Irishness is one of the world's oldest excuses; somehow, the people of the Emerald Isle have always been viewed in anything but the same cold and analytical light that all other nationalities must endure. You can be glib and reckless and a bit heavy on the sauce-- and if you have even a drop of Irish blood in you-well, then it's okay, because, after all, you're Irish. You can be lazy and love the horses and sport, but no matter, because you're Irish. You can believe in leprechauns and march up and down Fifth Avenue on March 17, but what of it? You're Irish?