Oh, dime puedes ver...

I am pretty sure I could not care less about what language the national anthem is sung in. In fact it seems to me that by translating it into other languages people who don't speak English (I would add "well" but as that includes Bush and most of his supporters...) can gain a greater appreciation and respect for this nation. Unfortunately the politicization of the Spanish translation of the "Star Spangled Banner" is not the creation of the right, but the left. The entire campaign is intended as a very public show of support for immigrants. Support for immigrants is good, but this seems misplaced to me. It has created a political issue out of somethig that should never be.

I would not say that the language something is conveyed in is meaningless as translation is not an exact science (translate: "el mundo es un pañuelo"...now go find out what the phrase actually means), but most of the time the same feelings and ideals do translate. Most educators feel that translation facilitates an understanding of another people/time/place that isn't really possible if the original language is the only one available. No Socratese if you don't speak ancient Greek. No bible for anyone who can't read the Dead Sea Scrolls. Heck, plenty of high school students would love to see Shakespere translated from English into English (Cliffs Notes don't count). As for the actual singing of it, well, it is a song. It was originally just a poem, but as the words are now set to music and it is the national anthem of the United States, it is meant to be sung, so why not?

This should not be an issue. Not for the left; not for the right. Probably not for me, either, but as it has become an issue I feel justified in pointing out how stupid it is (for, maybe subtle reasons this is not hypocritical). Also, I really think it is odd that Bush was opposed to translating the anthem. The one area where I think his heart, and legislative ideas...possibly, are in the right place is immigration reform. His statement seems in opposition to his--apparent--beliefs.