Hi FairYoungMaid,

I didn't realise you were in Sydney. I'm in Newcastle, just north of you.

I think the whole thing has been a disaster. Whether the original decision to hire bands from overseas for the Olympic opening event is right or wrong, or somewhere in between, or nothing to do with "right" or "wrong" is only part of the problem. The other part is that a decision was made based on a number of assumptions, without informing the Australian people, and which has now blown up into a huge international fiasco. I don't think it can be easily fixed - it just seems to get worse and worse, and the marching band people from overseas - not just America - are justifiably upset, but so are the Australian people, the community as a whole, by the whole situation.

Having Gil vent his spleen in such a nasty way on a forum which is unrelated to the Olympic Games, and where a diverse range of thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values tend to be expressed (which is the pride of the Mudcat site) has just ruined my day, I'm sad to say. But, I know that there are plenty of other 'Catters who will see the situation from more than one side and who will jump in to smooth some ruffled feathers, mine included.

I am doing my best to maintain a neutral tone, and I have no intention whatsoever of getting into a nasty slanging match with Gil, whose opinions I welcome, but whose nastiness was completely uncalled for.

Helen