It shocked me to read the U-Wire column by Joe Martillaro on Monday, Nov. 25. It stated, "It's time to protect our American culture. The most important item on our national agenda is preservation of the American ideal and the American way of life." Perhaps editors should screen the U-Wire more carefully for such fundamentalist propaganda in the future.

Greed, not English, is our national language and at the heart of our culture. English is important for international commerce, and if people choose not to speak "American," they have difficulties conducting business.

This is a large enough problem without the blatant targeting of the Latino community. With a liberal education, for sale at most universities, comes understanding and respect for different cultures -- probably not part of Martillaro's curriculum. I doubt if Martillaro knows the difficulties his ancestors had while being thrown into the melting pot.

Multiculturalism is what democratic nations embrace. We often take our liberties for granted -- the right of speaking in your language, saying whatever prejudicial remarks you wish and having those statements appear in a newspaper.

While I defend Martillaro's right to articulate concerns, I disagree with his opinions and its inclusion in The Daily Collegian.