Here are a bunch of paragraphs too precious and sentimental or weak to make the cut in my upcoming “Travel as a Political Act” book. I thought you might enjoy giving them a read before they are entirely zapped:
Being a traveler is fun because you can be both small and big in your outlook. As travelers safely back in our home port, we enjoy the best of both worlds — both small and big. The waitresses, newspapers, and barbers here are talking about a “World Series” which the world beyond our culture knows almost nothing of. I’m fine with that because we know there’s a “World Cup” about which my world is just as oblivious.
While I love the political fray in the USA, I lose more battles than I win. But, win or lose, I’m thankful. I know the winner will ascend smoothly to power and I’m respected (and safe) as part of the loyal opposition, while much of the world staggers politically from one bloody coup d’etat to the next.
Regardless of where I return from, my travels accentuate the many ways I’m thankful for the corner of the world I call home: from India — population sparsity; from Greece — trees; from El Salvador — affluence; from Iran — religious freedom; from Europe — a free-wheeling business environment; from China — civil liberties; from Bosnia — no heritage of ethnic strife and no risk of hosting a war; from Russia — respect for the law and those who enforce it; from Turkey — sidewalks without cars parked on them.
Across America, communities are struggling with immigrant labor issues. Because I sat with Beatrice in her hut in San Salvador, I know the importance of remittances to loved ones left behind by migrant workers. After seeing Beatrice’s love for her daughter, I know the consequences of a single mom losing her home because of medical expenses. With that empathy, supporting groups tackling structural poverty in my own community comes naturally.
Those who are well off have the most to conserve…and therefore, the most reason to be conservative. While I’m inclined to be conservative (and was before travels opened my perspective), my travels balance my political views. As our society struggles with conformity and freedom, I think of Denmark — that “most content” land with plenty of reason to be conservative. It’s a land of extremes — homogenous and so well-ordered, yet where people march with banners reading, “Live life artistically. Only dead fish follow the current.” In studying Denmark, I can see issues that challenge my society in high contrast and therefore more clearly.
I remember the first time I walked through Seattle’s Hemp Fest — a party of 80,000 far-out people filling a park, most of who, frankly, scared me. A man named Vivian in a utili-kilt and dreadlocks yelled “give it up” for a band whose music sounded only like noise to me, and people went wild. Then I got to know Vivian who explained to me that this is a subculture that once a year gets to come together here on Seattle’s waterfront. I walked through the crowd again, with a different attitude. I celebrated the freedom and tolerance that made that tribal gathering possible. Last year I noticed I got strangely emotional when talking with police who said they enjoy the Hemp Fest assignment as a two-way celebration of respect and tolerance.
Noisy citizens were expected of Greek democracy. Only today do we have professional politicians and professional talking heads hired to do our political thinking for us. Ancient Greeks considered the size of the early polis or city-states important. They were just big enough where you could walk across them in a day, populous enough so you’d have all the various talents to cover the needs of your society but not too big where everyone — as citizen politicians — couldn’t gather on the main square and vote by a show of hands (or swords) on the great issues of the day. Of course, with a political unit as large as today’s nations, that is not workable. But we can and should still be engaged.
We have extreme poverty. A billion people trying to exist on $1 a day is a humanitarian crisis and, one could argue, a threat to our national security — as miserable, uneducated worlds like these are fertile grounds for fanatics with nothing much to lose who blame the USA for their sorry lot in life. There’s the Iraq War and potentially failed states of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Islamic fundamentalism — like fundamentalism of any kind — is a threat. There are other challenges and, of course, global warming may very well make all other problems seem insignificant. I hate the thought that New Orleans is the first of many major cities inundated by violent weather and a rising sea. Those images of highways clogged by Americans fleeing the latest hurricane will pale in comparison to a future with literally hundreds of millions of climate refugees (half of Bangladesh, with a population of 140 million, is less than 3 feet above sea level).
Wisely or unwisely, sooner or later, we will address each of these issues. How we address them is shaped by our world view, and our world view is shaped by an interesting grab bag of influences. We each have a different approach to these problems because we each have a distinct world view shaped by our unique life experience. My mom’s world view is shaped by her husband. My sister’s world view is shaped by Support Our Troops. My neighbor’s world view is shaped by a potent cocktail of fear and patriotism. My uncle’s world view, what’s good for his investments. All of our world views to a great extent are shaped by commercial television. I’m thankful that my world is shaped to a large degree by my travels.
With globalization and our modern, efficient affluence, I see ideals, heritage, and cultural roots in danger of being paved over. As I strive to keep ritual and tradition in my life, I’m inspired by the strong cultural roots of places I visited like Turkey, where workers hold their chisels proudly in the sky and where shepherds still play the eagle bone flute.
By saying things that upset people so they can declare they’d fight and die for my right to be so stupid, I feel I’m contributing to the fabric of our democracy.
Hundreds of millions of climate refugees, Rick put down the AlGore KoolAid and walk away from it. New Orleans was not “inundated by violent weather and a rising sea” it was inundated by liberal governance and corruption for so many years it had to sink. Let’s face it if Katrina had been a raging wildfire consuming the city people would have gotten out of the way, with or without any federal assistance. I still harken back to the man standing in front of the Super Dome while the evacuation buses were pulling away empty. He was standing there most excitedly proclaiming “I am gettin me a SkyBox!” How do you help people like that? Free Will is a funny thing. But I hope you and the family have a most Merry and Holy Christmas, I need to throw another log on the fire as it is now -4 here this first day of Winter. Love you Rick.
I do agree with Ken’s assessment of Rick’s comments regarding Katrina, but the rest of Rick’s jetsam is excellent and should put an end to those who criticize him for being too radical. It is thoughtful and well-reasoned. Thanks, Rick.
Hey Rick, you may be grateful from your travels in Europe for a “free-wheeling business environment,” but its caused serious, serious trouble here. There is such a thing as too free-wheeling.
Rick, excellent post….a lot to consider and think about. I recently purchased your new video series and took the time to watch your political talk. As much as I typically disagree with your positions, I really enjoyed and agreed with much of what you had to say. You didn’t come off as ‘left wing’ as I think you do on some of these posts and posed some excellent questions to how many of our problems are to be solved. As for your New Orleans reference in this post, I recently saw this quote in a science article: “When the Arctic Ocean ice melts, it never raises sea level because floating ice is floating ice, because it’s displacing water. When the ice melts, sea level actually goes down.” “I call it a fourth grade science experiment. Take a glass, put some ice in it. Put water in it. Mark level where water is. Let it met. After the ice melts, the sea level didn’t go up in your glass of water. It’s called the Archimedes Principle.” I know this defies logic, but it would be interesting to try. I plan to do so! Have a Merry Christmas!
While I love the political fray in the USA, I lose more battles than I win. But, win or lose, I’m thankful. I know the winner will ascend smoothly to power and I’m respected (and safe) as part of the loyal opposition,…
So, I misunderstood your support for Obama?
Just curious.
Editor Note: Rick is saying that in any election, no matter who wins, he knows that person will ascend smoothly to power.
Unfortunately, I think an important point on melting ice is being missed. Ice and snow melting on the ground is added to the ocean. There is no Archimedes Principle involved. Ice that is already in the water is what you are talking about and that point is correct. Unfortunately, many island and low lying peoples have already been displaced and many more will be displaced to due rising oceans.
Good point Gunther…. The author I quoted (and I) obviously didn’t consider that water source!
My goodness! I was so surprised to find the Tsunami in 2004 and all cyclones that inundate the low coastal areas in the Asian world were and are due to “liberal governance and corruption”. What was wrong with those brown skinned people? Why didn’t they run away from all that water?
Love the introspection, Rick. I fear those who feel they know all the answers and condemn what they don’t understand. btw, I’m pretty sure if I was evacuated to the Super Dome, I would be trying to get temporary shelter in a sky box, too. I’d also probably try to be light hearted about it. Unsure what helpful point the poster was tying to make by mentioning it.
The ideals of the ancient Greeks—this excites me as I look forward to the United States of America as it returns us to greater participation in our governing and our government. This, of course, requires a solid educational grounding and at least some level of material comfort. Poverty won’t do. You are right to call such poverty throughout the world a humanitarian crisis and a threat. Islamic fundamentalism, as you properly note, is also a threat. However it is not quite “like fundamentalism of any kind” and should not be diminished by saying so. Unlike the prophets of the world’s other potent religions, the prophet of Islam specifically calls for war against and the death of unbelievers. Consequently it’s safe to say there are far fewer Lutheran terrorists than Islamic terrorists. Additionally, I would like to indicate my agreement with Angie on the errors of unfettered freedoms and note to Richard that Obama was just one victory for those who helped elect him and does not constitute a plural of “battles” won.
Gunther forgive my simple mindedness but could you please list the many island and low lying peoples that have already been displaced due to the rising oceans? I would like to research some and find additional facts about them, maybe send them some cash. Thank you!
Hey Rick how are you enjoying that snow storm…some great pictures of it on yahoo
Here you go, Kent. I have seen a few programs or news clips of “Climate Refugee’s” on network television and other sources. I just now, simply googled “displaced island people” and came up with info on both war displaced and climate displaced. I think googling “Climate Refugee’s” would yield a better result. In any case, it is estimated there will be 200 million “climate” displaced people by 2050, with the ocean only rising by 50 centimeters. The Sunderbans in Bangladesh, 2 villages on Kiribati, people in the Carteret Islands in Paua New Guinea. People have been forced to move to higher ground in Tuvalu and 12,000 of their population have asked for permission to resettle their country in other countries. The Torres Straits Island people are raising their homes and sandbagging. Just one organization of displaced or threatened island people contains a bloc of 38 societies. I have watched the monarch of an island nation begging the U.N. (or anyone) to help him save his people and their culture. So far, no action. All this because of a rising ocean. Hopefully, most people will realize the point is to help people instead of blaming one political party or another or one ideology or another, etc. The fact is, the water is rising and people are being displaced. Thank you for asking for more information and expressing a desire to help. I can only imagine how loney these people without much of a voice, feel this holiday season.
I guess I spoke too soon about Rick staying on the travel topic in the previous post. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.
Just a suggestion Rick, for travel shows…Wales…you really haven’t done much of anything from there and there is a lot to see. Would love to see you do an entire show about this land of castles and sheep!
Editor Note: In 2006, Rick produced an episode on North Wales, which currently airs on public television and is available on DVD.
from Bosnia—no heritage of ethnic strife. Rick, you know what’s really sad? Other than WWII, Bosnia also had little history of violent intercommunal ethnic strife before the wars of the 1990s (despite the commonly heard, and patently false, opinion in the West that “those people have been fighting each other for hundreds of years”).
Does anyone know if “Saturday Night Live” has parodied Rick Steves yet? If so, can you provide me with a link to the online video stream?
“And in this week’s episode we’ll go hiking across the Afghan-Pakistani border! We’ll check out some mortar holes, enjoy a cup of tea with some Taleban locals, learn how to clear landmines, and see if we can spot some CIA agents!” Hi, I’m Rick Steves! Come along as we visit Waziristan!” Cut to “Rick Steves Europe” theme song.
John: Expecting Rick or any other animal or plant to deny or go against their nature is unrealistic. I can’t imagine why anyone would want them to. I can imagine that one might choose the subjects one wishes to comment on or to become involved in.
I don’t normally read or appreciate blogs, but Rick’s is different. It’s the only one I really ENJOY reading. This particular entry is wonderful for this holiday season. Line-by-line it made me think — to appreciate what I have, yet recognize the value of “the rest of the world” as well. Thank you, Rick, for being such a hard-line optimist. It does the rest of us a world of good!
Hi Rick, As usual, I enjoyed your blog and all the responses to it. Happy Holidays everyone! (whatever your religious or personal preference)
I just don’t understand why people who disagree so strongly with Rick continue to read his blog. I don’t agree with Sean Hannity or Michael Savage, so I don’t listen to them. Why is this so difficult for people? And how do the “blame liberals first” crowd explain the myriad of problems this country has faced since early 2001? I guess we’re lucky that the country as a whole has enough sense to hold the right people accountable and vote for political change when it becomes obvious that it’s necessary.
Rick, Thanks for a thoughtful blog. While we might not agree on every issue, I have yet to find anyone with whom I agree 100%, so you’re in large company:) I agree with your premise though, that travel, like many other things, helps shape the way we see the world around us. If you think about that, it makes more sense that travel would have that effect than anything else. How we see the world logically is changed by how much of the world we see. I have long said I’d love to have Rick Steve’s job, and perhaps one day I’ll be able to travel to Europe more regularly. I’ve had the chance to travel the region a good bit, but it has been years since I was over there. I spend a little more time in Europe each time I watch your program. Thanks!! Raymond
Carl name your post 2001 difficulty and I will try and explain it to you. I believe the first and foremost difficulty would be the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Any intellectually honest person would realize that this was much more directly related to the Clinton years than to W. Let us pray that B.O. does not employ Jamie Gorelick in his administration!
Don’t waste your time Carl. You are being baited with the promise of truth by a parrot.
Rick, I’m glad to see someone stand up and speak for what they believe without fear of what it will do for their “bottom line”.
Rick, I really enjoy just about everything you write. I know I’m being a yes-man (person), but I see you getting a lot of negative criticism in your blog comments, and I just want you to know that although I rarely comment, I read every post and am still a fan of yours! I just wouldn’t want you to think that comments you get are the only opinions out there some days. Keep blogging (and writing). :-)
was a lack of thoughtful travel and thoughtful travelers symptomatic of the terrifying Spanish Inquisition…stay tuned…
from “Inquisition:The Reign of Fear” by Toby Green “In an article by Nicolas Morvilliers published in 1782 in Paris he described Spain as ‘today a nation in paralysis…The proud and noble Spaniard is ashamed of educating himself, travelling, of having anything to do with other peoples…a book printed in Spain goes through six acts of censorship before seeing the light of day'”. p. 342
I am always both entertained & educated while reading your blogs and watching your show. Thank you for “putting yourself out there” physically, emotionally & intellectually. The differences in ALL of our insights combined with our freedom to express them are one of the things that help to bring us understanding of eachother. Please do not be discouraged by the negative responses…..just keep on your path! Thank you!
Rick, I have traveled all my life and believe that it can create an understanding and tolerance for our differences. I have to say I have seen a few “ugly Americans” for their actions or words which made me angry. I think you must travel with an open mind. I enjoy learning customs,history and yes and even politics of a country I would visit because even if you do not agree you need to understand where they are coming from… If you cannot live without what is available in your everyday life for a week perhaps you should stay close to home. You should enjoy the adventure!
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