I am not an Aussie by birth... but I do live here...

and if you have offended me, (which you have), just think how the real Aussies feel. As was pointed out by Helen? we first heard of this a few days ago... and WE didn't have anything to do with it.. it was the olympic organising committee. So go yell at them not the innocents you find here!!! And many of us are not convicts.. we came of our own free will.

I for one, don't want the olympics here.. it's costing us a fortune which could be better spent on something useful like hospitals, and education. I intend to be back home in Ireland to avoid the mess it's going to create here.

But here is the thinking behind it as far as we have been told..... why should they spend more money bringing in overseas bands etc.. when there are plenty of musicians and bands already here. why not use the aussie performers?

did the Americans bring in international performers for Atlanta? I don't know.

Yes I feel sorry for all the kids who have been let down, but the aussie kids were let down too.. the message they are getting is that they're obviously not good enough for the job.. so we'll bring in some overseas talent....... how's that for building self esteem?

from what I have heard the overseas kids were going to have to pay $3500 for the priviledge of playing here. which leads me to the question.. were they really being asked for their talent. or just to bring more money in to this event. I know which one I believe.

I don't often get riled here at mudcat but you got my Irish blood up.

Please don't tar us all with the one brush... and please see this for what it was.. a committee decision. And if you meet an Aussie in America... please make them welcome, the majority of us would make you welcome in our country too.

slainte

alison