I read your paper on a regular basis and the letters page in particular. 

Since arriving on the shores of New York back in 1989 and again in 1993 (now living here), and having become a citizen of this great country, I was dismayed at the recent re-election (selection) of President George W. Bush given the policies implemented by his administration over the past four years. I decided to research the reasons why 59 million people would vote for this individual and his cabal.

Looking at a map of the 2004 election and an 1850s map before the Civil War, I noticed a rather disturbing trend. All of the states that had abolished slavery were in blue, while all of the states that had maintained slavery or were averse to freeing their slaves were red. 

Now putting the 2004 election map side by side with this 150 year old version, I was shocked to notice that almost every single state that voted for G.W. in 2004 was a state in 1850s America that clung stubbornly to slavery. And further the states in 2004 that voted for Kerry, without exception had already in the 1850s abolished slavery.

Now I’m no history buff, nor political science buff. I hold a degree or two and consider myself moderately intelligent. I often carry a pocket version of the U.S. Constitution around with me to read on the subway or while waiting in line, perhaps. 

Three years ago I became a citizen of the U.S., and I believe I have a duty to understand the society around me and globally in a balanced and intelligent way. This administration is doing serious damage to the global community, domestically, the environment, and most of all to the Constitution. 

When I was a young fellow growing up in Dublin, I’d often dream of visiting New York and traveling by plane to the U.S. Back in the mind of a small Irish boy in the early 1970s, America was the land of freedom, big cars, huge houses and famous film stars. 

It was the place where cowboys lived and Indians hid in the mountains, where buffalo roamed and freedom seemed endless. 

Thirty years later this myth of America is beginning to dissolve, and under G.W. another more dangerous myth has been created in its place. 

The America of the 21st century is one that bullies any nation it deems “against us,” it stamps on international laws and scoffs at global warming issues.

It instills fear into the hearts of its citizens through corporate controlled television media and ensures a president that served not a single hour in combat is re-elected on a platform of “fighting the war on terror,” “bringing freedom and democracy around the world,” etc., etc.

Now some who may read this letter will say, “Get out of here, go back to Dublin. Love it or leave it.” Well, before you say that, remember this — those same states that voted this president and his administration back into office were the same states back in the 1850s that clung to slavery and maintained a gross human rights regime for many of those under their chattel.

Has anything really changed? Have the powers of the offspring of those in power in the 1850s strengthened or weakened? 

How many women are members of the Senate or the House? How does it compare to other countries around the world? What percentage of people of color are senators? 

Remember all of these facts when you read this letter, and meditate in your mind why 59 million people voted for G.W., while those who were attacked on September 11 voted against him. 

Quite strange that those not attacked actually voted for him, while those who endured most of the suffering turned their back on him.

Antoin O’Maille, New York.

Hillary Needs Irish LuckTHE 

“Intelligencer” column in the November 10-16 issue pointed out that Senator Hillary Clinton will be making a run for the White House in 2008. Well, duh!

The senator, though, has some serious repositioning to do if she is to stand even half a chance. I can’t see her socially liberal policies going down too well in all the red states, and she’s gone on the record with so many controversial points of view. 

It’s going to be very hard for her to make any inroads, even though she and her husband are the most popular figures in the Democratic Party. But that’s not saying much, seeing how bad John Kerry was beaten by President Bush.

I think the senator from New York is going to need the luck of the Irish in order to realize her ambitions.

Stephen Henry, Bronx (New York).

Florida Car Trouble

I hope you will correct several factual errors published in Sean O’Driscoll’s article in the November 10-16 issue about a “hoax bomb” incident in Hollywood, Florida. 

To start, I resigned from Irish Northern Aid in November 2001. I’m very proud of my 20 years as a Noraid activist and left on good terms with the leadership, but I’ve had no involvement for three years. 

As for the November 4 incident involving a device attached to my car, O’Driscoll copied wrong information from a November 7 Miami Herald article and then added more mistakes. 

The Herald reported my car had been owned by Conor Claxton, who testified in his 2000 trial that he led an IRA weapons-supplying operation in South Florida. O’Driscoll reported my car was owned by Conor and Anthony Smyth, also convicted of gunrunning in the same case, and that I “confirmed” my car once was Conor’s. 

In fact, Conor once owned a 1993 or ‘94 Geo Storm, a hatchback, with tinted windows. My car is a ‘94 Geo Prizm, four-door, no window-tinting. Quite clearly, my car was never Conor’s or Anthony’s. 

Also, quite clearly, I never “confirmed” my Prizm was once Conor’s Storm! The Herald acknowledged in a November 18 article they were wrong about my car’s history. I hope you will do the same.

Jim Panaro. Hollywood, Florida.

Remember the Victims

I would like to bring to the attention of the readers of the Irish Voice the efforts of a small group of people in Ireland who are petitioning the Irish government to —

1. Have an annual day of commemoration for the whole of the Island on the last Sunday in May each year in commemoration of the famine victims and emigrants who had to leave.

2. Have a Memorial Day for the whole of the island to be made into a public holiday in commemoration of the famine.

To learn more about the group’s labors and to sign their on line petition visit their site at www.irishfaminevictims.com/.

The Irish American community should support this organization and work towards having the U.S. government officially recognize the last Sunday in May as a day of commemoration in this country. A joint day of commemoration held in both Ireland and the United States would be a fitting tribute to the famine victims and those who were forced to emigrate.

Jim O’Donnell. Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

Sympathy for Margaret

I would like to express my support and deepest sympathy to the family of Margaret Hassan, the Irish-born aid worker who was murdered in Iraq. 

What a horrific crime against all of humanity. How could someone stoop so low as to murder a woman who has done nothing but good all of her life. The mind truly boggles.

But Margaret’s murder is also a stark reminder of the nature of the enemy all of us face. These terrorists will stop at absolutely nothing to destroy our way of life.

And that’s why I feel President George W. Bush and his team are the right people to have in the White House during these troubled times. Bush has dedicated his administration to fighting these creatures wherever they are. I don’t think Senator Kerry would have been as effective.

The sooner these beasts are brought to justice, the better. 

Sarah McCann. Dorchester, Massachusetts.