DEREK FANNING,
Madam, - I am writing to protest at the politically correct, smug Diary in your edition of December 16th. The article was written by an American woman, but it seems that she has really bought into the right-on, anti-American ethos so prevalent in Ireland nowadays.
The American tourist is soft target and her attack was neither original nor brave. It exemplified the trendy attitude in Ireland that we are somehow intellectually and culturally superior to the Americans. This couldn't be further from the truth.
Besides, where is the Christianity and humanity in such an attitude? We want to fleece these tourists, and yet at the same time mock them. It is disgusting. We desperately need to grow up. - Yours, etc.,
DEREK FANNING,
Birr,
Co Offaly.