NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore

Subject: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 03:47 PM

To-night on my way home from work, I heard that some of New York's finest have withdrawn from the St Patricks day parade, as a protest against the choice of a convicted IRA terrorist to be parade master. While I hold no brief for or against the person involved, I am overjoyed that the cause of Irish terrorism, [and I hope this applies to both sides], has been seen for the evil that it is, and the dewy eyed romantic view of these thugs has ended in some quarters. My greatest regret is that it took the sad happenings of September 9 to open some peoples eyes. I pray that this could be the start of something good.
Giok

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: Maryrrf
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 03:53 PM

Who is the parade master?

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 04:04 PM

Sorry didn't catch the name, or I would have mentioned it. Giok

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: SharonA
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 05:07 PM

Here's all I could find about it, but the Grand Marshal is a Catholic Cardinal (Edward Cardinal Egan): http://www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/NYC/newyorkcity.htm

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 06:28 PM

Sorry the parade is not in NYC but in NY state in Rockland County, and the guy in question is called Brian Pearson. Sorry to mislead y'all, still feel the same about it though.
Giok

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: michaelr
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 08:32 PM

Here in San Francisco the St Pat's parade will feature Sinn Fein chief Gerry Adams. Not a convicted terrorist, but I'm sure he knows one...

How do you feel about that?

Michael

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: The Pooka
Date: 14 Mar 02 - 10:50 PM

Hey, ho, 'way we go. Again.

I think the difference has something to do with whether the terrorist simply retires to private life, in which case he remains suspect; or assumes high public office like Martin McGuinness, Menachim Begin, Yassir Arafat and various others, in which case he becomes a leader of the people.

But of course it also has to do with the Cause. Perhaps the day may come when One Man's Terrorist is Another Man's Terrorist. Until then, the Freedom Fighters we have always with us.

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 15 Mar 02 - 12:19 AM

I'm having a hard time remembering "The Pledge" but I AM doing it.

CB

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Mar 02 - 05:20 AM

Why can nobody be objective about the subject of terrorism, I would feel exactly the same no matter what cause this person supported. What excites me is the fact that someone somewhere has realised that killing is wrong, either directly or by proxy.
There are millions of better things in this world to hold in this world than a grudge.
Peace/pax/Shalom, whatever...Giok

Subject: RE: NYC St Patrick's Parade Furore
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Mar 02 - 04:29 PM

So far as I can see the one we're having in London is dispensing with any ceremonial Grand Marshall or Parade Master or Jolly Green Giant. Any marshalling that is involved will be done as a practical business, not as a way of making some kind of statement.

Though I suppose that is a way of making some kind of statement. Here's the link to a page on the site .