Jonah: If the fine people of Pierre have not yet tarred and feathered you

and run you out of town on a rail, let me declare a mild sympathy with your

big-city snobbery.

Travelling round the USA in a previous life (25 yrs ago, when I was cockier

and snobbier), I found myself snowbound in Grand Island, Nebraska. I

checked in to the local Ramada, parked my bags, and went down to the bar,

where three or four guys in string ties & snakeskin boots were staring

gloomily into their drinks. “So,” I said brightly, “where’s the Friday

night scene in Grand Island?” Back came the answer: “This is it.”