Happy Saint Patricks Day!

Thought I'd share to get you all in the Irish mood!

Comments

[Jim Splaine]

Now you're talking -- about something about which we can certainly agree! By the way, can you believe that not too long ago, the Irish were discriminated against, even here in New England and even here in New Hampshire:!? My Grandfather, Thomas B. Spillane, formally changed his last name to "Splaine" because in Boston, then Portsmouth, he saw signs that said "Irish Need Not Apply." It takes a while, sometimes -- but Americans finally do the right thing and eventually treat everyone with acceptance and respect.

[Rick Barnes]

Apparently we have something in common Jim. My family too changed it's name because of discrimination. When my great grandfather came to America he found it hard to find work because of his last name. He changed it to "Barnes" because that name was common and generic.

His son, my grandfather, also had to face discrimination when he looked for work as well. He was career military, serving this country in both World War II and Korea as a paratrooper. In Korea he was hit by a mortar shell during a combat jump and eventually lost his arm just below the elbow. As a result of his disability he was unable to find work. He told me how he'd interview for a job and things would go great during the interview but as soon as he took his arm out of his pocket they would suddenly find a reason he wasn't qualified for the job. In one case this even happened after he was offered the job. They saw his arm and said "Oh yeah we just remembered something..." and turned him down. But it was challenges like that which I think helped make him a greater man in the long run. I learned a lot from him.

Today people face discrimination in a far different way. Instead of working harder to overcome obstacles they turn to government wanting things to be given to them easier. Things like that don't break down the walls, it only justifies them and adds to hate and resentment to those who do work to earn the things they get in life.