Thanks, Mick. I love that poem, and have read it many times myself. Well, here's one "plastic shamrock Paddy" who knows his stuff. I don't read anything else nowadays except books about Irish history and folklore. Though my actual Irish blood may only equal 10% of the whole, I feel I have this duty to destroy the stereotype of the Irish, and to achieve a greater understanding of the people. I try to teach people about St.Columcille & Brendan, and The Dagda and The Firbolgs, and Finn and Oisin and Caoilte, Grace O'Malley, Brian Boru, and O'Carolan, and Rafferty, and have them think of the richness of Irish history & culture, instead of shamrocks and leprechauns and getting drunk on green beer and Danny Boy and When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.

I love to dispel these preconcieved notions about many cultural groups, Native Americans, French, Scots, Germans, Italian, and YES the Japanese. Don't let ol' George make you think I'm a racist or bigot who doesn't care about other country's and culture's pain & sorrow. I lived in Japan for 3 years, and came to understand their way of life and culture. My family used to do a monthly newsletter for folks back home, all about Japanese culture. If have a great respect for them, and destest any ridicule made against them. I don't give a dingo's kidney about WWII. To me, all that is over and done, they were forgiven long before I even moved to Japan. And there ARE great stories on either side, and I love them equally. I have no hatred for the Japanese whatsoever, but then again I was not in WWII, so maybe it's easier for us young folks to forgive and forget...

--Mbo (Oyasumi Nasai)