Obama to parents: 'You need to make sure your child can speak Spanish'

The controversy continues over Sen. Barack Obama's recent comments that Americans should learn to speak a foreign language, preferably Spanish.

This is what Obama said Tuesday in Powder Springs, Ga., as reported by The Associated Press:

"I agree that immigrants should learn English. But instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English — they'll learn English — you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish. You should be thinking about how can your child become bilingual. We should have every child speaking more than one language."

Obama's comments brought condemnation from English First Executive Director Jim Boulet Jr.:

"What next, Senator? Will you be saying that too many Americans are bitterly clinging to our English language? Why does it seem you are always looking down your nose at the rest of us? "It is one thing to dislike America. It is another thing altogether to dislike America while seeking America's highest office."

The Americans for Legal Immigration PAC also criticized Obama in a written statement:

"Following the hard lessons of New York Governor Elliot Spitzer's failed attempt to give licenses to illegal aliens and John McCain's close call with political destruction for supporting Comprehensive Immigration Reform Amnesty in 2007, Barack Obama has stepped on a political land mine by stating Americans should be forced to learn to speak Spanish."

There's an online petition at English First to tell Sen. Barack Obama that he's wrong about forcing American children to speak Spanish.