Letters

Remembering Harrison

THANK you for the richly deserved tribute to the late George Harrison in the October 13-19 issue. 

George was a man of great integrity and an unrepentant Irish Republican to the end. I will miss my monthly copy of Saoirse, usually accompanied by a note from George on the latest instance of imperialism in the world, or on the treachery of those in Ireland who had abandoned physical force for the peace table.

Although he knew I disagreed with him on this latter point, as we had disagreed years earlier on the subject of Michael Collins and the treaty, George remained a staunch, generous and loyal friend.

I first met George Harrison in 1969, when in response to events in the North, I joined the National Association for Irish Justice. We were mostly young (I was 25 then) and born in this country.

To the “old men” of the Irish Republican groups in New York we were suspect; at best hippie narrowbacks and at worst “commies.” But George Harrison and his great friend Liam Cotter welcomed us to the struggle for Irish freedom and, more than that, gave us an education in American labor history.

I have happy memories of sitting in George’s sister Agnes’s house, listening to George and Liam describing the great Irish men and women leaders of the American labor movement. When Liam was murdered in an armored car robbery in New York, we wondered how George would go on, but he did. 

When I became general secretary of the Irish Republican Clubs, George was my staunchest ally, advisor and friend. I was proud to be called a character witness at his famous trial, and he was indignant that the prosecutor thought he had been running guns to the IRA for only six months!

As the years passed I saw George only at the occasional rally or Irish venue. Once in a while we spoke on the phone, but rarely. Always a Christmas card. Yet I knew that if I needed something, I could ask and George would be there. 

Those of us who were privileged to call him friend will never forget him. And when Ireland finally takes her place as a 32 county republic, his name will be writ in the scroll of those who were faithful to that vision.

Mary Cotter Naughton

City Island, New York

Worry About Yourselves

NOW that the elections are over, my thoughts go out to all the Irish citizens that were so wrapped up in the American contest. It’s a shame that many of you might have to start dealing with your own political mess and won’t be able to stick your noses into every aspect of our government. 

The majority of Americans have elected their president, and it doesn’t matter how anybody in Europe feels about it.

So as you start to look at your own problems in Ireland, I would like to ask the Irish readers to keep the Americans posted so we can return the favor and give you our opinions on matters we know nothing about.

Michael McCrory

Bayside, New York 

Bush Fuels Blaze

AT one level I can see how 50% of the citizens of the U.S. would vote for George W. Bush. In their eyes he has put out one fire already, and in so doing he is better prepared to put out another.

What frightens the living daylights out of most Europeans is the fact that the majority of Americans are oblivious to the fact that he poured fuel on and ignited the initial blaze.

Jim Jackman

Castleknock, Dublin 

No White Knights, Cormac

I AM a fan of Cormac MacConnell’s and look forward to his column each week. He has the ability to make a fact look like fiction and fiction to look like fact. This ability is the mark of a good storyteller, writer and author.

In his column about the U.S. election, “God Save You All,” (October 27-November 2) he spoke of a white knight. Unfortunately there is no such person. If there was such a person history would have to be undone. 

Look back and see how much of history and its events would be changed if a white knight was in control rather than all of the evil and bad people through the years. The closest thing to a white knight was Jesus Christ, and he was crucified for his belief.

In a democratic society you have to exercise your right to vote and take the good with the bad. There never was or never will be a legitimate election where one candidate receives 100% of the vote.

John Driscoll

Buffalo, New York 

Sex for Sam’s Ugliness

I AM not altogether clear what James Koch hoped to accomplish sponsoring his disgraceful “Sex for Sam” promotion in 2002 which resulted in the defilement of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It is not only historically and spiritually New York’s most sacred shrine, but also a place particularly dear to me. 

In the 1970s, when I was a young bar owner starting out, the New York economy matched mine — we were both on the ropes. Owing $168,000 to suppliers was not something you discussed with a bank manager over lunch. In fact discussion, when it took place at all, was with large men of few words and little humor.

Since these men were also plainly not religious types, I began spending one-two hours a day at St. Patrick’s in solitude and in hiding, all the while praying for inspiration. I emerged from the 1970s thanks to time spent in that magnificent cathedral, a practicing Catholic with all major bodily parts intact. 

If James Koch really thought he could boost beer sales by pulling a sacrilegious stunt in that holy place, then perhaps we have to chalk it up to the fact that the man is from Boston and simply doesn’t know any better. 

However, what is very clear to me is that the United Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association of New York City has no business encouraging James Koch in his tasteless behavior and preposterous attack on our town, much less honoring him. Cardinal Egan should denounce your decision from the pulpit. 

Please note I will not be attending this year’s event.

John Mahon, President Channel 4 Bar and Restaurant, Pig ‘n’ Whistle on Third, Pig ‘n’ Whistle on 47th, Eamonn’s Bar and Grill, P.J. Moran’s, Napeague Stretch, Langan’s

New York, New York

Cancel Our Voice

THE Irish Voice’s beatification of Michael Moore was one thing and expected. Your editorial endorsement of John Kerry is the last straw.

We are a small business employing some 50 people, soon opening another location employing an additional 75 people. We are not a Heinz and Co. Kerry would do everything he could to cripple small business and make us depend on the government.

Cancel my subscription at once. If it shows up here it will be in the bin. Some of us Irish work to be free and independent, and not to be tied to liberal apron strings.

Sean O’Callaghan

Plymouth, Missouri

With Us, Or Against

LAST week’s “Periscope” column in which Niall O’Dowd noted “the genuine need for Americans to understand the depth of the opposition to America’s penchant to go it alone” was completely misguided. 

Although countries like Ireland still don’t seem to have gotten it, the attack on the Pentagon and the Twin Towers on September 11 changed everything. No longer will the U.S. defer to the views of weak-kneed foreign countries in terms of defending itself. 

President Bush said quite clearly in his address to Congress after September 11 that “you are either with us or against us in the war against terrorism,” a view that has now been overwhelmingly ratified by the American people. And if the Irish are against us, it’s hardly the U.S. that is the real loser. 

Joseph Daly

Arlington, Virginia