<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3>In a message dated 2/8/03 7:48:34 PM Central Standard Time, zenith@ans.com.au writes:<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">As an expat Scotsman living in Sydney with my Kiwi (New Zealand) wife since 1968 I do genuinely believe that Australia does sit somewhere in the middle (lifestyle, instincts, attitude and opinions) between UK and American thinkers. Having a bet each way with five passports between us (here we go) [polite snipe] it has been my experience in discussion with your "average man in the American street" (excluding those who travel overseas) that they have somewhat insular thinking. I presume this is caused by the educational system and background. :~) </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
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</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Basic surprises include; is Australia in Europe? (perhaps mistaking it for Austria) and having never heard of New Zealand, where is it? (In New Orleans, some years ago, we visited a tower overlooking the water that included all the flags of the countries in the world and New Zealand did not even exist, however, we left a note advising them). What makes this more alarming/amusing for me is that I am attempting to gain membership to the 100 CLUB, which is based in America, with 87 countries visited and 13 to go, where this club includes Tasmania (an island that is part of Australia) as another country! Should I still attempt to join? </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
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</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Please correct me if I am wrong but I think the above thinking also (in some cases) extends to jazz music. I am always careful to say that we play American music (especially when trying to gain gigs in USA) as that is where jazz was born, but again, never to have heard of Cleo Lane or husband Johnny Dankworth or the three B's - Barber, Ball, Bilk for Listmates in their sixties is another genuine surprise for me. Canadians seem to be more like New Zealander's including their similar dollar values. </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
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Tom (hoping not to start any trouble) Wood</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
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</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"> aw...come on, Tom. Start some trouble...I'm up for it.<BR>
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Your post is quite thoughtful and I have thought about it. You are quite right that we americans are guilty of an annoying insularity. However, I don't think that we are 'guilty' of anything as such. Beyond a general dumbing down in our society there always has been an indifference to thngs beyond this country. This, I believe stems from a traditional or historic desire to stay out of Europe's perennial problems and wars This general feeling now, of course, includes much of the rest of the world. We always seemed to be going to war to save somebody's ass in Europe and now, everywhere else. I think that many of us tend to think of Australia and New Zealand as 'Europe' even though these countries are a long way from Europe. </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
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</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">I think that some of our insular mentality stems from our ancestors who came here. Many of them desired to cut ties and contact with their homelands. They went out of their way to adapt to new ways, new language and to shut out the old world.<BR>
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When you add all of this up there has always been a general non-interest in the affairs of much of the rest of the world. Stir into this each individuals focus on his/her families on going trevails and they simply don't want to hear about problems elsewhere...even though this is in our news constantly. <BR>
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As far as jazz, most of the leading exponents in the various styles have been in this country and so no desire to look further. Also a contributring factor in the low interest in non-american jazz groups has been the unavailability of foreign recordings. You really have to go out of your way to find them here. Another factor is american and european musicians unions. The American musicians union effectively kept foreign musicians out of this country for years. Those who were able to tour here were usually well received. I Know that the British and other countries Trad groups would find a ready audience here.<BR>
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Sept. 11 was a big wake up call here akin to Pearl Harbor. We have been confronted with the revelation that there are 8 million undocumented illegal aliens here. Our gov't doesn't know who they are, where they are nor what they are doing. This has been very alarming and all in all I think that we will end up with an even greater insularity. Our borders have been porous and any bomb throwing arab can get in here easily...no problem. We have suffered through one attack after another and done nothing about it. A growing sentiment now is to kick every illegal out of here and close our doors and borders. A lot of people are alarmed and pissed. We very much want to move forward in the middle east and clean out that whole rats nest...once and for all.<BR>
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One more factor, Tom is that it is hard for most Americans to travel abroad. Besides not having the money or time for it many do not have the taste for it. Those that were abroad in the military have no desire to travel. I was stationed In Japan for a year and I have no desire to go there again or anywhere in the far east. I would like to go to Europe but I can't. New Zealand and Australia is a long expensive plane trip that few people care to undertake.<BR>
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So, Tom, all of this to acknowledge your concern at our insularity and to try and explain it. Hopefully, the internet serves to break through some of it. Thanks for a thoughtful post.<BR>
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Jim Beebe<BR>
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