[Idyllchat] The Importance of November 4 to World Travelers

Sun Nov 9 15:10:56 EST 2008

Getting back to Schloss Sommersdorf won’t really get you off the subject
of politics.  My partner and I were there in 2007.  I had chosen that as
our first Untours because I was familiar with that area; I had lived for
three years in Wolframs-Eschenbach which is in the vicinity.  Of course,
I took the opportunity of contacting my former landlords and spent time
with them and their family.  Politics was a frequent subject of the
conversations.  And believe me, Europeans are very aware of American
politics – more so than so many Americans.  If you are the type of
traveler that likes to mingle with the locals then you know that there
will be political conversations.  I was stationed in the Nuremberg area
in the 70’s; in the Ansbach area in the 80’s, and then visited again
last year.  There have been many changes over those years, but not in
the Europeans interest in American politics. 

-----Original Message-----
From: idyllchat-bounces at lists.untours.com
[mailto:idyllchat-bounces at lists.untours.com] On Behalf Of John Harmon
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 1:49 AM
To: idyllchat at lists.untours.com
Subject: Re: [Idyllchat] The Importance of November 4 to World Travelers

The person who said this is Untours' forum and we should talk about
travel had it right.  Toilets relate to travel, WWII relates to travel,
but the Obama vs. McCain back and forth connects to travel by the
slenderest of threads. While the former foreign service officer's post
was from the heart, it was his political opinion and has nothing to do
with travel. Let's get back to Rösti recipies and Schloss Sommersdorf? 
Guy C.
On Sat, Nov 8, 2008 at 10:32 PM, A. Spinaio <spin at hawaii.rr.com> wrote:
I see that this type of discussion can go on---and on---and on---with
people getting their feelings hurt.  I suggest everyone find the
"delete" button---and if you're reading something you don't like---hit
it.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Samovar9 at aol.com 
To: idyllchat at lists.untours.com 
Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 6:58 PM
Subject: [Idyllchat] The Importance of November 4 to World Travelers

I have received a number of responses to my message, both direct and to
this group.  All have been favorable, except two.  One, from a couple,
stated they had never been faced with negative questioning or felt
unwelcome during their many visits to Europe over the past 8 to 10
years.  I'm sure that was true for most Europeans, like Americans, try
to be friendly to foreigners and, in my experience (I visit Europe 2-3
times a year), never have I heard a negative word about me or Americans
in general.  It was specifically about the Bush administration,
particularly the Iraq war.

The one fully negative response was from a Republican who said obviously
I was a Democrat, by implication suggesting that I am somehow a disloyal
American.  I had made clear in my preface that I have worked under both
Republican and Democratic presidents.  I have no loyalty to either
party.  He identified my factual account of the events I had observed on
election night and my reactions to them as a diatribe.  He then went on
to say we as Americans have got to unite for the cause of our children,
grandchildren and the world.  I couldn't agree more and thought I said
as much but he claimed to be "insulted by your diatribe".  I understand
that some (but definitely not all) Republicans may be disappointed by
the result of the election but why take it out on me?

Lastly, he said this is a travel forum, suggesting my message had no
place on it.  In my preface, I had carefully given the reason why I
thought it, as well as messages on other subject - like toilets we have
experienced abroad - have a place on this forum.  I have never - and
shall never - submit a message to this forum that I don't believe is
appropriate.

I'm definitely not encouraging further comments on this subject.  The
election is over and Americans will, as a result, be even more welcome
abroad than ever - that is, if we can afford it!

Paul
Oh! Boy!  I thought politics was going to be kept out of this forum.  I
am a Republican for many reasons, and obviously you are a Democrat.
Keep your political opinions to your self!!  It is over and I am sick of
politics, we as Americans have got to unite for the cause of our
children, grandchildren and the world   It is a time for healing and I
am insulted by your diatribe.  This is a travel info, etc. forum, lets
keep it that way.

  _____  

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id=emlcntussear00000001> .

  _____  

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