48 Comments

• seanomelbourne | Jan 08, 2012, 06:14 PM EST

  What a boring subject.

• McNamara31 | Jan 08, 2012, 12:07 PM EST

  AMWilson Well said and so true!

• AMWilson | Jan 07, 2012, 11:59 PM EST

  I personally doubt very much that Obama has any Muslim leanings, but who cares if he does? It's not unAmerican to be a Muslim! Didn't he down a pint in Ireland, which is taboo in the Koran? Anybody out there old enough to remember the stink that was made about Kennedy's Catholicism? Folks, we really need to move on from the juvenile mindset of stereotyping, and start judging people as INDIVIDUALS, rather than as groups. If you want to rip Obama on policy and qualifications, be my guest. But if your criticism has to start with "He's a Muslim", then you're just a bigot, completely lacking any sense of inteligent objectivity.

• pilib04 | Jan 07, 2012, 10:38 PM EST

  Who cares. Perhaps all these politicians should get to work fixing our respective economies instead of worrying about what day to celebrate being Irish. Boehner of all people should be more concerned about keeping his job giving his constant screwups. Finally why would I care when the day is celebrated. I certainly won't be an invited guest at the Boehner's gathering at the Congress or Obama's White House celebration.

• deb1ryan | Jan 07, 2012, 06:22 PM EST

  Wow, Obama I am becoming mote and more disappointed in you. Do you want to lose the Irish vote?

• Scrivner | Jan 07, 2012, 04:40 PM EST

  Weather on St Patrick's Day? Under the Daley's (hizzoner and son) the weather would always lighten up with a ray or two of sun illuminating the faces of the politicos in their green hats and sashes as they step south on State Street (That Great Street) leaving the emerald green Chicago river behind. A counter, and more fun, event was the Southside Irish Parade, a more festive and in-your-face happening. It has recently been discontinued because it became a little too festive and in-your-face. This could be the real reason Obama went to the White House--he was tired of having to march in the Parade with a large shamrock pinned to his arse.

• peterson | Jan 07, 2012, 01:19 PM EST

  obumma thinks he is the most powerful leader in the world (by his own admission). More and more liberals are turning against this idiot !!

• GeorgeDillon | Jan 07, 2012, 10:45 AM EST

  IrishAncestor: Totally agree with you. The only place I know where the weather can be pretty much relied on for St Patrick's Day is Savannah GA. Up north it can be be a pretty day, I seem to remember that the year Mike Flannery was Grand Marshal it was 70 degrees plus in NYC, but of course it can be just as easily be in the 20s with winds howling thru Manhattan. Likewise for Dublin, I attended one real pleasant SPD in Dublin around 1998, I think, with temps in the 70s, but it can equally freeze your shamrocks off, with sleet and snow to boot.

• hooligan6a | Jan 07, 2012, 08:47 AM EST

  Next he will move New Years to January 15th and Christmas to December 10th. But that will be OK with you liberals because HE is Obuma and can do no wrong

• gobdawpaddy | Jan 07, 2012, 08:28 AM EST

  Can't believe the 'contribution's' from certain mutants here. The meeting with Enda Kenny is being scheduled at the request of John Boehner because congress is not in session on saturday. For the benefit of the many obviously 'mutant contributors', he is the speaker of the house. Regardless of who/why this meeting with Kenny is being scheduled for the 19th, the Irish should be honored that the most powerful person in the world is taking the time to honor and acknowledge them. One doesn't see DC come to a halt for a day for any other nationality. Get over yourselves, Ireland is far from being the center of th universe.

• IrishAncestor | Jan 07, 2012, 05:59 AM EST

  Now that's what I call a start! In fact, I think we should move St. Patrick's Day to the 17th June! March is too wind-swept, wet, cold and generally miserable, weather totally undependable, and far from suitable for a "Party Day Out!" Any one else in favour?

• bradybradyisaid | Jan 07, 2012, 05:27 AM EST

  OBAMA 2012

• sirpeter | Jan 06, 2012, 11:14 PM EST

  If I didn't know better.I think there is a certain lack of respect for Irish Americans in the US of A creeping in.The question is.*speaks in a low voice.Hmmm.Was it fear of the Irish Catholic Church that kept the American government in place or Irish Americans.It's amazing what disunity can do.No more Scotch Irish in the census.Well they won't say they are Irish anyway.They are now others.Irish people everywhere are been marginalized.We are gone to soft.We Irish always had to bloody a nose or two to get respect.It's just the way it is.Take the pikes down from under rafters.Ye can change all this very quickly.They wouldn't change St African day.

• Springfield9 | Jan 06, 2012, 11:03 PM EST

  Well, the parade (a demonstration of fellowship) is always on the closest Saturday to allow the most attendees. The Feast Day of St. Patrick is still the 17th and that can't be moved. I wonder if Enda is planning on giving O'Bama his certificate of Irish Heritage.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 06, 2012, 10:51 PM EST

  is it kathiejerk or kathieherk silly lady

• ciaradexy | Jan 06, 2012, 06:57 PM EST

  Sydney has its parade on the Saturday before or after the 17th and theres no big deal made over it. WHATS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE??

• ciaradexy | Jan 06, 2012, 06:53 PM EST

  Katieherk, quit with the caps! No one cares about 1 day in the year. Get over it! I cant believe you bad mouth a man because he change a date. Get real!

• katieherk | Jan 06, 2012, 06:47 PM EST

  JUST SHOWS WHAT A JERK NOBAMA IS!! GADS LET'S GET RID OF HIM, HE IS SUCH DICTATOR AND EVEN WANTS TO CHANGE SUCH AN IMPORTANT DATE TO SUIT HIM! PLEASE DON'T VOTE FOR THE JERK AGAIN.

• edmundburke | Jan 06, 2012, 06:39 PM EST

  Ahem, Mr. O'Dowd, the tradition of Taoesaich's visiting the White House on St Patrick's Day began when Garret Fitzgerald and Charles Haughey visited with Irish American President Ronald Reagan in DC in the 1980s. Each would then go over to Capital Hill and be feted by House Speaker Tip O'Neill

• ciaradexy | Jan 06, 2012, 05:47 PM EST

  AMWilson, I completely agree with you. It just makes my skin crawl.

• cillowen | Jan 06, 2012, 04:48 PM EST

  canonising is akin to the Queen's knightings. She being the Protestant Pope carrying the honorable tradition of the outstanding Henry VIII - he what killed those fine ladies, who knew the hero he'd be to UKers and their diaspora.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 06, 2012, 04:40 PM EST

  Much ado about nothing.Can someone inform me when St.Patrick was canonised.I see the petty little minded "birthers". are still about.The plastic Irish love their plastic hats and red wigs, morons!

• AMWilson | Jan 06, 2012, 04:22 PM EST

  Agreed, Ciara. The 17th is the official Holy Catholic Feast Day, but there is not, to my knowledge, anything else that makes it somehow more "authentic" than the 20th or any other day. This is yet another flimsy excuse to bash the President over a total non-issue. And calling it St Patty's Day cheapens it way more than this little date change. Let's get out our stupid plastic green hats, drink green beer, wander through streets like a bunch of frat boys, and yell "Happy, St Patty's Day! Kiss me, I'm a leipreachan!" like that's what it means to be "Irish".

• ciaradexy | Jan 06, 2012, 03:51 PM EST

  If it wasnt verified then it would be all over the news. Hes as irish as most of the IAs on here Bob which is not very irish. Whats the big deal about the 17th anyway? I dont think the Irish really care if he likes us or not. He obviously cares about America or he'd not have gone through what he went through to become President. Hes definitely the least offensive of the last few 'war hungry bible bashing anti-every other religion' presidents you have had to date. Patty is a disgusting burger type thing not a name Americans should use for my national holiday.

• irishbob | Jan 06, 2012, 03:42 PM EST

  Sorry, ciaradexy, but there is still some question that BO was born in Hawaii. The birth certificate he produced three years after this question popped up has never been verified, so he may not have been born in the US. Anyway, why does he moving this day surprise anyone? The man does not care about the Irish, or about America. He only cares about Obama. As for the day being referred to as "St. Patty's Day" I can remember when calling me Patty would start a fight. Still does in some places.

• ciaradexy | Jan 06, 2012, 03:27 PM EST

  BippyBellito-''I do not expect a man from Kenya to understand what being Irish means''. Obama is about as Irish as you which is not at all. Just because you dont like him doesnt mean hes out to get you. As for the comment saying hes not 'culturally American'. He was born and raised in Hawaii so hes as American as you. I always thought Hawaii was one of the US states. And stop insulting my country by referring to St patricks day as St 'Pattys' day. How disrespectful.

• howareya | Jan 06, 2012, 03:00 PM EST

  Thank you, Goosey68!!! That is one of my pet peeves. You would not believe that number of times I have seen Happy St. Patty's Day on things that are put out by people that were born in Ireland and should know better!!!!

• milfordmama | Jan 06, 2012, 01:28 PM EST

  I really don't care when the Prez chooses to "celebrate", I am proud of my Irish/Italian heritage and celebrate it everyday. In my mind, he really doesn't care, and why should he? He only wants the Irish American votes, he really doesn't care about how they "feel" or what they "cherish". In my area in Massachusetts, some towns have parades the Sunday before, some the Sunday afterwards, it is all fun. I do agree with borefield though, our current president is just what he is, and that is NOT Irish in my book. He could care less and really, are you all surprised?

• OleSarge | Jan 06, 2012, 12:53 PM EST

  We wouldn't want to disturb Obama's tee time.

• clevelander | Jan 06, 2012, 12:37 PM EST

  The City of Chicago celebrates St. Patrick's Day on the Saturday closest to the day along with many other cities. Those anti-Irish bigots.

• RedBranch | Jan 06, 2012, 12:26 PM EST

  'Yes Mr. President, the Irish won't mind moving their Paddy day holiday. In fact you can kill two birds with one stone by moving the Bangladeshi national Day (Shwadhinota Dibôsh) up a week and have it on the same day. It's serendipitous Mr. President, they both have green in their flags and we'll be giving more immigrant visas to the Bangladeshis this year anyway.'

• bdillon | Jan 06, 2012, 12:12 PM EST

  Thank you Goosey68 for addressing that annoying "Happy St. Patty's Day" greeting. Even "Happy St. Paddy's Day" has a certain disrespectful tone to it as the word "Paddy" does not have a positive historical usage. In Ireland I never heard a greeting other than "Happy St. Patrick's Day".

• Murph46 | Jan 06, 2012, 11:39 AM EST

  Why> Is the 17th A Muslim celebration day?

• carrickcourt | Jan 06, 2012, 11:35 AM EST

  Ah yes more anti Obama rants here. If these comments were the least bit intelligent they might be worthy of some comment.

• Searlit | Jan 06, 2012, 11:15 AM EST

  I know that times are really tough in Ireland, right now. I see too many Irish "celebrity" journalists that have lost all compassion for their fellow human beings, here in America. The Irish Taoiseach/Prime Minister wasn't responsible for Ireland's economic mess. Hearing him speak, I think he is the right man, at the right time for Ireland. By the way, President Obama declared the Month of March as Irish Heritage month last year. So, don't feel slighted about a mere change of date for Lá Naomh Pádraig.

• walleyeman | Jan 06, 2012, 11:08 AM EST

  Just look at that typical smug look on his face.

• KerryLKing | Jan 06, 2012, 11:07 AM EST

  More Obama-rama Drama!!! Move St. Patricks Day to the 20th...DUH Mr. Kenny....don't go there...stay in Chicago...much BETTER city than sittin' with a bunch of sefl-serving politicos in DC.

• borefield | Jan 06, 2012, 10:47 AM EST

  Please try and face the Truth. Our President Obama is not culturally American, despite the fact that one of his distant family members misbehaved and as a result produced his great,great grandparent this, does not make him Irish. to be fair to him he really did not seek the Irish heritage thing, the Irish went all out to include him, slobbering all over him like many Americans simply, because he is BLACK. How stupid. Wake up Irish people, he doesn't like us, does not want to be associated with us, perhaps politically to get the Irish vote, beyond that, GIVE IT UP.

• gobdawpaddy | Jan 06, 2012, 10:47 AM EST

  Apparently this is to facilitate congress and not the president, but of course don't let this stop those of you who like to talk out of their ar** here. Happy to see that Ireland and the Irish finally has a taoiseach representing them who can speak proper english and who they can be sure will conduct himself appropriately. As regards our president, his rumored attendance at the AIF dinner on the 19th should give a huge boost to this event and the revenue raised for this fund. Irish America should be honored if the president can make it.

• McNamara31 | Jan 06, 2012, 10:31 AM EST

  BippyBellito "a man from Kenya"... Try Hawaii. Last time I checked it’s still in America. And BTW, our Irish ancestors had more in common (with his) in the way they were treated for centuries; when they weren't being starved to death, Cromwell sent 50,000 Irish into slavery (Redlegs) and shipped them to Barbados were most died within a few years. Years ago the Irish had empathy for other groups and supported their success, however now we are in the days of the likes of Hannity and O'Reilly, where the game is smear, divide, then "unite" with bigotry.

• Goosey68 | Jan 06, 2012, 10:21 AM EST

  Regardless of the politics ...it is NOT " St. Patty's Day". We do not celebrate St. Patricia on March 17th. Patrick is shortened to: Pat Paddy Yes I know Patrick in english does not have a D in the spelling ...that is because Paddy is coming from Padraig the gaelic spelling of the name. Patty is short for the female spelling. So please STOP CALLING IT ST. PATTY's DAY ....Patrick was not a transvestite nor did he get a sex change (that we know of). Thank you!

• BippyBellito | Jan 06, 2012, 10:12 AM EST

  Obama and his regime is a sad joke. That said, I have no problem with this incompetent of presidents moving the date of the celebration to a day more convenient to his schedule. In my area of NJ we celebrate St. Patrick's Day for about 2 weeks anyway. I do not expect a man from Kenya to understand what being Irish means. I do not begrudge his birthright and hope that he will do the same with mine. To me this is a non-issue at a time when there are much bigger fish to fry and pints to empty.

• Barmaidsah | Jan 06, 2012, 10:07 AM EST

  OK, first @ colkelley, While I don't want to argue about his religion when he was a young child, you should at least get your facts correct. He only attended an all faith accepted, predominately muslim school until he was 10. Then he attended a catholic school. By all accounts he had a secular upbringing. And second @ MotherIrish, the way I read the story is that because it is on a weekend, congress is not in session and Speaker of the House John Boehner wants to do lunch with the Prime minister as is the tradition. And the Prime Minister will be in Chicago that weekend. So it seems to me that there are many forces at play here, that makes it better for all involved if St Patricks day is CELEBRATED on and not MOVED TO Tues. the 19th. Just sayin...

• bunkerisland | Jan 06, 2012, 10:03 AM EST

  Wake up readers! One cannot blame Barack for the calendar. Congress is not in session on March 17th, a Saturday. Of course Enda could speak to an empty chamber! Obama did not spend 13 years in a Madrassa. Twist the truth to reinforce your hatred. And why compare St. Patty's Day with the MLK holiday. Racism prevails!

• fscarlson | Jan 06, 2012, 09:57 AM EST

  This president thinks he's a king and can dictate whatever, whenever to whomever. However, if I have anything to say about it, he will be gone after one term; and he can take his holiday tree with him.

• McNamara31 | Jan 06, 2012, 09:55 AM EST

  colkelley, MotherIrish... And your point is? No matter what this Pres does you will find a way to imply "He's not one of us"

• MotherIrish | Jan 06, 2012, 09:49 AM EST

  Oh Lordy - everything is movable with this president. Can he get anything right? St. Patty's is March 17 not March 20. Let's move MLK to some day other than a Monday - is that ok??

• colkelley | Jan 06, 2012, 09:42 AM EST

  Considering that Obama was raised as an East Asian Muslim (in a Madrassa Muslim school) from age 4 to 17 it is no wonder that he has little or no understanding of the concepts or traditions of America. While he may have been born a citizen he did not spend his formative years in America becoming culturally American.