Are you American? Do you travel? Do you feel safer?

As I just posted in another very similar thread...

As a Canadian, I have no problem with the American public, and would welcome any American tourist to my Country with a warm "G'day eh", as I would to any visitor from any country. It's not the people anyone has a problem with, it's the policies of the government. How anyone voted Bush back in is beyond me, but that doesn't make me think less of anyone who voted for him. It's a free country (supposed to be anyway).

So to all the American's out there, I say welcome to Canada. Come visit, you are welcome.

lets put it this way ... the only reason i dont travel is because i dont have any money to do so... "fear" wise... to hell with it ... i have more chances to be hit by a car going to the supermarket (oh wait .. i already did that ), than beeing a victim of terrorism... and if thats my destiny...well.. so be it ...

These guys have been at it for a long tim... has everyone forgot the 70's and the 80's with all those hijackings and hostages shot in front of the TV cameras

Personally, Since 9/11 I would have thought Western countries would be more accomodating (a certain bond), this 'war on terror', although highly argued, I do feel it has strengthened links between countries. At the end of the day i'm sure most countries know and are probably angry at Bush.. I can't see how this can lead to negative feelings towards Americans personally.. but then again i'm not American so it's purely an outsiders view. Stereotypes exist.. but there is no way I would judge an American for it's Government's policies (many of which raise eyebrows), infact i'd be glad that they felt safe and actually wanted to visit my country.

It's good to hear Americans travelling.. Keep it up!

Thank you sensfan!

Originally posted by Knights
It's good to hear Americans travelling.. Keep it up!

And word to that, Knights! I've always felt its more important to keep relationships good between peoples before governments- even if one government is pissed off at another, if the people can travel to each other's country and get to know each other, it does a lot of good in terms of global stability and understanding.

In regards to the unity you mentioned.. As a New Yorker, I remember being in the UK when 9/11 occured, and then seeing the day after the Royal Guards playing the US national anthem outside buckingham palace... I think I actually cried it was so moving. Not to mention all the rest of the support from the world. Dunno how much of it we've squandered by now, but those memories of unity will be the silver lining I remember from that generally awful time.

[edit on 3-4-2006 by koji_K]

Originally posted by koji_K
Dunno how much of it we've squandered by now, but those memories of unity will be the silver lining I remember from that generally awful time.

[edit on 3-4-2006 by koji_K]

TRUE support cannot be squandered...truth is, many nations "showed" support when they were actually happy at the blow the USA took... Some members of the UN are good example of that.

Are you American?

Yes.

Do you travel?

Yes.

Do you feel safer?

No.

And why is that?? I wouldn't believe every detail reported by the media. I wouldn't exactly go on holiday to Iran or Iraq any time soon but it is bad people are scared to travel and see the world. If every plane/train/car crash was reported in the news many probably wouldn't even leave the four walls of their bedroom!

Which reminds me.. did anyone watch any of the 'Holiday's in the Danger Zone' documentry following a reporter as he goes on holiday in each of the axis of evil.. not one person did anything to him.. infact most of the places looked quite nice!

Originally posted by Knights

And why is that?? I wouldn't believe every detail reported by the media. I wouldn't exactly go on holiday to Iran or Iraq any time soon but it is bad people are scared to travel and see the world. If every plane/train/car crash was reported in the news many probably wouldn't even leave the four walls of their bedroom!

Which reminds me.. did anyone watch any of the 'Holiday's in the Danger Zone' documentry following a reporter as he goes on holiday in each of the axis of evil.. not one person did anything to him.. infact most of the places looked quite nice!

Did you catch the irony in your post?

Do you think this guy's employer would risk his neck without some sort of security vanguard during the shoot? Oh dear, a bad, but apt, pun.

All I feel when I travel now is frippin' annoyed because the airport is bungholes and elbows. Where's the best place to hide? In a crowd.

No, I don't feel any safer. Nothing has really changed except that the queues are longer and you can't take sharp objects with you.

Yes, I am an American. I have travelled outside of the United States since 9/11, as well as pre-9/11. I have been to the Czech Republic, France, and Canada post-9/11.

I stayed in Prague in the Czech Republic and found the people to be very nice and highly enjoyable. I also met a great number of people from Poland who were very happy to meet and talk with an American. The only problem I had was with a few drunk Brits in a bar; but no big deal...

The people of France have always been snotty to me. Canada, I always enjoy but I have little to no interaction with the locals. But no problems.

I do feel safer post-9/11, the airports feels mush safer in general.

-- Boat

So given the fact that if you had several Iranian guards you would quite happily walk through Iran safe in the knowledge everything would be ok?? Fair enough I can see the irony.. but on the whole he was still taking an absolute gigantic risk and was no way at all safe. Maybe.. just maybe.. these people are actually more civilised ant not as blood thirsty as we are all led to believe by alot of the media?

I did not intend to question your media consumption.. re-reading my post it sounded as if I was questioning your intelligence which is completely wrong and i apologise. Of course we all question everything.. that's what makes us ATS's! Aside from airports and the travel risk would you be comfortable and safe inside a European country?

I am canadian, and I have traveled to america, before and after 9/11. I dont feel any safer at all, just alot more annoyed with waiting in line etc. oh an koji_k what the heck is that picture of? my guess is some sort of japanese designed baby delivery robot. ha ha

That’s just for economic reasons. My lack of overseas travel. I live in Jax, FL. I have been to Portland OR and to Corning NY and to Louisville KY and to Orlando FL since the Nine Eleven Event. Yes, I “feel” safer in the airports.

I also know the freight carried on my plane has most likely not been examined. I know most of the ground crew are not monitored regularly so it seems possible anyone could sabotage any plane if it was their purpose.

Not directly effected in my travels, I must keep in the back of my mind that 25,000 to 30,000 cargo containers enter the US daily. We inspect fewer than 5,000. OTOH, It is not practical to inspect all the containers. We are told the CG and ICE (Customs) people bar code the originators and destinations and keep a list of all the crews and handlers along the way. This seems to be more useful in the way of apprehension and less in the way of prevention.

I’m sorry our Administration reacted the way it did. The first time the WTC was bombed - 1993 - we treated it as a crime and not as an act of war. We ultimately found the perpetrators and brought them to the bar of justice. They are now in prison. But the current administration not only had an agenda the attack fitted perfectly, it was already in trouble domestically.

It is a maxim in American politics that War Trumps Economy. We don’t change horses in mid-stream. This Administration has been able to win elections in 2002 and 2004 mostly due to the public’s apprehension over the War on Terrorism.

The hype on this Iran thing looks to me to be mostly a ploy for yet one more electoral win, on November 7. Finally, we cannot afford this War on Terror and its unlimited expenses. Osama bin Laden can whip-saw us into bankruptcy. Someday, we must think smart and act wisely. This is not West of the Pecos and Geo W is not Judge Roy Bean. Can we survive till 2009?

Yes, yes, uh not really.

I mean to a degree i feel safer but not alot.