Blogcritics Comments on St. Patrick's Day Remembrances: John McCain vs Gerry Adams

Comment by RJ Elliott on St. Patrick's Day Remembrances: John McCain vs Gerry Adams

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:06:18 EDT

After 100 years in Iraq, we'll go on to liberate Northern Ireland from IRA terrorists and their livers of mass cirrhosis! /lame attempt at humor Good column, Mark.

Comment by Ruvy in Jerusalem on St. Patrick's Day Remembrances: John McCain vs Gerry Adams

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:02:52 EDT

Mark, I rarely comment on this issue, but once upon a time I used to sympathize with the IRA. After all, in 1947-48, they helped us win independence from the Brits. But having seen the IRA been purchased lock, stock and shillelagh by the Arab terrorists, I have no sympathy for them at all. Nevertheless, I do believe it is far better for Irish Protestants to be a big fish in the Dail Eirann than a little second rate guppy in the British Parliament. Holding about 20% of the seats in the Dublin Parliament would be far better than a lousy six or ten MP's (out of over six hundred) begging for scraps from London bureaucrats. I believe that intelligent Protestants in Ulster can see this as well. And now that the Repuublic is a going concern (even as a German subsidiary), it's not like the Ulstermen would be sentenced to penury and potatoes. After all, after six or seven (or twelve) beers, does it really matter if you are from the Church of Ireland or the Church of Rome? You'll still be pissin' the same bathroom. And if the two churches effect a Reconciliation, what's the fight going to be over?

Comment by Mark Edward Manning on St. Patrick's Day Remembrances: John McCain vs Gerry Adams

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:00:42 EDT

I am far from anti-Irish republican, friend. Nothing would please me more than a united isle of Eire. The whole 26 + 6 = IRELAND thing is a concept I embrace. But NOT through violence, intimidation and terror. I don't like it, but the British have set their roots down in Northern Ireland, and there are generations of loyalist families there who've known no other home. Where are they supposed to go? Things are already crowded enough here on "the mainland," thank you very much. There are two types of Ulsterman, both of whom lay claim to those six counties, and we have to accept this as a geopolitical reality. It's really demeaning to say that just because someone is Irish or has Irish blood (which I do) should look fondly upon the IRA. That's just inane. Saying that I'm anti-Irish for hating the IRA is like saying Mahmoud Abbas hates the Palestinians because he favors the peace process. It's not that simple, friend. And if Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein condemned McCartney's murder, why, therefore, did the McCartney sisters seek solace with a receptive American audience? Why were they so desperate to meet with Bush? Why did they think help in seeking justice could only be found across the Atlantic? Don't get me wrong. The Catholics/republicans need a framework set in place to protect their rights against the likes of the goons in the Orange Order, but for that framework to be the IRA or its political affiliate is a step too far.

Comment by Dr Dreadful on St. Patrick's Day Remembrances: John McCain vs Gerry Adams

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:18:34 EDT

Another good piece, Mark. McCain clearly understood better than most Americans of Irish ancestry that the modern terror organization is far from being the same IRA that fought for Irish independence in the early years of the 20th century. I don't think, though, that it took until 2005 for most IRA sympathizers in the US to start withdrawing their support. The IRA had been struggling since 2001, when 9/11 brought home to every American the literally visceral effects of real-life terrorism which the people of Ireland and Britain had been living with since the sixties.

Comment by Nine county Ulster native on St. Patrick's Day Remembrances: John McCain vs Gerry Adams

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:02:20 EDT

Not very factual or concise of a blog if you ask me. For a start it oozes a little anti-irish republicanism. Also, if you get your facts right, the Northern Bank robbery despite what McCain could contrive, was never, ever proven to be the work of the I.R.A nor indeed the brutal, savage murder of Mr.McCartney. A murder might I add that was wholly, condemned by the leadership of Sinn Fein and Gerry Adams himself. The McCartney family appeared on stage, applauded and was welcomed at a Sinn Fein party conference shortly after.

Comment by Lee Richards on St. Patrick's Day Remembrances: John McCain vs Gerry Adams

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:19:38 EDT

Too bad he wasn't serving his 2nd term as president THEN.