Change in country name Same message. Do you agree?

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes a Colombian and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact a Colombian, and nothing but a Colombian...

There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is a Colombian, but something else also, isn't a Colombian at all. We have room for but one flag, the Colombian flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the Spanish language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the Colombian people."

By Swinn88 on Aug 15, 2007, 12:27 in Friendly Talkzone.

scotty says on Aug 15, 2007, 13:15:

that sounds fair

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Sr Tertius says on Aug 15, 2007, 13:28:

At least one part turns to be factually wrong: "We have room for but one language here, and that is the Spanish language." Actually we have room for MANY languages.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Colombia

I still find it hard to understand why this kind of policy couldn't be implemented in Arizona, where English is now the official language. But hey, if Arizonias want to by the "One People, One Nation, One Leader, (One Language)" motto, fine by me, it's their choice. I just wouldn't accept anything like that in Colombia.

The rest of the quote hinges on a the definition of Colombian: What does it mean to be Colombian? (or American, or Nigerian, or whatever)? Admittedly it seems like a dumb question, but it's harder than it seems.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 15, 2007, 13:41:

I agree, sounds pretty fair. Though I disaggree to some extent about the language. As long as a person is trying to make an effort to learn English in the US, or Spanish in Colombia, I think that is OK. My dad didn't speak a word of English before he came to the US at age 14. By age 18, he was in Cal State LA. But he is extremely bright. I guess what I am trying to say is that if person moves to the US, or Colombia, they should make an honest effort to be proficient in the language, whether it be English or Spanish respectively. But I would never put a time-table on learning the language, nor would I even want it required. A person won't be able to get by very well in Colombia sin espanol, and same in the US without English. (though much better chance in the US)

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Swinn88 says on Aug 15, 2007, 13:51:

Very true Mr. Tertius. However I would but a buck that peoples whose primary language is not Spanish are not treated as equals and are treated as lesser.

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Sr Tertius says on Aug 15, 2007, 20:39:

One thing is for sure: If I were to move with my gf to Bogotá, I wouldn't like her to turn into anything different that what she is right now. I'd like her to learn the language and culture out of convenience, not out of an outdated and misguided sense of patriotism.

"When the finger points to the moon, the fool looks at the finger" (Chinese proverb)

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Swinn88 says on Aug 16, 2007, 08:38:

Very Good Mr. Tertius...I agree.

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