34 Comments

• jnewnam | May 15, 2011, 11:28 PM EDT

  The American market did not collapse because of Bush. It collapse because of the Democratic congress which took control in 2004 and because of Barney Frank and the Banking Committee which ran those quasi government mortgage agencies Frannie and Freddie. They are the ones who gave out mortgages with no down payments and no proof of income. Mr Frank gave banks permission to adopt the same practices. That is what collapsed the system. Obama has compounded the problem by printing $2 trillion dollars in QEI and QEII, which has collapsed the value of the dollar hence rising gas and food prices and China owning us. By the way the Bush TARP has been paid back.

• jnewnam | May 15, 2011, 11:21 PM EDT

  To Odonnell521: You have no idea what you are talking about and in true liberal style you have reverted to the only accusation you can come up with and that is racism because you have nothing in your arsenal like the facts. We object to the little communist in the White House because he is a communist and worshiper of Marx and Mao (in his own words). Do you know who Thomas Sowell, Starr Parker, Charles Payne, Jennifer Carroll, Harry Alford, and Deroy Murdock are? Bet you do not? There are many more. Hint: They are all black, conservative and Republican.

• jnewnam | May 15, 2011, 11:09 PM EDT

  Is Ireland or the Irish still Roman Catholic? Just wondering since the church fought communism and socialism for 100 years beginning with Fatima. And since Obama 'sought out his Marxist professors and was mentored in Hawaii by Frank Lloyd Davis, a known and committed communist, has appointed known communists to head our government agencies, has done end runs around our congress by executive order, has clobbered us with government healthcare run by a committee that will institutionalize euthanasia by limiting procedures by cost and age, tried to make infanticide legal when he was a state senator in Illinois, sat and worshipped at the feet of Jeremiah Wright's black liberation theology for 20 years (a philosophy specifically condemn by John Paul II and Benedict as communism and worthy of excommunication), I don't know maybe the Irish should stop jumping up and down with joy at his visit. This is one Irish American whose grandmother who was born in Ireland is fighting for his replacement with a person who honors the Constitution of the United States, respects the law, and doesn't have to stick his finger in the air to gage which way the wind is blowing. Wake up Ireland, he may have an Irish ancestor but in no way is the man Irish.

• pjkosu317 | May 13, 2011, 11:13 AM EDT

  I think it's great, after all with a name like O'bama Great pride in American Irish and good to have our Pres on the bandwagon! Slainte

• longislander1940 | May 12, 2011, 08:50 PM EDT

  TO BILLY JUSTIN, DONT BOTHER NO AMERICANS WILL BE THERE. READ THE AMERICAN PAPERS.

• longislander1940 | May 12, 2011, 08:48 PM EDT

  Who said Obama is Irish? He is constantly talking about being black. He never says he is anything else. OldSarge said it. All he wants is the Irish vote here in America. Well , I only know two irish-americans that voted for him. ALSO, now that he is campaigning he finally got down to Ground Zero. Hmmm! Also, I see the 50 families that lost someone received an E MAIL addressed TO THE FAMILY OF 9/11 VICTIM, now that's class. How about a stamp and a family name. He just doesn't care.

• longislander1940 | May 09, 2011, 06:09 AM EDT

  Pounder: Obama doesn't claim he is Irish; it is just excitable people in Moneygall who do that. Obama possesses a small fraction of Irish blood. He is American and never pretends otherwise. There are even idiots who doubt that.

• odonnell521 | May 08, 2011, 08:27 AM EDT

  With how polarized American politics have become, you'll find people responding this story in only two ways First in a very postive way, allowing Obama to enjoy an oppportunity to visit and acknowledge one of the countries that is an important part of his heritage. Then, there are those who, ginned up by right wing media, see anything that Obama does as evil, at best, and the end of their world as they know, at worst. They are outraged that a black Irish-American was elected president, and their world will never be "right" again until some white male, preferably evangelical Christian, is again on the "throne of the greatest country the world has ever seen." They're just a very sad group of people.

• gaillimh | May 06, 2011, 07:25 PM EDT

  I think he's a very good president; the problems he has were inherited from the stupid warmonger cowboy, Bush. Having said that, this trip is a load of utter nonsense just like JFK's trip in 1963. It's a fact that after that trip, JFK's relatives from Wexford came to his funeral and were totally ignored. So who's fooling who billyjustin? Grow up will u? and JimMcGarity, go learn how to spell.

• billyjustin | May 06, 2011, 08:53 AM EDT

  I live in Limerick about 60 miles from Moneygall where Baraks ancestors came from, we will be giving him and his family a big rousing welcome and any other american who comes.. billy

• Toonagh | May 06, 2011, 07:58 AM EDT

  The Irish always welcome American presidents, but one asks if this is the right time with the irish economy rock bottom to impose further spending for security etc. Im sure he will get a Cead Mile Failte!

• macausheen | May 05, 2011, 11:11 PM EDT

  I couldn't take the survey, the server was temporarily down or something. I can't believe the Irish people are excited about meeting Obama. Until just recently he was not even aware of his partial Irish heritage or if he did he did not care. Like others are saying, his trip is pure publicity to win votes. The good side in that is that he believes there is enough of a bloc of Irish-American voters that can be swayed to vote for him. I hope, by now, we are all onto his tricks and vote him out in 2012.

• antoman | May 05, 2011, 10:20 PM EDT

  oh wait that's a l..my bad.

• antoman | May 05, 2011, 10:19 PM EDT

  @OldSarge-He does'nt care about our goats huh?

• OldSarge | May 05, 2011, 09:34 PM EDT

  He does not care about the Irish. He cares about the Irish-American vote. He'll stop for the day, just for the photo op. It would be much better for Ireland if he just flew over. You'll spend a small fortune to protect him, and he doesn't care about Ireland, her goals, her problems, nothing. He's a bag of hot air.

• badolan | May 05, 2011, 08:34 PM EDT

  I'm surprised that the president he has any time to visit anywhere at all. Of course, it would have been much better to spend at least a few days in Ireland. There is just too much to see and do there. Only a few hours is not near enough time. Please don't consider it an insult. Obviously, things are crazy just now.

• JimMcGarity | May 05, 2011, 07:04 PM EDT

  I hope is knows what he is doing. Seams like he is never at work at home. Vacations and a lot og golf seam to take a lot of time. So we will see.

• teddybear | May 05, 2011, 06:01 PM EDT

  Are you sure you want him to visit?

• barneyjo | May 05, 2011, 05:56 PM EDT

  This is not a visit, it is an extended Fuelling stopover!!

• JohnnyMac | May 05, 2011, 04:57 PM EDT

  If he wanted to make an official "State Visit" as the President of the United States to talk about current pressing issues such as Economy or Health, I'd be fine with the visit. If he is going as someone who's great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was Irish, I think its a terrible waste of American (and Irish) taxpayer money. A family holiday to a far away nation should not be at the expense of taxpayers that are already hard pressed for cash. I've not yet been told what the purpose of this trip is to be.

• chriswalsh | May 05, 2011, 03:51 PM EDT

  I have voiced my opinion before and I will again, I don't dislike the President, I am a democratic but, when he ran for office I listened to his speeches and talks about his background and upbringing and he never once referred to his Irish heritage, why all the fuss over it now is my question.

• olovely | May 05, 2011, 02:33 PM EDT

  Obama has helped business and the Ameican citizen by protecting the American market from collapse after Bush. Now the market is gearing up to boom again. Sorry conservatives but you can't pin Bush's misdeeds on him.

• antoman | May 05, 2011, 02:31 PM EDT

  Just for the hell of it I clicked on the survey link.The first question is where do you live.I clicked on Ireland.A message comes up saying "Piss off Irish.This survey/hamper is for Americans only".Tis like the famine.God forbid an Irishman should win a hamper of grub.

• jbquinn | May 05, 2011, 02:31 PM EDT

  I think when he comes to see you that you offer him an Irish birth certificate and keep him on your side of the pond.

• olovely | May 05, 2011, 02:30 PM EDT

  When Bush staged events to claim Mission Accomplished or the Feds were coming to New Orleans, the fact is that everything was always getting worse. When Obama stages a press event it's becuase he's passed Health Care Reform or captured Osama Bin Laden.

• Ajreaper | May 05, 2011, 01:43 PM EDT

  Why do people think the President is magical man who can wave his hands make bad things go away and good things happen? He's one man that has to work with congress and try to balance huge number of different wants and needs along with philospy's on what's the best way to make things happen. Many of you seem to think it's an easy job to try to manage a country so go and get yourself elected to something and have at it.

• antoman | May 05, 2011, 01:36 PM EDT

  Anychance of a $300 American gift basket? :)

• borefield | May 05, 2011, 01:23 PM EDT

  The entire trip, news media comments and slobbering by Irish Central is pathetic. There are times I am embarrassed to be Irish. I will love all the Irish again if you just KEEP him.

• LisaJHD | May 05, 2011, 01:09 PM EDT

  I totally agree with islenita. President BO hasn't helped business in his own country in the nearly 2 and a half years he's been president. If anything, he has hurt the business climate and definitely has hurt the country overall with massive government spending to give the USA a humungous debt.

• islenita | May 05, 2011, 12:29 PM EDT

  @midlandmiss pray tell what business will he bring to Ireland and how will HE invigorate the relationship btw Ireland and America? even more ridiculous is that you believe he will do it in 5 hours.

• udall67 | May 05, 2011, 12:21 PM EDT

  I hear he is only going to be in Ireland for 5 hours. That's an insult to the Irish and he's only using the visit to garner votes. His Irish roots are a joke.

• Hannah1879 | May 05, 2011, 11:56 AM EDT

  I feel good about President Obama visiting Ireland. I respect the fact that he his taking the time to honor his Irish Heritage. I really wish I could visit Ireland to see my ancestors, my Grandmother from County Cork, Grandfather from Dublin.

• midlandsmiss | May 05, 2011, 11:19 AM EDT

  I happy President Obama is coming to Ireland. Ireland and America have an important relationship, and this will reinvigorate it. He'll help bring American business to Ireland, which will be helpful to both countries.

• pounder | May 05, 2011, 10:37 AM EDT

  I don't care where he goes,but he must stop calling himself Irish.