Righting Some Wrongs

Regarding the letter “Typical British Reaction” from Jim Harrington in the February 16-22 issue, may I correct two errors. 

First, the British government has not blamed everything on the IRA for the past 800 years, for the simple reason that the IRA came into existence in the early 20th century when the Irish Republican Brotherhood, created in the 1880s, changed its name. 

Second, that the British threw Irish Catholics out of their homes to give them to the British 600 years ago implies that this was part of the Protestant war against Irish Catholics that began effectively under Elizabeth I, and got really nasty under Cromwell the following century. 

The problem is, that 600 years ago — 1405 AD — there was Anglo-Irish conflict, but it had nothing to do with religion since at that time the English also were Catholic. Rather, it had everything to do with securing an English colony in Ireland. 

Robert Cole. Logan, Utah

Caption Comment

I wish to comment on a photo caption in the February 9-15 issue. The caption made reference to “Ian Healy and his partner Alison Reilly with their son Georgie.”

I do not approve of the Irish Voice promoting children out of marriage. The caption could have been written: “Ian Healy, his son Georgie and Georgie’s mother Alison.” Period. 

Such a caption would have served the same purpose. Give it some consideration.

Edward J. Herterich. San Marcos, California

English Slave Mentality

Letter writer Jack Rodgers accused me of historical revision in his letter “Don’t Always Blame British” in the February 23-March 1 issue. Is he for real? If he is I’m sorry for him. 

I’m sorry he had to grow up in Northern Ireland as an Irishman under English oppression. Unfortunately in his case, the experience seems to have warped his mind.

He’s still tipping his hat to the English. God Bless America, Mr. Rodgers. We kicked England out of here more than 200 years ago.

We fought three wars against England — the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. In the Civil War the English supported their favorite institution, slavery.

Mr. Rodgers is an excellent example of what slavery can produce. He should be glad he’s with us now.

Liam O’Cainte. Bergenfield, New Jersey

Cork Simpleton

In his letter “U.S. Terror in Iraq” in the March 2-8 issue, Robert O’Sullivan of Bantry, Co. Cork disparages the long oppressed people of Iraq who recently voted by castigating them as ignorant, people who put “their dyed fingers on a paper.” 

Readers familiar with history will sense here an echo of ascendancy reaction to the efforts of O’Connell and Parnell to mobilize the native Irish populace.

O’Sullivan also characterizes the terrorist opposition there as “freedom fighters.” Sorry there, Sully, but Tom Barry and Mick Collins didn’t resort to suicide bombings, nor to beheadings of the innocent. 

Let us not judge the morality and decency of the Rebel County of Cork by the rantings of a racist, elitist simpleton.

Tom Mahoney. Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Gays for Fifth Avenue

My wife and I pray this time each year that the organizers of this week’s big St. Patrick’s Day parade in Manhattan courageously relent one day soon and allow gay and lesbian Irish Americans the simple right to carry their banner up Fifth Avenue. 

Think of the many benefits and no harm that would result. First, the increasingly popular “all-inclusive” and nondiscriminatory pre-St. Patrick’s Day parade in Sunnyside, Queens could no longer claim a reason to exist. I should think this would please those on all sides of this long-standing dispute. 

Second, gay and lesbian Irish Americans allowed to parade up Fifth Avenue would likely be met with a mixture of cheers, boos, and/or indifference. No big deal. That’s the way things are in a democratic society that guarantees free speech, and I’m sure Irish American gays are quite used to handling whatever negativity comes their way. 

Finally, let’s be honest and acknowledge that Roman Catholicism would not be the least bit harmed. That’s because this dispute in actuality has never been about trying to force the Vatican to alter its teachings on homosexuality or any other issue. 

All Irish American gays and lesbians have long requested is the same right most ironically enjoyed for years now by gay groups proudly carrying their banners in St. Patrick’s parades all across overwhelmingly Catholic Ireland itself. Let’s at last move on (and catch up) with our beloved homeland. 

B. Hugh O’Brien. New York

Tenement Correction

In the issue dated February 9-15 Georgina Brennan wrote the article entitled “Famine Irish Apt. Taking Shape.” On behalf of the Lower East Side Tenement Museum I want to thank you for your publication’s coverage of the Meehan-Moore apartment.

As the first permanent exhibit of Irish American domestic life in a National Historic Site, we know that it is a momentous happening, and we appreciate your attention to the story. However, we feel it is important to call your attention to one matter. In the article, I was misquoted as saying of Bridget Moore (née Meehan), “Her death certificate says she died from excessive eating of carbohydrates and alcohol.”

Actually, as I stated at the time, Mrs. Moore’s death certificate states that she died of “fatty degeneration of the heart.” When Ms. Brennan asked if I knew what might have caused this condition, I told her my research indicated that it is a degeneration of organs that can sometimes be caused by excessive consumption of carbohydrates or alcohol. This condition can also be congenital. 

That said, it is impossible to know what caused this condition in Mrs. Moore. But the few facts we have, such as cause of death on death certificates, must be accurately reported and interpreted. Misinformation reflects poorly on both the museum and the families who lived at 97 Orchard Street.

I would greatly appreciate your running this letter as a way to correct this misinformation.

Pamela Keech. Curator, Lower East Side 

Tenement Museum, New York

Ulterior Attack Motives

I, like many readers, am left wondering why the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrat leaderships are going out of their way to savage the leadership of Sinn Fein. I possibly have one of the answers that hasn’t been discussed. 

Could it be that much of the established powers in Dublin have reasons to be less than enthusiastic towards the reunification of Ireland? For example, the political establishment. If the North was involved in voting for the Irish Parliament, no one party could ever again have a great enough proportion of the vote to dominate Irish politics in the Republic.

Then there’s the economic establishment. Seeing how the high-flying West German economy was brought almost crashing down after reunification with the East German economy could lead many in the Celtic Tiger economy to dread the day that the pathetic economy of the North becomes an albatross around the neck of the south.

Then there’s the security establishment. The Irish police have a relatively stable policing situation in the south. I doubt they are eager to have to deal with the chaotic and corrupted policing situation in the North. 

Could it be that these and other forces connected to Fianna Fail would do almost anything to slow down the rush to implement the Good Friday Agreement, including unjustly vilifying the Sinn Fein leadership, thereby making them powerless to push reunification forward? 

Wayne Licwov. Putney Vermont