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You know your comments about the Irish made me think of something. I had an interesting conversation with a woman in Vicksburg Mississippi whose great Grand Daddy came from Ireland. He like a ton Irish, Italians, and Jews settled in these River towns through out the South. She was saying that back in the 60's she went to Ireland to see the ole country. Well, many of the relatives were still poor the politics sucked and the whole area was still in the doldrums. Well, many say look at Mexico we don't want to become that!!! People forget that Ireland and Italy in the 30's and 40's were not exactly meccas of prosperity and the good life. The point is immigrants succeed because of our form of Govt and commerce.. That a person could buy land. That capital was available in a country like no other that enabled people to work and succeed. We are not going to become another Mexico just like we didn't become another Ireland in some areas, another Italy in some parts of the Country, or another Germany in certain parts of the country.

On a another note, I don't know if have ever come to NOLA but perhaps you should ic case it really gets wiped off the map next time. If you are of Irish heritage you would find the culture of the Irish in such a deep Southern town pretty interesting. The contributions of the Irish can still be found here to a great degree. The Irish Channel is still there even though many of the Irish have moved out. Many of the Irish Churches are still around even though the descendants are now living in the burbs. If you ever read Ann Rice her book the "witching Hour" she hits NEw Orleans and the ethnic mix right on the head.

The point is immigrants succeed because of our form of Govt and commerce.. That a person could buy land. That capital was available in a country like no other that enabled people to work and succeed.

..and because there is a self-selection of the ambitious and strong from these depressed countries that gamble on a new life, giving up their old one. America has always "insourced" the best each country has to offer. Our national gene pool is so strong because of that.

Very good point about the "old countries being in the doldrums, while the immigrants make a better life here"

I certainly hope to get to New Orleans. My ancestors lived on Julia then DeLord streets, and my greatgrandmother was baptized in St Patrick's Church. I hope it survived the ravages of Katrina. I have seen pictures on the Internet of the magnificent stained glass windows there, and hope they remain intact. They remind me of a glazier's version of Mel Gibson's Passion.