Happy St. Patrick's Day!

As everyone most likely knows, this is a special day for myself and for many Irish throughout the world, not least of all the Irish diaspora here in the United States. Yes, indeed, today is the feast day of the Apostle of Ireland, that great snake-driver, St. Patrick. This is a day for all of us of Irish descent to celebrate, of course, that which is "our thing" in common, but also, in my opinion to have a few serious thoughts, if we can manage.

First, all of this drunken revelry--not a part of the actual holiday. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to alcohol, and I'm not averse to the occasional drink, myself. However, the idea that St. Patrick's day is about green beer and consuming as much of it as possible in order to get as sick as possible as early as possible is simply offensive. Does anyone know how they traditionally celebrate this day in Ireland? That's right, the same way we celebrate Thanksgiving (sans football and with different food).

Second, of course, I think this is a great time for all of the diaspora to take few moments and reflect on Ireland itself, and the sorry state that that nation is in. After centuries of oppressions and violence, several attempts at revolution, one finally successful, political turmoil, internal violence tantamount to a civil war, and the continued partition of a once-united nation, Ireland's history is full of grief and sorrow. In my opinion, the partition of Ireland contributes to that sorrow still, and it would be best for Ireland, I believe, if it were once again whole. What do you all think? Does 26+6=1? Would it be better for Ireland to be reunified? Should there be but one Irish people with one Irish culture, given that they have but one Irish history? Let me know, and happy St. Patrick's day!