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Mayor Bloomberg gets hostile reception at St. Pat’s parade in Queens, NY

Boos and catcalls for mayor after ‘inebriated Irish’ remarks

By
WALTER JOHNSON,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Sunday, March 6, 2011, 7:29 AM
Updated Monday, March 7, 2011, 9:18 AM

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Mayor Bloomberg was booed and catcalled by Irish parade goers in the Rockaways St. Patrick’s parade on Saturday.

Rockaway in Queens is one of the largest parades in and around New York City.

Last month, in a story exclusively reported on Irishcentral.com, Bloomberg upset many Irish when he said at a function at the American Irish Historical Society in Manhattan that he was used to see drunks hanging out the windows at the venue, a center for learning and education.

The story made worldwide headlines and Bloomberg apologized.

Interviewed by The New York Post, parade goer Maureen Bergin said Bloomberg disrespected her heritage when he stated that he usually only saw “people that are totally inebriated” at the Irish American Historical Society on Fifth Avenue.

“He wouldn’t have the audacity to make that joke about another group of people,” grumbled Bergin. “Plus, I’m a teacher, so he’s not on my list of favorite people right now.”

Another retired worker Ellen Moran agreed. “A stereotype is simply a stereotype. It may have been a joke, but the bottom line is, I was offended.”

"He should really know better than to say something like that about a whole group of people," parade goer Sean Gallagher told the Daily News.

Anthony Hannon, 80, was more upset by plans to fire teachers and firemen. “What he’s doing to our teachers and our Fire Department – it’s shameful. Who cares about bike lanes? He’s an idiot,” Hannon told the Post.

Bloomberg, ignored the boos and waved an Irish tricolor high over his head.

Some, however, felt Bloomberg was being unfairly targeted.

“I don’t think anyone minds him making wisecracks against us. No Irishman took it to heart,” said  James Ray, 52.

The reaction in Rockaway will certainly make it interesting when Bloomberg marches on Fifth Avenue in the biggest of all parades on March 17th,

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38 Comments

15 - 38 | See all comments

pilib04 | Mar 12, 2011, 08:59 PM EST
Bloomberg hates Irish and then expects to be applauded?

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seanomelbourne | Mar 11, 2011, 01:20 AM EST
I remember when it was okay to portray a Mexican sitting on the street wrapped in a poncho,sombrero pulled down over his eyes and swigging on a bottle of tequila was tolerated. It was a deliberate act to dehumanize Mexicans.It seems to me that a certain coterie of writers on IC want to demonize the Irish or Muslims or others. To castigate Mexicans or African Americans is no longer tolerated so they pick on some other culture to make themselves feel good or superior.

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pacifist | Mar 08, 2011, 05:12 AM EST
palmeiras, are you justifying what John Galiano said? What I wrote below about my fellow Irish people is the truth and once again Paddy's Day is coming up with the accompanying unpalatable behaviour. Whilst Mayor Bloomberg's comments were out of order and he should not have said them, but are the objections based on his drawing attention to our national weakness or because the truth hurts and we don't want to face the reality? Pretending the problem doesn't exist won't make it go away.

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palmeiras | Mar 07, 2011, 08:02 PM EST
The whole point is this: if someone insults Jews they are attacked right away and forced to resign-with no exception; just look at the John Galiano case; he was forced out of Christian Dior, no ifs ands or buts about it. So bloomberg should be forced out of the mayor's office. It's called consistency; but then that will never happen will it? One law for Jews and another for the rest of us.

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feeneycj | Mar 07, 2011, 02:53 PM EST
moderation is the key

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pacifist | Mar 07, 2011, 01:15 PM EST
Anybody who thikns there isn't a probelm with excessive drinking by us should go and look at what's happening at discos and other weekend entertainment venues and see the inebriated condition of the majority of the young people. As for the older age groups - mine included, being in my 60's - there is a sight to behold at functions following so-called christening, first communion and confirmation ceremonies, but also weddings and funerals. And during normal times too - any excuse for a session!

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sirpeter | Mar 07, 2011, 10:44 AM EST
jamieLM..My points won't make much of a difference I'm afraid..The Irish are stuck with the drunken stereotype..Even this article helps re-enforces this stereotype. Not that I care.

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jamieLM | Mar 07, 2011, 09:17 AM EST
Sirpeter, I think you're right about visibility. Those who get loud and drunk on beer in bars and pubs get tagged differently than those who get soused on wine and vodka at home. You make some good points in your post.

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mairdemalone | Mar 07, 2011, 08:16 AM EST
"Mayor" Bloomberg should have known better, should have considered the feeling of all of his Irish constituents. Although His ancestry is Russian, he was born in Boston and that makes him American Irish! Michael Bloomberg the ordinary man is a very good and decent man and a man who would not stoop to such levels; however, when a good person enters politics something happens to him or her. I guess the old adage applies: Power corrupts; absolute power destroys. Like Icarus, they reach too high and are burned. Hopefully, Mayor Bloomberg is wise enough to realise this before it is too late. No matter how much money one has, one's name is more valuable than all the gold in the world.

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sirpeter | Mar 07, 2011, 07:27 AM EST
France has the highest rate of alcoholism in the world. Yet nobody stereotypes French people as drunks.WHY!! Because it's not visible. They tend to drink alot of alcohol at home. They start drinking wine from a young age. Drinking alcohol for the Irish has always been a more social thing,so the effect's of alcohol in public is much more visible. Irish people use alcohol because it makes them happy and social and loud, as opposed to other countries who drink more, but use it because they are depressed.Ever see a Russian laugh? Also, while beer is the Irish drug of choice. Stats show that the Germans and the Brits are a pack drug addicts.Germany:At number 1...United Kingdom:At number 2..United States: At number 41...Ireland: At number 50...Your average New Zealander with Australia second, tops the list of pot heads. Most of them put Bob Marley to shame...So again it's really down to the media and who they want to stereotype.Nothing to really do with true facts about alcohol abuse. Irish people drink alot of beer when they are out.But the drug addicts and pot heads are not really visible.

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seanomelbourne | Mar 07, 2011, 01:47 AM EST
Gwen's got a problem with her sexuality.She can't keep her head above her navel.

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rorkerlyn | Mar 07, 2011, 01:35 AM EST
At the St Patrick's Parade on Staten Island today, the cops were ordering anyone with a container to empty them out. Since when is it illegal to drink a cup of regular with 1 sugar a criminal offence? Does this hold true for the Columbus Day,Memorial Day or 4th of July parades held annually on the"Island".

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cillowen | Mar 06, 2011, 10:40 PM EST
some moron said he was telling the truth - dare speak obvious truths about em and like wasps they remember long to sting and to sting - forver more your painted.

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gwen1980 | Mar 06, 2011, 09:47 PM EST
Sean, where would Irish people be without a designated driver like you? Try and enjoy yourself for once in your life, i can sense the begrudging. Did you marry the first girl that would kiss you? Take your balls out of your handbag and stand up against the manager that kept telling you he will bring you on in the second half and never did. We know you really didn't want to play, your father forced you to go but you did enjoy the dressing room at the end of a game. Why was Sean last to leave the dressing room when he didn't even play? mmm suspect

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bonbon1 | Mar 06, 2011, 09:46 PM EST
NYC is one of the largest and finest cities in the world. It is also home to an amazingly large number of people of Irish decent. Mayor Bloomberg is an outstanding mayor who is honest and does a great job as mayor. He is also one of the most generous people in the world when it comes to donating to charity.How does he treat Irish.He has more Irish working in his enterprises and employed by NYC then anyone who is Irish. Instead of jumping to predudicial conclusions or being pig headed show some respect for mayor Bloomberg who is a great friend of the Irish

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