The problem seems to be that the US Government (either Homeland Security or INS or both) seem to think that you can *stop* being "culturally unique", in Les's case. Not quite sure how that happens, unless there has been a sudden upsurge in cardiganned poets in the US?

I think this aspect of the thread probably deserves its own title, because if it affects Grant (and therefore Hilary) and Les who knows which British artist is going to be affected next. Could be Martin Carthy, could be Jez Lowe, could be me, could be anyone.

What has worried me for some time is that it seems to be mostly the UK that has trouble with performing visas for the US - or am I wrong, and other countries are experiencing the same thing? I know when I discussed it with a representative for Swedish music at the San Diego Folk Alliance he said that the Swedes had had no problems at all, at a time when some of us here were already feeling the cold wind of bureaucracy.

Anne