Letters to the editor

Up Fermanagh

I have been saying now for years that the peace process will not be completely rooted until women come to equal political power in both parts of the island of Ireland.

I am therefore very proud that my own county, Fermanagh, is setting the example by electing six women to the County Council.

Father Sean McManus President, Irish National Caucus Washington, D.C.

Where Are the Dads ?

The sad story in last week’s issue of Maureen Martin’s quest to find her birth mother is a reminder of the shocking mistreatment of pregnant young unmarried girls and women in Ireland.

The fathers are never mentioned, and the role they played in the disappearance of the girls and women into slave labor in convents, and allowing their children to vanish around the world. The biological fathers of these children were so invisible that they loom like huge ghosts in the sky.

Veronica Hogle, Buffalo, New York

Go Away IRA

Congratulations are in order for Ian Paisley and his Democratic Unionist Party, now the largest in Northern Ireland.

For years, in the pages of the Irish Voice and elsewhere, Paisley has been portrayed as sort of crackpot old joker intent on wreaking havoc in the North.

But it’s not Paisley’s party that has the private army standing right behind them. And if he’s so nuts, why did his party garner all those votes? And if his supporters are crazy — and surely they must be, if they cast votes for his party — then why would people want to join in a united Ireland with them in the first place?

It’s time to put all the old hatreds and bitterness aside and work for an accommodation that suits both Nationalists and Unionists. Like it or not Paisley is a serious force to be reckoned with in the North, and his “mandate” — a term Gerry Adams likes to use so often — needs to be respected, too.

And for a guy who was supposed to be on death’s door not too long ago, Paisley sure looks hale and hearty to me, as evidenced on the front cover of last week’s Irish Voice. If he’s terminally ill, hopefully I’ll look like that someday when it’s my time to go.

As for Sinn Fein, they’ll just have to realize that there’s no way progress can be made in the North as long as the IRA is still in existence. It’s time for them to pack up their guns and get real jobs. There is no justification at all for such an organization in the North anymore.

The next move is Sinn Fein’s. They can have the peace and prosperity they say they desire in a heartbeat. Just make the guns go away for good, and deal with their enemies in a peaceful, democratic way.

John Dunbar, New Haven, Connecticut

Phantom Toy Boy

The article in last week’s “Page 2” about Colin Farrell’s lust for a 70-year-old was the best read I’ve had in years!

Now, if Gerard Butler from Phantom of the Opera comes knocking at my hotel door with an offer like that, I’ll never see 70! I’m getting close, but not there yet.

God Bless Colin!

Joan O’Sullivan, Lengyel Sayville, New York

Go After Bush Breakfast

I read the article in last week’s issue on the Cardinal Newman Society’s protest against President Mary McAleese’s appearance at Villanova University with interest.

According to the group’s website, Mrs. McAleese made comments in favor of women’s ordination prior to her first election in 1997. Since then, she has not used the presidential platform, Áras an Uachtaráin, as a podium for her personal theological opinions.

Our Lord taught us quite clearly, “First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” In comparison to Ireland, we Americans have neither a mote nor a beam in our eyes, but rather an entire Bush that is rendering us blind.

On Friday, May 20, President George W. Bush will speak to the second annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

Nothing that Mary McAleese has said before 1997, or done since, has resulted in thousands of deaths and countless maimings. We can’t say the same for Bush’s escapade in Iraq.

In fact, upon meeting Bush in Ireland, the Irish president expressed her grave concern over the horrific tortures conducted at Abu Ghraib.

The late Pope John Paul II spoke clearly on the tragedy in Iraq. “When war, as in these days in Iraq, threatens the fate of humanity, it is ever more urgent to proclaim, with a strong and decisive voice, that only peace is the road to follow to construct a more just and united society ... Violence and arms can never resolve the problems of man,” he said.

His successor, Pope Benedict XVI, also has spoken out. “There were not sufficient reasons to unleash a war against Iraq. To say nothing of the fact that, given the new weapons that make possible destructions that go beyond the combatant groups, today we should be asking ourselves if it is still licit to admit the very existence of a ‘just war.’”

We should note here that the popes are responding to the situation as it was presented to them. Benedict tells us that the “reasons” given for this aggression were “insufficient.”

We now know that these “reasons” were “lies.” To this day, not one “weapon of mass destruction” has been unearthed in Iraq. No link between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden or the al-Qaeda network has been established.

Recently, the world learned of a British government memorandum which acknowledged that the Bush administration was fabricating causes for invading Iraq.

The teachings of John Paul II and Benedict XVI remain intact, and are in fact amplified, by these revelations.

I would suggest to Patrick J. Reilly, the Newman Society’s president, that he leave President McAleese alone, and go after some really big game.

I welcome Mr. Reilly, and all readers of the Irish Voice, to sign my online petition protesting the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast’s public homage to Bush at http://petitiononline.com/cathpb/petition.html

Given his great zeal for authentic Catholic doctrine and morality, I am certain that he will be quite eager to subscribe.

Daithí Mac Lochlainn, Woodside, New York

Handicapping Giacomo

In James Joyce’s Ulysses, Mr. Bloom meets Bantam Lyons, who asked to see his paper for the racing form. “Keep it, I’m going to throw it away,” Bloom said.

“Hey? What’s that? . . . I’ll risk it,” said Lyons.

Later that day, June 16, 2004 (Bloomsday), in fact and fiction, there was the Ascot Gold Cup horse race, and a dark horse named Throwaway romped home at 33-1.

Joyce’s family resided in Trieste from 1905 until 1915, where he earned a living as an Irish teacher of English. Joyce’s children Giorgio and Lucia grew up speaking Italian, their adopted language.

And Joyce enjoyed being called Giacomo. In a letter to Lucia, he referred to himself as “Giacomo Giacondo,” or James Joyful. His hybrid Italian-Irish Triestine novelette is entitled Giacomo Joyce.

“Signatures of all things I am here to read,” reads Ulysses. The Kentucky Derby earlier this month was won by Giacomo, and ridden by jockey Mike Smith. The name Smith implies a craftsman, an artist, a writer, as in wordsmith.

Did I have a winning $2 bet on Giacomo at 50-1? Yes I did! Grazie, Signore Joyce.

Brother Ed Kent Fresh Meadows, New York

A Special Auction

I attended the Special Olympics in Ireland in 2003, and what a wonderful, unforgettable event it was.

The Special Olympians totally put to shame our so-called “role model” athletes who care more about injecting their bodies with illegal substances and signing million dollar contracts than any pure love of their sport.

The children who took part in the Irish games were remarkable. They gave every inch of themselves to their chosen sport, and winning or losing didn’t really matter much at the end of the day. They competed and represented their countries with honor, and that’s all that matters.

In the article in last week’s Irish Voice, “Special Olympics Hosts Auction,” the organization in Ireland is offering up several items for interested collectors. I would urge all readers to support this most worthy cause.

Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars to take your kids to a baseball game at Yankee Stadium this year — what with ticket prices, food, parking, etc. — visit the website at www.go2005.ie to make your money count. The athletes would be forever and truly grateful.

Elizabeth Lewis Huntington, New York

A La Carte Spain

IS there a columnist that’s more irritating than John Spain? And is he a Catholic, or isn’t he?

His “Habemus Problems” column last week about the new Pope Benedict XVI was a load of bunkum. Spain is the one with the problem with the new pontiff, while most of the world wish him well. Those who do not are not true believers.

Everyone has choices to make in life. If you are a Catholic then there are certain things that you are taught to believe in.

If you stray from these beliefs, then you are no longer a Catholic. Simple as that. What part of those words does Spain not understand?

Catholics don’t get to pick and choose how they would like to practice their religion. I’m sure Mr. Spain doesn’t pick and choose when he goes to work, or what he’d like to do when he gets there.

If he did, he would be out of a job. And it certainly seems like he’s a man without religion.

I wish Pope Benedict XVI all the luck in the world as he steers the globe’s Catholics towards living in the eyes of God.

John McDonald, Boston, Massachusetts

Divorced Catholic

I agree fully with John Spain’s assessment of Pope Benedict XVI. I wish the man well, but the Catholic Church has been out of touch with the lives of ordinary, decent members for decades.

It’s not even the church scandals I’m irritated so much about, heinous though they are. I divorced my abusive husband several years back and I’ve never looked back, thankfully.

Yet the Catholic Church, my church, does not look upon me as a full member. I improved my life dramatically, but that doesn’t seem to matter. I got divorced, and therefore I’m a sinner in their eyes.

I still go to church and practice my beliefs my way, and it works for me.

J. Patterson, Wilmington, Delaware

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

Pool Sports Resources

It's been interesting to read about the Randall’s Island Gaelic Sports Complex (RIGS) in the Irish Voice. While I am Gaelically-challenged from an ethnic standpoint, may I comment that projects that are being studied in Manhattan such as the West Side Stadium, RIGS, etc. — if there is an etc. — might pool their financial resources.

After all, RIGS and the West Side Stadium will both probably be domed.

David Slotkoff, New York, New York

Defense Candidates

The Irish Voice reports that Sinn Fein will be a major force in Irish politics during the next five years. It can be anticipated that Sinn Fein will be in line for a cabinet post in the near future.

Gerry Adams or Martin McGuinness would make ideal candidates for the defense post. Both have major military experience.

Joseph Nolan, New York, New York

America Creates Conflict

I almost fell off my chair laughing when I read M. Dolan’s letter, “Irish Anti-Americanism” in the August 25-31 issue, praising America’s efforts in liberating the “Philippines after Marcos,” the tyrant whose power base came from the CIA.

It amazes me that so many people here still view U.S. foreign policy as a selfless force to bring “freedom” to the world, rather than a self-interested program to ensure that political regimes friendly to America’s corporate interests remain in power, and to keep the people of the Third World from ever reaching their true potential.

Let’s face it, the last two major conflicts were more about the U.S. cleaning up after messes created by former (mostly Republican) regimes. Afghanistan was the product of the civil war by the mujahadeen (the original Taliban) and Islamic fundamentalists like Osama bin Laden. Both were funded by the CIA to remove Communists from power, while Iraq’s former tyrant was once the darling of the Reagan administration in its efforts to thwart Iran.

The blood of almost 1,000 U.S. soldiers and countless thousands of innocent civilians has been spilled in order for the current U.S. administration to punish its former allies in both conflicts.

I suppose Mr. Dolan might also think that the people of Chile should be “grateful” for the CIA’s support for Pinochet, or that Indonesians should celebrate the backing the U.S. gave to Suharto, who ruled that country with ruthless authority for more than 30 years.

There have been examples of benign U.S. foreign policy — most notably the Clinton administration’s intervention in Kosovo — but for the most part it has been a flawed, self-interested program that has lost the U.S. a lot of support around the world.

The removal of Bush and his cronies from office in the next election will go a long way to fixing that tarnished image.

Dermot Murray, Mount Vernon, New York