7 February 2008

Tourism or Terrorism?

This is a summary of a conversation that I had with a small group of my friends and co-workers while in the port of Lisbon, Portugal. We were eating in a Chinese restaurant and drinking Portugese beer while a French soccer team ate next to us. The restaurant was located right across the street from a Hard Rock Café, and down at the end of the block "Jesus Christ Superstar" was playing. We were tourists having a great time. We were not harassed in the slightest when we got off the ship to begin our tour around Lisbon. I wanted to write about our conversation because I had read that tourism to the United States is down over 20% since the passing of the Patriot Act, which discourages travel to the U.S.

Using GW Bush-speak, it is very difficult to distinguish between the two words: terrorism (terrism) and tourism (turism). Also, it is hard to distinguish on which he has actually declared war. Like his speech, which makes words indistinguishable from each other, his actions create the same confusion and disastrous reactions. You know what they say, "actions speak louder than words", and according to the government's actions it seems as if they've actually declared war on turism. And if it is their goal to end turism in U.S., then they are much closer to doing that than they are to stopping terrism in the world. Thanks to Bush-speak we are not sure exactly what he's intent on doing, but he can certainly claim success in driving away turism and increasing terrism around the world. At-a-boy George! Fine job, and another great decision from the "Decider". And to all those who used to make a living off of turism in America, don't worry! George will hire you for a great government job where you can join in on all the fun of discouraging turism while at the same time encouraging more terrism by harassing visitors or invading countries who he perceives as a threat (which evidently is most of them). Y'all have a nice day and don't come back now, ya' hear!

All fun aside, here was a serious real-life 2007 incident which discourages tourism and makes us all look like thugs: Says a young woman from Iceland, "During these last twenty-four hours I have been handcuffed and chained, denied the chance to sleep, been without food and drink and been confined to a place without anyone knowing my whereabouts, imprisoned." Her crime, for which she was held in waist and leg chains as well as handcuffs? She had overstayed her U.S. visa by three weeks in 1995. (via Andrew Sullivan)

We must face reality and see the harm we are doing to ourselves and others and ask ourselves, "is this how a people who love peace and freedom behave?" Are we so fearful of others that we regress to the tactics of tyrants in order to feel secure?

We are a free and liberty loving people. Let's not use the tactics of tyrants to endanger our security. Let's use the instruments of Liberty, such as respect, cooperation and peace to ensure our safety. It is only the methods of Liberty, which can guarantee a more peaceful world and good will towards men, which is everyone's yearning. I've visited many countries and have talked with many different people, and the one theme of everyone I've talked with is their desire to be left alone. And it is this self determination which is the basis of Liberty and the very foundation of our great country. Let's not forget that. Our Founders knew this and enshrined such ideals in our Constitution, which these days is sadly ignored. We must keep striving towards the ideal of Liberty and let that be our message to the world.

(other articles are archived on my Writings page.)

Rebecca Iocca

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