I'm back!

[RFKHumphreyObama]

Well, I must concede that the above statement is not totally accurate –I have yet to return to Australia and will only be posting on here and checking my e-mail sporadically and infrequently before I do. But I have concluded the US leg of my overseas tour and, since I have not posted on DU since August, I thought I’d contribute my two cents on some of the topics and issues right now. To all those DU’ers who I met on my US trip and who provided me with an e-mail address, my sincere apologies for not contacting you and you can expect to hear from me either over the next few weeks or when I return to Australia. First of all I have a few things to say:

1. It was an immense honour and privilege to meet each and every one of the DU’ers that I encountered. You are all wonderful, generous, profoundly interesting and great people and it was an enriching and rewarding experience to meet with you and I hope I have the opportunity to do so again. To those who provided me with homes to stay or who acted as my main contacts while in the city, words will not be adequate to convey my profound gratitude and appreciation toward you and I hope it was as rewarding and enriching for you as it was for me to meet you and your families/friends/acquaintances. I greatly valued and appreciated your trust and courtesy in extending your hospitality to me and hope I can one day return that.
2. To those whom I was scheduled to meet/contact and failed to do so, I extend my sincere apologies. My schedule proved unexpectedly hectic and my carefully laid out plans were affected due to unforeseen circumstances –and those DU’ers in Richmond know what I am talking about. I profoundly regret that I did not have the privilege of meeting you and hope I have the opportunity next time –and there will be a next time.
3. FAUX news is absolutely a joke but I must concede that it is very persuasive and manipulative –just as propaganda is designed to be-and I can see how it has the potential to draw viewers in. To me, however, it was just repulsive crap and I could never spend more than one minute looking at FAUX’s "fair and balanced" rantings and ravings before having to change the channel. I forced myself to attempt to sit through both "Hannity and Colmes" and Bill O’Reilly’s show and had to turn off after about two minutes. The total irony is that O’Reilly touts his show as the "no spin zone". Why choose a title that is so transparent?
4. Following on from this, I was profoundly disillusioned with what I saw in terms of current affairs on the major news channels. There is a definite amount of bias, unbalanced reporting and distorted portrayals that is eventuating from some of the current affairs channel and I got the distinct feeling that US viewers are rarely being provided with the whole picture.
5. Bush is nowhere near as popular as people make him out to be, IMHO. I met hundreds of people in the US –all from different backgrounds-and only three people presently endorsed Bush and would vote for him next time. And keep in mind that I have excluded the DU’ers whom I met from the above category. I even met people who were strong supporters of his but who were now intensely antagonistic and hostile toward him –and this included a Cuban-American voter who indicated that he would abstain from the next election. There is a huge constituency out there with whom we need to tap into at the next election.
6. For all the failings and shortcomings of the Bush Administration, the United States is still a wonderful and profoundly beautiful place to visit and I consider it an immense honour and privilege to have been there and experienced so much in terms of its beauty, culture, people and sights. I thoroughly loved, valued and enjoyed every leg of my journey and found it to be profoundly inspirational and uplifting to be able to see such a wonderful country. There were times when its sheer beauty and the warmth, friendliness and hospitality of the people there moved me to the verge of tears. I have felt a profound and intense bond and affinity with the American people, culture and lifestyle for over a decade now and have wanted to visit for such a significant period of time. This trip only served to strengthen my affinity and provided a strong and intense desire to return. Thank you America

[pmbryant]

1. Welcome back!

You've been in the U.S. this whole time? That must have been quite a trip for you!

Glad to have you back, socialdemocrat.

:hi:

--Peter

[RFKHumphreyObama]

2. Thank you Peter

It's wonderful to be back and to see you again -I fondly remember our days of moderating together and the valuable insight, advice and input that you provided on the various issues. I hope we can moderate together again at some point:)

Yes, I was in the US for the past two and a half months. Unfortunately I was not anywhere near your present location, but I do want to come to your state next time around

Thanks once again Peter:)

[blueseas]

3. Hello

It was certainly a pleasure meeting you, I am glad to see you checked into to DU and that you had a good time in the US.

Safe trip back home!

[RFKHumphreyObama]

4. Hi Cluedin

Thank you very much for everything that you and your husband did for me while I was in your city –I profoundly valued and appreciated it and I had an exceedingly wonderful time. I’ll be in touch through e-mail. Give my regards and best wishes to your friends and also to your husband –it was a wonderful and enriching experience interacting with both you and all of them and hope to come back some day

Good to see you are still checking into DU. I’ll be sure to keep in touch
Regards,
SD1981

[blueseas]

8. You are quite welcome

I will pass on your best wishes and do have a safe trip back home.

Come back for a visit after we get rid of Bush*

[arcane1]

5. welcome, er, "back"!

:hi:

[proud patriot]

6. Woooooo Hoooooo

It was great meeting you .

I am glad to hear from you and your American
Experience :hi:

[cally]

7. You're back in DU land!

I enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you. I've been wondering how your trip was going this entire time. I'm happy you have had such a wonderful adventure and have met so many great folks.

By the way, I found a great dim sum cafe that I have gone to a few times. So next visit, I will take you there.

[youngred]

9. It was my deep pleasure to meet you Owen!

Wish i could have you back in DC to hang out again :-)

Glad you had such a good time, and good luck with the rest of your amazing trip!

Peace my friend.