"There is a LOT more to us than what you prefer to see. Frankly, I'm tired of the not-so-subtle shiv in the ribs."

Well, tough titties (as we say here). I don't mean that in an insulting way, it's simply that if what the world sees of your country is based around belligerent foreign policy, religious fanaticism, climate change denial, past oppressions that not apologised for, belligerent corporate governance and just about everything else that comes with empire, including non-accountability for deaths during military incursions in far away lands. The English know full well how that feels, and we're not all bad, even though the empire was British, not soley English. We pay for the sins of our fathers.

Thing is, if people who have never been to the US believe everything they see on the telly they'll soon forget the good stuff, even though there's plenty to shout about. Luckily, I've spent enough time in the US out in the sticks to get some insight into a resourceful, intelligent, curious and unfailingly polite people who get things done. It's a shame everyone's so isolationist, but if I lived in the US I would never want to leave as there is so much room, so much to enjoy, so much to see.

I'm pleased to say some of the people in my life I have the greatest respect for are Americans, and I can't wait to get back there and see them again later in the year.

One thing though, you've got to stop giving wankers like Romney any credence; the man is dangerous, and as thick as a baboon's arse and does the US no favours. He's off to Poland to rekindle the cold war now. Stone the crows.