The Passport Question-One non-political (Hopefully) facet

[Spock]

There is one point about the "Palin lack of passport until recently" line of questioning that really bothers me.-And it would if she were a Democrat too.

And I believe it is the type of thing that never enters Couric's et al mind.

Until very recently-you did not need a passport to visit Canada/Mexico/Various caribbean countries.

I got mine a year ago or so to ensure Canada/US access for fishing-Two of the 5 of us on the trip had one as they pushed back the date for land access until at least next year.


I guess my point is that until recently-you could travel a lot without a passport and it would be nice to hear that mentioned.-

[BackInTex]

And I believe it is the type of thing that never enters Couric's et al mind.

It has lots and lots of company.

[marrymeflyfree]

I guess my point is that until recently-you could travel a lot without a passport and it would be nice to hear that mentioned.-

I have some concerns about someone who has never been outside North America having that much foreign policy power. Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean don't count as a lot of travel in that sense.

[Spock]

I guess my point is that until recently-you could travel a lot without a passport and it would be nice to hear that mentioned.-

I have some concerns about someone who has never been outside North America having that much foreign policy power. Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean don't count as a lot of travel in that sense.

The reverse of that is that it may be reasonable to have similar concerns about someone who was partially raised in Indonesia. Let's hear more specifics about that experience.

[Bob78164]

I guess my point is that until recently-you could travel a lot without a passport and it would be nice to hear that mentioned.-

I have some concerns about someone who has never been outside North America having that much foreign policy power. Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean don't count as a lot of travel in that sense.

The reverse of that is that it may be reasonable to have similar concerns about someone who was partially raised in Indonesia. Let's hear more specifics about that experience.

Have you read his autobiography? What additional specifics do you want? --Bob

[15QuestionsAway]

There is one point about the "Palin lack of passport until recently" line of questioning that really bothers me.-And it would if she were a Democrat too.

And I believe it is the type of thing that never enters Couric's et al mind.

Until very recently-you did not need a passport to visit Canada/Mexico/Various caribbean countries.

I got mine a year ago or so to ensure Canada/US access for fishing-Two of the 5 of us on the trip had one as they pushed back the date for land access until at least next year.

I guess my point is that until recently-you could travel a lot without a passport and it would be nice to hear that mentioned.-

This is a real double-edged sword, and although I'm an Obama supporter, I can see where you're coming from.

Before the new hemispheric travel initiative, only about 10% of Americans had a passport. So not everyone wants (or needs) to go abroad. I very much value international experience, and I like to see that quality in our leaders.

But since so many people don't have a passport, maybe personal international experience isn't valued by the majority of people. So does it really play well to hammer Palin on that? I don't know. Her lack of a passport bothers me, but I may not be like enough other people.

Also, for your information, if you're travelling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean by ground or sea, you can use a US passport card instead. They're cheaper - only $20 or so. I just renewed my passport recently and got both a passport book and card.

If you are travelling by air to any of the places I listed above, you still need a passport book.

[marrymeflyfree]

I have some concerns about someone who has never been outside North America having that much foreign policy power. Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean don't count as a lot of travel in that sense.

The reverse of that is that it may be reasonable to have similar concerns about someone who was partially raised in Indonesia. Let's hear more specifics about that experience.

If it is truly the reverse, are you saying that having 'too much' foreign exposure is concerning? I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this, and I don't want to make an assumption as I wish to ask in a truly non-partisan spirit.

[Spock]

Since you guys have a standard for eastern or southern hemispheric travel for leadership positions-what is it?


IE-If a college kid goes on a college band trip and notches his/her bedpost in 6 different European countries does that count? Is that person automatically more qualified than somebody whose parents could not afford to pay for the trip?

[Spock]

I have some concerns about someone who has never been outside North America having that much foreign policy power. Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean don't count as a lot of travel in that sense.

The reverse of that is that it may be reasonable to have similar concerns about someone who was partially raised in Indonesia. Let's hear more specifics about that experience.

If it is truly the reverse, are you saying that having 'too much' foreign exposure is concerning? I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this, and I don't want to make an assumption as I wish to ask in a truly non-partisan spirit.

My concern is that his worldview may have been shaped by individuals who do not have the best interests of America at heart.

He is definitely not an advocate of self-reliance as a core American value.

[marrymeflyfree]

My concern is that his worldview may have been shaped by individuals who do not have the best interests of America at heart.

I'll preface this by saying that I know very little about his childhood history, including the time spent in Indonesia. So I can't speak to that, specifically. I will say, more generally, that having the opportunity to experience intimately the way other cultures and societies live can be truly eye-opening. It certainly add another layer of appreciation for what we have at home, and allow one to have a deeper understanding of those cultures when dealing in global politics. That is my personal opinion, anyway. Speaking personally, I think his time spent abroad lends a bit of weight and depth to the foreign policy section of his CV, where Palin has a gaping hole.[/quote]

He is definitely not an advocate of self-reliance as a core American value.

Certainly not as much an advocate as a conservative voter would prefer, no.

[franktangredi]

My concern is that his worldview may have been shaped by individuals who do not have the best interests of America at heart.

Yes, because as we know, everyone raised in the same country has the same worldview. This board alone is proof of that!

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

My concern is that his worldview may have been shaped by individuals who do not have the best interests of America at heart.

Yes, because as we know, everyone raised in the same country has the same worldview. This board alone is proof of that!

[Spock]

I guess my point is that until recently-you could travel a lot without a passport and it would be nice to hear that mentioned.-

I have some concerns about someone who has never been outside North America having that much foreign policy power. Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean don't count as a lot of travel in that sense.

I will say, more generally, that having the opportunity to experience intimately the way other cultures and societies live can be truly eye-opening. It certainly add another layer of appreciation for what we have at home, and allow one to have a deeper understanding of those cultures when dealing in global politics. That is my personal opinion, anyway. Speaking personally, I think his time spent abroad lends a bit of weight and depth to the foreign policy section of his CV, where Palin has a gaping hole.[/quote]

I was thinking about this a lot overnight and today.

The possession of a passport and even extensive travel overseas does not necessarily mean you have a deeper insight to other cultures.

I have never been out of NA (I have absolutely ZERO interest in visiting Western Europe)-but, given my limited opportunities,I bet I have interacted with other cultures on their turf-more than people who have traveled more extensively than I have-I have traveled extensively in the US and Canada.

1) I visited for a long time with a Bahamian cop-made friends with him to the point that he killed a conch for me and made a conch salad.(Free)

2) Discussed Mexican movies and immigration credibly with our bus driver and tour guide to Coba. To the "Sensitive Europeans" on the bus they were merely background.

3) Worked side by side with guys pretty fresh from the Rio Grande.

4) In general, people that we know that travel around the world a lot-can not believe the types of trips and adventures I have.

My point is-life plans, goals and circumstances are what they are-and you do not need to necesarily live in a youth hostel for 6 months to "See the World."

[mellytu74]

I guess my point is that until recently-you could travel a lot without a passport and it would be nice to hear that mentioned.-

I have some concerns about someone who has never been outside North America having that much foreign policy power. Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean don't count as a lot of travel in that sense.

I will say, more generally, that having the opportunity to experience intimately the way other cultures and societies live can be truly eye-opening. It certainly add another layer of appreciation for what we have at home, and allow one to have a deeper understanding of those cultures when dealing in global politics. That is my personal opinion, anyway. Speaking personally, I think his time spent abroad lends a bit of weight and depth to the foreign policy section of his CV, where Palin has a gaping hole.

I was thinking about this a lot overnight and today.

The possession of a passport and even extensive travel overseas does not necessarily mean you have a deeper insight to other cultures.

I have never been out of NA (I have absolutely ZERO interest in visiting Western Europe)-but, given my limited opportunities,I bet I have interacted with other cultures on their turf-more than people who have traveled more extensively than I have-I have traveled extensively in the US and Canada.

1) I visited for a long time with a Bahamian cop-made friends with him to the point that he killed a conch for me and made a conch salad.(Free)

2) Discussed Mexican movies and immigration credibly with our bus driver and tour guide to Coba. To the "Sensitive Europeans" on the bus they were merely background.

3) Worked side by side with guys pretty fresh from the Rio Grande.

4) In general, people that we know that travel around the world a lot-can not believe the types of trips and adventures I have.

My point is-life plans, goals and circumstances are what they are-and you do not need to necesarily live in a youth hostel for 6 months to "See the World."

Spocky --

I have been thinking a lot about this because it was kind of nagging at me.

But, I realized today -- after a water cooler conversation with a co-worker -- WHY it was bothering me.

My co-worker was saying that she and her husband want someday to go to Italy. So do Boonie and I.

She said she wondered what was in the water in Italy that made them want to elect a new government every two years. Or six months.

This woman is an administrative assistant. During the holidays, she works the extra retail job (at least she did last year).

I realized what bothered me wasn't Sarah Palin's lack of a passport.

What bothers me is what seems to be a lack of curiosity on her part about things. She told Katie Couric she reads but offered no specific examples of what's she's reading.

I would have loved to have heard what Sarah Palin reads.

There are plenty of good people in this country who work two jobs and still have time to turn on the TV news or read a newspaper or listen to a radio.

There are plenty of people on this Bored who have a real curiosity about life and people.

I've learned all sorts of things just reading of others' experiences and adventures.

You are absolutely right -- "seeing the world" can be done without six months in a youth hostel on Father's American Express card.

But first there has to be a curiosity about things and people.

Another thing that's bothering me is McCain's response to the alleged Pakistan "gotcha" question in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Gov. Palin was in Tony Luke's, a very popular steak shop in South Philadelphia.

The person asking the question was a kid in a Temple tee shirt standing maybe three feet away, if that far. Gov. Palin gave what I thought was a pretty good answer.

Because it didn't agree with what he says, Senator McCain is claiming it was a "gotcha" question shouted across the room from the press when it was no such thing.

[ghostjmf]

I have had a passport since the early 80s. I used it to visit Great Britain & Ireland several times, as well as to visit my sister when she was living in Germany. At no time was I consulted by the US government on foreign policy matters, based on my foreign travel experience.

I have also visited Canada innumerable times without a passport, & Mexico twice.

I think the "no passport for Palin" question is really a euphemism for "even as a governor, she hasn't left Alaska"; no outreach to other countries for trade agreements etc. I don't supposed anybody commenting really thinks being a tourist, as I've been, qualifies you for diplomatic missions. But it does give you some insight into how the rest of the world lives, if you didn't already have that from reading, that is.

This morning, for example, the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts called off a trade-agreement-related trip to Ireland because of the bank-failure crisis at home in the US; he wants to pay attention to local issues during the crisis. The guy is of Irish ancestry, I believe, so there was probably some fun involved with the trip too; there usually is, with foreign junkets.