Intelligencer
Bush’s Irish Heroes
PRESIDENT George W. Bush’s four favorite Irish Americans, as released by the White House this week, certainly covers all the bases.
By picking President John F. Kennedy, John Cardinal O’Connor, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston, someone at the White House clearly did their work researching the Catholic and Scots Irish roots of the Irish in America.
Crockett’s roots are in Strabane, Northern Ireland. His family was one of the many settlers who came to America during the 18th century from the North.
Young Davy was a frontiersman renowned for his hunting skills, and later he was a Congressman. At age 21 he found and won the affection of Mary Finley, a pretty Irish girl. Soon thereafter they married, and with 15 borrowed dollars settled in a log cabin.
Crockett, of course, is most famous for dying bravely at the Alamo. A new movie due out in April based on the Alamo will feature Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton as Crockett.
Sam Houston was the grandson of Jane Houston from Ballybracken, Co. Down who came to America in the 1730s. Houston was the fifth child of Jane’s son, also Samuel.
He was commander in chief of the Texas army fighting the Mexicans for control of Texas. He was not at the Alamo, but afterwards he defeated the Mexican general Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto. Houston became the first president of Texas and a folk hero.
John Cardinal O’Connor, of course, was the much-loved prelate in New York who died in 2000 aged 80. Bush spoke warmly of the cardinal at his funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
O’Connor was deeply conservative on doctrinal matter but very liberal on social issues such as the rights of workers and helping the poor.
President Kennedy, of course, needs little introduction. Bush stated that he “led America with steadfast determination during a time of great challenge.” That was a nice tribute to a man of a different party.
New Twist on Pat’s Protest
A NEW twist on the perennial fight between gay protestors and the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade organizers will be seen this year on the big day of March 17.
Irish Queers, a militant group which each year protests, will this year offer Irish dramatic readings, singing of Irish songs, and visuals by Irish artists.
The group states that their events will take place “in direct opposition to the AOH’s claims that Irish culture is made up entirely of a series of heterosexual military bands, heterosexual Holy Name societies and heterosexual county organizations.”
Among those reading will be Malachy McCourt, without whom no Irish protest is complete these days, and artists Conor McGrady and Kevin Noble, whose work deals with colonialism and repression in Northern Ireland. The protestors are set to gather at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue.
“We’re all about inclusion,” said J.F. Mulligan of Irish Queers. “If people want to trade in their Roman Catholicism go bragh badges, Irish Queers are here to welcome them.”
Sweeney a Key Man
HE may well be the most important man on the Democratic side in the presidential election, but you’d never know it to meet and talk to him.
He is John Sweeney, head of the AFL/CIO and a self-effacing son of the Bronx whose father was a bus cleaner from Co. Leitrim.
As the election season approaches Sweeney’s input will be absolutely critical for the success of Democratic Senator John Kerry’s campaign.
As The New York Times noticed this week, Sweeney’s ability to organize at the grassroots level probably won some states for Al Gore in the last election. Now he will be more in the limelight than ever, given how close the November race is expected to be.
Sweeney will receive the Irish American of the Year award next week from our sister publication Irish America magazine, a well-deserved honor for a modest man who has never forgotten his roots.
Another Sweeney On the Move
ANOTHER John Sweeney in the news is upstate New York Congressman John Sweeney, who represents the Saratoga area. Sweeney is increasingly being talked about as a candidate for governor if incumbent Republican George Pataki moves on, and even as an opponent for Senator Hillary Clinton in 2006.
Sweeney has the perfect profile. Like Pataki he is an upstate moderate who plays well in New York City while not alienating his base.
Sweeney is also very ambitious, but will likely have to wait out Rudy Giuliani’s decision on which office he will run for after 2004. Right now, however, it seems likely that Sweeney will be trying hard to succeed Pataki in the gubernatorial election, probably against Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.
Rudy’s White House Bid?
SPEAKING of Rudy Giuliani, Irish supporters are convinced that the former mayor of New York City is heading for a White House bid in 2008 rather than a race for senator or governor.
The fact that Giuliani has paid visits to New Hampshire and Iowa and has been aggressively campaigning for President Bush is the real tip-off, say friends.
“There is only one job in the world big enough for Rudy and that’s president,” says a long time supporter. “You can bet on it that that is where he is heading.”
Of course, Rudy would have his work cut out in the southern dominated Republican Party, especially with his liberal views on abortion and gun control, not to mention three marriages to his credit.
Still, Rudy’s life has pretty much been an opera anyway, and he probably figures after September 11 and prostate cancer he can overcome anything.
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