By Jim Rutenberg

WASHINGTON, April 28 - President Bush has never been shy about speaking Spanish in public, and he is known to love all kinds of music: country, folk and even Tex-Mex style rock. But one thing you will not find on his iPod: “Nuestro Himno,” the new Spanish version of the national anthem that was released on Friday as part of the growing immigrants’ rights movement.

President Bush speaking to reporters today in the Rose Garden of the White House.
Asked at a news briefing in the Rose Garden on Friday whether he believed the anthem would have the same value in Spanish as it did in English, Mr. Bush said flatly, “No, I don’t.”

“And I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English,” Mr. Bush said. “And they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English.”

Mr. Bush has tried to occupy a middle ground in the raging debate over immigration, supporting legislation that would grant immigrant workers temporary legal status and perhaps a path to citizenship, while pushing for immigrants to learn English also pressing for more steps to stop the flow of newcomers over the border. But his statement about the anthem was taken by members of both parties as a clear signal to conservatives that he stood with them on what many of them see as a clash between national identity and multiculturalism.

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While many issues are at stake in the debate over illegal immigration and border security, it is absurd the national anthem of the United States has been toyed with and destoryed in hispanic circles. Written by Francis Scott Key while observing the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814, the Star Spangled Banner has given hope and courage to millions of soldiers and U.S. citizens. However, the anthem has now been abused by those who don’t care about this country’s history or what the anthem stands for.

We’ve seen time and time again illegal immigrants and other minority groups take to the streets to protest the ongoing fight in Congress regarding border protection legislation. However, during protests, many immigrants have pledged their loyalty to Mexico, have flown the American flag upside-down, and called for the Mexican re-annexation of the American Southwest. Now, radical hispanics have destroyed the Star Spangled Banner. In my eyes, this is not only dishonorable, this is dispicable. Illegal immigrants wish for the American people to sympathize with their cause, yet they continue to destroy American symbols.

As an American citizen, I am angry, and I hope other Americans are angry as well. It is time for the silent minority to step out of its comfort zone and speak out for border protection and the rule of law. Though these radicals may destory our national symbols, they must not destroy our determination to close the borders and prevent amnesty for those who disrespect our laws and freedoms.