Americans Are Warned About Overseas Travel

[dogday]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080201565_pf.html



The State Department issued an updated worldwide caution on terrorism yesterday, warning Americans about the threat of extremist violence against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.

The warning did not list countries, nor did department officials offer any additional specifics about threats. The statement said "current information" indicates that al Qaeda and affiliated terrorist groups are planning attacks against U.S. interests in "multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East."

The department's official caution, which supersedes an alert issued in March, said attacks against private and official targets could come in the form of assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings or bombings.

The targets could include places where Americans meet or visit, such as residential areas, hotels and restaurants, as well as places of worship, schools, clubs, business offices and public areas, the caution said. It also noted that "demonstrations and rioting" can occur with little or no warning.

[Deja Q]

1. Okay people. Learn English as a second language and not worry then.

British or proper English, that is. :D

[SmokingJacket]

2. Man, it's so FUN to be American these days!

Not!

:-(

[carnie_sf]

3. Isn't it great

we're so much safer because of the war in Iraq

[devilgrrl]

4. The Bush Crime Family doing a brilliant job protecting us!

:sarcasm:

[bloom]

5. sigh.

And do they expect it to get better in the future - the rate they are going?

[kitkatrose]

6. Whew!

I'm in Central America, so I must be safe. :eyes: What purpose do these really general warnings serve? To get people all scared and not travel outside of their narrow little perspective? To make people rally around shrub and let him do whatever he wants?

[Karenina]

9. Herd 'em UP!

Move 'em into the corral!

[bluedog]

7. isn't that the shit

One son is going to Russia in Sept..another is going to Rome for 1st Honeymoon......daughter is going on cruise around Bahamas........just give me more worries..

[Bluebear]

8. Get some Canadian flag pins....

Canadian university t-shirts and the like and encourage them to wear them. Serious suggestion.

[bluedog]

10. will that work?

one son said (russia) that he thought about putting the Union Jack on Luggage...I don't really know how the russians feel about anybody elese.so any advice will be taken .thank you

[Bluebear]

14. Re: Union jack

Well for better or worse UK was our "partner" in this adventure so Canada may be a more neutral country to appropriate. :)

[Lannes]

11. Dont forget to say "eh"

Not so serious suggestion.I may not wear Canadian gear overseas but I sure wont be wearing anything identifiable as American.

[manic expression]

15. I remember playing basketball in Paris

with some great people; this is just before the invasion of Iraq. They asked me where I was from, and I said Canada. I didn't feel like taking flak for the crap my country was doing at the time, because I was ashamed.

I'm lucky they didn't ask me any more questions, though.

[fudge stripe cookays]

12. GOD this fucking pisses me off!

I was just having a hissy fit about this the other night.

I FINALLY get my life together, get my degree, a husband I love, and a decent career, so I can FINALLY do the thing I've always wanted to do more than anything in my life, and that's travel.

Within a few short years, the U.S. becomes a fascist republic, we're being blown up by terrorists left and right, and I come down with M.S. so I can't even do all the walking I want, to go sightseeing!

THIS FUCKING SUCKS! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Let me repeat....THIS FUCKING SUCKS!
FSC

[leftofthedial]

13. be afraid! Fear for your lives!

Only WE can protect you!

Hide!

Trust no one! (Except us!)

[cire4]

16. Complete BULL.....Do not take this seriously.....

The Bush misadministration wants to discourage foreign travel because it knows that those who travel abroad do not come back buying into the black and white worldview of Bush and they do not come back believing that America is the bright shining beacon of freedom and prosperity in the world when they notice that the people in other countries are just as prosperous and just as free, if not moreso, than those in America.

It's to Bush's advantage to keep people in the dark about the rest of the world. If they could discourage foreign travel, they would.

The only places where its dangerous to be an American is Iraq and Afghanistan. Trust me, I've been to Syria and the streets of Damascus were much safer than the streets of San Francisco.

To those travelling abroad or know someone travelling abroad, don't worry about it. Just the GOP trying to be boogeymen

[babylonsister]

17. I agree, but will add - don't flaunt

being an American anywhere and use common sense. Leave those t-shirts w/flags on them, if you have them, at home. I recently returned from Indonesia and didn't feel threatened at all. I too think this is another part of the dumbing down of Americans - ignorance is bliss. If you travel and meet people with differing opinions of the US, that might conflict with what's been drilled into your head (not DUers :) ) And consider the fear factor; the govt would like everyone to believe they're being protected when in fact we even have these warnings due to govt's belligerent actions.

[Karenina]

18. HALLO, LIEBLING!!! Great post!!!

Kidlinks, Cire4 has just stated the UNVARNISHED TRUTH.

Immobility is a PNAC goal. Keep everyone ignorant cuz "How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm, after they've seen Paree???"