Kathryn,

Thankfully, all rural folks aren't cut from the same cloth.

Here are some statistics that illustrate what I imagine are two major differences between the United States and Australia.

On the "Gun Issue"

A 1994 survey revealed that 44 million Americans own 192 million firearms. I'm sure these numbers have risen during the subsequent 14 years. Gun deaths per capita in the United States are 5-6 higher than they are in Australia.

On the "God Issue"

Twenty-five percent of Americans believe it is at least somewhat likely that Jesus Christ will return to Earth in 2007, a new poll from the Associated Press and AOL News shows.

The poll, conducted by the international polling firm Ipsos, looked at the public's predictions about what will occur in 2007.

Pollsters found that 11 percent of those surveyed said it is "very likely" that Jesus will return to Earth this year. An additional 14 percent said it was "somewhat likely."

Twenty-five percent of those polled said it was "not too likely," compared to 42 percent who said it was "not at all likely." Eight percent said they did not know or were not sure.

While a quarter of Americans polled said that it is at least somewhat likely that Jesus will return to Earth this year, views about the topic varied depending on religious persuasion, the AP reported.

For example, 46 percent of white evangelical Christians believe it's at least somewhat likely that Jesus will return this year, while 17 percent of Catholics and 10 percent of those with no religion feel the same way.

The poll, conducted Dec. 12-14, was based on telephone interviews with 1,000 adults from all states except Hawaii and Alaska.

I meant no slight to people living in rural areas per se, but in the states, gun ownership, and a devotion to evangelical Christianity are far more prevalent in rural America. My problem is when advertisers, pundits, and politicians depict those in these regions as being more genuine in their "American-ness".

Oh, and keep your eyes on your mailbox.

Peter T.