Fodor's: <BR>This used to be a great travel forum, but it has been usurped by the politically corrupt, oops, that should be correct. I appreciate sincere interest by posters that want information about their travel plans and how they may be affected by ongoing events, but I'm fed up with those who want to use this forum to mouth their venom about the United States, and all the wrongs we have committed. And, naturally, we've never done anything right. <BR>Fodor's, while I don't approve of censorship, I ask that you remove these strings that are being mis-used on this forum, after all you don't permit advertising. <BR>Incidently, I AM PROUD TO BE A NEW YORKER AND AN AMERICAN. <BR>

Now, who's said any of that? I though we learned critical thinking in high school. And if there was ever a time to understand world issues, this is it! What's travel for, anyway, if not to open your mind to other cultures and other perspectives?

I agree with Thinking Patriot - I haven't read anything on this site that I'd consider "venomous". Part of the reason I like this site is that people post from various countries and with various points of view. Because the US is geographically large, diverse, and somewhat isolated, and because much is always going on at home, it can be too easy to get wrapped up in a US-centric version of events and lost sight of and connection to feedback and opinions from the rest of the world. I want to hear what people have to say about the current situation & climate - whether it's from Americans living or travelling in Europe, non-Europeans recently returned from Europe, or Europeans at home and in the US. Please, Fodor's, unless a post specifically violates your terms of use, and/or has no possible value to the reader, DO NOT censor it! Americans need, more than ever, to hear what's going on in the world. We can all judge for ourselves what to accept, what to reject, and what to question & verify. Thanks.

Those who wish to express anti-American sentiments in the UK are usually the loudest voices. We are not usually a very expressive people, so the vast majority, who are right with America at this time are perhaps not heard. I was at both St.Paul's Cathedral and Grosvenor Square on 14th September and Americans and British were standing side by side, sharing each other's grief. On the soccer fans' site I contribute to, we have lost one of our regular contributors, and I have only just found out that a univerity friend of mine, a New Yorker, is safe. Those who knock America should remember this is also a world tragedy.

I too agree with Thinking Patriot. I have not seen any negative postings recently. Most of the original posters have been very peaceful and an effort to inform. None of the original posters have been anti-American. I have not even read anything from Surlock recently, of the imfamous "Portugese" thread. <BR>There are just a few "nasty and ignorant" responders to posts that poke their ugly heads out. <BR> <BR>Fodors, if you see a post that is basically ok and has not degenerated into bickering, leave it up. Don't traple on the free speech, because free speech is what makes our country great.

I think we should let people talk. Many of us are just too broke and depressed to travel now anyway.

<BR>Catharsis: <BR> <BR>Bravo! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>You are the first person on this site to mention being broke <BR>The horrors of the last week and a half are bad enough but not travelling is further out of the question thanks to the market---I dont have the reserve of money I need to say screw the terrorists I am going anyway <BR>I still need the cash---a lot of which disappeared in the last two weeks <BR>

Rich: <BR>Exactly my circumstances especially after the last year. Travel is the most obvious cost cutting measure. Couldn't travel now if I wanted too. I know we're not the only ones.