Dang. Kevin, I apologize. I didn't read your post carefully enough- I thought you were saying that if an American orchestra had run into that kind of roadblock that we UStaters would have been complaining loudly. Now I see that you were saying that if an American touring company had been blocked in the UK thatUKers would be mocking their own country's policies.

* I still am wondering if other countries ease and expedite travel for the orchestra.

* I also would like some return comment on people like Tommy Sands who come over here. What makes the difference?

* What's to stop a 100-piece orchestra - given a whole year's time - to make its way individually to a city less than 200 miles away to be "vetted"?

** Instead of unloading impotent discontent on the Mudcat how many of you - or us, for that matter - have made official complaints?