uncle_sam

&quot;We need to show our friends in France that we don't feel the same way as our goverment.&quot;<BR><BR>That's YOUR opinion...76% of us support our government...where are you Cigale???...I'll help...you're in the MINORITY!!!<BR><BR><BR>US

icithecat

Yes war is always bad news. People will always die.<BR><BR>I have spent too much of my life on hold.<BR><BR>I went into mourning when my six year old nephew died from a brain tumour.<BR><BR>I went into mourning when my 45yo sister (his mother) died months later from an anurism in her brain. (She went into otc drugs).<BR><BR>I held my parents hands and drove them to cancer clinics etc over the two years it took the pair of them to die after 49 years together. Then I went into mourning.<BR><BR>A year later I went into mourning when my 36yo sister died from a brain tumour.<BR><BR>See the pattern? And none of these were war related.<BR><BR>I simply have to live the little time given to me on this planet to the fullest.<BR><BR>And hold my tail high while doing it.

icithecat

Oh, and if any of you armchair shrinks think I am wearing 'survivor guilt', I already know that.

Clifton

julies,<BR><BR>I'm not sure how conflicted I'd feel, as we don't have a trip planned (Australia) until December. Not to do with current events, just life.<BR><BR>I'm a sort of pragmatic type so I don't think I'd find myself too torn. Not to rationalize, but if I can't find any way that my staying at home, in and of itself contributes to a cause, then it's a wasted sacrifice. It does no one any good. I can make a contribution in my town every night or weekend, with or without travel.<BR><BR>But, I believe from reading your question that it's much more to do with what you've taken on your own shoulders. About how much is weighing on you as you (and all of us in different ways). Honestly, I'd say that if *you* feel stressed, distracted, uncomfortable and you know that's going to keep you from enjoying your holidays, then by all means, save your hard-earned time and money for another time. Or lend it to another cause that will help you feel a little less helpless in an overwhelming situation. <BR><BR>I know this may feel like one of those irrational things at the moment, but as far as your trip already taken is concerned - try to enjoy the memories and somehow, there was a reason why you were so fortunate to be able to take a trip like that. And why all of us are so fortunate that the world was created to be such a diverse place, that we would have no choice but to travel in order to see it all. If we weren't meant to see new places, why wouldn't it all just look the same? Kind of like a destiny thing.

Sandarini

Dear Julies<BR><BR>Thank you for your post. I, too, understand totally how you feel and I also agree with so many of the responses.<BR><BR>We have had airline tickets to Greece since last October. I have spent time, almost everyday reading the travel boards, deciding hotels, &amp; booking all arrangements. Five months of dreaming &amp; planning. We love to travel, this will be our 5th trip to Greece &amp; we've traveled to many other countries through the years. <BR><BR>But at this time, especially after what went on in Iraq today, I feel the joy and excitement is gone. I'm not afraid for my safety, I haven't lost my appreciation of people from other countries, I'm not afraid to spend my money in other countries. It is just that my heart is strongly pulled to be with my family, friends and country at this time.<BR><BR>Sandy in Oregon

Nutella

I am usually as hedonistic as the next person, but even if I wanted to travel now - which I don't - I'd feel obligated to stay home.<BR><BR>I was stuck overseas following 9/11 and my employer was very understanding. However, I doubt they'd be just as understanding if I chose to take a pleasure trip at this time and was detained from returning home. They totally respect the usual long vacations I take, but I think going now would be seen as selfish and irresponsible and could hurt my career in the long run.<BR><BR>Additionally, my boss's son was just put on active duty. He is not operating at 100% and I am helping to carry the load. We also have several employees who could get called up any minute, and the work will fall on the rest of us. So in my situation, this isn't the time to be taking vacation from work.<BR><BR>This is aside from the safety and anti-american issues discussed so frequently lately. There is also the pure and simple issue that I like to have fun while on vacation, and I don't think it's possible right now to be totally carefree and fun.<BR><BR>But everyone is different, I respect the decision of those who are continuing with their plans. But it's not for everyone.

uhoh_busted

Lola, it is a gross exaggeration to say the men and women in the military joined &quot;to fight.&quot; Many are there because of the educational benefits offered through the US services. However, those individuals knew the commitment they were making could possibly put them in this situation. My own 21-year old son is with the Marines in Iraq this moment. It IS difficult to add this personal anguish on top of an already stressful business life (my choice to follow), which affords us the ability to travel on our precious vacations. At the moment, planning our May trip to Europe (France, even) is one of the best distractions we have to use in combatting our stress levels regarding our son. We are also planning a whole-family trip to California for next Christmas, when our son is safely back at his permanent duty post (Camp P).

diann

My son is in the Navy, much against my wishes I might add. He joined after 9/11 and I knew in my heart there would be tough times ahead for this country. I come from a military family myself, but as far as I am concerned these recruiters come into these schools and snatch kids away. Literally. They paint a rosy picture &quot;to good to be true&quot;. I have heard it said &quot;they knew the committment they were making when they joined. Truthfully these young men and woman do not KNOW. Ask the survivors of Vietnam. They didn't have a clue, why they were there, or what they had gotten themselves in for. My prayers and best go to the above poster. I would not feel right calling or e-mailing my son and asking him which hotel would you stay in? Should I go to the Caribbean or Mexico? Tell me your thoughts. Not on your life would I do this at this time. Just my opinion.

uncle_sam

&quot;as far as I am concerned these recruiters come into these schools and snatch kids away. Literally. They paint a rosy picture &quot;to good to be true&quot;. I have heard it said &quot;they knew the committment they were making when they joined. Truthfully these young men and woman do not KNOW.&quot;<BR><BR>I can certainly understand your concern as the mother of a young man serving his country. I pray that he and the other brave young men and women will be safe as they do their jobs! <BR><BR>And I can also understand your comments, given that you did not want him to join. <BR><BR>However to say that these kids are &quot;snatched away&quot; and that they did &quot;not know&quot; what they were getting into seems unrealistic.<BR><BR>While at 18 or 19 none of us were truly adult in many ways, I'd suggest to you that most 18 to 19 year olds recognize that they are not joining the cub scouts! <BR><BR>They know there are opportunties and that there are dangers...hopefully the latter will be the overwhelming of the two!<BR><BR>US

cigalechanta

Diann, nutella and busted, I respect your views, and those of us if the same position, might feel the same. In these diffucult time let's all be more tolerant of each other's different opinion.Opposing the war does not mean we support Hussein and that we don't worry about our troops safe return.

Bootman4U

Feeling guilty about traveling and &quot;focusing on myself&quot; in these &quot;times of trouble?&quot; I don't think spending lots of money, which I always do, when I go to Germany and Italy (our supposed bitter enemies because they did what? disagreed with our big war plans...sometimes only your friends will tell you when you're about to screw up)..on hotels, in restaurants, etc., where other hard-working people are making a livelihood could be called &quot;focusing on myself.&quot;<BR>And as far as &quot;these times&quot;...there's always turmoil somewhere so to answer your question in a word: NO!

designergigi

Hi, Julie<BR><BR>I was in China last week when all this started. As I was in the remote countryside, I didn't have access to the news. When I returned to Beijing, I went to Tiannamen Square where I met a group of British travelers. They filled me in on what was happening.<BR><BR>My heart sank when I heard the news and I just wanted to go home. <BR>There is usually no one who wants to travel as much as I do, but, my heart is just not in it right now and I totally understand your feelings. Sandi in Oregon expressed my thoughts perfectly. <BR><BR>This is indeed an individual choice. <BR>I understand that some are able to plan, travel, and enjoy. I think that's great. We are lucky that we have the choice to travel unlike some. <BR><BR>I have some travel vouchers I have to use by December. While I bought guidebooks for Vietnam and Thailand, I doubt that I've read a few pages in each. <BR><BR>Best wishes to you, Julie. <BR> <BR><BR>

Zeus

Since my family and everyone else I love run the risk of being murdered by nerve gas or bio-terrorists at any moment, I think it's more important to live every minute like it might be my last. No amount of handwrenching by me is going to spare even one single life. Want a REAL radical solution? Turn to your God and seek his comfort in this time of doubt.

JoyceL

I do not understand the word &quot;now&quot; in your sentence. The world is always in a mess. There are always wars going on somewhere, and always ethnic cleansing going on somewhere. <BR><BR>You can choose to live your life in a perpetual state of guilt and self-denial, but this does nothing to improve the state of the world. With this attitude, you accomplish nothing except to make your life miserable, and probably also the lives of people around you. No one enjoys spending time with a martyr.

JCE

Joyce...Sounds like you're the one with the martyr attitude. you think the world is always as bad as it is right now? My god,life as you know it must be awful.

JoyceL

No. I think the world has often been much worse than it is now. We have so much to be grateful for. Even with the war going on, the world today is in a much better condition than it has ever been in the past.<BR><BR>Read your history books. For that matter, look at newspapers even from the past few years: Millions of people killed in Africa for no other reason than they belonged to the wrong tribe. Then of course there was all the ethnic cleansing in Croatia and Kosovo. <BR><BR>The world is in a much better condition today than it has ever been. Anyone who feels too guilty to travel now is tye type of person who will never be able to travel, because there will always be something in the world to be afraid of, and always something to feel guilty about.

pattysuericia

Travel is my passion &amp; I would go almost anywhere. Unfortunately when I travel in europe I do come across some anti-americanism but to be honest this contemptible attitude on the part of some europeans -this attitude makes me sick. They may be against the US government but I am just as much against their positions-that's what makes the world go round. Other then that, I have some good european friends &amp; good american friends. I am canadian.

Danna

No... I believe my country and President are wrong (If we are talking about the invasion of Iraq.) They are both mine, but wrong nonetheless. IMHO I wish I had the time and money to book a trip to Europe soon. It would cost less and I would be on a flight even as we speak.

uncle_sam

&quot;No... I believe my country and President are wrong (If we are talking about the invasion of Iraq.) They are both mine, but wrong nonetheless.&quot;<BR><BR>Danna<BR><BR>Thank you, an honest post from someone against the war that hasn't trashed their country or their President. Honest disagreeemnt but I do respect your opinion!<BR><BR>US

konejos

I would avoid Paris. My last two trips involved pickpockets both times on the Metro. The pickpocket problem along with the strong anti-American sentiment I read in the papers, I would avoid France. There was a memorial to 9-11 in the South of France vandalized a week ago. The sights are great but not worth being insulted by the French. I guarantee long, long, long lines at the Eiffel Tower in the summer. Not worth it!