As of this writing, the Northern political parties are frozen out of President Bush’s St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans at the White House, ostensibly because they don’t play well when it comes to the peace process. Naturally, this causes more than a bit of grumbling from the Ulster contingent. Whether Bush personally ordered the lockout is in question, but it certainly is a misguided attempt to slap some wrists. The tradition of mixing and mingling over canapés close to the Oval Office has often jumpstarted some more serious conversations behind-the-scenes in past years. Ignoring a sizable chunk of the Island’s political contingent is supercilious, and simply silly and possibly counterproductive.

On another note, the courage demonstrated by the family of murdered Robert McCartney, a Belfast man recently killed in a bar fight with IRA members, is to be lauded. The fact that the thugs threatened witnesses as they were cleaning up the evidence only adds to the bravery shown by McCartney’s sisters. When the public relations backfire began and even to the point of scorching the coattails of the Sein Féin, the IRA said it chucked out the errant members and then even offered to whack the killers in an ill-conceived, immoral and outright stupid offer. Of course, the proposal was rejected by the family and most of their Short Strand neighbors who have long been under the IRA thumb. 

It is time for the proper authorities’ investigation to continue moving ahead and to bring the murderers to real justice. It is a time for authentic law to show its own courage. 

It is hard to know whether consummate politician Gerry Adams means it when he says that the party wants the IRA to cease to be, as he indicated in a pre-St. Patrick’s Day speech in Cincinnati. Let’s hope that his admonition is not a smoke and mirrors gimmick to ostensibly bring himself back into his constituency’s good graces. 

Whether the "hard men" will listen to Adams is another issue. But a new, strong message is already blowing in the wind, boyos. The faint whispers are growing more powerful that a time is coming when you can run, but not hide.

Congratulations to all the entrants and the winners of the annual AIB-Press Photographers Association of Ireland awards ceremony just concluded in Dub City. Along with Herself, the Wife, I was honored to attend last year’s blowout and sorely missed this spring’s festivities.

Yet once again this season, The Irish American Post is pleased to present a selection of the many fine photos getting the judges’ nod, as well as a feature on Alan Betson, the photographer of the year. The range of quality demonstrates that the eye behind the camera in Ireland remains as keen as ever. Thanks to AIB for its ongoing support of this worthwhile and noteworthy endeavor. Keep shooting, folks.

Happy pre-St. Patrick’s day to all our readers. Remember, just be responsible when sampling refreshing beverages. Being Green doesn’t necessarily mean getting green. Oh, and have fun.

Martin Hintz, publisher.

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