March 6, 2005

St. Patrick’s Day guests

Richard Bennett at Mossback Culture noticed an interesting change in the guest list for the White House's St. Patrick’s Day celebration:
No terrorists in the White House this year
Bill Clinton was the first American president to welcome Irish terrorist Gerry Adams to the White House, starting a tradition that even President Bush honored for a time, but not this year:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites) will mark St. Patrick’s Day this year without inviting Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams or other Northern Ireland political parties, a senior Bush administration official said on Friday. The White House announced Bush will welcome Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern to the traditional March 17 “Shamrock Ceremony” and that afterward, Bush will greet civil society leaders from Northern Ireland who are “working to promote peace and tolerance in their community.”
Very cool - terror will not be recognized or supported in any shape, size or form. Bush is showing some backbone, something a lot of other politicians could stand to do... Posted by DaveH at March 6, 2005 11:15 AM