With or Without You...

Imaginary conversation held on the 11th floor of the SOB on March 16, 2007...

"Only 21 and over allowed on this floor."

"But my girls are dancing."

"Are they with J*******?"

"No, they're with G******."

"Only J******* dancers are allowed on this floor."

"Are you discriminating against G****** dancers?"

"No, only J******* dancers are allowed on this floor."

"So you're saying that you're discriminating against any other dance group than J*******?"

"I'm saying that only J******* dancers are allowed on the 11th floor. You can take it any way you want."

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Sort of odd that the group named for one of the people who originally brought step dancing to Watertown (and that contains two of the descendants of that person) would be blocked from participation in the Irish Festival, or only grudgingly (and at the last minute) allowed a minor role.

Personally, it was my understanding that one of the goals of the Irish Festival was to promote Irish Culture in the North Country. That's what the "other" group of Irish dancers does, on a completely local basis. Yet they are being harrassed and discriminated against in favor of a group run out of Syracuse.

And if I'm not mistaken, Project Children, one of the beneficiaries of the Irish Festival, is an organization that promotes breaking down barriers between conflicting groups through the participation of youth.

So why is a certian pompous fool doing his utmost to marginalize local groups who focus on Irish culture and encourage the participation of our youth?