[Rate_Determining_Step]

You're not going to like what I'm going to say, but you've brought it up a couple of times...

It has to do with your Celtic/Irish pride thing. I'm 1/4 Irish with the other blood being English/German. I tell you, I'd trade my Irish blood for dog blood in a New York Minute.

Every last bit of culture about Ireland I've run across (especially pop culture: U2/Bono, Sinead O'Connor, yada yada) paints a people of such whiny dolts I can't believe it. If they weren't sympathizing with the Nazis during WWII, they're celibrating drunkeness. I could go on and on from being the location of John DeLorean's failed car plant to that terrorist Jerry Adams. In fact, other than John Fields (brilliant classical pianist) I can't think of a thing they've contributed to Western civilization. (Warriors from the 12th Century don't count - they never built anything like the Romans) Maybe you know lots more about the Irish than I and can point out their amazing contributions to man's progress. I'd like to hear some as I'm even tiring of the litany of depressing " 'po me - who is me troubles " I hear from and about them.

I also know enough that if I were there in person, I'd probably have to back this up with a good fight ;) But hey, we both know that!

Thanks for letting me vent on the Irish.

RDS
Don't even get me started what I think of Germans! :D

[Rate_Determining_Step]

Oh yeah - to the guy with the near pierced daughter. Everybody's right. Just go to your video store and rent 3 tapes with the nastiest sounding titles. Try to keep track of the toung studs...

You have been warned.

[Dan from Michigan]

It's simple. We know how to beat the hell outta people, and tell a good story about it. :)

And I think that's a damn good legacy to have.

[Chemist_Geek]

I also know enough that if I were there in person, I'd probably have to back this up with a good fight ;)

Aye. An' none o' yer transition state theory would do ye any good then! Two body collisions indeed! (grin)

In all seriousness, see if you can't borrow a copy of How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Tom Cahill. I'm not Irish, my father's family came from Scotland, but it was a fascinating read.