Drunks vomiting shamrocks feature in top US store clothing line - POLL

Cool your jets, seanomelb. I'm not making a political statement here. Just a comment about the stupid, offensive, vulgar products which surface right about now, the beginning of March. It's an insult to the Irish people and presents an ugly image to the rest of the world. I live in the US, and I admit we're among the worst offenders. Being a drunk is not funny, period, and the reason those offensive products appear is simply to make money. Don't spend your money on them, and they will disappear! Basic economics.

Whom did OConnel liberate? He was an unashamed royalist,captain in the yeomanry and a master mason to boot.

As a gr gr gr granddaughter of the great Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator, I love celebrating St Patrick's Day and the great parades, food, music, dancers, etc. I LOVE being Irish. But, I'm sick to death of receiving stupid, drunk cards and emails about my "home" country. Lift a glass or two, and have fun, but don't buy that insulting merchandise. I'm no stranger to alcohol, BTW, it runs in my O'Connell family, too, and has ruined not a few lives. Not funny, folks!!!!

This stereotype has been around during my whole lifetime. As I see it, it seems to always be 'ok' to blatantly put down anyone who is white European or white of European descent, especially the Irish with all the drinking nonsense. It's a double standard for sure! This kind of attack on blacks, hispanics, jews, arabs, etc. is never tolerated.

BippyBellito - you couldn't be further from the truth. President Obama and "Black hipster gang bangers" have nothing to do with this conversation. UO targets the urban late teen/early adult market, which gets their humor. Racist and anti-Muslim comments are totally inappropriate. And I'm sorry to say that the legendary Irish capacity to consume alcohol was in place long before the Potato Famine of 1845-1851 brought a wave of Irish immigrants to America's shores. It didn't just start three years ago when President Obama took office... As far as UO's clientele, they welcome young people from all ethnic groups. Unlike a hundred years ago, when people never ventured more than 20 miles from their birthplace, today's modern travel systems has caused all urban centers around the globe to be melting pots of cultures. UO reaches beyond religion and ethnicity to provide products for the urban experience. By the way, I don't work for the company, I'm a 61 year old who's grandmother came from Ireland, and despite my moniker, I'm not a gnome. But I have followed this subject in the news for about a decade now. And I wanted the Irish people to know that no offense was intended. It is all a joke about how badly some people behave. Pick your holiday! Maybe UO should start selling special Elijah Seder chairs just before Passover. Or simple aluminum poles and grievance certificates just before Festivus. If you don't get the humor, google it.

It seems a shame to spoil a simplistic racist stereotype. But I do 40/20/10 ypga practice 6 days per wk., including downward facing [dog], but have yet to experience shamrock shake reflux. If it's not sad-faced scantily-clad former eastern bloc babes on Aer O'Leary/Pope snogging Imam's on United Colours of Benneton/or Paddywhackery merchandise from Urban Outfitters - sex sells/controversy pays. The only bad publicity is no publicity. Ignore them and they'll go away.

Those of us of Irish Catholic heritage in the U.S. have seen this continued attack against our heritage ever since Obama became president. He is an enemy of all things Christian and Caucasian. Urban Outfitters targets the Black hipster gang bangers. They openly mock us with the blessings of their Muslim leadership. Obama, sure as Hell, is behind this!

These products are designed to be in your face. That's how UO rolls. When they did the "glitter gun" Christmas tree ornament, people were incensed. But it was a joke. (Not like a real gun that you could buy as a Christmas present at WalMart. That was no joke.) "Ghettopoly" poked fun at serious issues. As did t-shirts with slogans like "Everyone Loves a Jewish Girl" (juxtaposed with a dollar sign) and "New Mexico, Cleaner Than Regular Mexico". And then there was the Jesus Action Figure for all the Born Agains... You need a sense of humor as you go through life. After all, it can be really depressing with all the phony wars, and "My loving God is better than your God. And if you don't agree, I'll kill you..." Unfortunately St. Patrick's Day parades in America have a seamy side: public drunkenness, public urination, and combative behavior. And the offenders are quite often not of Irish decent... The event has become an excuse for people of all ethnic backgrounds to behave badly. And it reflects on the character of the offender - not the Irish people. What can I say... I enjoy UO's humor because edgy humor runs in our family. Did you see the card showing the elderly spinster with a quizzical look on her face? On the inside it says, "My goodness... He has a reptile dysfunction? I didn't even know that he had a lizard..." The bottom line is that if you are offended by UO's over the edge humor, you're not in their target market. Lighten up. No offense intended. (But, if you have a drinking problem, please have it addressed. Or, take up yoga!)

fastest is not insulted !! I wonder if a teashirt depicting a black Jew shooting a Palestinian child would upset his sensibilities!!

Shamrock grows all over the world Paddy Mac.

To make matters worse, they are using a four-leaf clover and not a true shamrock on their t-shirts.

I dont think we drink too much but I think we drink too frequently.

@roryobrien: I'll drink to that.

As a nation we are cursed with a fondness for the booze. I don't live in Ireland any more but when I go back home I never cease to be amazed, even alarmed, at the quantity of drink people - especially young people - put into themselves. Get real folks

I am sick of people saying all IRISH people are drunks,people should take a look around them. I love America and all things American but lets face they have their DRUNKS, JUNKIES, CRIMINALS HOMELESS I could go.My father had a very good saying 'Get the name of an early riser and you can stay in bed until 3 o'clock and i think this has happened to the Irish.