Thanks for the thoughtful response, Wolfgang.

As I'm sure you know, there are all sorts of problems with the notion of
"national character," not the least of which is that insofar as any such can
be reliably identified at all, they are subject to change over time.

Yes, but very slowly (as brought about by, say, the Industrial
Revolution) or rapidly, in the case of a cataclysm, such as losing a
war.

You may recall Ruth Benedict's _The Chrysanthemyum and the Sword_, a
study of Japanese national character done during WW II. I believe it
was done at the request of the military, to help plan strategy.

After VJ Day MacArthur was given the job of changing the Japanese
national character, and did he ever!

Recently the telly has shown WW II-era pictures of Okinawan
civilians jumping off cliffs to avoid captur by American troops. I
can't imagine them doing it today! Nor young men flying Kamikaze
missions, or even wives toddling along a respectful ten feet behind
their husbands.

Wolfgang
who would bet a shiny new nickel that the identities of muir, leopold and
nelson are a complete mystery to most of the state's residents.

I'm not foolish enough to take that bet! I know I'd lose.

vince