John G

Mike, you are right. You just have to live with it because life has to go on. My mother's family is English and they said that we Americans should have lived in Britian during the Blitz. Life was chaotic for years. My aunt Pat said that as a child her brother was taken from her and sent to live in Canada and she hasn't seen him since. She didn't have a piece of fresh fruit for 5 years. But, they had to live their daily lives and went on even though they didn't know if they would live tomorrow. We have to do the same.

JD

Referring to the original posting here, I think most people cancel out of uncertainty more than fear, but I agree with a number of postings on this string that one is safer in Europe than here. I lived there (in France) for a number of years during a time when France was subject to terrorist bombings, and saw the French deal with it very effectively. I felt safe as did my wife. <BR>I feel about as safe here in the US, but only because this is such a big place, not because I think government has a clue about what to do about it. I flew on Sep 21 and 24 and found the security at 3 airports little improved from before the recent terrorist attacks in NYC. The same minimum wage elderly folks were operating the checkpoints, although they were being more careful. <BR>I surmise that while recent events have spurred the appropriate military reaction, we haven't gotten it through our thick heads that it can happen in anyone's hometown. Frankly, I very much liked having those very military and very fit gendarmes standing with their submachine guns on many corners in Paris when I lived there, and I welcome the day when we take security seriously in an appropriate and corresponding fashion.

Jean

I was nervous about travelling outside the country at this time, but then I took a good look at where I live and work. Within five miles of my house: L.A. Int'l Airport, a USAF base, numerous defense contractors, a Federal Office Building, a courthouse, two power plants and an oil refinery. Within five miles of my office: the largest Federal Office Building on the West Coast, UCLA, Cedars-Sinai Hospital, a large VA hospital, several buildings of 30 stories or more, two large shopping centers, two major motion picture studios, three museums and many tourist sights. OK, this is L.A. (land of earthquakes, fires and floods, too), but you get the idea... There are many potential "problems" right here. So we've decided to go ahead with our long-planned trip to Italy and hope for the best here and there.

Seymour

I just read this in the NY Times this morning: <BR>"In France, anti-terrorist police detained at least four people early Tuesday in connection with a planned attack on the U.S. Embassy in Paris and other U.S. interests in France. Seven people already were in custody in France in connection with the alleged plot." see http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/nati...stigation.html

clairobscur

There's a little messing up, Seymour. The four guys have actually been released. They were suspected to conceal weapons. <BR> <BR>But indeed, there has been seven guys arrested who apparently prepared some attack against "american interests" in France. Plus someone who would have been in charge of "logistics" in London. According to the newspaper I'm reading, they would have been looked after for several weeks (and for one of them for several months) by the intelligence services and arrested sooner than planned as a consequence of the WTC attack. <BR> <BR>Also, I heard on the radio one hour ago about three guys arrested who were planning a suicide attack against the american embassy in Paris. Not sure if they are amongst the previous seven or not. <BR> <BR>Well...anyway it's seven (or ten?) less in the picture...

clairobscur

Just heard that there has been six arrests in Spain too...

nigel

Jackie, maybe you should get into your own head a little more and not worry about the heads of others..do you wonder why people go on holidays in the summer more than the winter? Do you wonder why you are so interested in other peoples thoughts? Do you wonder why you are sitting there asking these inane questions? Maybe you should take a little trip of your own.

Betsy

Jackie: I thought I was on a Message Board about travel and advice - not Psychology 101. And where are you traveling to for vacation this month that you are so interested?

Elizabeth

I would answer a question about my feelings, reactions, or views, on this or another subject, from someone who would like to know about them. I myself would not consider answering a question that characterized a feeling of mine (or anyone else's) as "irrational," as I don't believe in responding to judgmental communications.

kk

Right on, Elizabeth! <BR>And by the way, I was touched by your reply on the thread originated by the woman who is taking her son to London. <BR>You are a lovely person. Peace.

Back off

Ditto to the last two posts and others questioning why you, Jackie, felt called upon to initiate a thread designed -- ultimately -- to shame people who have genuine AND rational reasons to choose not to fly just now. I don't think there's anything irrational about assessing risks and deciding that, even if the risks are small of getting hijacked or stranded, they are higher than they were _and_ that the risk is simply not worth it to the person involved. <BR> <BR>That's the decision: are the risks worth taking in the personal judgment of a travel? Not: are the perceptions of risk bad, wrong, screwy, fantasizing or catastrophizing. Not: should we undercut the economy to "indulge" (so to speak) what you have determined are selfish and wrong-headed anxieties. Not: are those who choose not to travel ignorant, stubborn, and crazy. <BR> <BR>We are not placed on this earth to make sure the engine of commerce keeps chugging -- we are placed on this earth to do the best we can by ourselves, our families, our neighbors. Yes, we may also be on this earth to explore and experiment, but some people seem to have a greater appetite for ignoring or even challenging hazard than others. (And some people are more affected by other people's sorrows than others might be, and I'm not sure that's a deplorable trait, either, even if it takes the fun out of travel.) <BR> <BR>Your dichotomy of "open to risk" versus "fearful" could just as easily be re-described as "irresponsibly foolhardy" versus "prudent." Make sure you can see it both ways before you decide there's something wrong, immoral, chicken-hearted, or anti-commerce about those not willing to travel for tourism just now.

Peacelover

Jackie, <BR>I would like to get into YOUR head and discover why you would ask this question. It saddens me to think that anyone would pose these type of questions at a time like this. <BR> <BR>God Bless America <BR>Peace to All Mankind

Elizabeth

Kendall--thanks

belle

Good grief people--chill! This thread is getting ridiculous. Jackie simply asked some questions--yes, she lacked some major tact, but let's not turn this into a bunch of petty drabble. <BR> <BR>Jackie, I don't think it is irrational for people not to travel right now. Everyone's circumstances are different and what may be right for you in this situation, may not be right for someone <BR>else. I personally will continue to travel, but I know alot of people who won't, and that's fine. I know sometimes posts can be mis-read on the Internet, because they can be very impersonal, but maybe next time, you might want to consider posting your questions differently--your post is a bit confrontational, although I would have hoped people could be a tad more mature about the whole thing--just a thought.

Don Phillipe

It seems pretty obvious pal. In order to get to Europe one must get on an airplane (most likely). THAT is the problem..not being afraid to stay in any city in Europe.

andi

Thank you, curious, for pointing out that some of us have made decisions based on family considerations. I'm a single parent who cancelled a long-awaited trip to Italy. Even if everything were safe there, if something else happened while I were abroad,I couldn't forgive myself for putting my kids (and those caring for them in my absence) through the anguish of worrying about me, not knowing when I could get home, etc.

distraught

Out of respect for all the people who are suffering right now you should never have posted this. I am glad there is one person in this country whom this tragedy hasn't touched. I would like to know where we you live so that I can go and live in La La land myself. By the way what travel agency do you work for? Maybe your bottom line is hurting, but not much else. I hope there are enough posts here, that describe why people aren't traveling to satisfy your lack of sensitivity. So while you are getting vaporized in front of your home computer, the rest of us will concern ourselves with the rest of the world. I guess it is better to be dumb and happy.

a regular

Jackie or Leslie or whatever name you are posting under these days, take your travel agent counter and park it someplace else dear. You have travel agent written all over.

ami

I would like to say as a New Yorker, I was supposed to vacation in Amsterdam in early October but my friends backed out due to the tragedy. Instead, my friend living in Paris invited me there to "spoil" me and help me forget for a few days in the City of Lights. I agreed but, if it wasn't for my parent's urging me to get on with my life, I would have second thoughts. Also, being stuck in Paris wouldn't be so bad . Remember, Europe has lived through a few generations of destruction- I almost feel safer there. I have a new mantra : Tragedy can strike at anytime and anyplace, live life now, to the best of your desires.