LETTERS

King Is Incomparable

FR. Sean McManus is so steeped in his own Republican bias that he would dare liken Martin Luther King to the IRA? (“The Black/Irish Struggle,” January 28-February 3.)

Martin Luther King was Ghandi like in his anti-violence stand for civil rights. The IRA/Sinn Fein would blast us into the past and, like the Ulster Defense Association/Ulster Volunteer Force/Red Hand Brigade, etc., would kill those who would dare to oppose their brand of “freedom.” It is a freedom that does not respect the peace wish of the vast majority of the people of Ireland.

Perhaps the good priest should return to the teachings of Christ and embrace the spirit of reconciliation.

Patrick J. Corr
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Dervan Is ‘Clueless’

I WOULD like to express my disgust at Cathal Dervan’s column in last week’s issue, “Kelly’s Voice Needs to be Heard,” regarding the upcoming decision on whether or not to open Croke Park to other sports.

It seems to me that Mr. Dervan has difficulty accepting anyone’s opinion other than his own. To suggest that former GAA president Jack Boothman’s thoughts on the matter compare to the rantings of Ian Paisley is absolutely pathetic!

Having lived through The Troubles, I find it incredible that Mr. Dervan has the stupidity to mention Paisley, an anti-Catholic bigot, in the same article as a former GAA president. 

I suggest that he stick to writing articles on subjects he knows something about, as he is obviously clueless about our heritage and culture, and what the GAA means to so many.

Jackie Lynch
Maspeth, New York

Sick of Ego Trips

AS an American (born) and a Vietnam veteran (Army), I am both offended and embarrassed by Jerry Hoosier’s jingoistic blather in recent issues of the Irish Voice. 

Let’s be honest, Mr. Hoosier. You are merely defending Bush/Cheney policy, not America. You may speak on behalf of the draft dodger/war enthusiasts who temporarily occupy the White House, but please don’t presume to speak for America. 

Furthermore, your comparison of the conflict in Northern Ireland to Iraq is ludicrous. No Irishman of any political persuasion has ever asked the U.S. to bomb or invade Northern Ireland. 

You say that the Irish should solve their own problems. That little apartheid entity in the north, however, was not created by Ireland, and the problems engendered by its creation (gerrymandering, job discrimination, disproportionate representation, etc.) cannot be resolved by Ireland alone. 

Let’s get some facts straight. Ireland, unlike America, closed its businesses and declared a “national day of mourning” following September 11. In doing so, they “put their money where there mouth was.” 

In addition, they provided the U.S. with the use of Shannon Airport in pursuit of al-Qaeda. Ireland vociferously condemned September 11 as an unprovoked attack. Like most of the planet, however, they likewise opposed the Bush/Cheney administration’s “pre-emptive” (unprovoked) attack on Iraq. 

Psychologists teach us that emotionally immature people mistakenly interpret all disagreement as personal rejection. In his attack on the Irish, Mr. Hoosier simplistically infers that you are either with us or against us.

Painting this as an “us vs. them” issue is ridiculous. Like General Wesley Clark, millions of other Americans oppose this arbitrary war, in the belief that war should be the absolute last resort. 

Furthermore, many Americans are suspicious of the blatant conflicts of interest and the radical diversion from the pursuit of al-Qaeda, to the invasion of oil rich Iraq (several Cabinet members are either former oil company executives or lobbyists.) The right wing in this country would like to think they have a monopoly on patriotism. Like the Irish, however, I have always tried to put “my money where my mouth is.” 

I am rather sick of fat cats waving and hiding behind the flag, while they drive expensive foreign cars and export American jobs to offshore slave labor. My patriotism is not reflected in a bumper sticker, but by the “made in America” stickers and union labels on the products I purchase (in spite of any additional cost). 

To Dessie Coogan, it saddens me that Mr. Hoosier was able to good you in to resorting to his forte of stereotyping, as evidenced in your letter “Some American Truisms” (January 21-27.) No, Mr. Coogan, we Americans are not all alike. 

In closing, I have neither the interest nor the intention of tying up future print space in a vain display of dueling egos. There are many other subjects and writers deserving of space. 

John O’Donnell 
Brick, New Jersey

Respect Michael

IT’S disgraceful that the “Page 2” column of January 14-20 relegated Michael Flatley to a last item place. 

Us Flatley fanatics need more than that, such as – how many potatoes are in his tights? What is consensual sex with an Irish dancer? How many steps must be built to his mansion before he gets married?

Who shaves his armpits? Why are the pictures of himself and Daniel O’Donnell kept hidden? Why didn’t he tap dance at Ann Miller’s funeral?

There are silly things like the Good Friday Agreement and the Orange atrocities taking place in Ireland. But keep an eye on priorities – the life and doings of Michael Flatley.

Malachy McCourt
New York, New York

DEBBIE McGOLDRICK RE-PLIES: Malachy, we’re getting seriously worried about you around here. You seem to have developed an unhealthy obsession over what’s in Michael’s tights. So we’re forwarding your rants – sorry, letters – on to his security people who will surely act accordingly. It’s for your own good, as we really don’t want to see a Malachy mug shot. It could be scarier than Michael Jackson’s!