The Friday Furo Questus

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Screaming Eagles Lead the Way


U.S. soldiers and aircraft take their position at Forward Operating Base Remagen before launching Operation Swarmer, near the town of Samarra, March 16, 2006.
REUTERS/Sgt. First Class Antony Joseph, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade
American and Iraqi forces have launched Operation Swarmer, an airborne assault against concentrations of enemy guerillas in the Sunni Triangle north of Baghdad. Another step in The Long War.

Questus Furore - The Irish in America
Ultimately, they are the story of America - a group of people that came to America as outcasts, were looked down upon and despised, but lent their new home their hearts and their lives.

The story of the Irish brigades of the Civil War is one of the brightest stories of the Union. Where the South treasures its memories of Tarheels and Volunteers, the only Union comparison are those immigrant soldiers from the Emerald Isle, who fought for their new home. The war over, they moved on - some to building and taming the West, while others returned east and took up the tasks of building their homes, joining the police force and volunteer fire companies.

The spirit of the Irish cops, firefighters, and soldiers lives on, in all our biggest cities and our minds. The mark they have left is a proud one. Hopefully, it always will be.

Recommended Reading
First, in a holiday vein:
The History of St. Patrick's Day.
Alex Massie, "Erin go ARGH!"

Joseph Skelly, "Irish Antigone."

Victor Davis Hanson, "Teflon Europe."

When Judicial Overreach Collides With National Security - Bryon York explains.

Jonah Goldberg revisits France.

Jeff Jacoby – playing sexual politics with kids. Or another way of looking at it – when it comes to political correctness, every knee shall bow. As long as you’re on the “right” side of things.

Not a problem I often have to worry about.

Thought of the Week
"The Irish are not in a conspiracy to cheat the world by false representations of the merits of their countrymen. No, Sir; the Irish are FAIR PEOPLE; they never speak well of one another."
Samuel Johnson

Churchill Quote of the Week
"I decline utterly to be impartial as between the fire brigade and the fire."
Sir Winston Churchill