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RADIO NOTES

The ABC’s ongoing difficulties with the word “terrorist” sometimes force presenters into spectacular avoidance formulations. Yesterday an ABC News Radio host came up with this:

The involvement of Hamas in activities which are not compatible with western standards ...

(Comment not verbatim; I may have missed the announcer’s prayer for forgiveness.) Also on local radio, last week Triple M night host Spoonman invited listeners to identify the world’s most dangerous nation. Naturally, the US received more nominations than all other nations combined; some callers even mentioned the Illuminati and various conspiracy theories involving the evil Bush clan’s involvement in 9/11. It was like an audio version of Indymedia.

What is the root cause of Australian anti-Americanism? My theory is that the elevation of anti-Americanism to current levels may be traced to a 1969 tour of Australia by this performing troupe ...

image

The Young Americans—some kind of “Hooray for Everything” movement founded in 1962, and still alive today—could only have provoked alarm and dismay among Australian audiences. No nation is ever prepared for the Invasion of the Mormon Dentistry Grads.

Posted by Tim B. on 04/16/2006 at 10:53 AM
  1. I must admit that photo is older then I am but they still terrify me. Yikes!

    Posted by Scott W on 2006 04 16 at 11:15 AM • permalink

  2. Most likely it operates like the Peanut Gallery on the Howdy-Doody show, where any kid who doesn’t fit the profile is snatched and taken away.

    What’s left is what you see.

    Posted by rhhardin on 2006 04 16 at 11:36 AM • permalink

  3. Ya got some pretty tan Mormons in there, Timmy.

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 04 16 at 11:49 AM • permalink

  4. We had the group “Up With People” visit our junior high school when I was a lad circa 1976. I was traumitized and became a punk rocker soon after.

    South Park’s send up of groups like this--"Getting Gay With Kids"--is one of my favorite episodes.

    Posted by JDB on 2006 04 16 at 12:14 PM • permalink

  5. The Young Americans—some kind of “Hooray for Everything” movement founded in 1962, and still alive today...
    I’m trying to picture these folks tooling along I-75 toward Sun City, in the left lane, at 60 MPH, turn signal going blink...blink...blink…
    Posted by ErnieG on 2006 04 16 at 12:20 PM • permalink

  6. 60?

    How about Vegas to LA at 45? On a two-lane highway?

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 04 16 at 12:36 PM • permalink

  7. Isn’t that Agent Smith, second row center? That would explain a LOT about the 60’s…

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 04 16 at 12:37 PM • permalink

  8. I must admit that photo is older then I am but they still terrify me. Yikes!

    Hey, that’s pretty much what I looked like back then (heck, we all did). Wait a few years.

    We had the group “Up With People” visit our junior high school when I was a lad circa 1976. I was traumitized and became a punk rocker soon after.

    A college friend’s family hosted some of the “Up” people when they toured New Jersey in the late 60s. It was our job to entertain them since we were the same age (they were there for days). The advance publicity told how these fine young people had taken time out of their busy lives, delaying their education, and sacrificed so much to spread their message of hope, peace and joy around the world. Ha! They all were from bumfuck Hicksville USA and came from backgrounds that afforded few opportunities and material comforts. Now they traveled the world on someone else’s dime carrying their (many) donated possessions in (lovely) donated luggage, were clothed, housed and fed on someone else’s dime, were given generous allowances, etc etc etc. IOW, this was the best thing that had ever happened to them in their formerly dull, drab lives. Sacrifice my ass. By the time they finally left, we, none of us, could stand the sight of them. (And we had to go to three, count ‘em, three performances. Talk about yikes.)

    Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2006 04 16 at 12:58 PM • permalink

  9. That’s odd, because on Saturday’s “All in the Mind” on Radio National discussing the psychological causes of terrorism, they actually used “terrorism” numerous times, linked it to Islam, and even had a CIA psychologist point out that mainsteam muslim culture via the mosque & parents indoctrinates its adherents into becoming murder robots from infancy. However the woman psychologist who got the most airtime blamed the victims, so it was all OK. Had she seen the above photo, I’m sure she would have blamed that too, and with good reason. But at least the people in the above photo redeemed themselves somewhat by fathering the entire cast of “Revenge of the Nerds”.

    Posted by Jim Geones on 2006 04 16 at 01:26 PM • permalink

  10. Whoa.

    I may actually know the girl in the front row, third from the left. She looks very much like my mother’s friend Nancy, who was in The Young Americans in the late 60’s. I’ll have to ask her if Nancy ever went to Australia.

    Posted by Spiny Norman on 2006 04 16 at 01:27 PM • permalink

  11. Isn’t that Agent Smith, second row center? That would explain a LOT about the 60’s…

    “Mr. Mcenroe, surprised to see me...”

    Posted by Major John on 2006 04 16 at 01:46 PM • permalink

  12. Now there’s a fine looking group of young people in dire need of an ass whuppin.  I especially don’t like Mr Fivehead (you know, one more than fore) in the middle or the hairy mouth-breather behind him. The whole thing just screams pinata.  I’ll get the bat.

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2006 04 16 at 02:31 PM • permalink

  13. I will not apologize for the USA’s intervention in WWI.
    I will not apologize for the USA’s dropping atomic weapons on Japan to end WWII.
    I will not apologize for the USA’s intervention in Viet Nam.
    I will not apologize for the USA’s victory in the Cold War.
    I will not apologize for the USA’s toppling of the Taliban and Saddam Hussein.

    You’ve got me with Up With People, however. Can you all ever forgive us?

    Posted by Rob C. on 2006 04 16 at 04:19 PM • permalink

  14. #7 Isn’t that Agent Smith, second row center? That would explain a LOT about the 60’s…

    Yes, Richard. You’re correct. And that’s me to his immediate right. (Not the balloon, mind you.) Yes, it is!

    I took the blue pill.

    Posted by rinardman on 2006 04 16 at 05:08 PM • permalink

  15. Just in case you missed it, the ABC will completely re-run The AWB Story for you on 4 Corners tonight. ABC reporters are still running commentaries on radio - and still feel it necessary to explain to those who have been away on Alpha Centauri for the last year that there was this company called Alia, and the AWB .....

    Posted by blogstrop on 2006 04 16 at 05:38 PM • permalink

  16. Stories of anti-Americanism are exaggerated by various politicians when it suits them, wet left media (whom it suits most of the time), refugee-boosting playwrights, and terrorists who abusively invoke Islam, who have a need to be in the headlines all the time.
    The BBC’s walk around the streets of Londonistan found little evidence of it.

    Posted by blogstrop on 2006 04 16 at 05:43 PM • permalink

  17. Hamas are just one more proxy for Iran to push around the ME Chessboard, in addition to the Al Sadr brigades, Syria (now there’s a pathetic excuse for a country - who is propping up that dictatorship?), & Hezbollah.
    Hamas are going to be funded by Iran.
    Now that Israel has exited Gaza, reporters shift ground again. They say that there is an ongoing exchange of missiles and shells, and that neither side will give ground.
    Hello?

    Posted by blogstrop on 2006 04 16 at 05:50 PM • permalink

  18. Multiracial--a positive.  All those shiny teeth--AHHHHHHHHHHH!

    What is it about high school and scary happy people?  I mean, they descend like locusts and make even the tough twelfth-graders cry...we had a herd of these come ot our HS.  They did the old Wendy’s jingle, among other travesties.

    Posted by ushie on 2006 04 16 at 05:58 PM • permalink

  19. I swear, Andrea, I only hit the italics thing for the “is”!

    Posted by ushie on 2006 04 16 at 05:59 PM • permalink

  20. (Screaming and running away.)

    Posted by ushie on 2006 04 16 at 06:00 PM • permalink

  21. rinardman — Some people will do anything to get next to Monica Bellucci…

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 04 16 at 06:24 PM • permalink

  22. Iran pledges $50 million ($68 mill AUD)to HAMAS, recruits 40,000 homicide bombers in wake of the West’s “alarming rhetoric.

    Game on.

    Posted by MentalFloss on 2006 04 16 at 06:25 PM • permalink

  23. Coulda been worse since they only caused rampant anti-Americanism.

    A trip by the Mike Curb Congregation might have resulted in a declaration of war.  Now that would not have been nice.  See what you were spared!

    Posted by yojimbo on 2006 04 16 at 06:32 PM • permalink

  24. Glass always half full.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2006 04 16 at 06:34 PM • permalink

  25. Radio host Spoonman and Tim have both badly misinterpreted the vote for US dangerousness.
    Triple M night listeners are fueled by rage and rap anger music as well as KFC and McDonald’s heavy carbo-loading.
    They LIKE dangerousness.

    Posted by Barrie on 2006 04 16 at 07:10 PM • permalink

  26. And bye-the-bye.

    They look alot better to me than those dope smoking A.N.S.W.E.R. types that were infesting the country about that time. I doubt that they are the ones that are writing into the WaPo’s MilBlog “Call to Duty” and telling him that they hope all of the helicopters in Iraq crash.  Via Mudvillegazette on 4/13/06.

    Call me a square-just fine by me.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2006 04 16 at 07:16 PM • permalink

  27. I started listening to that Spoonman segment and turned it off in disgust.

    Posted by murph on 2006 04 16 at 07:17 PM • permalink

  28. Having just landed in this fine country, i can’t seem to find any decent radio stations to listen to.

    Back in the UK, the Cronulla riots were perpetually blamed on a mysterious thing called ‘Talk Radio’. 

    Where is it?

    Do i have to continue with Vega and MMM?

    Please help!

    Posted by pommygranate on 2006 04 16 at 07:21 PM • permalink

  29. Dear god, make the italics stop. I keep having to hold my head over on one side, and it’s killing my neck.

    Posted by CB on 2006 04 16 at 07:26 PM • permalink

  30. "The Young Americans — some kind of “Hooray for Everything” movement founded in 1962, and still alive today.”

    I bet they don’t have tattoos, nose rings, wear charms, don’t use drugs, sleep with groupies, and don’t trash hotels after their death rock gigs.

    No wonder I haven’t heard of them in 40 years.  Who wants to promote happy musical people?

    Posted by Barrie on 2006 04 16 at 07:44 PM • permalink

  31. richard...you sound envious.

    Don’t be. All the woman wants to do is kiss. Just my face. :(

    Posted by rinardman on 2006 04 16 at 08:30 PM • permalink

  32. Hey, at least the text is leaning to the right.

    Fixed?

    Posted by david on 2006 04 16 at 08:38 PM • permalink

  33. Well done david. I don’t mind moving my lips a little when I read but the shouting was making me hoarse. Ushie you can come back now.

    Ushie?

    Posted by geoff on 2006 04 16 at 09:08 PM • permalink

  34. </i> any fix? </i>

    now?

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 04 16 at 09:09 PM • permalink

  35. Without the sacrifices of Australia, Britain, United States of America, Canada and New Zealand and many other countries prepared to answer the call against an Axis of evil.  The so called politically correct and the assortment of other Ratbag activists would not be around to whinge protest or cock suck for any dumbarse minority cause.

    Posted by Howzat on 2006 04 16 at 09:42 PM • permalink

  36. According to my father, much of the anti-Americanism in Australia dates back to WWII, and it was largely based on resentment (’Overpaid, oversexed, and over here’).

    There was much annoyance at all those slick Americans stealing our women, and the US uniforms were so much better, and the GIs rich by the standards of the time. Also very well-mannered and most attractive to women used to being taken for granted by taciturn Aussie men. My aunt married an American army officer.

    There was also resentment towards America for its lack of acknowledgement of Australia’s victories fighting the Japanese.

    Thats what my dad says, anyhow --

    I just read that the US govt. has published a guide for Americans visiting foreign countries, advising them not to talk loudly or boast, and to show interest in local cultures.

    Posted by dee on 2006 04 16 at 10:11 PM • permalink

  37. "If I’m ever charged with murder I want you on my jury.”

    Godamnit !

    Secretly of course I knew I had snitched that line from somewhere but couldn’t remember where. I thought I had got clean away with it.

    And now this ...

    Posted by geoff on 2006 04 16 at 10:23 PM • permalink

  38. dee — I can order a meal, a drink, a liaison or a surrender on three continents.  I’m multicultural as all hell.

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 04 16 at 10:48 PM • permalink

  39. I never talk loudly or boast when I’m abroad, and I make it a point to be all over the local culture.  When I’m at home, however…

    That Young America photo looks like my high school graduating class.  My God, we were such nerds!

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2006 04 16 at 10:52 PM • permalink

  40. The only people I’ve struck speaking loudly and boasting while abroad have been other Australians.

    Posted by geoff on 2006 04 16 at 11:05 PM • permalink

  41. Jesus Christ, even when he’s a member of the happy-happy joy-joy Young Americans, you can’t get a black man to smile.

    Well, I guess he has good reasons. Still…

    Posted by Dave S. on 2006 04 16 at 11:39 PM • permalink

  42. That Young America photo looks like my high school graduating class.  My God, we were such nerds!--RebeccaH

    LOL. I recall an interview with John Lennon who said his biggest disappointment on coming to the US in ‘64 was that he thought the kids would be hipsters like Elvis but then he saw they were actually kinda dorky looking.

    Posted by JDB on 2006 04 16 at 11:58 PM • permalink

  43. There was a film made about The Young Americans, wasn’t there. That photo brings back memories of a boyhood afternoon at the cinema. Anyone able to confirm this?

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 04 17 at 12:03 AM • permalink

  44. They were singing,
    “America-a-a, Gosh Yeah!”
    Or maybe lack of caffiene is screwing with my brain cells.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 04 17 at 12:04 AM • permalink

  45. You’ve missed a prime opportunity by publishing the photos, Tim. I would have secretly sent the photo to the people in it with the simple message: “We have the negatives. Pay up or else”.

    Posted by Jim Geones on 2006 04 17 at 01:14 AM • permalink

  46. #44 SwinishCapitalist:
    They were singing ...

    Who’s the leader of the club
    That’s made for you and me
    M I C K E Y M O U S E
    Hey! there, Hi! there, Ho! there
    You’re as welcome as can be
    M I C K E Y M O U S E

    Mickey Mouse! ...

    Here’s the rest ... I’m not going to get that out of my head tonight, I hope it has the same effect on you!  Goodnight.

    Posted by Stevo on 2006 04 17 at 08:09 AM • permalink

  47. One last ... Mickey Mouse has great cadence ... seen the end of Full Metal Jacket? ... maybe they all joined the Marine Corps?

    Posted by Stevo on 2006 04 17 at 08:23 AM • permalink

  48. (creeping back) Yup.  Here again.  Not gonna mess with any of those buttons, o no…

    Posted by ushie on 2006 04 17 at 11:22 AM • permalink

  49. I’ve somehow gotten in my head that Glenn Close was in one of those Young Americans/Up With People groups, though I can’t find any evidence. Maybe one day I’ll get to see Fatal Attraction for perspective.

    Posted by chinesearithmetic on 2006 04 17 at 11:53 AM • permalink

  50. Maybe the Spoonman award could be like your Brownlow Medal, worst and unfairest, countbacks, the lot!

    Posted by chinesearithmetic on 2006 04 17 at 11:59 AM • permalink

  51. Richard, I’m not sure “Yo, mama, goochee goochee” qualifies as “multicultural”.

    Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2006 04 17 at 12:08 PM • permalink

  52. Depends on which side of the “yo, mamma..” fence your are on. Heh

    Posted by yojimbo on 2006 04 17 at 01:22 PM • permalink

  53. 52 An important ethno-cultural sensitivity note:
    There’s a WORLD of difference between
    “Yo, Mama!”
    and
    “Yo Mama!”
    Hope this helps.

    Posted by Stoop Davy Dave on 2006 04 17 at 02:56 PM • permalink

  54. Young Americans by David Bowie.

    Posted by JAFA on 2006 04 17 at 03:23 PM • permalink

  55. We put up a few of the “Up With Peopleians” on their New Jersey Tour in the early 70s too…

    Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2006 04 17 at 03:39 PM • permalink

  56. My condolences, Mr. Bingley. Did they work hard to keep their UPstage faces on at all times and talk almost incessantly about the many wonderful gifts previous host families had given them? (I don’t recall what my friend’s parents added to the booty, but I’m sure it was worthy.) Thoroughly unpleasant experience.

    Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2006 04 17 at 04:14 PM • permalink

  57. The Young Americans? No the real root of anti-Americanism came next year when Marshall Dillon’s son Rolf Aurness won the World Surfing Championship at Bell’s Beach.  He beat the much more famous Midget Farrelly, Peter Drouyn and Nat Young on their home break.  Australian ego never recovered and it took me two weeks to find out why people kept calling me “a f...ing Seppo” immediately after the contest.  Boy was I suprised!

    Posted by Pat Patterson on 2006 04 17 at 04:33 PM • permalink

  58. #46 - Stevo, other committments (ie real life away from the computer) prevented me from going to be with that song spinning around inside my skull. So now I’ll carry it with me all day instead. Thankyou thankyou thankyou.
    #49 - I read an article in SPY magazine years back in which Ms Close was asked about her time in Up With People. Sweet friendly lady immediately turned cold and hostile. End of interview.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 04 17 at 06:01 PM • permalink

  59. PIMF error. ‘going to be’- read ‘going to bed’

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 04 17 at 06:02 PM • permalink

  60. The involvement of Hamas in activities not compatible with western standards...

    BLOODY INCREDIBLE!

    And they’re on the side of peace!

    Posted by Brian on 2006 04 17 at 08:17 PM • permalink

  61. Up With People, and like groups were someone’s answer to the California Commies/Hippies, popping up in the universities and in the parks.  All they could come up with to do battle was Lawrence Welk for teens.  They couldn’t seem to make the leap from Pan Boone and his white sport coat and pink carnation to Elvis and his blue-suede shoes.  “Help!” was completely beyond their ken.

    It was bad enough to have to avoid them on Sullivan and the like, I can’t imagine having to actually host any of them.  Those who did have my complete and perpetual sympathy and respect. 

    Is it any wonder that the left won out for a time?

    Posted by saltydog on 2006 04 17 at 09:21 PM • permalink

  62. Stevo — Word of warning about cadences and jodies… never work your female tac officer in “Little Liza Jane...”

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 04 17 at 10:59 PM • permalink

  63. #36 dee, they have a book like that for overseas Australians?

    Re Up with People, Hamas has a happy, smiling group like that, too ... Blow Up with People. Their hits:

    Wouldn’t You Like to Fly from my Beautiful Car Bomb

    Jeremiah was a Zionist Bullfrog

    Posted by crittenden on 2006 04 17 at 11:28 PM • permalink

  64. #62 richard mcenroe:
    Nothing so crude ... try Men of Harlech ... especially accompanied by Pipe and Drums.

    The version I linked to above is the one I know.  There are several versions.

    Posted by Stevo on 2006 04 18 at 06:02 AM • permalink

  65. Guess what I missed at Wikipedia ... Royal Regiment of Wales’ Band singing “Men of Harlech” (2.68MB MP3) ... ‘Recorded in the church at Rorke’s Drift, South Africa on the 120th anniversary of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift.’

    My day is complete, now humming this and Dizzy getting a century (102 not out off 300).

    Posted by Stevo on 2006 04 18 at 06:23 AM • permalink

  66. It’s a pity Tim threw in that red herring about young americans - the subject was very nearly the ABC and its difficulties with reality.
    Today Hamas had no trouble justifying the latest lethal assault on Israeli fast food patrons. The Israelis will also have little difficulty justifying their next assault, which may leave a high ranking terrorist dying with, or without, a felafel in his hand.

    Posted by blogstrop on 2006 04 18 at 07:56 AM • permalink

  67. We’re sorry, we’re sorry, OK? Geez Louise. Move on, people!

    Posted by Monroe Doctrine on 2006 04 18 at 12:59 PM • permalink

  68. I have no dispute with Spoonman’s callers. The US is unquestionably the most dangerous nation in the world. In raw ability to break things and kill people, it’s “Eclipse first and the rest nowhere.” I just wish all the Moslems of the world understood this properly. If they keep up their current course, it will be demonstrated to them, in a way that they will not forget for several generations. (They could ask Japan about this.)

    Posted by RRostrom on 2006 04 18 at 03:02 PM • permalink

  69. #68, RRostrum:

    Brilliant. 

    It’s just too damn bad that the US has made a practice of apologizing all over the place for being so dangerous.  Such humility has bought us no peace. 

    I’ve come to the conclusion that it is time for us to do our worse in the first instance.  It would save lives, time and treasure.  It really is unfair to let people think that they can take us on.  That the likes of Iran has done it says more about us than them.

    Posted by saltydog on 2006 04 18 at 05:06 PM • permalink

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