I am Irish and have spent all my life in Ireland and am proud of it. If I had gone to America to live I would be proud to be an American. Your wisdom in establishing the United States is at last being mirrored by us Europeans building the European Community in which the countries of Europe who in the last century fought bitter wars against each other have now come together for mutual benefit. Of course America is not perfect. What country is? Nevertheless, they saved Europe from German domination in two world wars and warded off the threat of a nuclear holocost during the Cold War. (Yes, I know the Americans invented the atomic bomb and I'm glad they got there first). I believe that religious fanaticism as it exists in the Middle East constitutes a serious threat to the rest of us. The atrocities of Sept. 11 caused the crisis in Afghanistan . I'm sorry that I can't suggest a solution to the problems so I'll just wish you all Happy St. Patrick's Day and now I'm heading off to the pub. I'm doing the "gig" in the Dead Man's Inn at Lucan tonight!!!