Re: Osama Bin Laden is dead!
Posted: Sat 14 May 2011, 8:53 pm
due to recent bereavement and other issues not been able to spend time going on this forum and have just noticed Deschanels diatribe against me.
First point don't accuse me of being anti-American, I've been to the country on several occasions and by and large always found the people charming and friendly (yes even New Yorkers ; ) ), as well as having worked with and socialised with Americans over here.
The UK governments in relation to the Irish 'troubles' is irrelevant in this discussion, because so and so did something it makes it alright is kindergarten mentality. For those who lost someone in the 9/11 attacks who felt closure with Bin Ladens death it is a significant moment and I'm sure the vast majority felt a sigh of relief mixed with the re-opening of old wounds. As regards Irish comments I'm probably more 'Irish' than a lot of people in America who profess to be so, my fathers Uncle was Head of the Jesuit church in England and a such a strong Irish Catholic stream runs through my family that at my Grandfathers funeral it was like a Father Ted convention. (my surnames Corrigan btw)
My view that quiet dignity may be a better reaction is not dictating to New Yorkers how to react by any stretch, any more than a New Yorker expressing disquiet at the burning of an American flag and the dancing in the street when the Towers collapsed. My comment about the hypocrisy of people who supported the IRA being outraged by the Twin Towers attack still stands, same principle, different scale. An innocent person throwing themselves from a skyscraper is as much a tragedy as a child with both their legs blown off by an IRA or Unionist bomb. If, years ago, an SBS and MI6 operation flew into Libya and executed the head of the IRA, his son and two assistants and quickly disposed of the body ( yes I'm aware in BL case it was in relation to religion) can you imagine the condemnation being uttered in NY 'Irish' bars. You accuse me of arrogance and being on a high horse, no, I just cannot stand hypocrisy
First point don't accuse me of being anti-American, I've been to the country on several occasions and by and large always found the people charming and friendly (yes even New Yorkers ; ) ), as well as having worked with and socialised with Americans over here.
The UK governments in relation to the Irish 'troubles' is irrelevant in this discussion, because so and so did something it makes it alright is kindergarten mentality. For those who lost someone in the 9/11 attacks who felt closure with Bin Ladens death it is a significant moment and I'm sure the vast majority felt a sigh of relief mixed with the re-opening of old wounds. As regards Irish comments I'm probably more 'Irish' than a lot of people in America who profess to be so, my fathers Uncle was Head of the Jesuit church in England and a such a strong Irish Catholic stream runs through my family that at my Grandfathers funeral it was like a Father Ted convention. (my surnames Corrigan btw)
My view that quiet dignity may be a better reaction is not dictating to New Yorkers how to react by any stretch, any more than a New Yorker expressing disquiet at the burning of an American flag and the dancing in the street when the Towers collapsed. My comment about the hypocrisy of people who supported the IRA being outraged by the Twin Towers attack still stands, same principle, different scale. An innocent person throwing themselves from a skyscraper is as much a tragedy as a child with both their legs blown off by an IRA or Unionist bomb. If, years ago, an SBS and MI6 operation flew into Libya and executed the head of the IRA, his son and two assistants and quickly disposed of the body ( yes I'm aware in BL case it was in relation to religion) can you imagine the condemnation being uttered in NY 'Irish' bars. You accuse me of arrogance and being on a high horse, no, I just cannot stand hypocrisy