56 Comments

• HenrikLarsson | Nov 24, 2011, 07:40 AM EST

  I am deeply saddened and stunned by the far-right views and intolerance of many Americans, as is well demonstrated on this comments thread. What a frightening nation, and it seems these views are widespread. Following the illegal war in Iraq, a seemingly illegal election victory for W Bush etc. I just cannot wait until the Chinese establish their supremacy, I'm sorry to say that but feel that modern China, a country learning and improving constantly will have a better influence than the tired ol' USA, which is perhaps regressing having peaked.

• eiriamach | Nov 04, 2011, 11:58 AM EDT

  Jacquelyn, I lived for many years just 15 minutes from the border. I crossed the border many times and returned safely, but also witnessed the harassment that Mexicans who cross the border are subject to. Americans who live in the Southwest routinely cross the border, no questions asked of them, to find affordable doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and shopping. You are correct that drug running is the major problem for border areas. But the drug running is an AMERICAN problem. If you could close down the market for drugs in US cities, you would end the illegal-entry drug-runner problem! The illegals who cross the border to work here pay taxes and for the most part obey the laws. Electric fences will not stop drug running. Remember the miles-long tunnel the drug runners dug south of San Diego? Do you know how many cross the mountains in remote areas surrounded by Native American lands? Police and Border Patrol check points on highways will not stop drug running. Only one thing will stop the illegal drug traffic: closing down the market for drugs in American cities. Let's place the responsibility where it belongs.

• paddyRanger | Nov 02, 2011, 08:00 PM EDT

  The only thing more stupid than this article is the note from the bigger prat "seanomelbourne" check out the following "The article is about Herman Goering oops sorry Herman Cain.Nothing to do with Ireland"............wow what a KNOBhead he is able to somehow connect Herman Cain to Herman Goering, and the moron thinks that is funny........don't give up your day job son, as a CLOWN R

• Jacquelyn | Nov 02, 2011, 02:19 PM EDT

  I agree with Western and his post.. if you've actually LIVED near the border, you KNOW that illegals are a HUGE problem. There are US cities on the border that are so overrun by illegal drug opperations that people get killed almost every day and the govmnt just pretends like it doesn't happen. They will kidnap anyone who's white just to get money and they'll chop your fingers off and mail them to your family. if they don't have the money the next day, they'll cut your body into little pieces and leave it on your family's doorstep. It's happened before and happens a lot! The border is straight up dangerous. I'm suprised the military doesn't roll through with Tanks machines of war like they should, all along the border towns. Innocent people pay for the lack of security because of stupid political crap. Mexican-Americans however, are a bigger financial problem overall if you live here and understand what's going on... But as far as any "electric" fence. If you know anything about electricity you know that the "high voltage" on a fence like that probably won't kill you. Voltage doesn't kill people unless it's very very high. It's Amperage that kills people and as little as a tenth of an amp can kill. How much amperage does that electric fence have? Amperage is the actual electricity, the voltage is the "current" that carries the electricity where it needs to go. Yah, it'll give you a good shock, tho, and maybe srsly mess you up.

• Peggy P | Oct 29, 2011, 10:22 AM EDT

  The irish believe in fairies so why surprised there are some that actually think Cain will zap irish immigrants. We do not need, nor want, any more illigal immigrants irish or otherwise. My parents came here with sponsors and jobs before being able to set foot on American soil and were never on the dole. Where did we mess up.

• allentown | Oct 24, 2011, 09:36 PM EDT

  When you have to write an article five times per week instead of two times a week, sometimes you really have to stretch it.

• seanomelbourne | Oct 24, 2011, 06:03 PM EDT

  The article is about Herman Goering oops sorry Herman Cain.Nothing to do with Ireland.

• DLW12183 | Oct 24, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT

  Since when has Ireland opened its boarders to me to come and go as I please, live there or otherwise, without the correct documentation? Have you ever tried to get dual citizenship? Seems like a double standard to me but whatever serves the left agenda is ok with them to say and print.

• MotherIrish | Oct 24, 2011, 08:37 AM EDT

  America has the RIGHT & DUTY to protect its boarders - and there is no reason to not have this fence. Illegals sap the GNP, tax money and patience. YOU GO HERMAN! He is a man with a plan. And if the Irish are illegal - my dad was a legal immigrant by the way - well they can go home too. We hve the right to protect our boarders. If Ireland want to welcome all illegals into their county - and it is a lovely country - that is their issue.

• seanomelbourne | Oct 23, 2011, 11:09 PM EDT

  Cain apologised for his statement then repeats it over and over to satisfy the bigoted thehadist vote he is courting.

• JimMcGarity | Oct 23, 2011, 08:03 PM EDT

  It's time to change all our laws in the US. We can't pick and choose the ones to enforce.

• McNamara31 | Oct 23, 2011, 01:55 PM EDT

  @eiriamach Also, the same situation with me. Posts were posted, in my name, that I would never had written.

• eiriamach | Oct 23, 2011, 08:12 AM EDT

  Thanks for the tip, McNamara31. It has happened to me once before too, but this time, it's just too weird, not something I'd ever write.

• antoman | Oct 23, 2011, 07:43 AM EDT

  A shocking title for an article.

• MrSinatra | Oct 23, 2011, 02:56 AM EDT

  what nonsense. this is why the left is a joke, b/c they take a statement and actually believe that Cain was seriously saying he wants a fence that will KILL people. no he doesn't, and he said he doesn't later. does he want an electric fence? YES, and so do i if it works. do either of us ACTUALY want to see people DIE on it? NO. Roberts knows this, but he's a dope and just wants to demonize Cain.

• unclebrendan | Oct 23, 2011, 02:56 AM EDT

  You are too fast to make judgements and call names. I suppose you would rather execute us aging white people. This aging white person has to meet his maker too soon. I hear a lot more make hate from you and Obama than all the Republicans put together.And no I not a Republican.

• seanomelbourne | Oct 22, 2011, 10:30 PM EDT

  Post pulled I'll try again!! he sounds more like Herman Goering,but thats par for the course for the good old GOP.

• walleyeman | Oct 22, 2011, 09:01 PM EDT

  The editor of thisPOS must be related to Joe the idiot biden

• McNamara31 | Oct 22, 2011, 07:43 PM EDT

  @ eiriamach I've had the same problem with posts appearing in my name that I "did not" post. I reported it to "the editor" @ IC. Hopefully they will correct this.

• TheOldPerfessor | Oct 22, 2011, 07:03 PM EDT

  If anyone is interested in the truth, here is what Cain said: " "It's going to be 20 feet high. It's going to have barbed wire on the top. It's going to be electrified. And there's going to be a sign on the other side saying, 'It will kill you -- Warning.' " That's nice that he warns them before he kills them, but one hopes that the sign is bilingual. In an atmosphere where Republicans have pandered to voters with messages of hate and intolerance, this doesn't come off very well as a joke. Comedian? Herman, don't quit your day job.

• PiperMac52 | Oct 22, 2011, 05:55 PM EDT

  Please back up your contention. I have followed Mr. Cain since he entered the race and have never heard such a statement. Neither have I seen it reported anywhere in the American media(believe me,it would be front page). This is an outright lie or a twisted slant on context.

• PiperMac52 | Oct 22, 2011, 05:53 PM EDT

  As an Irish-American myself I have come to the conclusion that Irish Central is a biased left-wing news magazine that does not objectively report the news.

• PiperMac52 | Oct 22, 2011, 05:50 PM EDT

  This is utter nonsense. I have followed Herman Cain since he entered the race and have NEVER heard any such statement. A check with factcheck.org shows no reference to this statement. Give me a break, do you really think any candidate in their right mind would suggest such a thing? My hunch is your bias is showing here or you purposely took something meant as a joke totally out of context.

• Western | Oct 22, 2011, 05:11 PM EDT

  One reason why I dropped Irish America few years back, misquotes, lies etc. Its not real reporting. You have NO idea what you are talking about. Go tell the hardworking 65 yr.old rancher on the border, the 70 yr.old killed on his own property when he turned his back to get water for the illegals. Investigate a little deeper. Its a big problem, more than that, its ILLEGAL. I am an Irish-American, legal. It can be done, but some foolish non-decisions on the part of Governors over the past 15 years have led to this terrible situation. Get your facts straight & don't dare misquote, don't wait for the second line to say Herman Cain did NOT quote what you say. It was not right for him to say what he did, but the frustration is paramount to most of us at this stage. The fence would not kill, but a tip of it, ends the attempt. Oldboreen, get a life, you don't have a clue. Read a book or something. Ireland can only tolerate Liberals, & pandering to the EU, look where it has gotten you. Instead of England, now you pander to the EU. Live on the US/Mex. border a while then decide should people protect their property, as in against breaking into homes, lighting fires, cutting fences, leaving drug needles on your property, dirty nappies....... Have you talked about the Att. General of this country being involved in Fast & Furious,the border Agent Brian Terry killed with US guns, sent over by this Govt., to Mexico, guns ended up in hands of the drug dealers? Irish reporting to Irish is miserable, its rarely the truth. I don't read the Irish papers anymore, so sickening to read lies and lies. Remember those in power always need victims to stay in power! Way to say it katiemac.

• happyfeet | Oct 22, 2011, 04:59 PM EDT

  after living outside of the US for 9 years, returning home to bury my veteran father and care for elder family members and a dying brother (who passed yesterday) I can say that nothing would please me more than to be able to afford to leave here and never return.

• oldboreen | Oct 22, 2011, 04:09 PM EDT

  Reading reports like this makes me profoundly thankful that I'm not an American!

• Delta19USA | Oct 22, 2011, 03:20 PM EDT

  Just how barbaric is Herman Cain? Herman? Now isn't that name German origin? People tend to forget history, the Irish basically built this country as we know it. One of the greatest presidents we had, Kennedy, has Irish ancestery. Remember also that California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas were all part of Mexico long before the white man ever got here. My wife has Native American (Apache) and Mexican blood in her and I am so proud of her. Oh, and by the way for those who did not know - the official language of California according to the State legislative is SPANISH not English and no, I am not Mexican, Irish or Native American - I was born in England and am white.

• Yardleypa | Oct 22, 2011, 03:00 PM EDT

  You do not need a fence just build another bar at Kennedy airport I will probably never get past that.

• Pittsburghkid | Oct 22, 2011, 02:44 PM EDT

  Cain just keeps coming up with good ideas. If you are stupid enough to try and climb an electric fense, will that just thinning the heard of stupidity. Are illegal Irish aliens swimming accross the Alantic? Even though I'm against illigals, if they can swim across the Alantic, then they deserve to be her.

• Bklynmollie | Oct 22, 2011, 01:52 PM EDT

  I see IrishCentral just echoes talking points of the Left. Too bad. The Irish are the "people of the word," but that word has become "propaganda" on this site. The Left is virulently racist-hates any person of color who dares think for him or herself and doesn't accept "victimiszation" status. The "bar" is lowered for minorities because Dems and Lefties have contempt for minorities.Talk about "Know Nothing!" The Dems were the party of slavery and also voted against the Civil Rights Acts of the '60s. The Dems were also the party of the KKK, of George Wallace, and Senator Byrd -- a 'Grand Poobah' in the KKK. The Dems still want to keep African Americans "on the plantation" of dependency. Problem is-- achievers and individual thinkers such as Herman Caine, Alan West, Thomas Sowell - and Marco Rubio - challenge the dinosaur media and the Dems -- and the Left is afraid they'll lose the "whole enchilada." ROTFL... Just a reminder that Dems want to keep Latino's on the "Dem plantation" too.

• shamrock99 | Oct 22, 2011, 01:26 PM EDT

  Its shocking Patrick that you do not know the difference between electrocution and a mere eye opening shock. You have shorted out all logic in the pathetic dribble you offer as journalism.

• eiriamach | Oct 22, 2011, 01:21 PM EDT

  I did NOT post the 12:49 message below! What's happening, IC? Security problems?

• eiriamach | Oct 22, 2011, 01:17 PM EDT

  If you want legal status for illegal Irish workers, you'll have to accept legal status for illegal Mexicans and others. 'Ain't no other way! The era of special treatment according to race is gone. The Dream Act, amnesty policies, and such-- these are the path to immigration reform, not just for those you prefer, but for all comers on the same basis. This is the way to legalize, whether by citizenship or other legal status, illegal Irish workers. Does this issue rile up conservative Irish Americans just because the only viable solution is to liberalize immigration law?

• eiriamach | Oct 22, 2011, 12:49 PM EDT

  If you don't vote for Herman Cain you are racist.

• Nicomax | Oct 22, 2011, 12:48 PM EDT

  For those who come to America, primarily over our border with Mexico, it's not their being legal or illegal that is concerning, it's them. Actually Mexicans represent just 40% of all illegals, but those with fair skin and only a slight accent, sneaking in from Canada, or simply overstaying their visas, are winked at and left alone to do their thing.

• jamthecat | Oct 22, 2011, 12:36 PM EDT

  You notice no one ever complains about all the illegal Canadians we have working in this country? Or advocates putting up electrified fences or more guards along the much longer, much more porous border with Canada? Or how they advocate tracking down all the illegal English here? Or Germans? It's just all them little brown people. Nice of Herman Cain to give the Tea Partiers cover for their racist, selfish, anti-anyway-but-my-way attitudes. Wow, I just realized...they are how the "Me Generation" turned out -- "All me and screw you."

• eiriamach | Oct 22, 2011, 12:30 PM EDT

  The vast majority of Famine immigrant Irish were illegals. Just compare the immigrant ship passenger counts with applications for citizenship during those years-- no comparison! Some of them married citizens to gain citizenship, and some enlisted in the war; still the numbers don't add up to anything like legal immigration. Nonetheless, the nation welcomed their cheap labor when it was building its great cities, fighting a civil war, laying a trans-continental railroad, and gearing up industrially. The severe discrimination that 19th century Irish immigrants suffered was directed toward keeping them and their religion out of power: out of politics and out of management and out of the neighborhoods of nice 'native' families. Now that the USA does not need the cheap labor of immigrants (except for border farmers who bus Mexican day workers across and illegal factories that underpay them), Hispanic illegals are as feared and detested as the Irish of the Famine era. An 'invasion' by lazy, rum-swilling, degenerate, intellectually inferior, criminal papists would understate the attitude of Nativists toward 19th century Irish immigration. Eventually the Irish thrived. Today the Southwest of the US has many second- and third-generation Hispanic businesses that are thriving, and Hispanic Americans contribute to the arts, politics, education. There are far stronger similarities in the two immigrant stories than there are differences between them. And there are plenty of illegal Irish in the US today as well, so Roberts' title holds something to think about calmly and dispassionately.

• jdi2269 | Oct 22, 2011, 12:16 PM EDT

  Patrick Roberts should not have dropped out of school in the 3rd grade!

• kilgara | Oct 22, 2011, 12:04 PM EDT

  Predicting what this country will be like decades from now has ALWAYS been a losers game and without exception, laughably wrong.Roberts, your self-loathing is quite evident and your loser status even more so.

• newnation | Oct 22, 2011, 11:51 AM EDT

  ha, funny how well propaganda has worked on americans. just keep on denying it, i'm starting to get enjoyment out of it at this stage.

• AengusOg | Oct 22, 2011, 11:30 AM EDT

  Mr. Roberts, you presume that both your readers and Latino illegals are stupid. Your's is a two-dimensional, cartoon mentality.(see photo) Mexicans? Go to your local Home Depot and see what percentage of the day workers come from other SA countries. Find out how they financed their entry into the States and how much it cost them. No one is going to be unintentionally electrocuted entering this country illegally. You are the "Know Nothing" because you use a very serious subject frivolously, simply to put forward your own facile political agenda.

• Springfield9 | Oct 22, 2011, 11:20 AM EDT

  Since this isn't journalism (or reporting) we'll grace it with being an essay or opinion. The Irish arrived to a substantial amount of hatred. Through hard work and education each generation advanced. You now have 20,000,000 illiterate Hispanics and no mechanism to improve their lot. The Irish arrived, the Hispanics invaded. Pat, find a real job - maybe barber where people would have to listen to you.

• newnation | Oct 22, 2011, 11:18 AM EDT

  71regiment doesn't even have an opinion. afraid of the truth no doubt

• Fran Connor | Oct 22, 2011, 11:11 AM EDT

  This "Irish" site has become a sounding board for the liberal democrat point of view. The only reason I check it from time to time is to read the comments. (Also, Cahir keeps me up on what's going on in the gay community.) A little more info on what's happening in Ireland would be appreciated.

• 71regiment | Oct 22, 2011, 11:11 AM EDT

  What nonsense from "newnation".

• eiriamach | Oct 22, 2011, 11:09 AM EDT

  The GOP candidates are pandering to the fears of the mob. The mob-- tea-partiers and other Obama haters-- seek safety in numbers as they cheer on a hate-laced political agenda. All they need is someone who sounds like a "leader" to them, someone who can stand up in front of a microphone and just hint at treating illegals harshly. That's all it takes to inflame a mob. And that's all it takes to relieve each one in the mob of a sense of moral responsibility, the pull of conscience. The first casualty of this group mentality is the ability to think critically about the "leader's" policies. Rallying around Cain's 'electrocution' comment is evidence of this mob mentality, no matter how many times Cain disavows the comment as a 'joke.' It's the group psychology, not the "real" policies of any one candidate, that is the problem. Defending your favorite GOP candidate is just a way of avoiding the real problem. We recognize this particular devil from American history: Nativists, KKK, Fr. Coughlan, Sen. Joe McCarthy, AB Tim Dolan,.... I'm glad to see someone finally focusing on the new Know Nothing mob.

• JohnKinMD | Oct 22, 2011, 11:00 AM EDT

  This piece is just stupid.

• newnation | Oct 22, 2011, 11:00 AM EDT

  America is dying as a nation, speed up the process please you lunatic racist idiots! the sooner the people who are actually in control of america reveal themselves fully the happier the rest of the world will be, so we can get about jailing them. fools!

• 71regiment | Oct 22, 2011, 10:58 AM EDT

  Cain is not advocating to kill illegals, but to deter them from entering and breaking our existing laws, which our current federal government is lax in enforcing. And as far as comments that the GOP and conservatives in general are "Know Nothings" take a look at the socialist activities of the current Democratic Party. Also remember, that the Democratic Party was the Party of slaverey, and it took a Republican Administration during the War of the Rebellion, to free the slaves. I think you need to study American History.

• maryo137 | Oct 22, 2011, 10:52 AM EDT

  This piece of stupidity has the Joe Biden touch. Forrest Gump said "stupid is as stupid does" and this column proves it.

• Ajreaper | Oct 22, 2011, 10:44 AM EDT

  An electric fence only is an issue if someone tries to cross it illeagally otherwise its just a fence. "Old white people" and most other Americans have no problem with anyone who wishes to enter the U.S. legally the issue is with those who enter illeagally. It's easy sit on the other side of the U.S. and comment on border issues- try this, get your butt down to the border and report from 1st hand experience the issues found there.

• colkelley | Oct 22, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT

  Well, Patrick, are you going to personally take physical and fiscal responsibility for all Mexican citizens crossing the border ILLEGALLY? You liberal whiners always seem to forget a simple thing - the law - when advocating for the people you want to vote Democrat. After all, a little thing like not being an American citizen and not having the right to vote in American elections is just a Constitutional "inconvenience" since you believe in violating the law and Constitution when it suits Democratic Party needs.

• pndirishandprou | Oct 22, 2011, 10:05 AM EDT

  Well put, Patrick. I couldn't have said it better.

• FatherVol | Oct 22, 2011, 09:57 AM EDT

  Mr. Cain DID NOT say he wanted to elextrocute illegal Mexicans/Latinos. Your sense of journalism lacks any integrity and is meant only to do what you accuse your political enemies (any and all Republicans and conservatives in general) of doing: inflaming the hearts capable of hatred and racism. you are dispicable!

• gleason | Oct 22, 2011, 09:43 AM EDT

  don't be an ass,nobody is advocating killing mexicans.we have a right to secure borders at all compass points

• hancock | Oct 22, 2011, 09:11 AM EDT

  Herman Cain is white?