tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post7774630610665711704..comments2024-03-27T02:55:10.109-07:00Comments on Irish Papist: Too Close To SeeMaolsheachlannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406722311993627528noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post-56006658065744840772017-02-21T14:43:17.457-08:002017-02-21T14:43:17.457-08:00Well, I always want to be careful not to mix up na...Well, I always want to be careful not to mix up nationalism and Catholicism-- in the history of Ireland especially, that has been regrettable. So "spirit" isn't a word I would use. Nevertheless I know what you mean and I agree with you.<br /><br />The problem with writing a blog post, or anything else, is that you have to simplify at some point. I know that Irish language speakers who are progressives would say: "But we DO support traditional music, and Gaelic games, and other Irish traditions." But, even where they do, it's never in a traditionalist spirit-- they always want to update and blend and "deconstrust". So, if you're not going to be reverential, what's the point? You may as well not bother, in my view.<br /><br />I'm not sure what I would say about your views on America vs. Ireland. It seems to me that America is an incredibly vibrant culture. This is a country where ordinary people routinely fly the national flag. It's such a big subject. "E pluribus unis" also complicates it.Maolsheachlannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09406722311993627528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post-75168390215857528542017-02-21T13:24:32.816-08:002017-02-21T13:24:32.816-08:00Here here. Brilliant question -- why does Irish la...Here here. Brilliant question -- why does Irish language matter if nothing else traditional does? And "perversely sentimental" about the World Cup is right on as well. Americans do the same thing for the World Cup and the Olympics. Isn't sport, and all the more national sport, just about the only public outlet for the spirit which is still permitted us? Perhaps this is something that America and Ireland shares -- spiritual impulse (of course, a largely good thing) which is choked off, and liable to burst out of the smallest outlet it is given. <br />Daring to take up the grass-is-greener line again, I think in the case of Ireland this phenomenon is more due to a high degree of spirit, and less "choke" (though of course it is immense), whereas in America there is less (though no doubt ample, and in many places very strong) spirit, and even more "choke", that is, fewer accepted means of expressing the life of the spirit in public life. One could view the emotion or emotionalism of certain Protestant denominations, and its influence in much of the Christian culture in America, as a response or reaction against this.<br /><br />Warmly,<br /><br />Mac CruimeinMac Cruimeinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07980990831517510268noreply@blogger.com