Phatscotty wrote:The official language of the United States and the language of commerce are English. It is entirely possible to celebrate the wonderful unity our nation engenders under a flag that proudly waves above anyone who wishes to be a part of her, without enabling those unwilling to learn a common tongue.
It is blatantly idiotic to assume that people wish to celebrate their mother tongue are "unwilling to learn a common tongue." It makes perfect sense to me that someone would participate in the common culture of the place they live in on a routine Monday-to-Friday basis, and still celebrate their original culture on the weekends, on holidays, feast days, family anniversaries or other special occasions. Your fears of subversion are unwarranted. A man who wears lederhosen to an Oktoberfest party will still be back in the office on Monday morning with his boring blue suit.