President Mary McAleese declines St. Patrick's Day NYC Grand Marshal invite

Where are you from Woodkern?

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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….

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...

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.