112 Comments

• CTHutchison | May 04, 2013, 10:54 PM EDT

  @LwaoiseNíMhaol This isn't the mid 1800's, the Irish aren't looked upon as unlearned foreigners who just want our jobs anymore. @downinthebasement You can call Irish americans "plastic paddies" all you want, that isn't going to diminish the love the average American has for the Irish, try having a conversation about the US civil war. You won't be able to get one paragraph in without at least one reference to the Irish brigade. This may seem patronizing, but the Irish today would have to do a hell of a lot to change the mind of the average American. Long story short, the only people I know of who might have an issue with the subject of this story would most likely be politicians, specifically republicans.

• LwaoiseNíMhaol | Nov 07, 2012, 12:42 PM EST

  Only if America wants us. I don't think they do.

• BallinaLass | Nov 04, 2010, 11:22 AM EDT

  It's offensive to speak of Ireland becoming a possession of the U.S. - think of the many Irish people who gave their lives for their country to have its independence. BUT! The idea of Ireland (and the U.K. for that matter) joining with the U.S. and Canada as an economic/trade bloc is very promising. We have the bonds of language, ancestry & history, while each country would retain their own currency and independent sovereignty. The U.K. and U.S. tend to be on the same page financially anyway (we pursue the same methods and suffer the same boom/bust cycles); but as Sparklet mentions the foreign policy differences could be a large obstacle.

• peterson | Nov 03, 2010, 09:37 PM EDT

  No Way !!!!!!!!!

• Sparklet | Nov 02, 2010, 06:37 PM EDT

  I dont think so gargast. Having been to all three countries, Ireland and the UK are very similar in their interests, their way of life etc. I found the US totally different tbh. The UK and Ireland both have heavy Celtic influences which the US doesn't have, esp. so in Wales and Scotland, less so in England, but there are some. We share similar sporting and musical interests with the UK, and politically I think we are set apart from both UK and USA - most people I know do not like US foreign policy especially.

• gargast | Oct 30, 2010, 12:36 PM EDT

  I thought it was a part of the USA. The nation and its people have certainly had a massive impact on US history, society, politics and culture. Ireland is probably closer to the US than to any other nation including the UK.

• downinthebasement | Oct 28, 2010, 10:05 PM EDT

  lostgold...are you referring to what plastic paddy does in his spare time?

• lostgold | Oct 28, 2010, 09:11 PM EDT

  Big fish swallow little fish

• plasticpaddy | Oct 28, 2010, 06:19 PM EDT

  CLoghry1938 -Are you stuck in the last millenia? Did you miss every development since 1998? Woundedknee - the answer is that our puppett governm,ent acting in the interests of the US and other large economies did all that they were asked, in the process f**king our own country. They are lining up outside your embassies because of your countries failed neo-liberal economic policies and the idiocy of the Bretton woods institutions.

• Reilleyfam | Oct 28, 2010, 01:51 PM EDT

  Hawaii East?

• jamieLM | Oct 28, 2010, 09:15 AM EDT

  All of this posting over something that has about as much chance of happening as my being elected President of the U.S. Ireland should maintain their cultural identity and continue to be a sovereign country. The U.S., with its 50 states, has enough to handle without adding any country to the mix. Ireland as a 51st state? - not going to happen.

• sirpeter | Oct 28, 2010, 09:03 AM EDT

  @bmulletmayo..As i said ye don't know anything about Ireland and what ye say is compleat rubbish.If you want stats look it up. I,ll start with mullethead first.Here are the true facts,Ireland is a very competitive country to live in,it is a small country with a small population and vulnerable to fluctuations in the world economy.Most Irishmen don't want to leave Ireland when a recession hits,so those with the most intelligence,resources,and contacts get the Jobs,while those who don't either stay and wait for an opening or go elsewhere.The real fact of the matter is the weakest are the ones to move to the states,not the other way around and it has always been that way.Contact's are already set up in the states and it is also English speaking and it's been a traditional place to go too.As for intelligence I presume you mean IQ.For a first world country the GENERAL American population is at the bottom of the heap.You see Mullethead it is not the most intelligent that are forced to leave their own country,but it's the dregs as you like to put it go to the states,I'll get to answer Big Foot of Woundedknee's crap after.

• paddypower | Oct 28, 2010, 05:09 AM EDT

  Jayzus leave them alone...haven't they got enough problems without saddling them with this awful bloody mess we've made of things here in America (sic)?

• WoundedKnee | Oct 28, 2010, 03:29 AM EDT

  Sirpeter is living in some Irish version of DisneyLand. He boasts of the high "quality of life" in Ireland!!! If the quality of life is so high how come there are lines outside the Australian and Canadian embassies in Dublin, people trying to get visas to emigrate to those countries? They can't get out fast enough! In the case of the US, most Irish can't get in here legally, but that doesn't stop them trying to sneak in as illegal aliens. And as for "Irish culture", will sirpeter tell us three things that constitute Irish culture? English soap operas? Manchester United? Irish culture is at such a low ebb that even on the country's national day, St Patrick's Day, you see more African culture on display in Dublin than Irish.

• bmulletmayo | Oct 28, 2010, 12:31 AM EDT

  I'd rather have Pakistan- at least they're smart,hard working and not as greedy and slightly less anti-american. Yes, we Yanks make mistakes but we fix em ourselves. Good luck to the Irish tho'- you'll be living back in your thatch roofed, dirt floor cottages inside of ten years. All the intelligent, decent Irish came to the States decades ago, please keep the dregs.

• sirpeter | Oct 27, 2010, 09:30 PM EDT

  I ask Irish/Americans what advantage would it be for Ireland to become the 51st state? I feel that ye feel sincere about it,but i can't see one advantage to Ireland.I guess ye don't know much about the benefits of living in Ireland and the fact we have one of the highest quality of life in the world.Why would we risk changing that.I like Ireland for the Irish here are the stats at the moment for 2010..Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6%,I'm sorry but i'm really not into diluting my Irish culture with every ethnic group in America comming over here.America was founded on different ethnic groups and it brings alot of problems,for that reason alone I wouldn't like it.

• Sparklet | Oct 27, 2010, 06:06 PM EDT

  I must stop looking at this topic as it just infuriates me. You might welcome us with open arms, but we wouldn't welcome it one bit. We're a country in our own right! Stop patronising us.

• JudithSW | Oct 27, 2010, 05:55 PM EDT

  The US should welcome Ireland with open arms. What a great state it would make, including all the assets, culture and history. The USA would certainly get the best of the bargan. To all those in Ireland, being a state of America offers great advantages, but also some potential disadvantages. Carefully check out the "Rules and Regulations" before you make such a leap. Remember, once done, it is forever. Read about the American Civil War. A powerful central government has the ability to impose the will of the "elected" polititions over the wills of the states and the individual. We better hope that the "majority" elects polititions who are truly of a mind to do good for the country and make changes slowly and in accord with the will of the people. It seems that people are easily duped into believing "cover" stories and lies. Check out what is going on in the USA right now !!

• WoundedKnee | Oct 27, 2010, 03:02 PM EDT

  Why didn't that guy suggest that Ireland become a province of Poland? After all, the country is already full of Polish citizens. There was even a suggestion that Polish be adopted as one of the official languages of Ireland.

• bluestar3 | Oct 27, 2010, 02:53 PM EDT

  wise to be open to possibility

• phearne | Oct 27, 2010, 02:50 PM EDT

  Being of Irish and American Indian descent I think it would be grand.Hopefully adding Ireland as a state would help their economy and stop the struggle with England.However,would it benefit their struggle to rule their own country.Perhaps,as a state they would have more control over their government.Their are definitely pros and cons.most states have a lot of control over governing themselves. however; that being said it didn't do much for the American Indians.Then again,they were considered a defeated people.Would the Irish be considered the same?

• CLoghry1938 | Oct 27, 2010, 02:15 PM EDT

  They would have to do away with the proyestant vs. catholic violence before this could ever be considered.

• Irish54 | Oct 27, 2010, 01:48 PM EDT

  WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IRELAND AS THE 51ST.

• Bushothehill | Oct 27, 2010, 12:59 PM EDT

  You got to be joking--after the economical and financial debacle they created in their own homeland---we need them like we need another tsunami of Democratic hacks to do the same for the USA

• sirpeter | Oct 27, 2010, 03:39 AM EDT

  @kurtjohnson..I agree fully with every word you said.

• kurtjohnson | Oct 26, 2010, 10:32 PM EDT

  Interesting thoughts, sirpeter. What got Ireland into this mess was the adoption of degenerate anglo dutch materialist doctrines. In essence, Ireland blindly followed the anglo sphere into secularization and the abandonment of classical values. The resulting nihilist void has been filled with an obsessive mass consumerism.

• hancock | Oct 26, 2010, 09:22 PM EDT

  As if we'd have you.

• Monadh6400 | Oct 26, 2010, 08:45 PM EDT

  The only thing more wrong than joining the EU would be to join us in slavery to Washington. Yeah, it would make us look good, but your value as a country would drop like a rock in a pond if you became the 51st state. Nope, you guys are far too smart to make that mistake. Have some confidence and go on your own. A free and independent Ireland has far more to offer its citizens in particular and the world in general than does an Ireland chained to an overweening US or EU.

• lostgold | Oct 26, 2010, 08:27 PM EDT

  McSparticus its obvious you have no idea what the real Sparticus stood for. Any clown can take another mans name but not fill his boots. As for the Irish being chowderheads .Why so many Irish bars? A bunch of drunks. A St.Patricks day parade once a year.Ive never seen any Jewish bars. They have their own country and the Irish land is still divided and its not even a war crime nation like Nazi Germany was which incidentally is now united. The Irish thought they were free when they could immigrate especially to the States but they only offered their strengh to the English speaking world and not rebuilding their own smashed Gaelic world. They also intermarried with other groups and ceased really to be Irish. McSparticus you've got a long way to go and you are heading in the chowderhead direction

• sirpeter | Oct 26, 2010, 06:17 PM EDT

  @McSpartacus..It's hard to know exactly what got us into this bind.Was it the availability of cheap money and incompetent leadership? To be honest i don't really care,all i know is their was too much money in circulation.Ordinary people were on a spending binge for years,all everybody was talking about was their three holidays a year,new cars,buying new and bigger houses ect.It had to stop.Children born in the last 20 years have no concept of the value of money including my own,the money was there so they got what they wanted and this was across all sections of the community,100% mortgages was completely mad,Banks ringing telling me your credit rating is now 150,000 euro why not invest in some property.Those who fell for all these traps are the ones in trouble,but the majority didn't,they still have the money in the bank.We just have to get back in line with the rest of Europe and become competitive again.I'll make up my mind in five years as to weather this was all a big mistake.Most of the people i know don't even feel this recession,because they still have alot of disposable income.Those who borrowed up to their eyes and lost their job's...well that's just too bad,they should read their history,after every boom there's a bust.Why not the U.S.? We are a neutral Country and i won't have any of my kids going off to fight rich mens wars.

• hughor2 | Oct 26, 2010, 05:14 PM EDT

  Finally, the solution to the green card problem! Hughor

• Sparklet | Oct 26, 2010, 03:15 PM EDT

  A joke it may be but some of you seem to be taking it pretty seriously. Will you listen to yourselves! Ireland would be welcome blah blah blah. Ireland is an independent nation, and surprising as it might seem, we aren't a charity case, nor a little state floating, homeless, in the Atlantic ocean. Stop being so patronising. We aren't Americans, and have no desire to become Americans with all that entails - we're a neutral nation, and our young men aren;t going to be offered up as fodder in your wars!

• McSpartacus | Oct 26, 2010, 12:21 PM EDT

  @sirpeter: the Irish are in such a bind largely because of the Euro, which was not even necessary to be in the EU. Maybe we don't have to be in the US, and just have a floating currency that would reset the accounts. But I'm glad somebody said this, because there is an amazing number of people who cannot consider Ireland not being part of some bigger organisation - why not the US? And remember: whatever we've gotten in transfers, has arguably been matched in what we've given up in fisheries and related industry multipliers.

• McSpartacus | Oct 26, 2010, 12:15 PM EDT

  "...revealing what a bunch of chowder heads the Irish really are." Well, since we're really chowder heads anyway, why would we listen to such a clever man like yourself?

• Seamusdhu | Oct 26, 2010, 11:33 AM EDT

  Frankly with few exceptions I think that most of your readers know little or nothing of history. The history of Ireland is much more akin to that of aborigine peoples like the native American people or Australian aborigines. It is the story of a vassilized people whose historic lands were conquered from them. For the United States to absorb Ireland as a 51st state would be a victory for imperialism as well as revealing what a bunch of chowder heads the Irish really are. One wonders if Mr.Soden has any interests in Celts as people and their only independant state or simply international financial transfers and business investments. The name Soden doesn't sound very Irish to me.

• McSpartacus | Oct 26, 2010, 11:28 AM EDT

  USA! USA! USA!

• McSpartacus | Oct 26, 2010, 11:28 AM EDT

  Do not feed the Trolls. Do not feed the Trolls. Do not feed the Trolls.

• downinthebasement | Oct 26, 2010, 10:22 AM EDT

  Ken...if you hate Jews so much...why don't you become Roman Catholic...

• downinthebasement | Oct 26, 2010, 10:18 AM EDT

  antoman... The difference between the Queen and the Pope is both are queens...and no, Elizabeth is not German...she is British...with some German ancestry...big deal.

• downinthebasement | Oct 26, 2010, 10:15 AM EDT

  I second that...No Surrender

• sully1167 | Oct 26, 2010, 06:23 AM EDT

  I love both the United States and Ireland,but I can't see selling out Ireland to the US. Ireland has already been sold out to the EU. As the Orange Order in Ulster says "NO SURRENDER!"To anyone.ERIN GO BRAGH!

• sirpeter | Oct 26, 2010, 05:57 AM EDT

  @Pittsburghkid..Maybe I am wrong,I find it hard to believe that whites in America are at the bottom of the job quota. Black,Hispanic, or other more then likely take the much more abundant low payed jobs,but it's a fact that whites in general have more money and therefore have better educated kids who go for the better payed,but less abundant jobs.Ireland been considered the pigs of the EU,I don't know what you mean by that.Ireland has done very well in the EU,but you get nothing for nothing,Ireland has one of the richest fishing grounds in Europe and we opened that up to the EU,so for every Euro Ireland got,the EU got it back in the billions of Euro they made fishing our waters,we were happy to do so,we are meat eaters and don't eat much fish. It is true the pig was held in high regard in Ireland at one time,that's because he payed the rent to English landlords,but these days he's just a tasty bit of bacon and his standing in the community has fallen somewhat.But he is a noble animal and intelligent too. You are right when you say the Celtic monks saved Christianity,they copied everything down after the fall of Rome to the Barbarians and gave it back to Europe. Education? Google that one,we weren't know as the island of scholars for nothing.

• mikemeboy | Oct 26, 2010, 05:35 AM EDT

  Really??............. In galway the saying is " are ye codding me?"......................... sure this could happen..................... when and if they also include Italy and Israel. Then all the politicians that claim their "roots" with the three "I's" could do so legitimately. RUBBISH no matter how dressed up it is, is still that!

• vincem13 | Oct 25, 2010, 09:41 PM EDT

  Welcome aboard!

• sirpeter | Oct 25, 2010, 08:08 PM EDT

  Ireland has done very well out of Europe,remember this is a first world recession we are having.This is still a very rich country per head of population and highly educated and skilled.Because we are a small country which depends on high exports we a vulnerable to world recessions,unfortunately we can't accommodate every worker during these times,but most of those are very well educated and skilled,but in saying that generally it is those who don't have the contacts to get a proper job have to leave.Ireland is a unique country, at the moment we have engineers putting bicycles together and university graduates in burger joints,they don't want to leave because even though they have crap money,they have family to support them, and nobody can party like the Irish,and there is a great quality of life here.(except for those who borrowed up to their eyeballs during the good times)they just wait for an opening for a proper job which in time they always get.So no thanks,but it is tempting,if just to freak out the Brits,they would sh*t themselves if we had a few nuclear missiles here,we could nuke them accidentally on purpose.

• Pittsburghkid | Oct 25, 2010, 08:03 PM EDT

  The Grass is alway greener on the other side of the ocean? That is a great metaphor, because it's true on all counts. The grass is greener in Ireland, and being the 51st State won't help Ireland either. In the USA, there is no Irish nationality. US citizens are either White, Black, Hispanic, or other. White are at the bottom of the Quota for getting jobs. The best part of the idea is dumping the EU. Ireland is considered one of the PIGS of the EU. I know use Irish hold the Pig in high regard, but the snobs do not consider pigs as noble as we do. Look to Switzerland as your role model for the future. You have already adopted the Swiss military neutrality. Now you need to develope Swiss Banking. The one last ingredient would be education. Celtic Monks pulled Europe out of the dirk ages. You have to return to your roots and develope an education system. This may mean sacrifice, the Irish can do it. The Irish survived British Occupation on potatos, and butter milk. From being surpressed, the Irish over populated Ireland, and sent out people to repopulate the world. Now as my Irish grandmother would say, "forget about this nonsense and get to work."

• gaeilgesdamhsa | Oct 25, 2010, 07:54 PM EDT

  The guy is trying to sell his book. Don't read it!

• gaeilgesdamhsa | Oct 25, 2010, 07:48 PM EDT

  It's a joke. Get real!

• 1661996usmc | Oct 25, 2010, 07:21 PM EDT

  The Irish are so much of the history of the United States, Ireland would be a perfect addition to the United States. That should be all of Ireland.

• elektros | Oct 25, 2010, 06:31 PM EDT

  Antoman, have you ever been to Munich. Every hour, on the hour, the Bavarian knocks the German off his horse in the clocktower. Like clockwork ... well, it is clockwork, LOL! The Bavarians don't really consider themselves to be German. I'm a Brit of Irish (Cork) descent. I love England, but I agree that the Irish would be mad to go back to British rule, after taking so long to end it. Mind you, being ruled by Ulster would be much worse than that!

• clarkfamily | Oct 25, 2010, 06:04 PM EDT

  We would handle it just loke all the Mexican imigrants, except, we would know what they were saying!!!

• maloney | Oct 25, 2010, 06:01 PM EDT

  Ireland doesn't need to get caught in the crossfire. They got suckered pretty good in the Civil War.

• teddybear | Oct 25, 2010, 05:54 PM EDT

  Ireland would be welcomed here with open arms.

• mcginleynj | Oct 25, 2010, 05:40 PM EDT

  Great Idea! Would that include all 32 Counties??????

• bunchesofun | Oct 25, 2010, 05:19 PM EDT

  Not likely to happen but an exciting thought! I'd welcome Ireland as the 51st state in a heartbeat.

• NJmaggie1129 | Oct 25, 2010, 04:44 PM EDT

  Are we including NI in this proposal? While I would welcome Irish emigrants happily, I wonder that we here in the US are in any better economic shape than IE?

• walter3ca | Oct 25, 2010, 04:14 PM EDT

  But could Ireland handle the sudden influx of all of those illegal Irish?

• haikued2 | Oct 25, 2010, 04:03 PM EDT

  In Irish History there has been nothing worse than being ruled and occupied by England...period.

• haikued2 | Oct 25, 2010, 04:01 PM EDT

  I think that I would wait a while longer before applying to become the 51st state...which I think would be awesome...to see which direction the US is going. Might be even worse than being part of the EU.

• shadeOgray | Oct 25, 2010, 03:52 PM EDT

  That would be friggin AWSOME! What a great idea!

• johnymac60 | Oct 25, 2010, 03:45 PM EDT

  I don't know, folks. It sounds like he is trying to open thought and discussion concerning EU membership, rather tthan actually advocating US Statehood. It's a rhetorical thing, y'know. Hmmm?

• MickRegan | Oct 25, 2010, 03:32 PM EDT

  Hi Sparklet, I think MaryM did the equivalent of opening her mouth before her brain got in gear! She obviously doesn't get the 'tongue in cheek' thing, and maybe doesn't know how to read between the lines either. If she comes back maybe she'll have a think before just diving in this time?

• antoman | Oct 25, 2010, 03:30 PM EDT

  @downinthebasement..bring back british rule?better to be ruled by the queen than the pope? You do realise they are both German,,right?Have mom bring you down some saurkraut while you search for the bavarian national anthem.

• downinthebasement | Oct 25, 2010, 03:06 PM EDT

  Ken, I think that Ulster should control the rest of Ireland... I say bring back British rule... Do you agree with that? It is much better to be ruled by the Queen...than being ruled by the Pope... What are your thoughts?

• beachline | Oct 25, 2010, 03:05 PM EDT

  Thank you Killowen for the CV about Soden. It helps put things in perspective for me. THE MAN HAS LOST HIS MIND !! Ireland must regain its sovernity and stand on its own two feet. The US allowed a bunch of greedy politicians to raid our treasury when it had a surplus of money, allowed business to move jobs overseas to third world countries, allowed banks to grant loans to people who could not afford to pay back, and now this deluded man (Soden) wants Ireland to become the 51st state? I was hoping to retire in Ireland but, I see Ireland has just as many nutcases as the US. Citizens of Ireland--unite and get rid of the greedy pigs, reclaim the country--..It is too late for the US but not for Ireland.

• Sparklet | Oct 25, 2010, 02:58 PM EDT

  What's MaryM232's problem?? I can assure her that Ireland wouldn't want to be the 51st state of America. Ireland is Ireladn, unique. It has more ties with the UK (the citizens, not the Government) than Americans. We like our own sports, and football (the real football, that you call soccer). We're an independent nation and we're loved! That would soon change!

• KenfromDublin | Oct 25, 2010, 02:56 PM EDT

  nytreader - is that it, have you given up? I quoted New Yorkers there, so once again you attack the messenger! Or are you going to deny that it is referred to as that by many New Yorkers, no wonder the paper has been losing readers for years.

• killowen | Oct 25, 2010, 02:35 PM EDT

  Productive illegals is what we want not those who drain the system while running over you on bicycles. And required to speak their language for good measure. The pumping power of the Zionist Banker Supremos whose control over the dwindling Yankee/Brit empire needs to be understood. It led to the wild exhuberance of the Tiger who had no real meat on its bones. With the help of an IDA, firms were offered low taxation inducements to plant themselves in Eire for a time. It had the less than business savvy natives excited for a few years and it helped pave the way for the so-called Peace Agreement that protected our Master's London Financial district power base.

• SeamusRua | Oct 25, 2010, 02:25 PM EDT

  IrishCentral: Where you are always assured of your 2 minutes of anti-American hate.

• nytreader | Oct 25, 2010, 01:54 PM EDT

  KenfromDublin- how can anyone make an intelligent reply to someone that knows no jews, no blacks, probably only catholics. Or is that an assumtion also? You are saying that Zionists control all political and cultural decisions in the USA. You obviously don't live in the US and have no real expertise in the area. Spend some time in the US, it's not Isreal and it's not Ireland. Those are countries controlled by religion. As for your anti Islam statement, thats pretty funny coming from someone that probably doesn't ever see anyone practicing their religion freely as it's done in the US. Oh thats rightliving in a Catholic country gives you the balanced perspective of Zionism in America. You are an idiot!

• plasticpaddy | Oct 25, 2010, 01:52 PM EDT

  Realistically we have much more in common politically with the EU than the US. We would take a serious step backwards in our environmental, social and healthcare. No offence made but we are much more progressive and as a nation have a much more sophisticated social conscience. I would hate to see that change.

• ancavker | Oct 25, 2010, 01:21 PM EDT

  Why would we possibly want another state? We are having enough trouble with the 50 we have?? What possible benefit would it be to the U.S.? I would also imagine it would be most Irish peoples worst nightmare, being part of the U.S.

• mayoman | Oct 25, 2010, 01:17 PM EDT

  If put to a vote I doubt very much that even 10% of the Irish would agree to becoming a U.S. state. Mr. Soden's suggestion is just the sort of wild and provocative statement that book and website publishers love.

• AltRockAddict | Oct 25, 2010, 01:10 PM EDT

  LOL antoman. America would welcome the relationship, bra!

• shermajid | Oct 25, 2010, 12:45 PM EDT

  I can only dream of Ireland becoming part of the US!

• KenfromDublin | Oct 25, 2010, 12:44 PM EDT

  nytreader - try and make some sense and calm yourself down, you're wrong on every front, I'm not on the dole, I don't rent, I don't know any Jews or Blacks, - and I'm not an anti-semite! You assume everything about me - and to assume is to make an ASS of U and ME, but especially you. Now maybe if you took your nose out of that Zionist run and controlled war mongering anti-Islam rag the New York Times for two minutes you might have a chance of a more balanced perspective on the political and cultural subversion of America by said Zionists. Now try and produce an intelligent reply this time instead of attacking the messenger with your dumb insults.

• WARDY09 | Oct 25, 2010, 12:19 PM EDT

  Great idea,the Irish have far more things in common with the USA..

• IrishCanuck | Oct 25, 2010, 12:14 PM EDT

  Please God no don't let it happen. I would rather be under the English and they are bad enough. If Canada decided to become part of the States I would move to Poland rather then be under them. Stay where you are and work things out. I enjoy visiting Ireland and do so every 4 or 5 years but I wouldn't if that happened. Good luck.

• antoman | Oct 25, 2010, 11:40 AM EDT

  We could never be America's 51st state on account of all the english colonies over there anyway,but we do value our friendship with America.When the yanks default on their payments to China and are invaded by them, we'll close every chinese fastfood joint and restraurant over here then get on trawlers to fight with our brethern in America.,course the cat population will explode and the man that neuters them can't afford to hire help,but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

• boomerbob | Oct 25, 2010, 10:59 AM EDT

  BTW - I want a Nobel for the Texas idea

• haasny007 | Oct 25, 2010, 10:57 AM EDT

  This guy is a nut job! No country has benefited more from the EU-largesse than Ireland. The country's entire infrastructure was essentially paid for by Brussels. Does he really believe Washington would open its purse strings to bail out the distressed Irish economy? By becoming part of the US the country would not have to surrender its independence with respect to monetary policy and otherwise? This dude is hopelessly divorced from reality. Simply incredible!

• boomerbob | Oct 25, 2010, 10:52 AM EDT

  Wait!! I have a better idea. Move all Texans to the Moon, then move Israel to Texas and we'd end all the crap in the Mid-East. Israel would have the land already accustomed to extreme neo-conservatism, could expand like crazy and the world would know a bit of peace. The US could stop spending billions of dollars on war and start helping the world mend instead of tearing in apart.

• Portia777 | Oct 25, 2010, 10:45 AM EDT

  Eire is a sovereign state, so why would she give up her sovereignity to the USA which is in fact under UK control- then she and her citizens would be back under UK control again- sly move though.

• boomerbob | Oct 25, 2010, 10:36 AM EDT

  Although I'd love and welcome my Irish cousins with open arms, I really think if there were even a remote chance of this happening, Ireland is better off turning their backs (perhaps even offering a bit of the moon) to both the EU and the US, avoiding the US like a plague and returning to their own absolute sovereignty. The US is in the throes of socio-political meltdown the likes of which haven't been seen since fascist Italy and Germany. In fact, I was considering moving to Ireland to escape this place :-) Bob Conner

• boomerbob | Oct 25, 2010, 10:33 AM EDT

  Soden must be writing tongue-in-cheek for no one could possibly be so profoundly stupid as to suggest such a ludicrously silly idea. Ireland is utterly and completely bankrupt. Its total revenues for 2010 will not even cover health care and social welfare commitments. That leaves education, police, the military, roads and highways,the rapidly growing interest on an already huge national debt and just about everything else unfunded. Ireland must borrow the difference at ever-increasing costs. I don't know of any country in the world (no, not greece and not Portugal) in such dire straits. I suspect that, like Soden, there are some loonies in the Irish Finance Ministry praying for a miracle but it will not come. The country is facing default, the result of profligate spending and paying obscene salaries and benefits to a grossly bloated and dog-lazy public sector.

• nytreader | Oct 25, 2010, 10:23 AM EDT

  KenfromDublin...you are an anti-semite when you say those things, you are an idiot. Zionists control America! I bet you have a lot of jewish friends also....right, and that guy that calls blacks the n word also has alot of black friends. Come on out of your dole paid rental and see the world from somewhere else than your small brain.

• CitizenWhy | Oct 25, 2010, 10:23 AM EDT

  Oh, please the only alternative to the EU for Ireland would be to join a Scandinavian union and have the Swedes control the Irish banks. they know how to make irresponsible bankers tow the line. The US, with its irresponsible right wing letting banks and corporations do as they please, nonsense.

• killowen | Oct 25, 2010, 10:18 AM EDT

  Few Irish businesspeople have risen so high -- and fallen so far -- as Soden. One day he was chief executive of Bank of Ireland, at the time probably the most prestigious job in the whole of Irish business, the next day he was out on his ear after being forced to resign following the revelation that he had accessed adult websites on his Bank of Ireland PC. By doing so he had contravened Bank of Ireland's internet usage policy for its staff. A native of Dublin, he was educated at Blackrock College and then went on to study for a commerce degree at UCD. After graduating in 1968, Soden went to work as a credit analyst in Canada with oil company Shell. He returned to Ireland five years later and, after spending two years with the state-owned development bank ICC, he was recruited by Citibank. This launched him on his career as an international banker. He spent a decade in various roles, both in Ireland and overseas, with Citi before joining investment bank Security Pacific Hoare Govett in 1985, first as deputy managing director, before becoming chief executive in 1989. In 1990, following a health scare, he retired from banking for four years before being head-hunted by National Australia Bank (NAB), which then owned National Irish Bank, in 1994. He spent seven years at NAB, eventually rising to become the bank's effective second-in-command as the head of its core retail and global business arm. With its inbred corporate culture, this CV made Soden stand out as a very exotic creature when he joined Bank of Ireland nine years ago.

• MaryM232 | Oct 25, 2010, 10:17 AM EDT

  You could ask Venezuela for statehood, I'm sure they'd consider it, or India, India would love the creation of a new lower caste of paddies, and you'd be perfect for scraping out their sewage bogs, as there's nothing the modern Irish know as much as sh*t

• chesapeake | Oct 25, 2010, 10:14 AM EDT

  The man is obviously on serious drugs. Hell, we still have several territories looking for Statehood! Perhaps they should examine the pros and cons of the EU.

• MaryM232 | Oct 25, 2010, 10:11 AM EDT

  MickRegan, just where did you get the idea anyone considered Ireland a "trophy prize"? It's one of your own pigs at the trough who proposed this farce.. the US doesn't want Ireland or it's people. I've got news for you, the democrats in congress are losing their majority next week, and your Irish illegals will soon be deported, all of them. Again, you've not been invited, it's not something you'd be offered. You'd be laughed at and rejected, especially by US citizens who share Irish ancestry. No one wants Ireland or it's pigs, no one.

• KenfromDublin | Oct 25, 2010, 10:11 AM EDT

  Since when has the truth been anti-semitism NYTreader? You throw that anti-semite paranoia card around so much these days that it has no meaning. I'm no more anti-semite than you are anti-Irish. It's a well known fact that Zionists control all aspects of American culture, from the media, Hollywood, and they hold key positions in the US government, as Israeli leader Ariel Sharon once declared - "We TELL America what to do."

• tempranillo | Oct 25, 2010, 10:10 AM EDT

  I cannot imagine any Irishman voluntarily surrendering independence....how would the state cope with driving on the right side??..........with American daytime TV.............no hurling, no gaelic football...baseball??...budweiser in lieu of guinness .......red, white and blue....in the land of political correctness.....No lo pienso

• actor47 | Oct 25, 2010, 10:07 AM EDT

  Why do journalist give this sort of errant nonsense creedence? It's a joke.

• MaryM232 | Oct 25, 2010, 10:05 AM EDT

  Does that moron Soden believe that statehood is something decided by Obama or Ireland's politicians? ROFLMAO!! Dream on parasites, it'll never happen. We neither need or want Ireland bleeding us dry. The only decent Irish people were the one's who fled Ireland in the past, what was left is an anti-American, selfish, lazy, greedy, corrupt bunch of slobs. Stand on your own two feet you pathetic excuses. You voted to enter the EU, because you thought you'd be coddled, you moronic Marxists wouldn't understand the concept of freedom if it knocked you on your sorry backsides. It requires a willingness to work hard, and not have your greedy, greasy hands out.. and Ireland's done nothing but beg and squeal for handouts for the past few centuries. You're worthless.

• nytreader | Oct 25, 2010, 10:05 AM EDT

  Madeleine...you are a delusional Tea bagger

• Searlit | Oct 25, 2010, 10:03 AM EDT

  It does seem like Ireland was doing fine before they joined the EU. The Irish have fought for their independence since 1170, they have endured many attempts to eradicate them from their homeland, including massacre, exile, slavery, starvation and eviction. Not to mention, suppression of their culture. They are strong enough to get through their current crisis. Only the Irish know how to take care of Ireland.

• Madeleine | Oct 25, 2010, 09:58 AM EDT

  I agree with you towngate. We are in worse shape than Ireland and we have the American Marxists, and liberals to thank for it. I saw them moving over to your neck of the woods and I gave warning here,I could see what was happening. we are suffering the mass immigration now , we can see what it has done to Europe and still the UN keeps bringing them in. We are broke and our President is spending millions of dollars on vote getting trips, we are in a real mess. They are still trying to shove the North American Union down our throats all they need is the Arizona border open , Obama is suing Arizona and so is the UN which is unconstitutional. Obama also signed the seas treaty giving all of our water, oceans , lakes and rivers over to them. Obviously they are trying to destroy us, they want the great places, Ireland, England Scotland, the nordic countries and of course the USA. The Marxists and elites are winning , elections here are coming up so maybe we will get out of it. We certainly can't handle the 80,000 more muslims that are coming in this month in additon to the millions the UN have already brought in since 9-11. We will get out of this but we can't help anyone financisally or otherwise until we get our country back. You would be jumping from the frying pan into the fire to come here as a state. we would welcome all Irish here if they would let you come but come to what? better to be miserable among your friends and family or I would be there instead of here.

• nytreader | Oct 25, 2010, 09:57 AM EDT

  Wow...KenfromDublin, throw in some anti-semitism while you're at it. Who do you think controls Ireland's finances anyway. Like I said before the Irish, aren't as intelligent as they think.This guy may be an idiot but come on, you are also.

• judiron | Oct 25, 2010, 09:50 AM EDT

  I think you should brake with the EU but not become a 51st US state, we really can't support any more people. We need to get rid of some protectorits we pay for now.

• KenfromDublin | Oct 25, 2010, 09:44 AM EDT

  Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Perish even the thought. Think of the cultural consequences for instance, guns made legal, fixed elections, our neutrality neutered, a Zionist hegemony ultimately controlling us, no national football team, no national identity, the list could go on ad nauseam, this guy is an idiot, it's an insane idea.

• antoman | Oct 25, 2010, 09:41 AM EDT

  Well I guess being the 51st state of America is preferable to having our country run by the IMF and I imagine there would be endless supply of underpants.But something would have to be done about the original 13 english colonies in America.I mean what with england right next door to us here,there's no good in us joining a Union in which there are a further 13 englands at our door,,front and back.No..I say we continue our peaceful invasion of America,perhaps divert some of our more freckled and determined illegals to them english colonies over there and build a barracks,I mean a brewery.Ah well,50 is a nice round number anyway,lets not be messing with it,,but thanks for the offer yank.

• rcrdskpr@aol.com | Oct 25, 2010, 09:26 AM EDT

  from what eu toilet was towngate drinking? ireland has alrready surrendered her independence, culture, future, coinage, etc to the eu. who says the us would want another welfare state with more illegal immigrants? we in the us love the idea of old ireland with its culture and heritage, but the new ireland becoming "politically correct" and homogenized, is just becoming a blend of foreign ghettos.

• MickRegan | Oct 25, 2010, 09:16 AM EDT

  The fact that Ireland can even be discussed as some sort of 'trophy prize' (tongue in cheek) to be lorded over by Brussels or Washington is simply a reflection of the failure of our recent leaders. Shouldn't be here in the first place.

• nytreader | Oct 25, 2010, 09:12 AM EDT

  The problem with Ireland is there are no leaders. They are all followers. Not only politicians but everyone living there. They play the blame game all the time. Has Ireland ever really stood up on it's own, no. The IRA was a small band of people, financed by out of the country patriots. God forbid, the common man rose up and fought against the British the way the Americans did. Then maybe people would have a little respect for the Irish, and not see them as just some more day help. We all think we are so intelligent, but we're really not. We are just a bunch of clowns, take a look at Dublin. It's Disneyland and everyone there is working to put on a show for the tourists.

• Katecait | Oct 25, 2010, 09:02 AM EDT

  Wonderful idea! Except, wait. . . . would that mean a McDonalds at every other corner and a Walmart at every corner. . . . naw, lets keep Ireland, Ireland.

• Jamaicelt | Oct 25, 2010, 08:57 AM EDT

  Is this clown on some form of narcotic? He must be on something that affects rational, logical thought. He should be committed.

• diannerae | Oct 25, 2010, 08:47 AM EDT

  Ireland needs to be a free country not go from English rule to American rule.

• katieusau2fan | Oct 25, 2010, 08:42 AM EDT

  I would love this, but only if the Irish people did too.

• Chieftain | Oct 25, 2010, 07:57 AM EDT

  I agree with Padraig....

• Padraig | Oct 25, 2010, 07:06 AM EDT

  this would mean the death of Ireland in every possible form. this is not a debate and i find the idea insulting.

• Towngate | Oct 25, 2010, 07:03 AM EDT

  A bit of Sodden thinking. Should Ireland jump into bed with a failed terrorist state who caused the disaster now devouring the country? I think not! But if they do,they should repay to the EU every Euro it had received from them. And then,when the Pesky Americanians have littered Ireland with War Bases for their military ambitions for Europe and beyond,and the world has no defence against them but to 'Nuke' Ireland,the emerald isle will have a distinct scorched look about it! No! Keep clear of the self-serving yanks whatever you do. Ireland's problem is one of identity and self respect and the curious need to cling on to British style administration.For a so-called republic,it has never had the courage to become truly independent. Robert Emmett said " ...when my Country has taken her place among the Nations of the Earth..." ... not a fawning whelp begging for scraps from a brutal world! Time to 'Grow Some!'