Embracing the ‘Banner’

A recently released Spanish-language version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” produced by a British musician based in New York has ignited a furor in the blogosphere, but local politicians say much of the controversy over the song is just an attempt to ignite cultural tensions.

Montgomery County Council Member Tom Perez said hedisagreed with the president’s statement over the weekend that the national anthem “ought to be sung in English.” However, he strongly agreed that “people who want to be citizens of this country ought to learn English.”