Fightdirecto
Posts: 1101
Joined: 8/3/2004 Status: offline
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Rick Santorum to Puerto Rico: If you want to become a state, you need to speak English quote:
Rick Santorum isn't about to allow some Spanish-speaking territory to become America's 51st state. The Republican presidential candidate — fresh off two primary wins in Mississippi and Alabama — insists that Puerto Rico should only gain statehood if it makes English its main language. "As in any other state, you have to comply with this and any federal law. And that is that English has to be the main language," Santorum told San Juan newspaper El Vocero on Wednesday. "There are other states with more than one language as is the case in Hawaii, but to be a state in the United States, English has to be the main language," he added. Currently, there is no federal law designating English as the country's official language. [Poster's Comment: Always nice to know when a candidate for President who is a former Congressman and a former Senator, doesn't know American law] But there are some states, including Florida, that have declared English the official language. The territory considers both English and Spanish its official languages, but most of its citizens primarily conduct business in Spanish. Santorum's comments come just ahead of Puerto Rico's Republican presidential primary on Sunday. The former Pennsylvania senator and strict social conservative has been stumping in the U.S. commonwealth, where 23 delegates are up for grabs... Critics say Santorum’s latest remarks could alienate Hispanics, including Puerto Ricans who live on the U.S. mainland. Santorum's opponents have spoken in favor of Puerto Ricans deciding themselves if they want to remain a commonwealth or become a state. Its residents will hold a referendum Nov. 6 whether they want to become a state, although Congress would have to give the final thumbs up. Puerto Rico has held several votes on becoming a state, but none have ever succeeded. Santorum meanwhile has expressed reservations, telling reporters that a simple majority in the fall referendum wouldn't necessarily convince him that its residents want to become the 51st state. There are 4 million people living in Puerto Rico. While those living there can vote in partisan primaries, they can't vote in the general election. "Santorum's comments come just ahead of Puerto Rico's Republican presidential primary on Sunday." As a musician, I wouldn't want Santorum as the band's drummer - no sense of timing...
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"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”” - Ellie Wiesel
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