to native born Americans, just because they might have to exert a little mental effort?
Both sides in the language debate need to take a deep breath, and realize that absorbing elements of a new culture doesn't automatically translate into a betrayal of one's native origin and customs. Bilingual ability is always a valuable tool, and can only make us stronger, smarter, better members of the global community. Seems like resisting that knowledge, from either side of the ethnic coin, is a ridiculous position to defend.
As for Kansas... Well, maybe 49 stars wouldn't look so bad on our flag after all.
posted by Bob P @ 7:40 AM
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