NEW YORK BOSTON |#Popular: Irish Celebrity Gossip Irish in US Politics Irish Festivals Irish Roots Irish Entertainment Offbeat Irish

Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Mayor Bloomberg outrages Irish Americans with 'people that are totally inebriated hanging out windows' comments

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Mayor Bloomberg outrages Irish Americans with 'people that are totally inebriated hanging out windows' comments

Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2011 at 07:52 PM

Larger Text

E-mail

111 Comments

RSS

Archives

In bizarre remarks delivered at a St.Patrick's Parade book launch at the American Irish Historical Society in New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he lived nearby and was used to seeing "people that are totally inebriated hanging out windows" at the Society which is on Fifth Avenue.

Bloomberg's remarks drew some boos from an astonished crowd who had gathered along with Grand Marshal Mary Higgins Clark to celebrate the launch of the book entitled "Celebrating 250 Years of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade" by Irish American historian John Ridge,which recounts the 250 years history of the parade.

The American Irish Historical Society, located at 80th Street and 5th Avenue in New York,is one of the oldest Irish societies in America and emphasizes support for scholarship, culture and research.It recently won an architectural award for best renovated building in the city.

Board members were upset at the drunken Irish reference which falls into the usual stereotype of the drunken Irish around St.Patrick's Day.

Many leading members of the Irish community were present,including Irish Consul General Noel Kilkenny, St. Patrick's Parade Chairman John Dunleavy and Director General of the American Irish Historical Society Dr.Kevin Cahill.

Bloomberg's comments were made at the very start of his speech and he continued on in strange vein asking when the parade was being held and commenting it was good it was always on the same day so he wouldn't confuse it with Columbus Day.

Bloomberg has cultivated close connections with the Irish American community and has strong support which makes his comments all the more unexpected. He has been a frequent visitor to Ireland and has advised on economic issues there.

E-mail

111 comments

Next Previous Page 3 of 8 pages

SCVMal | Feb 10, 2011, 10:17 PM EST

BTW, jdi2249 is also inebriated to classify "all democrats like she does. BTW, I thought it was 2 4 69? I told you she was inebriated!

Report abuse

SCVMal | Feb 10, 2011, 10:13 PM EST

He's a bloody stupid arse and his invite to march should be rescinded - permanently! If proud Irish men and women who happen to be gay can be banned, this Irish vote magnet painted green for an hour MUST me excluded as well!

Report abuse

norinalundy | Feb 10, 2011, 10:08 PM EST

Michael Bloomberg is an idiot that is not in touch with the common man, or anyone other than his money-hungry lot. If he were, then he would see that his ridiculous statement is just that, a ridiculous statement. Who is hanging out the window totally inebriated? The scholars of the Irish Historical Society? First I thought he was just out of touch with the common people, now I know he is out of touch with everyone.

Report abuse

McNabb1966 | Feb 10, 2011, 09:47 PM EST

Newsflash, people: Limousine liberals are NOT your friends. Apparently Mayor Billionaire isn't planning on running again (although I'm sure he would endorse any plan to appoint him "mayor for life"). So all his fake "outreach" to the Irish of New York City is no longer necessary. Now you're getting the real Bloomie. Naturally there will always be a few wingnuts like belcarra who will happily seize on statements like Bloomberg's to justify their own bigotry.

Report abuse

Starlet | Feb 10, 2011, 09:20 PM EST

"Consider the source........a lieberal jewish politician, (pardon the redundancy), who changes parties to enhance his chances of winning,..." YES, Hogan, because he wants to win he would have to be very careful about making a remark that could possibly upset a percentage of his contitution. Personally, having lived in several countries and travelled to more, Irish are known for their drinking. It is not meant as an offence. Remember, they are also known for their wit and other qualities. I am sure that Bloomberg is concerned with violence that goes hand in hand with the drinking. He wouldn't want to offend you.

Report abuse

nanaben7 | Feb 10, 2011, 08:19 PM EST

HE'S A COMPLETE A**. JUST ONE MORE STUPID AND BIASED REMARK AFTER ANOTHER.

Report abuse

jamieLM | Feb 10, 2011, 06:48 PM EST

There is a certain percentage of people in every ethnic group that make the rest look bad because of their disgusting behavior. Stereotypes are based on this group of idiots who can't control themselves. The truth is that some Irish people have fueled the "drunken Irish" stereotype over the years. Bloomberg's comments were insensitive and not "politically correct." If he'd said something derrogatory about the Muslims, all hell would've broken loose.

Report abuse

jdi2269 | Feb 10, 2011, 06:30 PM EST

WOULDN'T EXPECT ANYTHING ELSE FROM A DEMOCRAT!

Report abuse

ciarrai | Feb 10, 2011, 06:28 PM EST

Was he inebriated? If I were worth $16 billion, I wouldn't give a damn and I might come out with whatever I wanted to. However, let's not get crazy. Lots of people use St. Patrick's Day as an excuse to get hammered. You know it, I know it, we all know it. Which reminds me: Pat and Mike were old friends. Pat was in ill health and he asked his old friend Mike if, when he dies, could he pour a bottle of Jameson over his grave. "I can a'course, but would you mind if I passed it through me kidneys first?"

Report abuse

packfan88 | Feb 10, 2011, 06:12 PM EST

Get over yourself. It was a joke that some found funny. Who are to try and speak for the entire community? Some found it to not be funny. Who are you to speak for the entire community? Dont you get it that no matter what is said some will take offense and some wont? As far as us liking to drink alcohol, is it not true? Sure some dont, but you like to speak for the people...so do I !!! Now drink up ! Ever hear an Anglophobia joke? Im sure you laughed. Lighten up Francis !

Report abuse

butlerreport | Feb 10, 2011, 05:55 PM EST

So what? We had a drunk Prime Minister Cowen who was recorded in the Wall Street Journal after his radio interview fiasco. In case you hadn't noticed the only thing we Irish are known for around the world is our drinking.

Report abuse

CaptainTom | Feb 10, 2011, 05:40 PM EST

In spite of his fame and wealth he is just jealous of those who are Irish and rightfully so.

Report abuse

lookbackkid | Feb 10, 2011, 04:57 PM EST

His attitude has been extremely brash ever since somehow the vote of the people to just two terms as mayor, known as term limits was over ruled. If anything mark it up to being disrespectful and as some call it rude.

Report abuse

antoman | Feb 10, 2011, 04:13 PM EST

"Put his foot in his mouth"..LOL!

Report abuse

5454pawz | Feb 10, 2011, 04:11 PM EST

Just ban this matzoh-balled arse from the parade.

Report abuse

Next Previous Page 3 of 8 pages