Normally I ignore Peter O'Byrne as I know most others do, at least when he steps away from areas of orchidology.
However, his typically biased comments deserve a reply. Firstly I was an invited speaker in Malaysia and had every intention of attending. However my employer at the time, the AOS, instructed staff, for security reasons, not to attend. In their wisdom they considered that a large tourist hotel full of overseas visitors and many from the US, would be a tempting terrorist target. I had no personal fears and as I am a regular visitor to Colombia, Australia and other similarly dangerous places, I have few qualms about traveling anywhere, at any time. I complied with my employer's request.
Secondly, I will wait till I hear the presentations from Singapore, Nagoya and Cape Town before making up my mind about the WOC in 2011. In some ways I hope Singapore is selected and I will then have an excuse to attend and poke O'Byrne on his ignorant nose. I may have to stand in line however!
Andy Easton
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