WHY ST. PATRICK’S DAY TRULY DOES BELONG TO US ALL

The Easter 1916 Uprising Which Gave Rebirth To A Nation

Hi again, folks, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day. The man had an interesting life for a Welsh born citizen of the Roman Empire, who, at the age of 16, got kidnapped by Irish raiders, sold into slavery, escaped after six years and then returned of his own free will to eventually drive the snakes out of a land where people worked in the dirt a lot.

By birth, I’m half McGuire and of a rebellious line. My screen name, minstrel312, comes from a song entitled “The Minstrel Boy”. In the long and rather interesting 500 year history of fighting for independence, Irish “armies” marched with a warrior among their number who also sang to inspire them. Considering the odds these farmers faced against a military might which defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, how bravely and horrifically they died and the damage they did, pikes against cannons, I’m figuring these minstrel boys had to be fair at their job.

Apparently so did the English because they caught one of them after a battle and promised to spare him if he would sing to them. His response comprises the lyrics of that song. He told his captors that he would not sing for them because his songs were meant for freedom, not for slavery.

The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" cried the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy right shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free
They shall never sound in slavery!"

I’ve heard a lot of versions of that song down the years, by Irish and others. The best, in my half-shamrock opinion, was by Paul Robeson, who was a black concert singer and film actor circa the Depression era. I expect Mr. Robeson identified some with the history of a people struggling to be free.

I’ve some personal experience with the Old Sod, as well. A woman I loved as passionately as I’ve ever loved any other was born in Ireland and raised during “The Troubles”. She lost two brothers and a stellar love to that sectarian violence. She was and is a strong woman who, some nights, is terrified of sleeping for the dreams awaiting.

Ireland has come a long way, even in her lifetime, but the news of three deaths in Ulster at the hands of those who claim to be splinter groups of the Irish Republican Army mitigates my celebration this year. I pray Almighty God for steady hands in Belfast and Dublin.

I am reminded, as well, that Irish blood is as thick as the Guinness of which some of us are rather fond. Like the Jews after the Diaspora and again after the Holocaust, we were scattered some after the Famine. We did not always travel first class and sometimes, like Paul Robeson’s people and the tribes of Moses, we were transported in chains and sold when we got to our respective destinations. Those of us who survived the trip.

In the melting pot that is America and Canada, there is not one of us who cannot claim a portion of that same heritage. Despite these rather labored beginnings, two strong nations were forged and continue to be strengthened by the contributions of those who come here from other lands and sometimes under less than comfortable circumstances.

To me, then, St. Patrick’s Day is far more than a celebration of the Irish. It is a reminder that freedom, the desire for it, and the incredible sacrifices paid for it are something each and every one of us who values these shares in common.

I know for certain it has made two countries I love passionately the intrinsically great nations they are and I believe will continue to be.

Until next time, then, take care, stay well and God Bless.

Rusty

WHEN POLITICIANS ACT LIKE QUARRELING CHILDREN

Hi again, folks, from the Bastion on the Sound. In response to several of you who have asked for my reaction to President Obama’s Monday address to the world and press conference following, he continues to live up to my expectations. He’s assuming personal responsibility for the problems he’s having building consensus for the economic stimulus package he’s proposed. He also reminded us that he’s already told us he’ll make mistakes occasionally.

While that thought doesn’t exactly inspire me to bluegrass and The Happy Dance, I appreciate his candor. He’s a human being governing a nation of same and I expect no more or less of him than I do myself or anyone else. He’s got a job to do and I sincerely believe he’s doing the best he can. I’m a little less than impressed with the Republican Party for continuing to play "politics" at a time when the constituency needs THEM to attend to the task at hand, restoring the national economy and contributing to the fiscal healing of the global community. In other words, knock it off and FOCUS.

Closer to home, our own elected officials are moving swiftly. While waiting for our share of the above-cited federal economic recovery package, Washington governor Christine Gregoire is streamlining state government by eliminating more than 150 state boards and commissions and closing 25 Department of Licensing offices. She estimates that the latter measure would save approximately $2.6-million over the next two years. For the full story, click here.

Seattle’s mayor Greg Nickels, apparently taking his lead from Olympia, is working on a capital improvements plan which is expected to create 6,464 jobs and cost an estimated $223,758,774. It covers everything from AMTRAK to low income housing, energy, streets and roads, and the hiring an additional nine officers for the Seattle Police Department. For a breakdown, click here For an overview on what other American cities are doing, click here.

(For those interested in a quick but dynamic overview of what our region, including British Columbia and California are doing, I strong recommend the Sightline Daily. It gathers news from the print media, large and small, and presents it with the lead and a link to the rest of the story. I’m learning a great deal and it’s having a real effect in countering what seems like an overwhelming amount of negative coverage by the other media sources I consult each morning.)

To our north, Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has promised more relief in addition to the $40-billion slated for economic recovery over the next two years. He's proposing this should the global community's fiscal problems continue to impact this nation of 36 million.

Harper, a Conservative, is having some of the same problems with opposition party members of his government that have thus far plagued President Obama and has sent the same message to all concerned. He invited the leader of the Liberals to "do something he never did in the pre-budget period, which is actually provide some economic policy suggestions to Parliament." For more on this, click here.

It appears American elected officials are not the only ones prone to putting party politics before the welfare of the constituencies they were elected to serve. Both our nations, I believe, are fortunate to have chief executives who are not afraid to take a firm but measured hand in insuring the integrity of the true national agenda.

Well, that’s it for this week. Keep the faith, folks. Granted, times are tough now, but as long as we pull together, communicate and continue to love one another, we’ll get through this. Whether you’re American, British, Canadian, French, Irish, or Scots, you live in a nation of heroes. And heroes don’t give up, do they?