I serve on the Board of Directors of The American Club, a private dining and business club on the pretty end of Macquarie Street here in Sydney. The name hearkens back to post-WWII when ex-servicemen started an entertainment venue for Yanks. Today the club caters to all nationalities and commands the top three floors overlooking Sydney Harbour.

In recognition of its American ancestry, the Club has two portraits framed at the entrance. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and US President George Bush greet all newcomers.

Last week the club hosted an event and amongst the crowd were a mob of unruly Texans. (Editor’s note: I understand unruly and Texan is overkill, much like patrician New Englander.) The next morning both framed portraits were missing! Someone stole George Bush and Kevin Rudd.

Kevin didn’t go far. Must be his conservative nature. He was found in the lobby of the building no worse for wear.

George is still missing. Seems he was more attractive to our Texans than Kev ‘07.  So if you see a framed portrait of George wandering the streets of Sydney, tell him a wall on Macquarie Street misses him.