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TJ
O Conchuir says Bush doesn't represent the American
people, than says anti-Americanism protests are OK.
True Bush doesn't represent all the American people,
but, he does represent some. Almost half voted for
him. Americanism is the Constitution and Bill of rights.
Protesting against the Republican party's agenda is
OK. Saying America is wrong is absurd.
At
least half of America showed, by their democratic
vote, that they didn't want a Bush Administration.
The average American is not an Imperialist. Many who
voted for Bush and Republican agendas are against
the war in Iraq. Support for American military personnel
is not the same as support for war. The Bush team
has not (yet) been able to fully suppress protest
and first amendment rights. That is what makes America
great.
Their right to try and our right to fight them should
never be abolished. The rights to try for Nationalism
and Unionism should never be abolished in Ireland.
More pragmatic peaceful demonstrations should be encouraged.
TJ asks for evidence on my 99% wrong belief. Simply
watch the St. Patrick's day parade and the support
for it. Watch the growing number of parades being
added each year across the United States. True, far
to many participants are "one day a year Irish"
but their spirit is evident. To say even a large number
of them support a separate North of Ireland is not
evident. Most Irish Americans, simply, do not understand
N. Irish Politics. Even the people of the republic
have a hard time with it.
I
belong to quite a few Irish American organizations
with thousands of members. Never once, did I ever
hear anyone speak in support of a separate North of
Ireland. There are probably people who do. They, however,
are certainly not measured in the thousands. The only
proof I read, supporting this doctrine, was "I
talked to some people".
If anyone wants true proof, come to an AOH convention.
Speak to parade committee's across America. It's not
hard to find. Go to Irish festivals and cultural events.
I doubt, that, you will find many supporters. A trick
may be to ask loaded questions. This may get you an
answer in the affirmative, but, not an accurate one.
Adams and McGuiness meeting with Bush is the only
way they can talk directly to him. This is not fraternization
but good leadership and political savy.Better to look
your advisory in the eye than to write. More was accomplished
by their meetings. True, much more has to be done,
but, to stop trying is defeatist.
Would T J rather we pitch tents for Gerry and Michael.
When they came here, to visit, they stayed in local
motels and private homes. None was elaborate. Gerry
Adams at his last visit stayed in an inexpensive motel
and attended Sunday mass at the closest local church,
St. Joseph's. Staying at expensive hotels in New York
supplied by donors, saved them the money they would
have spent on less expensive ones.
T J preaches consensus and consent in the North. True
words were never written, but, you cant' have your
consensus and consent without seats in parliament.
The political process has to come first, then only
by the democratic process T J says is not sought after,
can agendas be won and progress made.
Yes,
there will be setbacks. Only in a democratic society
where Unionists have equal rights with Nationalists
can a march forward began.
I
believe T J wrong in what history argues. We Irish
in America were instrumental in starting Labor Unions
in the Pennsylvania Coal Fields. We moved in politics
until we got John F Kennedy elected president. Based
on early Unionism we were a major factor in creating
the largest and best middle class living standards
in the world.This was stated by Tip O'Neill another
Irish American success story.
All
I can say to T J is, its harder to pick a hanging
victim out of a united crowd than the isolated wayfarer
and wanderer. First support Sinn Fein in the North.
Later, after success, or failure, for that matter,
travel your own road. You will find it paved and protected.
Why Sinn Fein? It is the party with the best chance
in the North.
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