The points he made about the rights we lose when travelling in the vast swath of Napoleonic (and worse) legal systems are entirely correct. And perhaps all those countries would appreciate us more if we cut them off for a while. Note also he specifically mentioned the UK and other places with British culture as exceptions.
I am referring to personal travel and personal growth. I do not care to make a political gesture out of my travels. I travel for enjoyment and intellectual growth and have taken my three children all over the world from the time they were five.
Who gives a fig if the French like us or not? They are warm and welcoming to individual Americans. The Greek government is a pain in the butt; Greeks are wonderful and Greece is a fabulous place and no more dangerous than the US. Yes, you are safe sitting on your couch watching American Idol, but I'd rather face the miniscule risks of travel than live that way.