Gil,

I will only say this to you. If I use the Aussies I have met here on the 'Cat as my gauge, you are about as far off the mark as you can be. Helen, Fair Young Maid, Bob Bolton, Alan of Australia, and of course the Fair Alison are some of our most valuable contributors. It is safe to say that the Mudcat Cafe would not be the wonderful town that it is without them. I am offended that with one broad swoop, you have mischaracterized some wonderful people. I hope you will cool down and make this right.

And by the way, many of those who you characterize as thieves, lawbreakers, pickpockets and the flotsam of civilized society were Irish people ripped from their homes for offending the Crown by their presence. So it seems to me you have offended the memory of brave people simply trying to survive under difficult circumstances. And they were an integral part of establishing a remarkable society down under.

I can understand the anger at what appears to be a very poorly handled situation. One can hardly condemn the Australians for wanting their Olympics to be a reflection of their society. One of the major problems today is the lack of understanding on the part of us Yanks that the rest of the world does not necessarily want to be completely like us. Believe it or not, and I know this is hard, the civilized world does not end on the California coast. Having said all that, whoever handled this situation, did so in a very poor manner.

How about it friend Gil, can you find it within yourself to clarify your statement apologize to our Australian citizens?

All the best,

Mick