Majority turn deaf ear to Spanish U.S. anthem

[Harold F. Schiffman]

>>From the Indianapolis Star, May 2, 2006


Majority turn deaf ear to Spanish U.S. anthem

By Bill Nichols
USA Today TODAY

WASHINGTON -- More than two out of three Americans say the national anthem
should be sung only in English, according to a USA Today/Gallup Poll.


The finding comes after the release last week of a Spanish-language
version of the anthem called "Nuestro Himno" or "Our Anthem." The poll,
taken Friday through Sunday, found 69 percent think it is appropriate for
the anthem to be sung only in English, while 29 percent say it is OK to
sing it in Spanish. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 3
percentage points.

The new recording of the national anthem is part of an album called "Somos
Americanos (We Are Americans)," set for release May 16. Part of the CD's
$10 price will go to pro-immigration organizations. Producer Adam Kidron
has said he wanted the new recording of the anthem to honor America's
immigrants. However, the release has generated strong opposition,
including from President Bush, who was asked about it last week and said,
"People who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English,
and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English."

Poll respondents largely agreed with Bush on the anthem, but they were not
in sync with his policies on immigration. Nearly two-thirds -- 64 percent
-- disapproved of Bush's immigration policy; 26 percent approved. Bush
wants tougher border enforcement, an expanded "guest worker" program and a
way, yet to be specified, to allow illegal immigrants already in the U.S.
to become citizens.

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