Thursday, June 19, 2008

On Being Of Irish Heritage

Truths I gleaned from watching the Tim Russert memorial on MSNBC:

"I don't think there's any point in being Irish if you don't know the world is going to break your heart eventually."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan, upon hearing of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

Quoted by Brian Williams before saying (dripping with sarcasm), "for those of you not married to a dark, brooding Irishman, let me assure you that we are a blast to live with."

Which led me to Google the Moynihan quote to make sure to get it exactly right and found another from him on being Irish:

"The Irish were distinguished by qualities which tend to make men interesting rather than prosperous."

Fortunately for many of us in the world, Tim Russert was both interesting and prosperous. His son is a helluva kid, too. I wasn't able to keep my composure for even a few minutes when I attempted to eulogize my father. Strong young man, that Russert boy.

3 comments:

  1. Tim Russert was an Irishman? I thought he was American.

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  2. You forgot: "Why did God create Beer? To keep the Irish from taking over the Earth." :)

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  3. Rick: yes, he was American. Wasn't trying to detract from that at all, but he was proud of being an Irish Catholic. :)

    Pat: Ha...there is that.

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