Sidewalks by Tom Deignan


Deignan Blog

Sidewalks

by Tom Deignan
The author of “Irish Americans: Coming to America,” Tom writes for the Irish Voice, Irish America magazine and the Newark Star-Ledger.

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Sidewalks for February 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 09:57 PM

Helen Gahagan Douglas – the original movie star politician


These days they seem even more tired than a cliché – celebrity politicians.

You’ve got second-generation pro wrestling titan Linda McMahon running for public office in Connecticut. You’ve got comedian Al Franken serving in the U.S. Senate from Minnesota, the same state which – speaking of wrestling – once elected Jesse “The Body” Ventura as governor.



Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 07:11 AM

The Irish Catholic Church's 'Tea Party'

Given the problems he’s faced with these days -- health care, Iraq and now the exodus of Democrats such as Patrick Kennedy and Evan Bayh from the House and Senate -- President Obama probably looks back fondly on the days when the biggest problem in his life was a bunch of angry Irish Catholics at Notre Dame.

Last year, Obama was invited to give the commencement speech at the Catholic university famous for its Fighting Irish sports teams. Some people applauded the invite, since colleges are supposed to be a forum for debate.

Others, however, were outraged.



Wednesday, February 03, 2010 at 03:44 PM

The real problem with stereotypes, Irish or otherwise


British comedian Ricky Gervais caused a bit of trouble a few weeks back when he cracked a joke about body hair, Colin Farrell and alcoholism at the Globes.

It’s worth adding, however, that Gervais was not doing a solo performance. He was very much part of a loud and plentiful chorus.





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