Air: The official breathing standard

I found the readings/listenings and our ongoing conversation/debate about standardizing english very interesting. Going back to the political cartoon on 480, i really liked the cartoon about the 3 politicians and about designating the sun as the official life-giving source of heat and light. It almost seems that silly to declare a national language. Like Ron said, most, if not all, of us would agree that a common language in a country is the best. But does that require legislation? I am a firm believer that anyone should learn english. It is the international language. But i would not force that on anyone. Likewise, i think that native english speakers should learn some other foreign language. I feel that a culture should hold on to their native tongue, it truely is a source of identity. But in order to be functional, in america for instance, english needs to be learned. As was said early on in the class, there is rarely a clear-cut, black and white answer. The answer lies in the gray, in the area where black and white (not races) have found a compromise. english needs to be spoken in america, but diversity and tolerance absolutely need to thrive. That is what are nation was founded upon! People came from all over to find a land of tolerance, freedom, and peace. What changed? They still seek those things.