Tu papa es estupido y otras observaciones

In most countries, speaking a foreign language is an asset, and in many countries, it is simply normal or even necessary to know more than one language. Here in the United States, a nation whose people can barely speak their native language, speaking a foreign one is grounds for punishment.

Spanish At School Translates to Suspension

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Dec. 8 -- Most of the time, 16-year-old Zach Rubio converses in clear, unaccented American teen-speak, a form of English in which the three most common words are "like," "whatever" and "totally." But Zach is also fluent in his dad's native language, Spanish -- and that's what got him suspended from school.

"It was, like, totally not in the classroom," the high school junior said, recalling the infraction. "We were in the, like, hall or whatever, on restroom break. This kid I know, he's like, 'Me prestas un dolar?' ['Will you lend me a dollar?'] Well, he asked in Spanish; it just seemed natural to answer that way. So I'm like, 'No problema.' "

If he should be punished for anything, it's that hideous English. Like, like, like...

Where do people like Michael Savage and the principal of this school develop their aversion to foreign languages? Is it racism? Is it American arrogance that says everything that is not American is wrong? Is it that they are just too stupid to learn languages, so they have to take it out on everyone who knows another one?

Of course, I agree that if you are going to live in a country, you should learn the language of that country. I don't understand how you could live in a country and NOT learn its language unless you never come out of your house. To not learn is simply laziness. But it should not be forced. That goes against the spirit of America, a nation that was built by immigrants who spoke all different languages.

Chalk this one up to another Kansas idiocy.