Today is a perfect day to demonstrate to you why Donald Trump’s attacks on México and Mexicans was unnecessary. The sad reality is that I wouldn’t be writing about Donald Trump had he just left the attacks upon my country unsaid. Trump could have been like all the other politicians, like Barack Obama, who use immigrants and the immigration issue as a platform for their political careers without ever really addressing the fundamental problem. Many of you have forgotten that Barack Obama promised substantial immigration reform only to become the president who deported more immigrants than any other. Had Trump not attacked México and Mexicans I wouldn’t be writing about him.
But Trump had to demonize my brethren and my country.
On May 11, 1846, James K. Polk asked congress for authority to declare war on México. The United States Congress obliged. As they say, the rest is history. Mexican casualties numbered around 25,000, while the United States had about 17,000 casualties. México lost about 40% of our territory. What has seldom been discussed is the high number of US deserters that plagued that war. There were over 9,000 deserters who left the U.S. lines. It remains a controversial war to this day.
Many of the deserters were immigrants to the United States that had been unwelcomed by U.S. citizens. They were ostracized and mistreated by the U.S. population. One such group of immigrants were the Irish who left Ireland in search of a better life in the United States. The Irish were especially mistreated by U.S. citizens who resented the Irish immigrants. Many of the Irish joined the U.S. Army in hopes of attaining citizenship and putting food on the table of their families.
But the hatred of the Irish remained unabated. Instead of building loyalty towards the United States, almost two hundred Irish abandoned the U.S. war machine in México and joined the Mexican ranks to fight against the Yankee invasion of my country.
They formed the Batallón de San Patricio and fought against their former military comrades to defend México.
Today is St. Patrick’s Day and many of you are celebrating the Irish in the United States.
I, to, am celebrating the Irish. I will be raising my beer mug in honor of the brave Irishmen who fought and died defending my country against the foreign aggression of the Yankee imperialists who wanted everything for themselves at whatever cost.
This year I am celebrating even louder because although I had thought that we, as in México and the United States, had reconciled with the past and had extended a hand in friendship among ourselves, Donald Trump has brought back the poignant memories of a country who has no respect for others and instead looks to destroy everyone under the guise of America First, at whatever cost.
Or you click play and listen to one of my favorite songs. I’ll be playing this all day today!
¡Viva El Batallón de San Patricio!
I always remember the San Patricios. I talk about them with friends and colleagues of Irish descent especially on/around San Patrick’s Day when we celebrate the Irish.
I read an article (unfortunately I don’t have source) about a town in Ireland that paid homage to Mexico because, I believe, some of the San Patricios came from that town.
I look forward to reading about them via your link later today.
Happy San Patricio’s Day.
So why is this President Trumps Fault ? He was not alive in 1846. Different time zone.
Isn’t Ireland where your ex president Portrillo escaped to avoid jail for corruprion?