RONALD REAGAN: Proud to Be Irish!

Reaganite Republican ^ | March 16, 2012 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

As House Speaker for most of Ronald Reagan's two presidential terms, ultra-liberal spendaholic Tip O'Neill was one of the fiercest opponents of the entire Reagan agenda, fighting it tooth-and-nail for six years.
He called Reagan a "cheerleader for selfishness" and even went so far as to personally attack the Gipper as 'most ignorant man that has ever inhabited the White House'.

Not one to be easily outwitted -but showing considerably more class and good humor- Reagan observed parallels between bloated blowhard O'Neill and the
1980's Pac-Man video game, both being  'a round thing that gobbles up money'.

Yet despite the professional animosity, the Gipper often said the two were 'friends after 6pm'- and both plenty proud of their Celtic Irish heritage. 

In fact, the annual Saint Patrick's Day Speaker's Luncheon is an event initially established by Reagan and O'Neill back in 1983. Last year the tradition was honored by Boehner/Obama, yet for 2012 the holiday has fallen on a Saturday (and heaven knows

we can't interrupt anyone's tee-time):

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Despite being fierce opponents during the day, the two grew to be friends. One story goes how President Reagan would call Speaker O’Neill and say,
'Hey Tip, is it 6 o’clock yet?' in which Speaker O’Neill would reply, “Why yes it is Mr. President.” 

After the work day had ended, the two were known to have gone and shared a few drinks together at local DC establishments...

On March 17, 1983, Speaker Tip O’Neill, President Ronald Reagan -along with House Minority Leader Bob Michel- celebrated the first Speaker’s St. Patty’s Day luncheon after Reagan and O’Neill had suggested doing a luncheon together to celebrate their Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day. 

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By the time Reagan's last Saint Patrick's Day in office rolled-around in 1988, Tip O'Neill had retired from the House of Representatives, so he headed over to Alexandria for a surprise visit to Pat Troy's Irish Pub...  

And the Gipper was in fine form: after a cold brew and some corned-beef-and-cabbage, he takes the mike at 4:00... besides the jokes, note Reagan's extensive knowledge of Irish history and culture:

"I'm very leery of ethnic jokes in my position- the only ones I can tell are Irish!"    

[YouTube]

Video/more at Reaganite Republican

So may the road rise to meet ya~

A happy and blessed Saint Patrick's Day to all from the half-Irish, all-Catholic

Reaganite Republican

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The University of Texas   Cloture Club   Wikipedia

[AlexW]

My mothers family was Irish, and my father’s was Scotch.
My only famous ancestor is from fathers side, Uncle Sam (war of 1812).
I would be interested in knowing if there are any other Uncle Sam related FReepers,.

[Scooter100]

"Scotch" most definitely does not mean 'Scottish' when describing people. It is used to describe liquor, eggs and beef among other things.

Those who call Scottish people 'Scotch' to their face are often corrected with a polite "F_ck off, you stupid American ba$tard!", depending, of course, on how much 'Scotch' the Scottish person, or Scotsman, has recently imbibed.

Stereotypical American: "Hey you're Scotch! Isn't Scotland in England?"

Drunken Scot: "F_ck off, you stupid American ba$tard!"

[from the Urban Dictionary,http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=scotch ]

[AlexW]

“”Scotch” most definitely does not mean ‘Scottish’”
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OK OK, chill out. I think most FReepers get the jest of my post.
It means little to me now, and I have no concern about
offending some drunken PC Scot.
I would tell him/you to **** *** “get a life” and have a bottle of Glenlevit.

[AlexW]

You might also try this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch-Irish_American

[Scooter100]

Glenlevit....I’ll drink to that!

[Scooter100]

Glenlevit....I’ll drink to that!

[blueunicorn6]

I’m an American.

[wtc911]

Glenlevit....I’ll drink to that!

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Where? When? What should I bring?