G'day,
This saga has been going on for a while, with the initial decision to exclude Aussie bands in favour of overseas bands. The very latest, as of this afternoon our time, is that the OS bands are coming after all, but not for the opening ceremony.

It's encouraging to see all the responses from our friends at Mudcat to Gil's post, but Gil, old mate, your post reinforces what a lot of Aussies think, i.e. that Americans are not well informed about events, current or historical, outside their own country. Go back & read your history books. Look at the system of social injustices in England, political in Ireland that led to convicts being sent here in the first place. Sure there were murderers & thieves sent here (prior to the American war of independance they were sent to America), but there were also very many good & decent people sent here by a travesty of justice. Aussies, like anybody else, can be obnoxious on occasion, but have you not heard the expression "ugly American"?

I'm sorry and surprised that you think we've forgotten your part in WWII. We haven't. It was worth the wait and has always been acknowledged. On the other hand, how much do you know of the exploits of the ANZACS at Gallipoli or the suffering on the Burma Railway? What about the American strategic presence in our country since the war: does that show a lack of gratitude?

I'm not sure I'll be proud of this post when I read it tomorrow, but Gil, your post was not at all helpful. I've made a lot of friends in the world wide Mudcat community which is characterised by friendliness and taking each other on our merits. And an agreement to spell differently. Let's keep it that way.

Your point could have been made in an entirely different way without being insulting to an entire nation. You may even have found many average Aussies agreeing with you.

Seed, don't worry, there are plenty of Aussies who boycott Paul Hogan movies. We're not all like him. Your hearing of "Whiskey" must be from some other part of Oz :o)

Cheers,
Alan