Let’s empower the ACLU: For every dollar you spend on Inauguration Day at ricksteves.com/shop, I’ll give a dollar to the ACLU.
Even though I canceled my flight and hotel reservations for the inauguration in Washington DC after Election Day, I still want to celebrate this important day for all of us Americans. And I want to do it in a way that reflects my values and what I love most about America: tolerance, diversity, and freedom.
That’s why I’ve decided to dedicate Inauguration Day (this Friday) to the ACLU. The American Civil Liberties Union stands on principled grounds in defense of our civil liberties as promised by our Constitution. I believe that Americans of any political stripe can feel proud of the ACLU’s mission, as it boldly defends minorities from the tyranny of the majority. Political movements, presidents, and trends come and go, and, as a traveler, I well know how the world looks to America — in good times and bad — as a beacon of freedom…a land with a constitution that declares people of all religions, sexual orientations, and ethnicities should enjoy equality under the law.
So, to celebrate and help fund the ACLU — which will be working hard for civil liberties in the coming years — I’m happy to give them an amount equal to the money spent at ricksteves.com/shop on January 20th. So what’s the deal? It’s simple: For every dollar you spend buying any guidebooks or travel gear on Inauguration Day, I’ll give a dollar to the ACLU.
Yes, next week, the ACLU will get an amount equal to what was spent at ricksteves.com/shop on Friday, January 20.
Let’s hope and pray that with the inauguration of a new president on that day, America finds a way to continue being the bold, compassionate, generous, and inspirational leader our world hopes to see when they look at the Stars and Stripes.
Happy travels in 2017, and God bless America in the coming years.
I will make a purchase on Friday in support of the ACLU.
“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
While I have enjoyed your programs and used your materials for various travel, I am unsubscribing from your sites and dissociating myself from you since you cannot seem to keep your political agendas separate from travel advice.
In regards to the previous person’s comment, why can’t you find a loving, peaceful way to get along and accept your fellow Americans who disagree with you???
Peace!
Love!
Chianti!
Please don’t get political on us! I look to your shows and books as an oasis from the gong show of American politics.
“For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”
Still true 37 years later, we keep on traveling.
Unfortunately for Americans, travel is only good as long as we have a good government. I will be more than happy to place an order on Friday! This new administration will change life the way we now know it.
Yay that’s great! I can’t believe it’s come to this point. Absolutely heartbreaking. I am glad you are standing up for what you believe in even though there are thoughtless people who still don’t understand.
I was going to purchase Italy guidebooks this week until a purchase became political. I want to go on one of your tours but I don’t want to hear political views on a vacation I have been waiting to take all my life(and that’s quite a few years)
Travel IS a political act. We represent the USA as we get to know other countries, societies, cultures. How the USA is viewed internationally is in part due to our public government face.
I do not think Rick’s trips come with a political agenda. They are about traveling like a local, being open, meeting people, forging new and positive relationships and creating experiences to savor and share.
I hope Patricia Rasmussen goes on her long-planned Italy tour despite her misgivings today.
Will do, Rick!
Thank you for understanding that a well rounded person is not afraid to speak their opinions.
Here’s to hoping that others who disagree will be able to understand that opinions are communication; if they are uncomfortable with dialogue then it’s best they do honor their threats and return to whatever bubble makes them feel secure.
Rick-
I support you and agree with you 100%.
So did Mark Twain apparently:
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness.”
Mark Twain
Also, it’s your company and you can do whatever you want with it. I believe your vast travel experiences and opinions based on those direct experiences are extremely valuable. People with negative comments are missing the entire point and this connection you continually try to share with the public. It hasn’t been lost in me.
Thank you for all you do.
Thank you for this, Rick Steves! I feel a need for a money belt coming on for Friday!
Over reaction seems to be the trend of the day. As an American, a business man you have the right to comment, lead and teach based on your experiences. With great joy and exuberance you have shown many people the way to ‘jump’ into travel. I am glad that you have the gumption to, without criticizing anyone specifically, to encourage Americans to keep their eye on the PRIZE, our freedom and equality and our generosity. We have a history of being generous. Let us all allow each other to feel and respond and to fly our flag without criticism or anger. For those who “won” this election, be generous to those who did not win. Peace.
I am sorry to say that it is ignorant to think that all this travel organization is one big vacation! This is where Rick see’s it from a much bigger picture. And frankly any of you who think this company just needs to sit back and take everyone to “Disneyland” is the ultimate ignorance. And yes I will buy from the his travel store tomorrow!
I’ll seeya online tomorrow. Thanks, Rick.
Rick, I look forward to purchasing my Michelin map set tomorrow. Thank you for making this offer available and earnestly, politely speaking your mind at this time. Your comments may express concern from a progressive or liberal viewpoint, but in my opinion they are not hate-filled. As a fellow citizen, you have asked me to participate in supporting a lawful activity that helps protect everyones’ (stress everyone) civil rights and liberties. My wife and I are pleased to lend our support to your call.
“Clueless, reckless, graceless, mindless, and heartless: our president-elect.” — Barbra Streisand. He deserves all the respect he has shown his predecessor.
What a kind thing to do. Hope!
Right on, Rick! I am so glad you are donating your profits to the ACLU, especially during a time like this. We cannot and will not allow a presidency to detriment all the progress we have made as a country. I stand with you and commend your efforts.
My brother and I spent many summers camping with our family all over the U.S. As adults we have both traveled to many other countries. In our last phone call we were consoling each other over the last election and I explained to him that Rick Steves was getting some criticism for expressing his political views. My brother and I believe that our travel experiences have opened our eyes to the complexity of this world and have helped shape our political views. On Friday I am buying my brother a copy of Travel as a Political Act.
I simply cannot believe the number of people who, in a land which prides itself on freedom of speech, seem to think that they should be able to influence what a man writes on his blog, or who apparently believe that he should confine himself to expressing only those views relevant to his business.
Thanks, Rick! We love your videos, your attitude, and now, your values. Planning our first trip to Italy so will stock up on Friday. Carry on, map, plugs, money belt… The ACLU has a friend in you!
Rick, I very much appreciate your support for the ACLU, it is a vital investment in our country’s progressive future. We use your products in our travel and find them excellent as well. Best of luck and here’s to a brighter future.
Thank you Rick. Like many others, my wife and I are long term fans. Now that I am nearing retirement, we are looking forward to some of the tours you are offering. We recently saw you at the Palace Theatre in Cleveland and thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. I truly appreciate your patriotic support of the ACLU. I will be making some purchases from your store today in order to help you fund the ACLU for the foreseeable future. On a more selfish note, there are some items in your store that I know will be extremely useful. Thank you for your courage and generosity.
Purchase accomplished … thanks again!
Well, the good news is that for everyone who has left you, there are 2 more that support you and your views. Let them go. Just today you picked up myself and 2 of my friends! Stand by your principles. Morals and ethics mean something. People who have a platform, who speak out for civil rights and equality for all are patriots. Good for you!
Ditto. Purchase accomplished. Thanks for this opportunity.
Hey, it’s a NEW DAY!! Trump 45. The Government’s purpose is now to serve the people, and not obligation of the people to serve and fund the bureaucracy of big Government.
Purchase made. Thanks for paying it forward.
Mr. Steves, I used your giuidebooks on a trip to Paris and Amsterdam about 10 years ago. I enjoy your travel advice and quirky dry sense of humor. I appreciate your honesty about your political beliefs and I have long known you are very liberal politically. Let me say you have every right as an American to say what you feel and donate proceeds to the ACLU. I also have rights and I choose not to purchase your products at this time because besides the ACLU being an extension of the Democratic Party’s arm, I think they only represent American’s civil liberties if they align with their agenda. If this organization would represent someone for instance who does not want mm to bake a cake for a gay wedding due to religious beliefs, then they might have a stake in individual liberties. But since they very much cherry pick their causes, I have no desire to support them. I still like your travel advice but I choose not to spend my hard earned money to support these organizations. Peace!
Just curious how well you did on this. I made my purchase. Glad to support you and the ACLU.
Bravo! Every year around Christmas, my two grown kids, my wife and I get together and decide on a charity to give a larger-than-usual family donation to. This year, it was the ACLU in a unanimous decision. An obvious one, what with President Pompous J. Gasbag taking office. Previous choices: Partners in Health, Puppies Behind Bars, The Girl Rising Fund, Room to Read. And Bread for the World is also an annual donation.
Wow! Everyone has a right to their own opinion but, this was suppose to be a travel site. My husband and I have gone to Europe twice using your tour books and had a wonderful time and we really appreciate your work. There is a time and a place for politics and this isn’t it! I’m sorry but you lost us as fans and customers!!!