IS THIS ANTI-AMERICANISM, OR WHAT?

Posted By: March 29, 2013

By Fr. Sean McManus
President of the Irish National Caucus

CAPITOL HILL. Saturday, December 30, 2006— There has been concern among Irish-Americans that the people in Ireland were becoming increasingly anti-American. I think that concern is over-blown a bit. My own experience is that there is an anti-Bush feeling in Ireland, but it is not anti-American. Big difference.

However, a fascinating piece of apparent anti-Americanism has emerged from Belfast, all the more interesting in that it is not new but 30 years old. And it comes from our old friends in British Intelligence.

The just released 1976 British Cabinet Papers – published after the 30-year confidentiality rule – reveal that the SDLP had conflicted – feelings about America. Yet it was America that helped to make John Hume and international statesman.
The Irish News, Saturday, December 30, 2006, in a story headlined “Fitt shunned dinner over SAS gaffe” says:” The former SDLP leader, Gerry Fitt who died in 2005 failed to turn up at a dinner party at Stormont 30 years ago because he was embarrassed over a highly public gaffe concerning the SASŠMr. Hume said that the real reason for Mr. Fitt’s absence from the dinner was that he was licking his wounds after his statement comparing the SAS to the CIA. This had brought ridicule from outside down upon the party and many of their own supporters had been complaining that they could not take this statement seriouslyŠ”

My, my, Saint John apologizing for his leader comparing the “bad” CIA to the” good” SAS!
Now, I’m no fan of the CIA, despite DeNiro’s new, excellent movie, “The Good Shepherd”, filmed in part right next door to my old office, 413 Capital St. SE,
(In the movie Matt Damon is seen coming out of the drycleaners, Capitol Hill Valet, 409 East Capital St. SE). However, I find it extraordinary that John Hume would make excuses for the notorious SAS that assassinated Catholics, carried out State-sanctioned acts of terrorism and colluded with Protestant death squads.

If that’s not anti-Americanism, what is?

Father Sean Mc Manus
President
Irish National Caucus