Ok, I understand the draw of Orlando or maybe the Wisconsin Dells, but who goes to Iraq for a little R & R.

Not that I wish bad things on anyone, but when you mess with the bull, sometimes you get the horns.

JPK

If you temper that kind of vacation by basing your travel out of beautiful, serene Iraq, it totally makes sense.

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Unpaid Social Liaison

Despite CNN coverage, there are a lot of beautiful natural places in most nations, even Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. These 'tourists' were on a foothills trek long the Turkey / Iraq/ Iran border. For some people, the potential for danger enhances the experience.

I can still fondly remember hiking around the Khyber pass while the Soviets were still in Afghanistan- the risk of an explosive cross-border air raid ever present in my thoughts as I picked my way along the roots of the Himalayan mountains. And waking up on a mountaintop in Baluchistan, with a crystal clear dawn rising from the desert, the smell of a cooking fire from a camel herder about 5 Km away down the valley, and the rush of wings as several hawks hunted desert rodents across the brightening dusty plain.

Wild places have a magical beauty of their own. Unfortunately, there are often people with guns, especially in active borders. I was lucky- I only got shot at a couple of times.

Its a cruel world out there. Americans need to become aware that they no longer
have a government that will fight for their legitimate interests backing them any
more. While packing for a trip abroad, I have been telling myself "W and Cheney
are no longer in the WH.." The days of Jimma Carter have returned! I was going
to hike the Rocky Mts, but I think I'll do Iran or Afghanistan instead.
We all know the game now. Obama has made the USA a neutered bull and the
sharks are circling taking bites out of us while the berry flounces around trying to
look regal.

You are a moron, Shakeman.

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Unpaid Social Liaison

Quote
virginiadragoon
[...]incoherent content deleted[...]

Umm, the Rockies are in the US. Not sure what the point there was.

I bet I could spend several weeks in Shiraz alone visiting mosques, gardens and other relics from as long as 4,000 years ago.


cbelt must travel with Hillary.

uh... US citizens who get into trouble outside the US are technically 'on their own'. It's only when the geopolitical needs of the US combine with the personal needs of it's citizens does any negotiation take place. And usually those negotiations are informal.

Delta Force is not gonna fastrope down and rescue your ass when you're a dumb tourist.

One has a degree from berkley in peace and conflict studies man you canot make this stuff up.
the idiots are democrats. They deserve a long time in some filthy cell for being so utterly stupid.
It would be uncharitable to wish for these loonytoons to pay the ultimate price, but it would certainly
improve the gene pool. Hay Honey, I have a great idea for our vacation let's go hiking in Iraq and Iran.
I wonder why our travel agent didn't suggest that?

So you're implying that because of their political background we should leave 'em hanging ? You know, you can't take three sides of the same argument, despite having multiple ID's.

You also can't make assumptions about a person's political leanings based on minimal information. Heck, my Dad was arrested at an environmental action (A 'sit-in') one Saturday afternoon in the 1970's. We were protesting a proposed dam on a river near us. He was a college professor at a liberal arts college. He taught geology and environmental studies.

Did I mention that he was a staunch Republican ?

You are arguing with Shakeman, who is a moron.

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Unpaid Social Liaison

Never take a knife to a gun fight.

And never enter a battle of wits, while witless !

Quote
JPK
Ok, I understand the draw of Orlando or maybe the Wisconsin Dells, but who goes to Iraq for a little R & R.

Not that I wish bad things on anyone, but when you mess with the bull, sometimes you get the horns.

JPK

Bezerkley graduates, aspiring photographer, aspiring journalists, making names for themselves in Sudan, Golan, Iraq, all with interests in Arab cultures.

R & R is a bit of a strawman.

Just innocent hikers ?
I rather doubt it.
A bunch of hikers bragging about thier travels around the world ?
Maybe.
Resume filler ?
Absolutely.

Turkey is one of the most beautiful countries I have been to with some of he most hospitable people. Would live there in a heartbeat...

kiva

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Anyone who actually has any interest in learning about the region they were traveling in, and why one might do so, is invited to listen to this:

[www.npr.org]

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"Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences." ~ Brian Eno

They will hold press conferences about how well the Iranian Government treated them.
[www.debbieschlussel.com]

Quote
Tiogapass
They will hold press conferences about how well the Iranian Government treated them.
[www.debbieschlussel.com]

Yeah, that's a real source of news information.