Not long ago Senator Barack Hussein Obama II said he was embarrassed that most Americans cannot speak a second language. When we go to Europe, we can only say simple phrases in French, for instance. He said Americans need to learn Spanish. Senator Obama spoke to a crowd of Germans yesterday. In English only. I am embarrassed that he cannot speak a second language. He should have at least said some rehearsed sentences in German to show his solidarity as a “citizen of the world”.
Not long ago Senator Barack Hussein Obama II said he was embarrassed that most Americans cannot speak a second language. When we go to Europe, we can only say simple phrases in French, for instance. He said Americans need to learn Spanish. Senator Obama spoke to a crowd of Germans yesterday. In English only. I am embarrassed that he cannot speak a second language. He should have at least said some rehearsed sentences in German to show his solidarity as a “citizen of the world”.
We don’t have a border with Germany, so why would he have reason to speak it? And he does speak Spanish, at least enough to do Spanish-language ads. He may speak others, but in general German isn’t considered a vital world language today. At least, not on par with French, Japanese, the major Chinese dialects and Spanish.
By the way, how many languages does John Sidney McCain III speak? I expect he learned Latin as a young man—everybody spoke Latin back then, right? (<--- Gen-X humor!!!)—but it hardly counts.
Whatever, it’s a petty complaint by conservatives and one more in a long line of non issues raised by those who haven’t, apparently, anything intelligent to offer in the way of real debate. Next thing you know some yo yo will be criticizing his underwear.
Not long ago Senator Barack Hussein Obama II said he was embarrassed that most Americans cannot speak a second language. When we go to Europe, we can only say simple phrases in French, for instance. He said Americans need to learn Spanish. Senator Obama spoke to a crowd of Germans yesterday. In English only. I am embarrassed that he cannot speak a second language. He should have at least said some rehearsed sentences in German to show his solidarity as a “citizen of the world”.
Perhaps he cannot speak German, but that in no way should be an indication that he cannot speak a SECOND language.
You are apparently one of the masses that work at being offended, as if were a god give right.
Not long ago Senator Barack Hussein Obama II said he was embarrassed that most Americans cannot speak a second language. When we go to Europe, we can only say simple phrases in French, for instance. He said Americans need to learn Spanish. Senator Obama spoke to a crowd of Germans yesterday. In English only. I am embarrassed that he cannot speak a second language. He should have at least said some rehearsed sentences in German to show his solidarity as a “citizen of the world”.
We don’t have a border with Germany, so why would he have reason to speak it? And he does speak Spanish, at least enough to do Spanish-language ads. He may speak others, but in general German isn’t considered a vital world language today. At least, not on par with French, Japanese, the major Chinese dialects and Spanish.
By the way, how many languages does John Sidney McCain III speak? I expect he learned Latin as a young man—everybody spoke Latin back then, right? (<--- Gen-X humor!!!)—but it hardly counts.
Obama’s recent objection and insult to the American public framed the language issue as a contrast between Europeans who travel to the U.S. and can speak English and those U.S. citizens traveling to Europe who cannot speak the native languages. What’s up with Obama’s ignorance of the languages of those people so smitten with him? Can he speak the language of any European country he has set foot in or Hebrew?
Good point Mr travelah. Steve has said Senator Barack Hussein Obama II can speak Spanish. Really? I have a feeling Obama only memorized a few paragraphs to reach Spanish voters. I seriously doubt he can speak Spanish conversationally on a level that would make him fit in a Spanish speaking country. Personally, I know several good Spanish speaking people here in North carolina who are trying to learn English. If Americans learn Spanish, these newcomers have no incentive to learn the business language of the land. That will hurt them.
I just saw a film clip of Obama meeting the French president. He didn’t speak one word of French. I am personally embarrassed that a presidential candidate would tell Americans to do something he himself does not do.
Does Senator John Sidney McCain, US Navy Ret, speak any foreign languages? I have no idea. But it is not an issue with him because he hasn’t chastised the American people for being English-only speakers.
posnideus...is that you Mr e? If so, welcome back! You must’ve gotten a new computer or something to blink on under your bridge. -:)
In California, bi-lingual education was voted OUT in a referendum with lots of support from the Hispanic community. Simply because not knowing how to speak English well hurts Hispanics in the working world. I am all for anyone who wants to to learn Spanish, French, Swedish, or Icelander. But those who live in this country need to know English in order to have a chance at a good job.
posnideus...is that you Mr e? If so, welcome back! You must’ve gotten a new computer or something to blink on under your bridge. -:)
In California, bi-lingual education was voted OUT in a referendum with lots of support from the Hispanic community. Simply because not knowing how to speak English well hurts Hispanics in the working world. I am all for anyone who wants to to learn Spanish, French, Swedish, or Icelander. But those who live in this country need to know English in order to have a chance at a good job.
Absolutely! years ago there was this women in NYC who was teaching young blacks how to speak correct English, a requirement, she said, for reaching higher levels of employment. Hispanics obviously are even worse off than native born blacks.
It’s your assertion. Prove Obama DOESN’T speak Spanish. Show me the article where it says this. We already know that he speaks at least one foreign language, by the way.
McCain represents one of the biggest Spanish-speaking states in the Union. Prove he’s relevant enough to speak it even passably, to show he’s even remotely in touch with Arizona’s culture. If he doesn’t, he should be embarrassed to represent that state.
