WillTravel

I'd boycott Saudi Arabia for any number of reasons, with the most selfish one being that my safety would be in jeopardy from the government. (Just read about how expatriates have been treated there, with little recourse.)

Clifton, I think it's too optimistic to hope that spending money in Romania will help solve that problem. I think that so long as there are greedy pimps who face few consequences, such trafficking will continue. I wouldn't cancel a visit to Romania, though.

elle

FWIW, Pelosi's district is San Francisco. . . but of course, some people may see her as representative of the entire state .

I'm not sure how I'd react to traveling in France if Le Pen was ever elected President. Hope I (and the citizens of France) never encounter that situation.

Clifton

WillTravel,
I couldn't agree with you more. I'd be much too optimistic to believe that our vacation budget would make much difference, either by spending it or withholding it. I'm afraid my prior post didn't reflect a very good perspective on the situation. I suppose I look at this particular situation as small steps. Providing one small contribution of revenue for real goods and services as an alternative to what I read there. Eventually, I'd only hope that their economy grows around them, to the point where the normalcy of that sort of activity becomes less and less conceivable. Mostly, I think these kinds of decisions, one way or the other, just serve to make us feel a little bit like we're doing something.

coldwar27

I'd boycott Dixie Chicks fans too - their music makes me crazy. (Just kidding)

I taught American and European History last year so my students were engaged in an impromptu debate about boycotting. I think it's an interesting issue.

FainaAgain

I'm boycotting too many countries, and my list is probably the longest... that is because my paycheck is too short.

GodsGift

Just for the record, there may be a lot of things lacking in Saudi Arabia, but there is absolutely no support for terrorism whatsoever, plus in an absolute sense the expat community is treated far better than the local one. Please research the facts thru unbiased sources and then pass judgement. Just my 2 cents, please don't yell.

Kate

well Godsgift, my reasons for not visitng Saudi Arabia have nothing to do with terrorism (ignoring for a moment the fact that most of the 9/11 bombers were Saudi nationals). I won't go because I will not be treated as a second class citizen just because of my sex. EG 1, it's illegal for me to drive a car....??????

mm

To Godsgift

Wahabism

Sue4

Gard, I don't blame you for being annoyed at the inconvenience your wife has to go through to enter the U.S. These are bad times. If our government is too strict on non-U.S.citizens, it gets criticized, and on the other hand, the administration gets pummeled for not being cautious enough. It's a no-win situation!

And Ira, no, I wasn't being "satiric".
I think Brazil's fingerprinting U.S. citizens is strictly a retaliatory measure. I suppose if I had ANY desire to go to Brazil,I would - but I don't, and will continue to go to France instead! And I can't stand Jacques Chiraq! (But that certainly doesn't keep me from going to France at least twice a year). And by the way, I'm a Georgia girl myself, and have driven through your pretty town of Madison many times.