IrishBeat.com

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what I can get out of the country and get away with it! In today’s Democratic race what are the options? A known liar, cheater and manipulator or a pompous ass that does not have enough common sense to know that he his preacher is a racist. How does one decide between the two?

My personal choice is that I will not. This will be the one election I choose to vote Republican. Although there are aspects of the Republican Party I do not like, I cannot stand to think of Clinton or Obama in the White House.

The one major issue I think the democrats have misjudged again is the War in Iraq. Once again, they will loose the White House because of this issue. It is a tragedy that we have lost one life during a mis-shapen war over oil (and potentially terrorism). However just to piss away those lives and stop what we are doing; those dead soldiers are turning over in their graves just hearing it being considered. The fight needs to remain in the terrorists’ back yard, not America’s. It is ridiculous to assume that we were going to fix this in 5 years, 10 years even 20 years. However, it is not ridiculous to think that we can continue to influence the direction Iraq and other countries are going as long as we have a presence. We got into the war for all the wrong reasons but now that we are there, we need to make the commitment to stay. What do we do if we stay? Get the politicians the hell out of the decision-making and turn it back over to the Soldiers. They are the best. They will get the job done IF we give them the chance and do not tie their hands.

Maybe in 2012 the democrats will get it together and gives us options for a real world candidate; one that is a strong leader and believes in defending this country! God Bless America!

With the recent announcement that the last of the British troops will be leaving Northern Ireland after nearly a decade without any fatalities, what’s next for Ireland? Do you think we’ll hear calls for reunification? Surely the people of Northern Ireland would like to experience the prosperity and tourism that their southern neighbors do. Do you think a reunited Ireland is possible? Wouldn’t a united Ireland be the ultimate sign of the success of negotiation and peace over irrational behavior and violence?

Can you imagine the map of Ireland like this?

Major development in the Northern Irish peace process today. Will it last? Are both sides seriously committed to making it work? Can blood-stained enemies truly co-exist together?

I want to say “yes” — and not just for the sake of the Irish. I wish it for the sake of the Americans and Iraqis, as well. Here’s hoping we learn from their example — both the good and the bad — to find a lasting peace.