The USA in my childhood was the country putting Man on the Moon, and fighting alongside my schoolmates older brothers in Vietnam. Our cultural myopia, depending on imports from the UK and a ever-evolving domestic TV panorama (that in hindsight was just copies of succesful US shows), was shattered forever with the introduction of Sesame St and subsequently the Muppets:

Speaking of evolution, an intriguing side by side comparision of some drafts and the final Declaration of Independence of these United Statef of America.

Of course US movies, MASH, Beverly Hillbillies, Days of Our Lives and General Hospital created stereotypical Americans in many Australian eyes, and we could snigger along with Monty Python "Shut up, you American. You always talk, you Americans. You talk and you say, "let me tell you something" and "I just want to say this"... well, you're dead now, so shut up". Yet we and many others around the world became American on 12/9 waking up to the carnage that had happened during our night-time in Australia. However, many Canberrans were less than impressed when your last president ordained that a jet fighter would loop above the suburbs all night, whilst he slept!

TV shows, movies and stereotypes aside, it's been a real pleasure learning from the real Americans here at the Agonist: my world view and understanding has been greatly amplified. Thank y'all and have a great holiday weekend!