Mayor Bloomberg's Irish Joke Incites Ire From Irish-Americans

Mayor Bloomberg picked a tough crowd to try his new material on.

From City Room :

Mr. Bloomberg, speaking extemporaneously at the American Irish Historical Society on Wednesday night, said he was used to seeing "inebriated Irish hanging out the windows" at the society, according to a report in Irish Central, an Irish-American news site.

His remarks elicited boos from the crowd of about 100 people.

Criticism of Bloomberg's statement came from Irish-American advocates and fellow politicians.

John Dunleavy, chairman of the city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade, was dismayed by the mayor's comments.

"In this day and age for the mayor of the city of New York to make comments like that is outrageous and totally uncalled for," Dunleavy said. "He wouldn't make a joke about any other ethnic group."

Council Speaker Christine Quinn wasn't laughing either.

"Because of the mayor's long history of support for the Irish community, his remarks last night were both surprising and inappropriate," Quinn, the granddaughter of Irish immigrants, said in a statement.

Bloomberg issued a statement saying, "I apologize. I certainly did not mean to offend anybody."

Comments

[Bob Milgrom]

06:45 PM on 03/03/2011

Me, I'm used to seeing billionaires like (His Honor) Daddy Bloombucks hanging out on street corners stealing quarters from ragged newsboys, beggars, & homeless orphans.

[Sol Rosenberg]

02:01 PM on 02/18/2011

I'm used to seeing yamulkes anytime there's a situation where money's involved...

[Tom Volkskrieger]

10:50 AM on 02/17/2011

Bloomberg supports the Irish people? Hmmm... seems he's pretty chummy with the crown's crowd.
If he marches this year, he'd better bring an umbrella.

[Paulie21]

12:20 AM on 02/15/2011

Bloomie, when you breathe I'm offended... when are you leaving?

[Buffalo Rocks]

03:59 PM on 02/14/2011

So a group who celebrates a holiday for their ethnic heritage by using green beer, shots of whiskey and drinking before noon (as is the practice at our St. Patties events) gets upset over a joke about being drunk. Perhaps the Italians should get mad everytime a mafia comment or movie comes out. Learn to laugh at yourselves, it will make it much easier to not sweat the small things in life and deal with the bigg issues.

[jonnyquest]

10:29 PM on 02/14/2011

Happy, that you? If it is, welcome back!!! Perhaps you haven't noticed but we as a nation are trying to evolve and the old ethnic stereotypes ain't kosher. Mayor Mike should know better and should you.
African Americans don't wanna hear all the bs that's been thrown their way, nor do the Polish, Asian community, Jews, Italians etc, so laughing at themselves ain't gonna fly in this situation, ya dig?

[Tom Volkskrieger]

10:52 AM on 02/17/2011

Do you eat friend chicken and drink 40s on Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
REAL Irish don't act like drunk fools any day, let alone on St. Patrick's Day.

[Wild Irish Poet]

07:32 AM on 02/14/2011

Well, I was an Irish immigrant living in New York, I abhor political correctness, but cmon, we irish are poetic, extraordinary people. We have some of the best literary icons in the world, some of the most famous musicians and the most beautiful countryside, surely he could have said something a bit more positive? If they shoe was on the other foot and an Irish man made a disparaging Jewish Comment he would have hadto resign... by the way I made a film about my journey in New York called HOME. you can buy it on DVD on www.homethemovie.com, my Emmy winning film with Liam Neeson and Mike Myers

[Tom Volkskrieger]

10:53 AM on 02/17/2011

Why get a Canadian scottsman to be in an Irish movie?

[AMERICAN WOMEN]

06:37 PM on 02/13/2011

Bloomberg should not make an appearance at the St. Patrick's Day Parade. What he said about the Irish is a disgrace. What he said is extremely bigoted. He should be banned from the parade. Bloomberg's appearance would only degrade a truly great event. Proud it is that I am Irish. Bloomberg is a bigot, pure and simple.

[BrooklynChef]

04:28 PM on 02/15/2011

lighten up

[jonnyquest]

12:25 AM on 02/18/2011

You Irish?

[Hellosameness]

04:43 PM on 02/13/2011

I'm not Irish, but I don't think one needs to be to be offended by this.

There is a difference between ribbing and being outright disrespectful and it's sad that many people don't or cannot see the difference.

Trust me this is very disrespectful and honestly should probably be called racist.

The easy way to tell is just exchange Irish for a group that one would (sadly), expect to be discriminated against, and and insert a similar stereotype that applies to your chosen oppressed people, in place of the one that Bloomberg used.

Does it make you want to boycott things, march in the streets, or at least say that the mayor shouldn't say such things? Then yeah it passes the racism test and it also would apply to what Bloomberg said regarding the Irish.

Can we please impeach him?

[jonnyquest]

10:56 PM on 02/14/2011

I'm in, where do i sign up (to impeach him that is).

[JDHARTIL]

02:51 PM on 02/13/2011

Thought it was only us Scots who had no sense of humour when depicted as tight fisted misers with funny hats and kilts and a liking for whisky

[pbnyc59]

12:39 PM on 02/13/2011

My father's parents were both born in Ireland, as were my mother's side of the family. My own experience with the Irish Historical Society was when I saw and heard my Uncle Jimmy cursing Mayor Dinkins in 1991, when he marched in support of letting the gays march. My Uncle was in charge of the parade and was using language that would get my comments banned here.

He was also drunk, as were many along the route that day. In fact it was hard to tell when my father or his little brother were not drunk, something they passed along to many of the family.

[pinkeyelemonade]

05:32 PM on 02/12/2011

An Irishman walks out of a bar.

[maggienow]

08:07 PM on 02/12/2011

Irishmen never walk out of a bar!

[AMERICAN WOMEN]

01:26 PM on 02/12/2011

I am of Irish descent. I found Bloomberg's remarks about the Irish despicable. I believe what he said is what he really thinks about the Irish. I took real offense to what Bloomberg said.

What would Bloomberg say if someone made a crack about Jewish people? Methinks he would not like it.

[JoeDoorman]

12:41 AM on 02/12/2011

Well so much for being anything but a mayor.
The Irish don't have to attack, we just ignore.

[bar1ed]

08:39 PM on 02/11/2011

When do the " ...... need not apply" signs go up around town?

[Seaniebhoy]

03:06 PM on 02/11/2011

It was just a bad joke to an Irish crowd and the mayor thought he would get a chuckle from some of the audience...now if he would have made those same remarks about the irish to another ethnic group...that would have been offensive.