Rockland County Legislator Patrick Moroney of Orangetown is taking issue with St. Patrick’s Day-themed paraphernalia that displays vulgar and derogatory messages and is on sale by a few merchants at Palisades Center mall in West Nyack.
“These items are deeply offensive, vulgar and inappropriate,” said Moroney. “The wording amounts to nothing more than ethnic bashing and is insensitive. There are few cultures that take as much ribbing as the Irish and it escalates around this time of year. In addition, these shirts and hats are displayed in full view for our youngsters to see.”
Moroney is calling upon merchants throughout the county to halt the display and moreover, the sale, of any merchandise that displays offensive words or portrays any ethnicity in an insulting manner.
“The joyous occasion of our annual is only days away,” said Moroney. “It is a time for everyone to join with those of Irish heritage to celebrate with respect and harmony, a great tradition.”
Rockland County's in Pearl River is the largest such parade in the region, outside of New York City. The parade, set for 1:30 p.m. Sunday in downtown Pearl River, could draw as many as 50,000 spectators.
OTOH II do wish Mr.Moroney would've been more vocal on the $80 or $62 Million deficit so Ed Day does not take all the heat from the likes of Vanderhoef, Cornell and Schoenberger who are responsible for the deficit which STILL HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. How about it Pat Moroney?
I would only add that I find the bashing of any and all religious, ethnic, cultural, etc. groups to be equally offensive and I do wish that the Ancient Order of Hibernians would let Irish gays and lesbians march openly in their NYC parade. I realize that the AOH is a private group and runs a private parade and that they have the right to include and exclude whom they wish, but I do wish that they would open it up to all those who are proud of their Irish heritage regardless of their sexual orientation.
I have not seen the shirts and items BUT I am sure I would be offended! I never go to the mall!
I'm more offended by the "we're #4" and the "Rockland County: the 4th highest taxed place on earth!" If we would focus on REAL problems we just might be able to fix the fiscal mess we are in.
SAINT Patrick was not about eating and drinking every green item available, nor was he really about parades and all that goes with that. No, he was a pious man who was brought to Ireland as a slave, and was able to better his life through his devotion to God. He was able to teach people about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, This is not sexy, but rather, the truth. If people gave the day the respoect and dignity it deserved, then of course, we would have much less shenanigans than we currently find offensive and derogatory. Go to Ireland and see how it is celebrated there and learn a valuable lesson.
St. Patrick's Day has always beenmy favorite holiday, a time to celebrate all that was given by those who came before us and to hold it in trust for those who come after us. We celebrate our faith and our culture. Just as other ethnic/religious groups rightfully protect their holidays it is time that the Irish in America protect ours and demand the same level of respect that any other group gets.
Just to clarify Pat Moroney's involvement in "doing the right thing" on the issue of County finances and your tax dollars. It was the roll of the dice that the issue came to a head at a meeting that Pat could not attend. But know that when the budget process got heated up in December, it was Pat who joined me on an alternative plan instead of raising your taxes 30%. While that was not accepted by the legislative leadership you referenced, know that Pat took the heat alongside me on the issue. Stay involved!
, I take a fine,fair and honest approach to all things and since you don't know me nor have met you you have no real idea about what kind of person I am. My appearance here in print is only part of who I am, I can assure you that I am not an Eeyore. But you wouldn't care as you would rather take a cavalier and seculatrist attitude to everything. I am not part of the problem....soemone who choses NOT TO USE THEIR name and snipe in this matter, however, is.
Let me make a few things clear before you harangue me any further. I am not a member of the LGBTQ community, nor do I wish to advertise that I am straight at AOH's parade. I am simply pointing out that while this parade is a celebratory tradition, some of the guidelines are antiquated. Furthermore, I did not intend to bash the Irish heritage, but simply point out an unfair criterion of the parade. And Watchdog I didn't know I was being intolerant and disrespectful to my own culture, I don't remember Ireland being the land where Gays should quietly abide. Would you care to explain how asking to change something, in what I think would be a positive direction, is intolerant and disrespectful to the views and traditions of others? This is not an argument that members SHOULD advertise their sexuality, but rather that they have the ABILITY to. And would you be able to find some facts that back up this idea that the TRADITIONAL St. Patrick's Day Parade hinges on this small stipulation that Gays cannot advertise their sexuality.
To have YOUR GROUP to be singled out for permission to have a Banner advertising a subject having ZERO to do with Irish Heritage is unacceptable to a large majority of the Irish. This is opening a Pandorasbox no one is willing to open. Besides you have your own Gay Pride parade in NYC, with no one but Gays Permitted in varying stages of disgraceful undress " performing" for the crowd. I do not see you lobbying for the religous clergy or what you call straight people to march in that parade.
Hagrid has accused you of misinforming the public about the Gay parade. She accused me in a recent blog of having negative things to say and having little 'logos' in my arguments. Perhaps she should know that I am a fan of Oscar Wilde who remarked in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' that "it is perfectly monstrous the way people go about, nowadays, saying things against one behind one’s back that are absolutely and entirely true". "The world is still deceived with ornament. In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, but, being seasoned with a gracious voice, obscures the show of evil? (The Merchant of Venice, 3.2.80) Perhaps we might excuse this 'Portia's' view on the St. Pat parade as I suspect her reading extends only to J.K. Rowling and not to Wilde or to Shakespeare. Pseudo-Lawyers who think they know everything are very upsetting to people like me who do. And, Watchdog, you must forgive ME for this unfortunate intrusion into your life. The reason Hagrid signed on to Patch is because I 'galvanized' her with my suspicions about a certain gentleman who asked for forgiveness. He is of course forgiven, but forgiveness does not require that one forgets the act that necessitated the forgiveness. Or perhaps she was asking that I do that too? And so, Watchdog, please forgive me AND forget as I have forgiven BUT not for forgotten.
Excellent response! Welcome aboard. You have a very bright future ahead of you with the ability I see to articulate your views. Hold on to this passion and poke some fun at yourself sometimes as I do when claiming to "know everything".