Santorum to Puerto Rico: Speak English if you want statehood

[sikorsky]

47. Santorum is a moron for many reasons, obviously, but I don't get the hysterical opposition to

having English be our 'official' language. I've made it a point to learn enough of the local languages in every country I've visited/worked in (actually 52 countries so far) to at least navigate around and conduct basic human activity (finding lodging, food, bathroom, phone, transportation, etc.). I'm reasonably fluent in Spanish, Italian and French and I can 'get by' in Japanese, Portuguese and German...certainly not able to translate novels but well enough to survive. I've found that just making the effort reaps enormous benefits...most 'foreigners' will bend over backward to be helpful (and enjoy some laughs at our expense) if we just TRY.

If I were ever to relocate to a non-English speaking country to live or commit to a long-term stay, I'd absolutely accept their desire for me to accommodate their wishes if they included a requirement for me to adopt their language. I guess what puzzles me is why some think that shouldn't be done in all directions.