Vacation tragedies spur push for law requiring websites to provide info on safety

Chicago Sun Times ^ | 3/27/2011 | Unknown

[Krankor]

This is an incredibly sad story but, heck, if you need a warning something bad could happen to you then, here it is: Don't go to Mexico. Don't go to New York. Don't go to Chicago. Don't go to Philadelphia. Don't go to.....

[BenLurkin]

“I had never seen a gun before”

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Isn't the State Department's job to provide that kind of information?

[pepsionice]

Germans are famous for going to various vacation places and getting into serious trouble or health situations. The basic truth is that you shouldn’t travel beyond your state...if you don’t want to take big risks.

Historically...before the 1920s....most folks didn’t have the money or resources to take vacations, so this topic wasn’t ever discussed. As the car came along...folks started this fantastic idea of actually driving a state over....and eventually with the interstate and aircraft...they ventured to faraway places.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

It amazes me how many people blindly stumble through life and blunder into situations where their life could end in a heartbeat. No situational awareness, no forethought.

And those that encounter problems, they are surprised as hell and expect the government to "do something about it".

[Krankor]

Isn't the State Department's job to provide that kind of information?

That you can be disemboweled in the hotel swimming pool?

[Jim from C-Town]

I whole heatedly agree. i feel terrible for these families. Losing a child is something they will never get over. However, at what point does the Federal Government not need to become involved in a situation by passing another law.

I think that people are more than capable of realizing that vacationing in a third World Country gives them the opportunity to exp[erience possible calamities and medical services of that country. A little bit of personal responsibility and they may have ended up in Daytona Beech.

[Ditter]

I had seen lots of guns, dozens and dozens of guns but I had never had one pointed at me until the Mexican Army did it. They held us at gun point while they searched our truck. They didn’t find anything so they let us go and we never went back to Mexico again.

[Riley]

Exactly right.

[BenKenobi]

Even a CAR is an AK47?

Please keep posting this pic. Truth in advertising.

[La Lydia]

These are tragic stories, but ...."They urged Congress to pass a bill that would let those traveling internationally know dangers that may await and what medical care is available."

What is Congress supposed to do? Right now, the government is not preventing travelers from learning what dangers may await them when they travel abroad. What more can be done to "let them know"? Do these grieving family members believe Americans shouldn't be allowed to travel abroad unless they sit through some kind of government lecture on travel safety? How would that work?

No, Markey the Commie wants to "require travel-booking websites to provide information." An unfunded and unnecessary mandate if I ever heard of one. People have access to an infinity of travel information on the Internet, radio and TV, in libraries, at the State Department website, etc., ditto what medical care is available where. Finding that out before you leave is due diligence, especially if you are traveling with children.

As a matter of fact, there is an American hospital in Cancun, a clinic in Playa del Carmen, and the area has an excellent ambulance service. All the hotels have doctors on call.

This news story would have been vastly more useful had it identified the resorts where these tragedies occurred.

[crazydad]

One of my German friends from Skype goes to Egypt and Turkey all the time. I always say are you sure you should be going there.. And she always says Oh its not dangerous for us.. She is actually going to Egypt in May.. Crazy germans.

[dfwgator]

They urged Congress to pass a bill that would let those traveling internationally know dangers that may await and what medical care is available.

"It's called 'Google', look into it."

[crazydad]

And they all carry M16 or Ar-s, not AK-47s. She drank the media koolaid. Every weapon of military style is an AK!

[rabidralph]

My mom owns a travel agency and it has a link to the state dept website, concerning travel advisories. It’s not the travel agent’s job to investigate every contingency at a resort.

[Krankor]

Um...but that would mean taking some kind of personal responsibility. You don’t seem to understand, this is the Age of Obama- the government will take care of you. Heck, even if there was a website which warned about every possible mishap that could possibly occur-it still wouldn’t be your fault.

[LouD]

Here's all the information you need:

You are privileged to live in a country which has created sufficient wealth to insulate you from most of the random dangers that the rest of the world takes for granted. Act accordingly.

Maybe they should just add that disclaimer on every travel website.

[Issaquahking]

Sadly correct. I'd much rather people stay home than show the world they are foolish to their surroundings. It is not the government's job to be nanny state in charge. People need to realize freedom is the most precious thing we have in this country. It has been paid for in untold battles for freedom, all around the world. to keep it, we must act responsibly.

[Red in Blue PA]

We already have travel warnings.

The Internet offers more information than ever available.

People need to take responsibility for their actions.

[richmwill]

Of course I feel bad over the loss of the children, but do a little research. It shouldn’t be the Government’s responsibility to educate you that a vacation to Libya this summer has its dangers.