Travel plan idea blog

Yes. George Clooney is right. Americans think that America is the center of the world. It is not. There are other cultures and other ideas and it is not "the god" given right to impose our ideas on everyone else. Travel and meet others from other places and ideas. Then you will see how much we are the same, and how beautiful diversity is.

It's not true that "everyone stops their cars, gets out in the middle of the street, kneels down and prays" three times a day in Morocco.

It is said that the most travelled culture in the world is the Germans, which is something to think about when the issue of hatred arises.
I think travel, if you are fortunate enough to be able to do so, is a valuable life lesson.
It changes you no doubt.
But to have it change you, you need to be capable of accepting that people are different and sadly, not everyone can.
While I agree that people should travel in order to learn about other cultures, and thereby learning more about their own... I do not think that travel will have this effect on every person who does.. that too.. is generalisation.

Travel is an education in the relative superiority of one's own nation over that of the host nation. Curiously, the "host" nation tourists who visit us think that they too have the greater culture. Stupidity is relative. Travel for the sake of travel is an exercise in futility. One most have an emotional and intellectual agenda operating at all time to gain from any foreign experience. As far as travel to Moslem states is concerned, recall that they have not changed culturally in the past
one thousand years: after arabic numbers, zero, optics, plastic surgery, "decorative arts", they ossified into their current non-productivity. When disaster strikes, it is the Christian West which reponds to Moslem need, yet Moslem states do nothing to help their own people; how many Moslem states sent aid to Katrina victums: none. Example: why should the West subsidize Hamas? Why don't the Saudi's and Iranians and Syrian and Jordanians kick in to help their co-religionists? It's time to recognize that nothing has really change in their thinking since the days of Saladin, and act accordingly; it is time to put an end to tolerance of this enemy of the west from within our borders and internationally. Keep in mind that these states manufacture virtually nothing that is tradable on a global market; when the oil is gone, they can only roll up there tents and return to the dust bin of history.

It's always "refreshing" to read the uninformed rantings of a bigot who can't spell correctly or use the correct word to get his ideas across. Folks like this should stay home in America, we really don't want the rest of the world to see just how ignorant some of "our" people are.

George Clooney is a looney. Who cares what he thinks. This from a guy who got his breaks because his aunt was in the business. He an anti-American and he should just move to Italy and stay there...like all the other Hollyweirdos.

It's important to remember how free we are, Americans are spoiled and take for granted what we have. Traveling to other countries would bring an awareness of how truely blessed our country is and how important it is to help ALL people in this world. Does it matter or not if we have support from other countries? Our country is strong and because of that we stand out. Make sure we're standing out for the right reasons not the wrong reasons. Stop keeping count of what we've done and who owes us, that's just another start of a war.

Although I agree that traveling would broaden a persons horizons, traveling is a priviledge and is also a two way street.

In other words, Clooney didn't do as much traveling as he does now when he was an unknown, not so rich actor. I am sure his villa in Italy was bought post-success and not pre-success, otherwise he would never be able to afford not just the villa, but the ridiculous cost of living in Europe.

Also, it would help if people from other countries traveled to North America as well, because just as ignorant as some Americans are about other cultures (hence clooney's comments to travel) THEY too are ignorant about North American culture and don't realize how generous North Americans really are.

On a personal level, I travel a lot. The only continent I have not been to is Antartica and what I have learned is that not only are we north Americans living in the best 2 countries in the world, but thank god it is us with the power and not other countries.

For all the compliments so many cultures receive, I have never witnessed (not experienced directly thank god) so much hate, racism, discrimination, etc., as I have when I travel.

Every time I travel I think how lucky I am to travel and Thank God I am North American because after my vacation is over, I get to come home...

Yes, we should travel more, but not just to learn about other cultures, but to start appreciating how lucky and great we really are because the biggest problem with north America is we don't really understand how good WE have it, traveling abroad would correct that in a hurry!

Anthony

I have traveled in many Moslem countries. I have stayed in their houses and shared meals with them. Many are truly devout in their religion. However, many are only following "the rules." They are persecuted by their own police force if they do not pray when they are supposed too. If you want to see their religion, get them away from the peer pressure and see how they live.

I agree wholeheartedly with George. My mind and heart always expands when I travel, especially internationally. If you want to experience an authentic, rustic side of Tuscany in Italy, check out Borgo di Vagli: http://www.tuscany-goldcrown.com

I agree with George! I too, like George live in Europe. I love being an American but living here has totally changed me and how I view the world, never will I be the same. Living in a very diverse ethnic and cultural area, I have learned that we are basically all the same, we want the same for our children and our families. My children are experiencing that even though they are educated with many different people with different values and beliefs, that they can all like one another and get along in peace and harmony. Wow! If only everyone could have that opportunity we might just live in a different world.

Is US really this great? Due to my father's job (Caterpillar - Manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, natural gas and diesel engines, and industrial gas turbines.) We had to move around in developing countries in Asia a lot. As a kid growing up in the 80's, I idolized US culture and couldn't wait to move to the US! When I was 15, we finally moved to Seattle. I spent 11 years there, went to high school and college. Honestly, my first impression was "Hell, this isn't so great... I thought U.S. was supposed to be technologically advanced! The living standard is actually way behind in comparison to some cities in Asia." I'm now living in New York, and still, I don't think it's so great. Everything is old and dirty... There's no where inside of the U.S. for me to move to anymore after New York, so, after another 15 years living in the U.S., I'm now planning to move out. (London is my first choice, but the living expense there is even worse than New York!) Travel may broaden your horizon, but I think it takes LIVING in a foreign place to really understand and appreciate other cultures. (I also know a few ppl who are in a similar situation as me, their fathers were in the US military, and they spent their childhood in Japan and Germany, ALL of them idolized the U.S. when they were kids, ALL of them wants to move away from the US now! I guess growing up in another place really changes your values.) So, for ppl to say "Thank God I can go home to the U.S., I say a lot of us hope to God we can find a new home outside of the U.S.!

But WHEREVER you go, as Yoko sang many years ago, and unfortunately it is still true today..."woman is the nigger of the world, oh yes she is...we make her paint her face and dance..."
All around the world...that holds true.

When I went to Australia a few years ago, I quickly noticed how our perspective as Americans is narrow and very blurred. While I do know a good number of people whom I consider to be worldly, it is unfortunate that it seems the majority of our American population seems to exist in a very shallow mindset, and isn't very willing to explore beyond what they deem safe and comfortable. Well, we really aren't safe anymore anyway(we never really were), so why not get to know people and cultures outside of our own? We need to take more risks and look beyond our safety zones, and stop worrying about impressing immediate company with potentially offensive humor. I'm much more impressed with someone who has experiences to share and something new and different to say. That's one of many reasons why I love to travel. Great comments, George.

According to my experience of travelling abroad, I was able to learn and understand each culture and reduce my prejudice toward different ethnics and religions. I don't have any problem with diversity.

Hey George......i work in a foctory and make about 30,000 a year.... How do you think most working class people in America can travel...
I'll bet George you have never paided a bill in your life you have "people do it for you"...
ever worry about the car payment or if there was enough money for food every week????tell me George while you make millions most of the American population dosent have the means to do as you do........FYI

I agree in the main with George's opinion regarding the virtues of travel. But whose stated or unstated intention is it to bomb the religious idealism out of Muslims? He undoubtedly refers to U.S./Western political leaders, but this is a horrendously inflammatory statement regarding their supposed real (and secret) motives to be belted out without correspondingly strong evidence to back it up. Believe it or not, George, Islam flourishes right here in the USA, where their religious freedom is guaranteed by our own laws. So your travels need not be so exotic to gain the appreciation and insight you champion. Today's terrorists' ultimate goal is to convince the ignorant that we hate their religion. George's comment ignores the simple but eminently pertinent fact of free and legally protected Islamic expression in America and adds credence to their demagoguery. It is great to see and experience other peoples' countries and gain insight into their worldview. But if you misrepresent our culture and worldview as inherently and stridently hostile to theirs, you have done a disservice to both populations, and stricken a blow at the notion that travel enlightens and reconciles.

I love how celebrities in all there infinite wisdom think that Americans don't travel. The ones who have the time and money DO...and ARE quite educated (unlike most celebrities who barely have a highschool diploma).
We don't, however, have a band of body guards (or entourage) around us wherever we go...Therefore, we choose NOT to go to places which 'some' of the people wish to kidnap, maim, or kill Americans just for being Americans.
I hope that George Clooney and other celebrities leave LA and travels around AMERICA and see how passionate some of us our about our country and religion...they may also understand why they are so hated (eh, George).

TO SDB,

I'm a teacher making $12,000 a year. My husband is a grad student making $3,000 a year.

We still manage to save money to go traveling. We pay all our bills, we have no debts. Yet, a year and a half ago we went to Orlando for a week long holiday and we went to South America during this past Holiday Season for a two week vacation.

We travel around the US when we can, which is about once a year for about a week at a time). If you are determined to travel you will find a way. It doesn't have to be a luxurious experience, just comfortable.

A person can learn a lot about diversity and people by traveling around your own country even. Just make sure to see the 'real thing' and not only the touristic attractions.

There are only a few rules when traveling: obey the law of the land, be polite, talk to the people you meet (and if you can do it in their own language they'll appreciate it even more), and enjoy yourself as much as possible (look for the humor of situations you may find yourself in, try not to let any mishaps get the best of you).

I have to agree with SDB, traveling outside the U.S. is something alot of americans cannot afford to do, we do not make thousands of dollars a week.
Deb

Hey James - watch your spelling and grammar you make non-muslims look dumb!

Traveling may or may not expand a persons world view so that they are more tolerant towards other cultures. However, that's not really George's point. According to the quote, he is really saying that if we observed the muslim culture carefully we would give up on the idea that we could bomb them into accepting our way of doing things.

The rather false assumption implied here is that there is a US policy that calls for bombing Muslim countries in order to have them accept our cultural zeitgiest. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

All we hear from our leaders, including President Bush, is that the Muslim religion and the Muslim people are peace loving and we should all learn to be tolerant of each other.

The bombing part comes in when radical muslim fundamentalists actively put in a place a program designed to lead to the extinction of western culture and Chritianity by violent means. Here, our objective is to make them stop doing that. Or, if they won't, eliminate them before they eliminate us regardless of how passionate they are in their beliefs. Last time I checked, we were also pretty passionate about our ideals, (although I have never felt the urge to get out of my car and lay prostrate on the ground no matter how many times a siren goes off). This is something that is not really taken into account in radical muslim circles but should be...because no amount of terror attacks on us will get us to change our way of life either.

I have been to Asia, Africa, Europe, and the US and have walked on planet Earth 50 years. Morracans do not kneel 3 times a day at least not when I was there (1980). Yes george Clooney is a spoiled punk he judges his own people while having a silver spoon in his mouth.
Yes some Americans are narrow in their views as are all peoples of the world. Americans are the most prejudged people on the Earth. You want diversity come to Oakland, California. It would be great if Muslims could travel to America, they would find a warm and friendly people.
Oh also it was John not Yoko that sand "Woman is the nigger of the world". Yoko's big hit was "Kiss Kiss Kiss".

We Americans are so terrible and un -cultured when it comes to things abroad, yet we are cultured enough to be marketed to with films that project Mr. Clooneys hate and distain for this Country. I wonder if Mr. Clooneys' films were made in Morocco about the Moroccan Government and he were a Moroccan citizen, if he would enjoy such celebrity, fortune and fame that he enjoys from us uncultured Americans?

It also makes you wonder if all these cultures abroad are so rich and vibrant as well as over running with so much freedom. Why a siren must be sounded three times a day to TELL you to pray.

Maybe the hate and distain for America comes form being able to have the creative freedoms, the religious freedoms(Last time I checked there was'nt a siren reminding me to pray, oh yes and here I can pray as much as I want, were I want, when I want, and to whom or what I want.) With out fear of being harmed for my beliefs, nationality, my opinions, or political beliefs.

Let the Muslims start apologizing for the beheadings, cowardly executions of women and children, and the deaths of the innocent bystanders from suicide bombings in the name of Islam and maybe my compassion will come through and I could understand why a cartoon upsets them so.

And maybe, just maybe, Mr Clooney would understand why his fellow Americans are so trepidacious about travelling abroad , thanks but no thanks, I learn plenty from his liberal buddies at ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN, about these other cultures. And the good ole' USA has enough for me to see and do for me and mine. Maybe I could vacation at his villa in France or Italy or were ever he has chosen to live, the next time he decides to come stateside and hawk his next film release to us un-cultered citizens of America.

Hey Nick. I'm a linguist. I don't worry about spelling and grammar. I understand completely that traveling can be difficult for most people either because of too little vacation time or too little money.

The only advice I can give is throw your TV out the window and spend your spare time reading about marketing and starting a business. Then take action!

It will be very very hard work for a few years as you build up your business. You might fail and have to start all over. But once you have that business, you will have time and money to do what you want.

I concur wholeheartedly with George Clooney about getting to learn foreign cultures. In fact, in my humble opinion any presidential candidate and candidate for Secretary of State as a minimum, should have spent some time in some major countries to learn their cultures. As an example, President George W. Bush obviously didn't know what he was getting into as he started the war in Iraq.
Although I support freedom of speech and press, in the case of that Danish caricature, publishers of magazines should respect the sensitivity of other cultures and religions.

I agree that Travel can be enlightening.

But I object to the boorish implication that lack of travel is somehow bigoted, and that US is not enlightned.

Learn all you can through travel, but please keep the snobery to yourself.

Gee George thank you for your insightful comments about how much ppl hate us.
GET THIS GEORGY: Who cares! We hate them just as more because of what they've done to us. DO NOT FORGET 9/11 GEORGY just because you have money.

wow ya let just all take our vast amounts of money and do a giant fling around the world .george you are a dandy are'nt you. I am not complaining that I don't have money I just think you need to grow up a little yourself. what make you the guru of the knowlege of the universe. and don't say that is not what I mean .just listen and what do you hear , in other words do not be defensive at all till you learn better that to make suck a remark.

yaya yaya yayaya ya he is so in touch , I know that the vast population is good , but to say that working people who pay big hard earned buck to keep this diper in the pictures would take away his travel expensed if they could travel at all would be the truth. how pompus georgio hollywood mouth

porgie I have traveled around the world , but you know something , I did not need to travel a bit to understand anything at all about people and the culture I have been in touch with the millons and millions of diverse beliefs right here in the good old usa . it is a shame that you have to go away a little peace just to know that Greeks are Greeks and Romans are Romans and Germans are Germans and Polish are Polish and consevatives and liberals are what they are and etc. Hollywood and Dearborn and africans and white and tex mex we are all the same inside and I am surprised that you being an actor are just finding that out , actors are supposed to be perceptive and at least half way intelligent.actors need to have passion and be interpetive. that is a gift to actors. the word does not revole around the americans we for the most part have had to revolve around the world , for the last two hundred years our borders have been open for years and years for all cultures and we have at the same time done a lot of wrong . and a lot of good . the best way for you to appreciate a culture is to spend a little time like our Fathers did on the beach at Normandy and Iwo jima ,or pearl harbor , how ever it is spelled . and a little time in viet nam to at the blood bath in the hamburger hill and spend a little time in the hood right here in good ole usa and some time in the capital and some time in the home of an abushed little child or the culture of a little women trying to go to school and send her kids to school all by herself and go the one of the schools and see how the teachers have learned about the cultures .its ok for you to say what you said and it is ok for me to say what I have said . you better stick to acting and forget about politics , or go to the school of how to win friend and influence people. as far as that goes any mutt could do the acting job you do. Maybe the fancy restr. in las vegas will have a lot of people from other cultures in it and you can impress them with your wisdom of the world

just one more little thought here George , the human being only has two emotions and they are: LOVE AND FEAR . you talk about hate like it is an emotion . Hate as you call it is FEAR caused by a learned reaction to not being able to trust in their fellow man, the
(hate) or fear or distrust was started in the homes of these people who are so violent. just like the fearfull people here in the usa , the prisons are full of fearful and or distrusting souls in fact. it has infected the some total of the Human Race . identiy problems lead to self image problems ,self image problems lead to self esteem problems. the mass of people have always had this problem and it is naturally passed down from generation to generation .Martin Luther King said it best when he was in school , in elementary school , the teacher said Martin you are going to be somebody someday and Martin l. King replied with I am somebody Now.He knew at such a young age that that was the most important thing , that he believe that He was somebody. He was a great Man and his theam was to dream. all people need to Dream and have socially acceptable goals . accepting our neighbors and helping them is a good way to start I agree but the distrust is so deeply set that set on both sides that the goals are blured from a few lifetimes of bloodshed and violence. even if you try to offer help it somehow seems to touch off a resentment to the fact that we are offering help , so as to say you need my help and you know what we all need the help of each other. we fight about our different religous beliefs here even in the same church . I have heard more bad mouthing in the pulpit than any place. you do not need to travel to see opportunity or the need of the people . we all need love and grace ,we are showered with nagetive thoughts and actions every day . If the Muslims were truly secure about the faith of Islam they would not respond with rioting of this sort. insecurity is just another form of fear. fear causes distruction to be active and it comes out in a negative form. we are a desperate people and hope is lost on the road to where we all want to go , and all sensitivatety to humans is lost as a result and the end is awful. our biggest problem is not the muslims or needing to see other peoples as a worthy culture , no we need to see ourselves as a worthy people and result will be hope kindness and love. that is the denominator that is needed for us to be tollerent.

Hi there Sasquatch.
While I respect your opinion, I would like to put forward a few points if I may...
You say Humans only have two emotions, one being fear/hate, which denotes that it is installed at conception, an in-built instinct if you will.. You then state that this very "emotion" is installed in the homes of the people who experience this "emotion". So which is it? Instict or education?
I don't think it is fair to label Muslims as not being "secure" with their faith, nor do I think that stating this as being the reason for the rioting you speak of is entirely true... If I may offer other examples of such happenings.. you may like to think about the Christian Crusades, or the riots between the Protestants and Catholics in France and Ireland, or the reaction of the Greeks as Alexander tried to broaden its borders through Asia Minor or Caesars "conquest of the Gauls", or... how about the American Revolution? In each case, fighting for what is believed in is the predomiant force. So if that is fear, which you have stated, then the Muslims are among almost every other culture in the world to react in such a manner.
Do you really think that George Clooney is actually going to read any of this?

Interesting info for drbryang:

"Donations from Arab countries in aid for Katrina victims (at least those that I was able to get my hands on) as follows:

Saudi Arabia $1,500,000,000 plus other aid
Kuwait $500,000,000 plus other aid
Qatar $100,000,000 plus other aid
UAE $100,000,000 plus other aid
Oman $150,000,000 plus other aid
Egypt $30,000,000 plus other aid
Jordan $5,000,000 plus other aid
Syria $5,000,000
Lebanon $2,000,000
Libya $100,000,000
Tunisia $10,000,000
Algeria $30,000,000
Morocco $5,000,000
Bahrain $5,000,000
"