A chara, - I wish to extend a sincere céad mile fáilte to the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, on the occasion of his upcoming visit to Ireland. In particular, I want to sympathise with and to thank the American people for the sacrifices they have made, during successive generations, to repel tyranny and keep the flame of freedom and democracy alive across the globe.
During the second World War, the intervention of the United States proved decisive in the battle against fascism. Again, in the 1960s and early 1970s, America sacrificed the lives of its bravest in an effort to halt the march of aggressive Communism in South-east Asia.
While that battle was most costly, the sacrifice was not in vain for it served to convince the Communists that the civilised world could not be conquered by an alien ideology based on repression and tyranny. This reality lead to the eventual fall of the Communist system allowing Ireland to continue to bask in its cushy "neutrality".
Now it is aggressive Islamism that is on the march, threatening Western values and our open and democratic political system, as signified by the treacherous and murderous attack on thousands of office workers in New York, September 11th 2001. Not surprisingly, it is the United States that has again stepped into the "bearna bhaoil" to repel the threat to our system of values, and it is America's sons and daughters who are asked to make the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf in Afghanistan and Iraq.
As happens in all wars, mistakes have been made in this one - the abuse of prisoners and the failure to treat local populations with all due sensitivity.These have rightly been condemned. But such indiscretions do not compromise the main reasons for American action - aggressive Islamic fanaticism and UN ineffectiveness.
In recognition of America's sacrifice, what does the comfortable, left-leaning, element in Irish society do? Sympathise with America in its loss? Thank it for its defence of our civilisation? Condemn the Islamic aggressors? None of the above. The Irish left, supported by its fellow travellers in the media, including RTÉ, rallies instead to undermine American foreign policy and President Bush.
By implication, as did the previous generation of our Communist sympathisers, they give succour and comfort to America's enemies who, at the end of the day, are our enemies, too. But, of course, the Irish left has not to defend a nation or national values - its role is merely to adopt a "liberal" stance on all issues, dissent and criticise. What a luxury!
Those who protest against George W. Bush do not speak for me. In stating this, I am confident that I reflect the values and opinions of the vast majority of Irish people. Indeed, I have a sneaking suspicion that most of the vitriol cast upon George W. Bush has been incited more by his rejection of the murder machine of abortion than by his efforts to counter global terrorism.
Thank you, America, for standing up to the bullies. - Is mise,
LIAM Ó GÉIBHEANNAIGH, Áth an Ghainimh, Co Átha Cliath.