Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Benach Collopy

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Benach Collopy It was less than 100 years ago that “No Irish Need Apply” signs were in job windows.  Today, the Irish are thoroughly assimilated into the mainstream of American culture and St. Patrick’s day is a great day to remember the contributions of Irish-Americans to the U.S.  Anyone who knows me knows that two things I care about immensely are immigration and the U.S. Civil War.  When those topics come together, I am in nerd heaven. 

Cuban-American Immigrant Poet to read at Inauguration

Cuban-American Immigrant Poet to read at Inauguration President Obama has chosen Cuban-American poet Richard Blanco to read at his inauguration.  Blanco will be the first Latino poet as well as the first openly gay poet to perform an inaugural poem.    According to his biography, “Richard Blanco, was made in Cuba, assembled in Spain, and imported to the United States– meaning his mother, seven months pregnant, with the rest of his family, arrived as exiles from Cuba to Madrid where he was born.