Bloomberg Steps in It With 'Drunk Irish' Comment

Irish eyes not smiling on NYC mayor
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 11, 2011 4:08 AM CST
Michael Bloomberg in Dutch for 'Drunk Irish' Quip
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg marches on Fifth Avenue during the 2003 St. Patrick's Day Parade.   (Getty Images)

Michael Bloomberg was jeered by angry Irish-Americans after making a quip about Irish people's fondness for booze. The New York City mayor, speaking to the American Irish Historical Society, said he lived near the society and was used to seeing a "bunch of people totally inebriated hanging out the window, waving," reports IrishCentral. "I know, that's a stereotype of the Irish," Bloomberg said as the audience booed. "Nevertheless, we Jews from around the corner think this."

The remarks "are highly, highly offensive to any Irish person," said the chief of the city's St. Patrick's Day parade committee. "I don't think he would say a joke like that to any other ethnic group. It was totally uncalled for and unbecoming of the mayor." Bloomberg later apologized, and the parade chief says the mayor will still be welcome to march in the parade, reports the New York Daily News.
(More Irish stories.)

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