Is This Still America?

Maybe I need to turn off the news. I was working around the house earlier this afternoon and popped on the TV to see what's happening. What's happening made me sick! People trying to legally return to the United States from overseas -- seven countries in particular, none of which has produced anyone who has committed a terrorist act in the US (the countries, not just the eleven detainees) -- are being held in a New York airport and have been since yesterday. How does this happen? These are all people who have been through the extensive vetting process; one (the only one who has been released) was even a translator for the US military. This is insane. I will not speak the name of "he who is signing orders," but this is extreme even for him.

I'll admit that I'm paying more attention to all of this than perhaps I normally would. This morning I booked flights for my once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation, and now I'm worried that I may encounter problems in my travel, both in my destination country and upon my return. Morroco is not very far from the "banned countries". Who knows how bad the blowback will be several weeks from now. Did the idiot at the helm think about how this might affect Americans in other countries, including those in the military. And what about people who have dual citizenship? There is no clear definition of who has to stay out. (I think that the ambiguity is intentional.)

In the same way that I've tried over the past fifteen-plus years not to allow myself to be deterred from leading my life in the way I choose, I will not be bullied or scared into hiding at home. Travel is one of the best parts of my life. I don't do it nearly as much as I would like, but everytime I do I learn from the experience. And I have fun! Fun is important too. Sure I could have fun at home, but for just a little while I'm going to have fun somewhere else. And that pompous jerk can kiss my ass.