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Old October 14th 03, 03:08 PM
Vince Brannigan
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The Revolution Will Not Be Televised wrote:
The myths of the American revolution, however, are fundamental to American
self-image and the definition of American culture and society in a
manner that nobody can claim for Robin Hood in the UK.



I'm not so sure. (although, I agree about Robin Hood). I'm just back
from Glasgow. I stood in a crowded pub in Shawlands for the Scotland
Lithuania match and then the England Turkey match. Yes I know they are
drunken footy fans, but the invocation of anti-english mythology was
fascinating. When the Scots started suggesting that the Turks break
English necks I inquired as to the basis of the hostility. They were
mildly surprised that a Yank wouldn't "hate the buggers as much as we
do". When I mildly suggested compound fractures of the English legs
would be sufficient and that permanent paralysis was unnecessary, it was
simlply accepted that I didn't understand just how deep Scotland's
grievances ran. The mythology of Culloden was invoked, as well as more
recent events dealing tieh sporitng contests that I was not aware of.
IIRC Further discussion followed after bioremediation of flammable
ethanol, but I'm not sure we advanced the ball any further.

Vince