Good God.

Twisterdog, I am NOT in any way saying those on welfare, living paycheck-to-paycheck, or responsible for many young ones or disabled loved ones are backwards hicks for not leaving the country.

NOT. AT. ALL.

It annoys me that someone would even think that was my intention. I didn't realize I had to have disclaimers on everything I've said.

What I said before, and what I will say again, is that there are MANY, MANY, MANY Americans who can do this, but don't. Of course there are more ways to learn about the world, but traveling, getting out there and "doing it" are the most direct ways. You can't just talk about other countries or read about them to truly know them. It requires more. Many people here are complacent to just stay here in America. They have the money and resources to do it, but they don't. They put their money elsewhere.

I think we could really stand to learn from other countries like New Zealand, Australia, Britain by vigorously encouraging our young people to get out there while they're relatively unburdened and free.

That was my only point. I was not singling out individual members of PetTalk for their lack of travel.