US plans to teach “critical need” foreign languages
Today the State Department announced they would request $114M in 2007
for the teaching to critical need languages. While I applaud this
proposal from my English-only seat I firmly believe it takes only a
baby step in the direction of a much larger problem.
What we really need is an American population that sees themselves as
citzens of the world. For example, I can’t count the number of times
that I have encounter Americans who think they can honestly just get on
an airplane, land in another country and just march in! Passports seem
to be reserved for everyone else. “What do you mean I have to prove who
I am?” 
What is really needed is Americans who sincerely appreciate and value
the diversity of cultures and contributions in the entire world. One
reason I enjoy listening to world news from the BBC is to hear REAL
world news. Not just news (via abbreviated sound bites) that directly
affects us in the opinion of a news director trying to sell advertising
space on the evening news.
My biggest problem with this rant is that I see the problem and some of the perpetrators but not a clear solution.
Maybe the solution is like many we currently face. – look in the mirror and ask; Am I part of the solution, if not then you are probaly part of the problem.
Posted: January 6th, 2006 under General.