What gives people the right to act like an ass on Gleason’s Birthday?

Teddy Gleason was president of the International Longshoreman’s Association from 1963 to 1987, and essentially saved the union as the steamship lines modernized through automation and containerization.  Since 1983, the ILA has observed his birthday on St. Patrick’s Day.  His actual birthday is on November 8, but with Election Day and Veterans Day already being union holidays, it was negotiated to take St. Patrick’s Day and honor the Irish-American that preserved their jobs.  I get it.  It’s a nice harmless perk to have a day off in the middle of a long 31-day month with no holidays.  He was even Grand Marshall of the big NYC parade back in 1984.

Now while I’ll be hoisting a pint of Guinness at some point today and toasting the 1/4 Irish I am, there’s one thing that really pisses me off about St. Patrick’s Day.  All these assholes wear 17 different shades of the ugliest green they can find.  And spraypaint their head green.  And drink green beer. 

This shenanigans isn’t only isloated to New York, but since it is the melting pot of the US, let me use them as an example, since they love throwing parades.  I think the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the most famous parade in the country, has spawned many movies, and is nationally televised.  Then I’d say the St. Patrick’s Day parade is the 2nd most famous in the City.  Then there’s the Columbus Day Parade.  Again, lots of cops and firefighters, and a day off for the locals.  Some people will probably have a couple of beers.  But if I go to the parade and act like a stereotypical Italian tough-guy, that behavoir wouldn’t be tolerated.  If I go to the Halloween parade in Greenwich Village and mock homosexuals, that wouldn’t be tolerated either.  Same goes for the Puerto Rican Day Parade.

So why is it OK to put on a red curly wig, leprechaun hat, wear six shades of green, drink your face off, and puke in the gutter?