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St. Patrick's Day celebrations degrade Irish culture

Posted 3/19/13

For years I have wondered what purpose St. Patrick’s Day serves. I wondered why the local politicians would even want to become associated with it, much less any of the multitude of police agencies …

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St. Patrick's Day celebrations degrade Irish culture

Posted

For years I have wondered what purpose St. Patrick’s Day serves. I wondered why the local politicians would even want to become associated with it, much less any of the multitude of police agencies marching in the parades and playing bagpipes. As far as I can see it is a publicly endorsed, day-long drunk. How many DWI’s (possibly with accident/injuries), barroom brawls and incidents of domestic abuse/disputes will occur as a direct result of these sanctioned festivities? I remember driving through Potsdam at 7 a.m. wondering why there were lines of people waiting to get in the bars. Then I remembered it was St. Patrick’s Day and all the kids couldn’t wait to puke green with their 5-cent drafts. Is this the legacy we want to promote regarding anyone of Irish ancestry? There are already enough disparaging Irish jokes around. As far as I can see it’s just another excuse to get drunk, perhaps promoted by Anheuser-Busch so they can sell beer. It’s ridiculous and can be considered culturally degrading.