US boycotts scotland
By jb78000
@jb78000 (15139)
September 3, 2009 12:54pm CST
Because the lockerbie bomber has been sent back to libya to die us tourists - well not many actually (700 so far) - have emailed the scottish tourist to say they are avoiding scotland. the internet is also full of it.
now i'm from scotland and will say to start with anyone wanting a september holiday here is not that sensible, but my main question is what countries would you avoid for politcal reasons (not safefty ones)?
4 people like this
7 responses
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
3 Sep 09
Well I wouldn't avoid a country at all on account of a few jumped up politicians or dicatators who in no substantial form represent anyone but themselves. I would avoid countries where personal safety would be endangered.
Personally in the case of Scotland I can't see why anyone should avoid it because the American media choose to spew out propoganda.
@jb78000 (15139)
•
4 Sep 09
it's been a bit over the top, to say the least. i can think of reasons to avoid scotland at this time of year (the weather mainly) but because a controversial decision was made by the government seems ridiculous. personally i have very mixed feelings about it - on one side the man was dying and had already suffered, on the other hand if he was guilty (annd it looks like he was) he had committed an atrocity. it was though i think a brave decision by the government given the pressure there already was from the us.
For political reasons, hmmm.... Iran and Myanmar come to mind right off.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
3 Sep 09
There are some terrible memories of the bombing that happened in Scotland. The place name Lockerbie makes people think of that really awful event. I understand why some Americans boycott Scotland. After coming home from the Maldives I read that the government says that it is 100% Islam. Then I saw photos of some of the local inmates in the prison. I am a very keen traveler. I would avoid Iraq.
1 person likes this
@jb78000 (15139)
•
3 Sep 09
well i wouldn't avoid an islamic country just because it was islamic. those with vicious (and sexist) countries like afghanistan i would but more for personal reasons than political. i might just consider going to an awful country as part of an aid or human rights program - not my idea of a holiday though. i would avoid buying products from certain countries though.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
3 Sep 09
I don't know that's a good question. I really don't travel much and never get out of the country. But, there's a lot of places I would go and I can't think of one political reason that I wouldn't travel to a country. I bet Scotland is beautiful and I would go in a minute. Sometimes governments do stuff that I don't agree with but, hell my government does stuff that I don't agree with so what am I to do, move out of the country? LOL
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Hello Jb. An interesting question to ponder. 
But I base my fondness much more on a country's people, rather than on its overall politics, since those obviously do not reflect the views of the actual "people."
Based on politics (and not issues of safety) I would not avoid any country.
Karen@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
4 Sep 09
Yes, cultures vary greatly. I've learned a lot more about that here on mylot through the discussions. I am always eager to know about those differences and respect them. Not everyone feels that way, though.
@jonakyl (493)
• United States
3 Sep 09
I wonder how many of those 700 people were actually considering going to Scotland and are now changing their travel plans vs. those who had no intention of going to Scotland any time in the near future and are just trying to be political. I'm willing to bet it's more of the latter.
Which countries would I avoid? I think the ones I would mostly avoid would be those for safety reasons (read those who really hate the U.S.) I wouldn't avoid Scotland for political reasons, not because I agree with them but because the actions of the government aren't necessarily representative of the views of it's people. Besides Scotland is still a beautiful country regardless of the political agenda of it's leaders.
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