St. Patrick's Day Politics

IRA at the White House President Bush swapped shamrocks at the White House with Ireland's politicians, including Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, representatives of the Social Democratic and Labor Party, the Democratic Unionists, Ulster Unionists, and Britain's secretary for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain.was on hand. Gerry Adams, leader of the IRA-linked Sinn Fein party, was the big change from last year, when he was banned from attending. His presence this year reflects the IRA announcing an end to its armed campaign and promising to complete the process of decommissioning. Still, Adams is miffed that the Administration has not lifterd a ban on Sinn Fein fund raising when Adams is there. The Administration wants to get the party to end its boycott of the Northern Ireland police force. Rep. Peter King, a Republican, also criticized the White House handling of Sinn Fein, saying that the President did not realize what a big step decommissioning was. Overall, even with the stalled process, the situation in Ireland is a far cry from the bitter days of the struggle for peace. Paddy's Day Parade Gay Controversy Marches On Council Speaker Christine Quinn, New York City Council's first openly gay leader, boycotted the annual 150,000 marchers on Fifth Avenue after organizers rejected her compromise attempts and barred an Irish gay and lesbian group for a 16th straight year. Referring to the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization, parade chairman John Dunleavy said, "People have rights. If we let the ILGO in, is it the Irish Prostitute Association next? If an Israeli group wants to march in New York, do you allow Neo-Nazis into their parade? If African Americans are marching in Harlem, do they have to let the Ku Klux Klan into their parade?" Mr. Dunleavy might have chosen better examples to illustrate his point. But we do agree that the annual parade is for the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, and therefore should not become a pawn in promoting other agendas. Tags: IRA Bush Ireland Irish Adams Sinn Fein parade new york gay Quinn Dunleavy controversy politics