Thanks to everyone who’s been posting insightful comments to my blog. I always enjoy hearing from this great bunch of “Road Scholars.” But we’ve noticed that a few people are beginning to dominate the conversation, which makes other readers uncomfortable.
It’s important to me that this blog remain fun, upbeat, and open to all travelers. Before you post a comment, please review our Posting Guidelines. Please stay focused on the blog’s topic, and refrain from conversing back and forth with another individual (that’s what email is for). Please don’t post more than two comments to a single blog. If you feel you must do so, first ask yourself: Am I really adding something new to the discussion of Rick’s topic? (Simply responding to other posters doesn’t count…and contributes to the negative tone we’re trying to avoid.)
As always, we reserve the right to delete comments that we feel are inappropriate — especially if it singles out another individual’s comments, or if it’s a back-and-forth chain between two or three readers. Again, I’d like to hear other travelers’ take on issues I raise in my entry.
Thanks for everyone’s participation, and for your help making this blog continue to be a fun resource for travelers!
Thanks for staying on top of this!! I would hate for you to stop your blog since I enjoy it so much!
Most of the problems seem to come when politics enters into the discussion, which is why I guess most people avoid politics (and religion) like the plague …
Thanks Rick, Happy Travels.
rick rocks!
This might be an indicator of bringing politics into one’s business. It has the potential to turn into a shouting match and the loudest voices and the largest egos dominate. I’m just saying…
I agree with dicarter if you want to keep this focused on travel, upbeat and fun then don’t bring your politics into this blog. Follow your own rules to be a good leader and talk only about travel. There’s nothing fun about your political views and social activism. If you look back most of the problems started with your blog on how you mistreated the marine -that one and the ones after that were poltically oriented had over 100 posts.Your fluff posts garnered few responses if any..so if you want fluff and fun stay away from social activism.
The blog is informative and interesting on travel topics. I come by and read. Please keep up the good work.
I think it should be pointed out that people can chat back-and-forth and ask questions on the “Traveler’s Helpline” on this very website. The link can be found through the “Posting Guidelines” or via the “Graffiti Wall.”
Rick I agree with the posters above who spoke of politics. The blogs on Kosovo, and the marine polarized people into two camps and emotions ran hot which probably spilled over into other posts. Ken brings up a good point and maybe some of us would be more comfortable sharing thoughts in the Graffiti Wall section. My boyfriend graduated from West Point and is Iraq right now so the marine incident really heated me up and if I had to stick to only two posts I would not have been able to do it. But your other posts about how you run your business and research your books garner some interest and not the need to leave a post. So like the above maybe keep it light and fun and not the heaviness of issues that tear people apart.
We come to Rick’s for his travel philosophy–close to the ground, through the back door, get to know local culture–which is informed by his political philosophy. The problems come when people take it personally and/or interpret it as right or wrong, rather than an opinion influenced by experience.
I don’t think politics and “fun” are mutually exclusive. What’s not fun about debating politics with a toughtful, respectful person who has different opinions? (Just think of all those British MPs loudly cheering and harrumphing each other in the halls of parliament.) It’s sad that in our current sleazy, attack-crazy political climate, we forget that politics can and should be fun and upbeat.
Rick, Appreciate your trying to add civility to this blog. I’ve found it to be generally positive and have visited other blogs that get really, really nasty. Hope this doesn’t ever happen here. Your site, your blog, your business but perhaps some discussion points are best left off a “travel” website? Anyway, what do I know? Also, I’d liek to thank yo ufor taking the time Tuesday to come to DC to talk about oops… how travel has affected your political views. Really, it was fun and I brought my sisters who are new to you and your philosophies. Can’t say I always agree with them but you seem to be a man who cares and has his heart in the right place. BTW, I’m the fella who asked the first question on Tuesday about the possibilities of doing missionary work in Europe, with something like Taize as a springboard, for instance. Since you appear to be an active Lutheran (I can acknowledge that, right?) maybe you can blog additional info on that in this blog. While I am a Catholic, I think some ecumenical movement is really needed to re-awaken Europe. If my posting here is at all offensive to anyone reading this or inappropriate to this blog, I apologize, in advance. I mean nothing but good…
Rick, you keep right on posting whatever you want in YOUR blog. No one is required to read it, so if they read the title and it looks like it might upset their apple cart, then they can skip reading it that day. I really don’t see the problem.
Hey Rick- We love the blogs- travel, history, religion, politics, family, and all. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and views through this medium.
Teenage pregnancy and AIDS is on the rise, millions of people are either homeless or in bankrutpcy because of the subprime mortgage debacle, violent crime is up, gas is over 3 dollars a gallon, inflation has affected peoples ability to either buy food or use heat. I come here for light entertainment, a diversion, scan topics. If I see an issue that is going to get my blood pressure up I hit the x on the top of the screen. It’s all about choices. I want Hillary for president Rick wants our troups out of Iraq right now. A doctor has his life in your hands as does a judge and enemy combatant. Rick is a business man he doesn’t affect life and death you don’t like the topic hit the x it’s his blog, his rules. As Judge Judy says “It’s my playpen”
As an old navy officer from WWII I was a little taken back by your blog title. Were you aware the phrase “The beatings will continue until morale improves ” originated from the Japanese Imperial Navy during World War II. The beatings of course were of American soldiers that were captives.
I haven’t had a problem with anything other than the tedious back and forth on the “sexual harassment” issue, and that only because it went on for way too long. That being said, the main reason that the blog goes “off topic” is because people respond to Rick’s snarky asides relating to “right wingers”, Catholics, Iraq, the “prudish” behavior of unenlightened Americans, “religious zealots”, George W Bush, etc. Rick, if you can’t stand the heat, stick to travel, stop the sly political asides, and stay fun, positive and upbeat yourself. Its your choice.
I totally incorporate everything Joe said into my thoughts. We are all adults not maliable minds of teens or college youth. When you go into your rants on politics you are either preaching to the choir and they are all going to agree with you or preaching on topics with you opinion that will fall on deaf ears. When you first started in to come onto TV strong in the late 90’s I loved you because you were the everyday nerdy man who seemed to be passionate about travel and even gave away free things and even a new book if we ripped ours apart. Now newspapers describe you as pissed off and angry and passionate about your political activism. YOu get into arguments with the Lions tip up flags in your town that fly for the troups and bash a young marine on paper but ran away from him in fear when he confronted you You shout your comments that aggravate some here but stick with you yet say when you are on a conservative radio station you don’t stand up for your thoughts you are a stealth travel guide. We all want this to be light hearted but you set the tone with your posts and as passionate you are about your thoughts so are we about ours. So please just don;t start something of an emotional nature and then say I can say anything I want to be an affront to you and then you can’t respond that only frustrates and angers people, I read your book for the sights and history not for the places to eat or stay. And what about doing a tribute to all the great people in your corporation that make you the success you are the little people who you don;t pay well and don;t give vacations to without them you could not function how about a rant on how great they are and have made you what you are.
Rick I support everything you require in your guidelines. But I have to ask does you telling us that you brought home the ACLU who supports NAMBLA to talk to your kids about the benefits of legalizing pot fall into travel, or the fact to taunt your father you had Andy at 3 raise his arms after dinner and chant Allah Allah Allah. Keep it real, keep it travel. You don’t want to be lumped with the crazies like Barbara Streisand, Alec Baldwin or Janeane Garofalo. If you make fun of the people who wait on line for your book then I have to wonder are you also mocking your blog fans.
This is unbelievable, I woke up this morning to read one of my favorite blogs and I feel as if I was transported back to the days of the colossuem and Rick is the gladiator…
Rick, please keep writing about travel, politics, your business…all are interesting! Your guidlines allow for response to the content of your postings so those who take exception with some of your opinions will have the opportunity to do so. I definitely have found the current back and forth personal discussions between some bloggers tedious in the extreme esp when their content adds nothing to the topic at hand. Thanks!
Rick, I think it’s about time you did a blog on this topic! I love your blog, but honestly had stopped reading the comments a few weeks ago. After reading these comments I think the beatings may have to continue. I’m not sure why people are taking this so personally. It seems to me that you are mainly trying to discourage back and forth chat between posters which is great! Thanks for reminding everyone that this is supposed to be fun and informative! Keep up the great work!!!
I feel its your board, your business and your posts.. so say what you want.. its a free country after all.. And we have a wonderful freedom of Speech. To the ones who don’t like what Rick says on his forum, You have the Option of clicking the back button and not reading it if its really that offensive to you. Though I find some things he has said in the past.. some what .. off from my own feelings.. Its not changed how I feel about the Wonderful Guidebooks and DVDs I’ve purchased.
A blog about peoples blog on a blog – interesting. I also am more interested in peoples’ positive comments so support your effort to keep comments more interesting and positive. And I know that other things you have posted are certainly a part of being from the US and visiting other countries.
Blog about a blog is not so far fetched- a teacher (calls himself ex pate) who taught in Europe for 5 years now back in DC picked up Ricks blog about the marine and did his own blog on Ricks blog and his own bloggers commented as well ***http://test.goodwillhinton.com/america_empire_rick_steves_and_the_mommy_problem****. Seems everyone has an opinion
Rick, Thanks for raining this in, I really was lossing interest with all the back a forth of a few people. I even had someone get sarcastic with me! We love to travel and I read this blog to get in on everyones resent experiences. Judy
Roads Scholars… good pun, so simple, I can’t believe nobody thought of it before!
Hi, Rick, Glad that you intervened with some of these bloggers for their bickering and removed the comments as well. Thank you. It is true that everyone is entitled to their opinion. But because we have become globally, we are more in tuned with the world thru traveling as well as technology. Thru our traveliing experience, we are more open to and accept our differences, we can’t help but also discuss politics, it can be interesting and challenging at times. This is our presidential election year, a crucial year, and may be a treansitional year for all I know. But the feedback from our European friends will be refreshing to us voters. So Rick, do not stop talking about politics. I personally would love to hear from your point of view. Thank you for your blog.
Rick, I just finished watching your video of Milan, Italy, on PBS in Los Angeles. (I watched the UCLA game on the other TV, you were both winners!) But just a suggestion. We have been to Milan multiple times, and we are always amazed that while the “Last Supper†deserves all the attention it gets, we are surprised that little attention is paid to the opposite wall, where there is a huge painting of the “Crucifixion,” dating from the same period, by Giovanni Donato Montorfano. A beautiful painting, that deserves attention. Just an added item. My son-in-law’s father was a teenager living in Milano on August 16, 1943, when the bomb was dropped on the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie, and the “Last Supper” was damaged. He remembers nothing special about that night of bombing, and remembers nothing special in newspaper reports of that night’s destruction. Just another night of horror.
Don’t quit telling it like it is. Anyone who actually travels in Europe, rather than just reading about it in the blogs, knows that the high regard in which the USA was formerly held has been squandered by the escapades of the last seven years. People in Europe see our military and foreign policy as being a total disaster, politically, militarily and economically. If one does not want to hear the facts as they are, one can go back to watching Fox news.
England feels their leaders and foreign policy under liberal Tony Blair was a disaster and he is now teaching for 3 years over here at Yale. France was not happy with Jacque Chirac and no one speaks of Schroder since he defected to Putins camp to run his gas companies. The EU presendency rotates every six months and someone always has something to say about the president for that term. The world is a mess and putting it all at the US feet is not fair. We MAY have made a mistake with Iraq, maybe not because the terrorist crossing from Iran into Afghanistan through Iraq has substantially slowed but the jury is still out. If all the PhD’s in the Carnegie foundation and Brookings Institution can’t come up with solutions you think some travelers spitballing on a blog can.
As I read your ‘blog’, I simply cannot find the words, “The Gospel According to Rick”. You are merely expressing your opinions, observations & thoughts. Whether I agree with you or not (haven’t read any ‘nots’ yet), your words do not damage my soul or beliefs in any way. I can decide what works for me or doesn’t work for me. For travel to truly make us citizens of the world, we must learn to appreciate the differences….we don’t have to agree or accept everything we are told; as we become aware of our differences, we’ll see that, “Hey, we’re ALL different!” AND, it’s OKAY!