“As a Rotary exchange student in Evanston, Illinois in 1971, a couple of things have stayed with me as indicative of American exceptionalism (C8),” writes Andrew McPherson of Tathra. “The only compulsory subject at Evanston Township High School was American History. And I once heard Australia described as ‘one of those little commie South American countries’.”
“Alan Marel (C8) could have also included Melbourne Cup winners The Quack (1872), Comic Court (1950), Light Fingers (1965), Red Handed (1967) and of course Hype(rno) (1979) to the confluence of the Melbourne Cup and the US election,” reckons George Zivkovic of Northmead.
“It has occurred to me that it would be difficult, although not impossible, to manage Melbourne Cup sweeps without cash,” says Alison Brooks of Hope Island (Qld). “Yes, we could contribute and then hopefully receive winnings electronically, but being handed an envelope of $2 coins or $5 notes is rather special.”
“As I was ignored in the publishing of The Best of Column 8, Volumes 1 & 2, I demand that it be acknowledged that Column8gate (C8) has already happened, twice,” declares Andrew Brown of Bowling Alley Point.
Barry Wooldridge of Harden is currently enjoying a cruise between Fremantle and Broome: “A listed activity on board is a talk titled ‘Shipwrecks on the West Australian Coast’. Is this tempting fate?”
“The Hill (C8) at the SCG was residence for many cricket fans of quick wit,” recalls Tim Ingall of Scottsdale, Arizona (US). “During the fourth Test of the 1970-71 Ashes series, Peter Lever was bowling for England when a cry came from the hill of ‘Get a fulcrum up you, Lever!’ ” Unfortunately, wit will take you only so far. England won by 299 runs.
Col Burns of Lugarno feels a certain amount of gravity regarding Gough Whitlam’s economy status (C8): “Given his imposing stature, I’d be somewhat concerned about the aircraft’s centre of gravity if Gough was sitting down the back, unless Margaret was sitting up the front.”
“I wish the Tooth Fairy (C8) was around for seniors,” muses Peter Miniutti of Ashbury. “Rather than getting something in return for my teeth, I end up forking out for crowns and bridges, some of which have reached their use-by date and been replaced.”
David Reid of Carlingford “noticed as I watched Senate Estimates on Thursday (what we do for family!) that slurred words like ‘Senator’ were rendered as ‘Sinner’. How true.”
Column8@smh.com.au
No attachments, please. Include
name, suburb and daytime phone