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I have no sympathy for our fellow citizens who choose to make themselves political hostages by willingly traveling to hostile nations like N Korea, Iran, Syria, Somalia, etc.
It's very simple: if you don't want to be kidnapped by a hostile govt, don't go there.
I see all who end up being held hostage in such situations as self-inflicted wounds.
I have no sympathy for our fellow citizens who choose to make themselves political hostages by willingly traveling to hostile nations like N Korea, Iran, Syria, Somalia, etc.
It's very simple: if you don't want to be kidnapped by a hostile govt, don't go there.
I see all who end up being held hostage in such situations as self-inflicted wounds.
Iran does not belong in that list. I would agree that North Korea, Syria (active warzone exception), Somalia (active warzone exception), and a handful of other places are too dangerous for travel (although my objection to North Korea is at least as much ethics as danger).
Iran does not belong in that list. I would agree that North Korea, Syria (active warzone exception), Somalia (active warzone exception), and a handful of other places are too dangerous for travel (although my objection to North Korea is at least as much ethics as danger).
Why do you feel Iran should not be on a list of countries to be avoided? Just curious.
Because it gets 5 million visitors annually, including many from the West. Because the examples of Americans detained in Iran is nothing like what happens to 99.9% of visitors in Iran.
The four detainees freed from Iran were:
1) An Iranian-American pastor who was convicted of holding private religious gatherings in violation of Iranian law,
2) An Iranian-American in the US marines convicted of espionage/practical collaboration with the US government (Iran does not recognize US-Iranian dual citizenship, so it treats dual citizens as if they are only Iranian citizens),
3) An Iranian-American businessman likely arrested for founding a political organization advocating secular democracy in Iran,
4) An Iranian-American journalist convicted of espionage for reasons that remain fairly opaque.
Common thread? All Iranian-American dual citizens, putting them in a precarious position under Iranian law. Also engaged in political activities that likely raise flags for the regime in Iran.
I'm certainly not saying that Iran is a liberal democracy, but it does not belong in a list with North Korea and active war zones as destinations to avoid.
I'm certainly not saying that Iran is a liberal democracy,
Good. Because that would be ridiculous beyond words.
Quote:
but it does not belong in a list with North Korea and active war zones as destinations to avoid.
Iran is a very hostile terrorist sponsoring state that illegally seizes and holds Americans who travel there. Just as N Korea does. They're on the same list for the same reasons.
Some Americans enjoy going to 3rd world countries because they feel superior and more special. In America they're just average Joe but once they set foot in a very remote and closed off country it's like being Christopher Columbus and meeting the Indians the 1st time. Except North Korea maybe behind the times but not by that much.
why do people climb mountains to freeze? people do whatever they think big enough to do- and when get in trouble then we bail 'em out
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So, you haven't been keeping up with current events...
