76 Comments

• maryo137 | Oct 29, 2011, 11:28 AM EDT

  Thank you MANHATTAN for your insightful posts, and for rekindling many memories. I must say though, based on some of the comments here that you are "Casting pearls amongst the swine"

• maryo137 | Oct 26, 2011, 09:40 PM EDT

  Gays know why they are not welcome in the St. Patricks day parade, and why the Boy Scouts of America do not want them as Scout leaders. They just like to be an "In Your Face" group. I will never forget and neither will other New Yorkers the day the "Gay Org. Act Up" went into St. Patricks Cathedral and kneeled at the alter for Communion and then spit it out onto the floor and then threw condoms all over. When your rights infringe mine you are wrong. This is another political load of crap. Why doesn't she get a most friendly to people award? Gays have plenty of parades to march in, so what is gained by wanting to go where your not wanted for a reason anyone can understand.

• killowen | Nov 10, 2010, 01:30 PM EST

  she is happy being with her dublin mardi gras version of a parade - so happens its a mostly gay and colorful event. St Patrick as like Jesus - who knew?

• PhilipOHayda | Oct 17, 2010, 05:41 AM EDT

  I say Go on! McAleese’s. I can't belive that they taking a Dark age view on gays.Ireland it's slef is leading the way with the times since 300AD and it looks like we still are. I just wish the rest of the world would follow us as well. :(

• ancavker | Sep 29, 2010, 04:39 PM EDT

  Sorry my original post should have said why are manhattan's arguements ludicrous and entertaining. Woodkern sounds like one of those new and improved Irish I am talking about. You know the self hating anything Irish is bad kind. Plus the bitterness that flows through his posts, and the arrogance; he like many of the other so called new and improved Irish know it all, about everything. Oh to think of all the times over the years while visiting there I have had to listen to them go on endlessly about America and how bad we are, and the Bushes, and Ronald Ray-Gun. Incredibly rude. They are insufferable!!And on and on about how we Irish-Americans have no claim on Ireland or anything Irish at all. There was nothing funnier than having Irish people dressed in Levis, sweat shirts , American sneakers, and baseball caps (worn backwards) of course telling us we are not Irish, while watching them desperatley trying to be American. And nothing sadder than when mentioning Irish traditional music, their response was who would want to listen to that ou'l sh@te. Well we do, and many of us love it, so we will keep it and treasure it, and nuture, and pass it on. And since you have no use for it, why do you even care??

• ancavker | Sep 29, 2010, 12:04 PM EDT

  Why exactly are woodkerns arguments ludicrous and entertaining? I think he or she hit a nerve. Many of the Irish people in Ireland belittle and make fun of their own culture. If it is not English or American, than it is no good. Now I have seen in other countries where the young people are into so much of American culture, but they at least respect their own, and they do not have the contempt and disgust for it that I have seen so many so called Irish people display towards it. As far as the Dublin parade, nice enough, but a huge yawn if you ask me. (Oh and I saew lots of drunks at it too, and young kids, younger than the ones seen at NYC's parade). However if you wanted to see drunks, well back in the 80's we had all the new and improved educated Irish drunk on the streets of Woodlawn and Mc Lean Ave. I used to walk over them. What a disgrace!! Thankfully that crowd for the most part has gone back, oh and please don't come back. Look you so called real Irish need to understand that we Irish Americans (and we will continue to call ourselves that with pride), are exactly that Irish Americans not Irish, big difference. We do not have the big chip on our shoulder. Nor are we as incredibly critical and negative and bitter as so many of the real Irish of today are. We are proud of the culture that was passed on to us by our parents and gradprarents, and we do not belittle it, and will pass it down to our children. And no we do not all sit on bar stools in the Bronx and sign Sen South. I wish the so called new Irish would get over themselves.

• Woodkern | Sep 28, 2010, 04:33 PM EDT

  "Yes, Mary McAleese could learn a lot from we Irish Americans who kept Irish culture alive"... LOL! Thanks for that! FYI, I'm as Irish as the Dalai Lama, just like yourself, except I'm not grasping for some synthetic hyphenate prefix. No, it's not "my" Dublin parade (although from what I hear, far better craic than that Neo-Jansenist Death March we see here.) And, no, I'm not going anywhere. Are you really surprised that many Americans find your arguments to be ludicrous (and entertaining) as do many Irish people? Please, give us some more... You're doing SO MUCH to advance your cause!

• manhattan | Sep 28, 2010, 03:44 PM EDT

  Oh Woodkern, That so called bore from Chicago brought Irish dancing to where it should be enjoyed by everyone . As for greasing his chest hmmm little jealous are you? Yes, Mary McAleese could learn a lot from we Irish Americans who kept Irish culture alive. And yes, 33 yrs ago you could not find traditional music in Ireland. Just country and western{copied from us Americans.} I'm sure your Dublin Parade is without drunks, kids pucking on the streets and all that bad behavior our" suburban hordes"commit. I really am disgusted by the Irish who never have a nice thing to say about anything. Is it the DNA? I'm glad we Americans are better then that. Are you in Ireland or God forbid here? I hate this but there is a plane leaving everyday back to the old sod. Don't let the door hit you in ass as you leave. "AN OLD IRISH SAYING.!

• Woodkern | Sep 26, 2010, 04:38 PM EDT

  Oh, tell us more, Manhattan! So, you visited Ireland thirty-three years ago, and the natives didn't re-enact the script from "The Quiet" man for you. Hence, you gratuitously concluded that they are devoid of the rich Irish culture that you yourself embody. As further proof of your stunning insight, you offer your own enthusiasm for an equally arrogant boor from Chicago with a badly faked Irish accent (You call it a "brogue", don't you?) who smears grease on his chest and dances on television. What a rich heritage! Yes, indeed, that ignorant Mary McAleese could learn a few things from you and those insightful suburban hordes who expound Irish culture with such grace and dignity. She just doesn't know what she's missing!... "Some sprayed beer and shouted obscenities at the mayor..."... http://articles.latimes.com/1991-03-17/news/mn-915_1_largest-st-patrick-s-day-parade

• BishopSean | Sep 26, 2010, 10:24 AM EDT

  President McAleese no doubt is seeing herself as "standing on principle." In my view, she is trying to be a "nice guy in the wrong way." That's not how Jesus loves people. Blessings!

• GeorgeDillon | Sep 25, 2010, 03:29 AM EDT

  manhattan--Good point about Riverdance. Before Americans Flatley and Butler made it cool again, the low self-esteem and self-hating irish of Ireland were ASHAMED of Irish dancing and sniggered at anyone who did it. The same attitude prevails today among the self-hating irish with regards to the ancient Irish language. Many Irish hate it, others are embarrassed to hear it spoken. Ditto for Irish music, the self-hating Irish even have a name for it, diddely-die. Run thru your radio channels next time you're in Ireland, and apart from the Irish language station, you won't hear one note of Irish music being played. And THESE are the same Irish who set themselves up here as guardians of Irish culture, and deign to tell us poor Irish-Americans thaat we don't understand and value our Irish heritage? Pog mo thoin, amadain na hEireann!

• manhattan | Sep 24, 2010, 11:34 PM EDT

  One of you wrote that we Irish Americans STOLE Irelands St. Patrick's Day and Holloween from the Ireland. If for a minute I can stop laughing I want you to thank your lucky stars that the Irish that came here didn't forget you at home. In fact, even though they lived in poverty they sent back to a starving nation an astounding amount money from the little they made. They sent money, clothes and kept Ireland from losing another 3 million from dying. They kept the music, the stories and told us to always be proud of our heritage, but first and foremost give thanks to this great country for saving us and those back in Ireland. I went to Ireland in 1977 was shocked to find out that we in America respected our heritage more. It is us that kept the Irish music alive ,had our kids step dancing that is why it took two Americans to make Riverdance a hit. I refuse to think that all those Ireland are like these letter writers/At least I hope so.

• hancock | Sep 24, 2010, 01:40 PM EDT

  Woodkern where are you from?

• manhattan | Sep 24, 2010, 12:10 PM EDT

  George Dillon isn't a bully hyattsville, He is just smarter then you. As the great Jack Nicholson said 'YOU CANT STAND TO HEAR THE TRUTH.'

• manhattan | Sep 24, 2010, 11:59 AM EDT

  Woodkern, no one is more disgusted with those idiots who have to get stoned and make asses of themselves more then most Irish Americans. It's a celebration of Irish American contributions to our city. Leave the politics out of it. But what the heck does that have to do with Gays not being allowed in the March? You know my Irish American fire fighter nephew who thank God survived on 9/11 was treated worse by the drunks in Dublin when the realized he was American. It works way kid.

• hancock | Sep 24, 2010, 11:24 AM EDT

  Where are you from Woodkern?

• Woodkern | Sep 24, 2010, 11:16 AM EDT

  Aren’t those of you posting “good-riddance” comments being more than a bit disingenuous? (1.) The President of Ireland didn’t invite herself to this spectacle. (2.) For those who alleged than you don’t care, you seem terribly irate. (3.) C’mon, just admit! Now, you want her to march more than ever. Just think, a moving target of considerable renown! You can boo, jeer and hiss at her, just as you did to Cardinal Cooke, good Catholics that you are and all. Then, you can spray Budweiser and toss the cans at her. Instead of the N-word, you can pierce the air with the C-word for that uppity European bitch. After spending much of the afternoon “honoring” the patron saint of a country which you couldn’t find on a map even if you were sober, you can deliberate for 30 to 40 minutes on how to take the subway to Queens, since you “hardly evuh come to da friggin’ city”. After you’ve made it to 42nd Street, you’ll have plenty opportunity to taunt the Asian and Latino passengers on the #7 train. It is after all, YOUR special day, an occasion to celebrate your “cultchuh”. Then it’s off to the pubs along Queens Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue. Start off with the one with the most green plastic shamrocks in the window. That way, you can be sure that its “very friggin’ Irish”, just like yourselves. There you may find young immigrants from Ireland, for the first time since you last came here to disrupt our lives. Be certain to tell them that you’re more Irish than they, loudly reciting your genealogies as proof. When no one listens, start a row. On your way back to 61st St. to take the LIRR home, make sure that you piss on our sidewalks and regurgitate that Guinness you can’t handle. Yes, it’s a great day! Be sure to tip the bartender!

• semperfidelis | Sep 24, 2010, 10:49 AM EDT

  Good , she never should have been invited to be the grand marshal in the first place.

• GeorgeDillon | Sep 24, 2010, 10:33 AM EDT

  I hope all those like hole a back girl who think being old somehow means you don't count will stay away from the NYC Parade and let the remaining two million of us enjoy our day.

• GeorgeDillon | Sep 24, 2010, 10:31 AM EDT

  hyattsville: If you find my analysis uncomfortable and excessively thought-provoking, the solution is simple. Do you know how to use the cursor on your computer keyboard? It's easy to ignore new ideas and insights and stay cocooned in your torpor.

• manhattan | Sep 24, 2010, 09:36 AM EDT

  Hollabackgurl, As one of those elderly halfwits as you call anyone who feels the Parade should not be used for a personal message, I would love for you to explain in detail your knowledge of what the rules are, and do you understand what the Parade was honoring when the marches are the schools, Counties,etc. What do you mean by diversity? Love to hear from you. OH, were you born in New York? Do you know Irish American history? If you have an ax to grind the parade is not for you.

• hollabackgurl | Sep 24, 2010, 08:40 AM EDT

  This is New York City and our diversity has always been our greatest strength. Thanks to the Irish President for standing up to a small bunch of unrepresentative elderly halfwits who think they control what it means to be Irish.

• malhiggins | Sep 24, 2010, 05:07 AM EDT

  I was never a great supported of Mary McAleese, but this time she has done the right thing

• tbernardq | Sep 24, 2010, 02:29 AM EDT

  Courageous? Really? Mary McAleese? A liberal lick-spittle. rebuffs a prominent Irish-American group, and, she's lionized? The very group that stood fast against anti-Irish bigotry, anti-Catholicism, and the "know nothing" party--Mary McAleese rejects. Abortion, secularism, and anti-Catholicism--all that the AOH abhors-- are her bread and butter. And who says "boo" about it? Who gives the other side? The New York Times, the Daily News, CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, Irish Central? All who fervently believe that Ms. McAleese is courageous--not opportunistic? I can't even laugh about it anymore.

• hancock | Sep 23, 2010, 11:41 PM EDT

  This is New York, if you don't like it stay In Dublin, or get your ass on a plane.

• manhattan | Sep 23, 2010, 07:42 PM EDT

  The New York Parade was always to honor the contributions of the Irish who under horrendous treatment by the WASP establishment who ran New York when the poor starving Irish came here from the famine. They were hated because they were Catholic. They were the first wave of immigrants to come and believe me they are owed a debt of gratitude for making it easier for them that came after. They built the bldgs, the bridges,they started the catholic schools,colleges,hospitals. They served there country in the military,police and fire depts. And among them were gays . But the Parade does not allow a personnal agenda," Right to Life, IRA,Down with the Mosque etc."are not allowed. I cannot understand why gays march as gay? Why don't they march with there countys, Unions ect. Ms. McAleese should stay home and enjoy the Dublin Parade and maybe she could read up on our history here and what and why the rules of the Parade are.

• Woodkern | Sep 23, 2010, 03:34 PM EDT

  And how many Irish people parade up Fifth Avenue on March 17th, GD? My money says that most of them are from Jersey and Nassau County and have never seen Ireland. The "Chinese, Indians, Africans" at least have been there and for all you know, may have been born and raised there, making them Irish indeed.

• hyattsville | Sep 23, 2010, 03:31 PM EDT

  You're always spoiling for a fight aren't you GeorgeDillon? I find your attitude and constant bullying to be really tiresome, and as for the content of your arguments…. Well….

• GeorgeDillon | Sep 23, 2010, 02:36 PM EDT

  andydonegal: You're a liar. McAleese was NOT elected to her current term of office. She was chosen in a stitch-up of your corrupt Fianna Fail and other politicians. Don't lie andydonegal. Apologize to the readers who may have believed your lie. As to your crazy apology for the Dublin Parade, the thing is a farce. It has far more Chinese, Indians, Africans etc than Irish people. If you are ashamed of your Irish heritage why not emigrate to China or Africa, donegal. Don't claim that the Dublin parade, withs its endless rows of people shuffling along playing bongos, somehow represents Irish culture. And I won't even mention the slimefest that goes on in the background of the parade...

• Irishguy1975 | Sep 23, 2010, 12:29 PM EDT

  I am very proud of President McAleese for taking this stance and shame on the organisers of the official NYC Saint Patrick's Day celebrations for the bigoted, homophobic message they are sending out around the world in the name of Ireland's patron Saint. This is an action that our founding christian leader, Saint Patrick, would have complete distain for given the inclusive, ecumenical generous message that he brought to the people of Ireland.

• joanmoody | Sep 23, 2010, 11:32 AM EDT

  Well done President MCAleese, you would be very welcome in san Antonio, Texas at our parade. All are welcome regardless of belief.

• Woodkern | Sep 23, 2010, 10:33 AM EDT

  Six months is a long time for the Irish Head of State to be matched at the hip with the lunatics on the Parade Committee. God only knows what stunt they will pull between now and then. It the recent past, we've seen the entire FDNY demoted in the line of march because a visit fire brigade from New Orléans displayed a small banner expressing gratitude for assistance provided after that city's devasting hurricane. The Committee finally relented, but not without its Chair slandering New York's bravest as drunkards. We've also seen the Committee withold the line of march from both the Irish Voice and the Irish Echo in relatiation for actings as journals rather than the Committee's PR firm. Instead, the list was provided solely to the libelous tabloid, the New York Post. The President of Ireland is in no position to wed her entire country to this relentless psychodrama.

• imokyrok | Sep 23, 2010, 07:04 AM EDT

  I'm so proud of our President today. Well done Mary McAleese. She represents an Ireland that no longer tolerates bigotry in any form.

• Padraig | Sep 23, 2010, 06:27 AM EDT

  I think a lot of you are truly misguided. For one, the Irish in Ireland should be thankful Americans showcase Irish culture in NY. The publicity alone from the most important city in the world has boosted tourism in Ireland for years. You should be thankful. How much to you make in Tourism and why do you have a parade in Dublin? Why is there a B & B on every corner? Free publicity from NY!!! Americans you all seem misguided about the President’s decision. It’s all speculations. You have just taken a suggestion from a writer plugging in the wholes. She means no disrespect. She will remain a true Irish leader and that deserve thanks from you who decide to honor your heritage and call yourself Irish American. After the country you live in, the next allegiance is to Ireland then its Taoiseach and President.

• andydonegal | Sep 23, 2010, 04:40 AM EDT

  Dear George It's one thing to be an idiot - it's quite another to open your mouth and confirm it. The President of Ireland IS ELECTED! St Patrick is NOT the exclusive property of the Catholics. And coming from a nation of immigrants it's a little rich for you to slag off the Dublin parade because it INCLUDES people from all sections of Irish society, whatever their ethnic origins, or indeed their sexual orientation.

• WoundedKnee | Sep 23, 2010, 03:04 AM EDT

  Like some other posters, I've been in Dublin and have seen the parade there. I don't know what Irish culture Irish Pluralist is accusing us of stealing. I would suggest Irish Pluralist mind his own business and start building an Dublin parade that reflects Irish culture. The current farce in Dublin is just a stream of people shuffling along and banging bongos, interspersed with groups of African and Chinese dancers. Of course in the background there are 11 year olds getting drunk and getting sick...

• GeorgeDillon | Sep 23, 2010, 02:43 AM EDT

  irishPluralist: The St Patrick's parade in NYC is a celebration of Irish-American Catholics. The parallel parade in Dublin is, from what I saw a couple years back, a celebration of the cultures of Africa, China, & India. Why don't you hold your Dublin parade in Karachi? Don't try to push your stupid lie that the Dublin Parade is more Irish than ours is. Anyone who seen the Dublin drunkfest will know you're an out and out liar. The mistake was on the part of the NYC Committee in inviting that unelected windbag McAleese.

• GeorgeDillon | Sep 23, 2010, 02:39 AM EDT

  irishgenebuf==Do you even know what the Easter "parade" is? I bet you don't.

• PolinDeB | Sep 23, 2010, 01:04 AM EDT

  Would you Americans get over it .. Gay people are Irish too ;0 In fact Gay Byrne was one of our greatest ;0

• hollabackgurl | Sep 22, 2010, 11:08 PM EDT

  Well done, President McAleese. You've stood all your life against prejudice and intolerance.

• irishgenebuf | Sep 22, 2010, 09:42 PM EDT

  I prefer seeing the Easter "parade".

• irishgenebuf | Sep 22, 2010, 09:40 PM EDT

  Let the Irish Catholic homophobes march alone.

• dunbekin36 | Sep 22, 2010, 09:21 PM EDT

  Why is everyone upset. There are enough true Irish men and woman in New York For a change find a replacement that represents the real Irish People.

• mcdolan | Sep 22, 2010, 07:41 PM EDT

  @borefield: NY St. Patrick's Day Parade is NOT a Catholic parade. It's about pride in ethnicity.

• haikued2 | Sep 22, 2010, 06:09 PM EDT

  Irish.Pluralist interesting you speak about stealing other cultures...so you don't know your own history very well, do you? Or any other culture in the world for that matter. it is all an admixture of cultural overlays. Some more prominent that others. It is becoming more apparent that the culture of Ireland has changed substantially from the legends of our American ancestors from Ireland. So while we in America try to honor our Irish ancestry and culture, it may simply not be the one you seem to be part of now.

• tempranillo | Sep 22, 2010, 05:36 PM EDT

  ProudIrishgay--Agreed. I simply took issue with 'you Yanks' comment of I.P. the comment should have been directed at the 'committee,'but was not. that said, i still wonder why the committee would ask President McAleese--given that there can be no debate over magisterium. i suppose prestige beats principle. good decision, Madame President.

• ProudIrishgay | Sep 22, 2010, 04:45 PM EDT

  Tempranillo, I know loads of Americans and none of them are homophobic. However, the political debate in the USA really does at times seem to be dominated by hardline self-styled "Christians".

• tempranillo | Sep 22, 2010, 04:34 PM EDT

  Irish Pluralist: saying 'you Yanks'is really aa bit much, as if all of us are homophobic. Perhaps you might reconsider your comment, 'grow a brain'as you've demonstrated cerebral atrophy with your comment. If you dislike the USA, simply say so.

• Woodkern | Sep 22, 2010, 04:10 PM EDT

  Ironically, March 17th is the LEAST "Irish" day in my neighborhood, as the shreiking yahoos arriving on the Lawn Guyland Rail Road obscure my neighbors who arrived on Aer Lingus. Do they need to come here to parade their residual genetic material on some piece of asphalt? Do they really suppose that anyone gives a tinker's dam that their great-great-great-great-great-grandmothers came from County Cork? The parade is an embarrassment. Enough already!

• Irish.Pluralist | Sep 22, 2010, 03:49 PM EDT

  The Irish President is absolutely right in her decision. You Yanks are an embarrassment with your homophobia. Grow a brain. Or else call your parade something else like 'Christian whackjob parade' and leave us Irish out of your bigotry.

• Irish.Pluralist | Sep 22, 2010, 03:47 PM EDT

  @Woundedknee - For someone calling others "thick", you're very stupid yourself. It seems lost on you that, without the "stupid Irish", you wouldn't even have a parade in Manhattan! And you're talking about others being "stupid"! And why don't you mind your own business and try and get a bit of your own culture instead of stealing other countries' culture, such as St Patrick's Day and Halloween which are both Irish. @borefield - St Patrick's Day isn't just a "Catholic" festival. And of course gays should be allowed march. It's not a religious parade; it's a civic one. You sound like a bigoted religious whackjob.

• Michealm | Sep 22, 2010, 03:40 PM EDT

  I just would like to point out one thing,This is first and foremost an Irish Holiday Celebrating Irish Culture,History and of course St.Patrick Himself( If you want to know more ,than google it,Im not going to force feed it ).It is in no way,shape or form an american holiday ,you of course have the right to celebrate but while reading over some of these comments , I am absolutely disgusted with the attitude of some of the posts made here by americans. Your attitude and ignorance is disgraceful and a discredit to your country. I know this as an irish citizen residing Legally in the U.s .It is through comments like these that shape the rest of the worlds opinions of your country. So the next time some of you idiots decide you have an opinion to share,just stop and think that the rest of the world has no interest in hearing the nonsensical rambling of the village idiot.

• tempranillo | Sep 22, 2010, 03:28 PM EDT

  if President McAleese's sympathetic position vis-a-vis the gay community were well documented, why would the organizing committee want her, given its anathema toward the gays. Does prestige overcome principle? good decision Madame President.

• NealOHara | Sep 22, 2010, 03:25 PM EDT

  Well done Mary. @ WoundedKnee. You are correct, Gay's are not banned, as long as they stay in the closet and do not try to march under any gay affiliated banner which is a defacto ban on gay peoples freedom of expression. Thankfully here in Ireland, our parades have become fully inclusive of all cultures and orientations. I'm sure NYC will end up there sooner rather than later. Until then, I hope Mary has a good time wherever she is that day.

• Hannrick | Sep 22, 2010, 02:35 PM EDT

  So Mary has done the right thing and lets not forget the parade organizers have done the right thing for 20 years now, not bad so far everyone doing the right thing.

• borefield | Sep 22, 2010, 01:31 PM EDT

  Don't we have enough prominent Irish American people to represent the Irish for Grand Marshall. We should NOT choose people who do not live, work or contribute to the USA for this honor. Shame on the parade committee for going overseas for their Grand Marshall. As for the Gay and Lesbian issue, This is a Catholic Parade, gay and lesbian relationships are against their teachings. Of course if this were a Muslim issue and Catholics wantede to be part of their parade, everyone would understand the Muslim side, including Mayor Bloomberg.

• Woodkern | Sep 22, 2010, 01:21 PM EDT

  The sexual politics aside... The parade has degenerated into a crass, crude, and pathetic spectacle. As Head of State, it would not be fitting for her to associate with such rank nonsense.

• CitizenWhy | Sep 22, 2010, 01:03 PM EDT

  Kilgara, you are wrong. The gays who want to march are mainly immigrants from Ireland or Irish-Americans. Personally I have never had any interest in the the NYC parade, even though I grew up in NYC and my parents were from Ireland. Not my idea of fun, especially the getting drunk part and the stupid leprechaun icons.

• CitizenWhy | Sep 22, 2010, 01:00 PM EDT

  She has duty to uphold European Human rights, and she did her duty. If the Pop visits, she should also not meet with him for the same reason. Not because of his religious scruples on gays but because of his advocating politically for laws against gays.

• murphy66 | Sep 22, 2010, 12:47 PM EDT

  AC, DC, it's all 98.6.

• Woodkern | Sep 22, 2010, 12:43 PM EDT

  And the yobs who make the once-a-year trek to the Oh-So-Scary-City "honor" Saint Patrick? The parade no longer has anything to do with Maewyn Succat, with Ireland, or even New York. We should stop beating this dead horse and bury it.

• kilgara | Sep 22, 2010, 12:26 PM EDT

  Gays have absolutely no interest in honoring St. Patrick {what the parade is supposed to be all about} or of marching in the parade. They use this issue to promote their sinful lifestyle.Wake up you oh so politically correct eejits!

• WoundedKnee | Sep 22, 2010, 12:16 PM EDT

  duncaolog--We just can't seem to get it thru the thick heads of the Irish in Ireland. One More Time: Homosexuals already march in the parade, indeed probably 5% of the marchers are homosexual. Gays ARE NOT banned from the parade! How many times do we have to tell you dopes in Ireland? Anyway, if your stupid unelected president doesn't want to be marshal, I hope you stupid Irish stay away in solidarity with her. Don't come over to Manhattan getting drunk and vomiting on Fifth Avenue. I am old enough to remember when the treacherous Dublin government tried to tell New Yorkers who their Grand Marshal could be, and boycotted our parade when their clumsy intervention failed. Irish-- you have made an utter pigs dinner of your own country--mind your own business and stay out of ours.

• Woodkern | Sep 22, 2010, 12:09 PM EDT

  Yet, it's BORING too, isn't it?

• irishfez | Sep 22, 2010, 12:05 PM EDT

  Good on her.

• Woodkern | Sep 22, 2010, 11:57 AM EDT

  Meant "boorish"!

• Woodkern | Sep 22, 2010, 11:57 AM EDT

  Perhaps President Mary McAleese remembers her own background in Ardoyne where she undoubtedly encountered another demographic construct who routinely define "culture" as annually parading their diminished political hegemony through the streets and by vomiting and urinating in other peoples' neighborhoods. Indeed, the parellels (and politics) of the worst of Northern loyalist and many “Irish”-Americans is often more than a bit unnerving. Irish people should be grateful to their President for respecting her office and country (and our City) in eschewing this tasteless and boorish public nuisance.

• Woodkern | Sep 22, 2010, 11:56 AM EDT

  Perhaps President Mary McAleese remembers her own background in Ardoyne where she undoubtedly encountered another demographic construct who routinely define "culture" as annually parading their diminished political hegemony through the streets and by vomiting and urinating in other peoples' neighborhoods. Indeed, the parellels (and politics) of the worst of Northern loyalist and many “Irish”-Americans are often more than a bit unnerving. Irish people should be grateful to their President for respecting her office and country (and our City) in eschewing this tasteless and booring public nuisance.

• Mickk333 | Sep 22, 2010, 11:31 AM EDT

  two thumbs up for Mary McAleese.

• ellenfromcork | Sep 22, 2010, 11:13 AM EDT

  Good on ya Mary!

• JimKelly | Sep 22, 2010, 10:35 AM EDT

  A profund and significant decison that says to the bigots that run the parade "you will not write my epitath".

• carolcolligan | Sep 22, 2010, 10:03 AM EDT

  Good for her! Fighting bigotry can mean personal sacrifice but she is making the right statement by not participating..

• mayoman | Sep 22, 2010, 09:57 AM EDT

  God bless Mary McAleese! We'd all be better off if more of our pols possessed her conscience and tolerance.

• duncaolog | Sep 22, 2010, 09:12 AM EDT

  'Gays' are not excluded from the parade: they have the same right to march as hetereosexuals or anyone else — and I agree with Hound below, Irish politicians should celebrate at home and not be galloping all over the world on junkets. Do American politicians flee the USA on the 4th of July? I think not!

• woodmontwoman | Sep 22, 2010, 08:53 AM EDT

  I am proud of an Irish politician for standing up for what she believes in. Would that more American politicos would do the same.

• HoundofUlster | Sep 22, 2010, 08:51 AM EDT

  Good for her. Take care of St. Patyrick at home. Politicians should follow her example and stay away from DC on the Day.