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[wakingdream]

It's something that is smaller than a muckle! Now that the UK has gome metric, I imagine there are 10 or 100 mickles to a muckle. Can anyone from the UK help here?

[rbisset]

Not a clue......

[starlagurl]

Ah! This discussion has devolved into insanity. Paul, do you have any rebuttals to these statements?

[wakingdream]

How about this; if you're really passionate about say, a human rights issue, say Tibet for example, the better thing to do, in my opinion anyway, are things like lobby your MP, sign and promote petitions, write about it, help raise awareness in some way that could have a positive impact on a particular situation. Even if you don't agree with a gov't or egime, how is not going to make a positive impact? It's just not going to make any impact at all........

[adawn]

I am planning a holiday around the world and have left off Japan, China and Norway so far. These are places I would have liked to have gone. Whilst Japan and Norway hunt whales, I refuse to visit and whilst China are treating Tibet as a whipping boy, I am also not visiting there. I am also boycotting the Olympic games.

I guess it just comes down to personal morals and how much you walk your talk. I also see why others just don't take human or animal rights in mind when planning a trip.

[Paul]

I agree with pretty much everything and it has been a great discussion.

I wouldn't boycott Cuba - don't want to talk about economics, but the points brought up seem OK/sensible economics to me. In fact from what I have heard, they give their people better health and education care than the USA does. No chocolate icecream - no great problem.

Japan and Norway - I think they have as much right to hunt whales as other countries have in hunting other animals or participating in the destruction of the habitat of other animals. So I wouldn't boycott them. Hunting whales - if it happens, and I agree it is better to not happen, it should be done carefully. Many whale species almost became extinct in the past. But people's traditions and customs are often strong and they should also be shown some respect too. The whole issue seems to be getting emotional and confused and I am not sure either side is being sensible.

China - understand the feelings there and I have avoided China in the past due to the Tibetan issues, but have changed my mind in recent times, along the lines with what many people have mentioned.

Bla bla.

It is all a personal choice. But I think great, which ever way people decide, if they are actually caring and thinking about the issues - that has to be a good thing.

Ha ha - I would avoid USA - not for politics, but I suspect it is way too expensive for me and I wouldn't want to go through the finger printing, body cavity searching, waiting, etc that supposedly you have to go through to get in. I think they have taken this war on terrorism thing too far. Surely if you tick the box on the form that says you aren't a terrorist, you shouldn't need all that security processing.

[mmbcross]

U.S.A. is considered a dangerous country to visit due to random shootings. It has the most heavily armed civilian population of any developed country. Fortunately for visitors, most Americans shoot their own family or friends.

[Paul]

Ha ha - it is nice to keep things like that within the family. In many parts of the world the family unit isn't doing so many things together any more as we become more urbanised.

Funerals are always a great way to get the whole family together.

[starlagurl]

I am planning a holiday around the world and have left off Japan, China and Norway so far. These are places I would have liked to have gone. Whilst Japan and Norway hunt whales, I refuse to visit and whilst China are treating Tibet as a whipping boy, I am also not visiting there. I am also boycotting the Olympic games.

I guess it just comes down to personal morals and how much you walk your talk. I also see why others just don't take human or animal rights in mind when planning a trip.

That's interesting, but how do you differentiate between say, the Canadians who club baby seals and the Japanese who hunt whales? Are you going to Canada on your trip?

[starlagurl]

Funerals are always a great way to get the whole family together.

*groan*

And don't we all know that Americans need more family time away from the television. At least there are no TVs at funerals...yet...

[wakingdream]

I agree with pretty much everything and it has been a great discussion.

Bla bla.

It is all a personal choice. But I think great, which ever way people decide, if they are actually caring and thinking about the issues - that has to be a good thing.

That's for sure. No matter how anyone chooses to deal with what they believe are the rights and wrongs of each nation is their choice and definietly a personal one. the whole point is at least there are people who care and who actually pay attention to things going on in the world. As long as we're all trying to make a positive impact, that remains the cardinal idea.

[coryandlaura]

Personally I would never boycott a country based on anything that a media giant or government told me.

The greatest impact that we can make on the world is an individual one. For instance if someone in China only has a picture painted by the media of a Tibetan then they don’t have a dimensional view of what the people are like. If he has a Tibetan as a friend he is less likely to want the worst for him.

Any time that I travel I try to view myself as a diplomat and try to show that people are people and governments are governments. How can you share your own views if you never have a conversation with a person from the country in question? You also get the benefit of the learning experience and hear view and facts from a local perspective.

[voyageurfred]

I have worked in countries with pretty repressive regimes, including Haiti where "Baby Doc" Jean Claude Duvalier ruled (circa 1975), Bangladesh and other not so worthy countries. So my attitude about this topic is that my hard earned money should end up in the pockets of the local people, and not be skimmed by repressive regimes. This skimming occurs in many different ways such as in the local taxes you pay, to often hidden ones such as the permits vendors have to pay to work in tourist zones controlled by governments, and even outright bribes and extra handling fees that are assessed

I personally do not travel to countries that are occupying territories that were overtaken by force where the people cannot live in freedom. So I have chosen not to travel to China and Israel for example when the opportunity was there, simply because I feel by visiting these countries, I am condoning the way their governments operate in Palestine in the case of Israel, and Tibet by China.

In the end, this becomes a personal choice based upon the ethical and moral decisions one makes upon choosing their travel destinations.

Cheers,
Frederic in Montréal

[introducinlyric]

I am planning a holiday around the world and have left off Japan, China and Norway so far. These are places I would have liked to have gone. Whilst Japan and Norway hunt whales, I refuse to visit and whilst China are treating Tibet as a whipping boy, I am also not visiting there. I am also boycotting the Olympic games.

I guess it just comes down to personal morals and how much you walk your talk. I also see why others just don't take human or animal rights in mind when planning a trip.

That's interesting, but how do you differentiate between say, the Canadians who club baby seals and the Japanese who hunt whales? Are you going to Canada on your trip?

you raise a valid point. canadians club baby seals - how brutal

[introducinlyric]

I agree with pretty much everything and it has been a great discussion.

I wouldn't boycott Cuba - don't want to talk about economics, but the points brought up seem OK/sensible economics to me. In fact from what I have heard, they give their people better health and education care than the USA does. No chocolate icecream - no great problem.

Japan and Norway - I think they have as much right to hunt whales as other countries have in hunting other animals or participating in the destruction of the habitat of other animals. So I wouldn't boycott them. Hunting whales - if it happens, and I agree it is better to not happen, it should be done carefully. Many whale species almost became extinct in the past. But people's traditions and customs are often strong and they should also be shown some respect too. The whole issue seems to be getting emotional and confused and I am not sure either side is being sensible.

China - understand the feelings there and I have avoided China in the past due to the Tibetan issues, but have changed my mind in recent times, along the lines with what many people have mentioned.

Bla bla.

It is all a personal choice. But I think great, which ever way people decide, if they are actually caring and thinking about the issues - that has to be a good thing.

Ha ha - I would avoid USA - not for politics, but I suspect it is way too expensive for me and I wouldn't want to go through the finger printing, body cavity searching, waiting, etc that supposedly you have to go through to get in. I think they have taken this war on terrorism thing too far. Surely if you tick the box on the form that says you aren't a terrorist, you shouldn't need all that security processing.

i agree this have created great discussion however am a little disturbed by what you wrote paul especially the line "Hunting whales - if it happens" ummmmm that implies it may not take place when in fact its been all over the media and its a major issue for alot of people.
and then you go on to say "it should be done carefully" ummm why should it be done at all??? am i missing something????
the fact they slaughter whales and dolphins is disgusting but im also not cool with how they slaughter them which is extremely brutal and unnecessary
i agree with people getting emotional and confused but that confusion i think comes largely from ignorance

[ScottWoz]

You're not saying you take any notice of what they say in the media are you?

[starlagurl]

Any time that I travel I try to view myself as a diplomat and try to show that people are people and governments are governments. How can you share your own views if you never have a conversation with a person from the country in question? You also get the benefit of the learning experience and hear view and facts from a local perspective.

Offtopic: I really like this way of thinking, especially when traveling, but I think it is best when applied to everyday life. If you live like a diplomat (of your chosen lifestyle) every day, you can influence people in the best way possible.

[wakingdream]

I am planning a holiday around the world and have left off Japan, China and Norway so far. These are places I would have liked to have gone. Whilst Japan and Norway hunt whales, I refuse to visit and whilst China are treating Tibet as a whipping boy, I am also not visiting there. I am also boycotting the Olympic games.

I guess it just comes down to personal morals and how much you walk your talk. I also see why others just don't take human or animal rights in mind when planning a trip.

That's interesting, but how do you differentiate between say, the Canadians who club baby seals and the Japanese who hunt whales? Are you going to Canada on your trip?

you raise a valid point. canadians club baby seals - how brutal

Whoa, now this is definitely another thread in the making........one that would go in every direction I think, and I'm not just talking about baby seals here!

[introducinlyric]

You're not saying you take any notice of what they say in the media are you?

in a sense yes i am as media isnt just what you see on the news it can be all forms from internet , book , documentaries etc etc

[ScottWoz]

Ahhh... gotchya. Just checking..