Reply With QuoteOriginally Posted by Thudpucker
Famous last words: "You can't do this to me, I'm an American!"
Maybe it's just me, but you can't pay me enough money to hike anywhere NEAR Iran/Iraq 'marked' borders or no.
Vacation video shows US Iran hikers innocent: supporters
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...2k2nnXBn0CATjA
The video:Video shot just before three US citizens were arrested while entering Iran from Iraq demonstrates they were just innocent vacationers and should be released, supporters said Tuesday.
Two video clips, shot by a fourth hiker, who was not arrested, show the trio joking and singing while in Iraqi Kurdistan two days before they were caught by Iranian authorities for allegedly making an illegal border crossing.
http://freethehikers.org/?page_id=1100
Famous last words: "You can't do this to me, I'm an American!"
Maybe it's just me, but you can't pay me enough money to hike anywhere NEAR Iran/Iraq 'marked' borders or no.
"Life is all about ass, you're either covering it, hauling it, laughing it off, kicking it, kissing it, busting it, trying to get a piece of it, or behaving like one."
"Common sense is something so rare it should be classified as a super power."
Who goes to Iraq these days on vacation?
So now we're against border security?
What we have to say about foreign travel (per the State Department)
Current Travel Warnings
Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.
Guinea 10/17/2009
Lebanon 09/29/2009
Cote d'Ivoire 09/22/2009
Philippines 09/17/2009
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 09/01/2009
Mali 08/31/2009
Eritrea 08/28/2009
Central African Republic 08/19/2009
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 08/14/2009
Kenya 07/24/2009
Afghanistan 07/23/2009
Burundi 07/22/2009
Nigeria 07/17/2009
Haiti 07/17/2009
Iran 07/01/2009
Sri Lanka 06/26/2009
Yemen 06/26/2009
Saudi Arabia 06/26/2009
Uzbekistan 06/16/2009
Iraq 06/15/2009
Pakistan 06/12/2009
Chad 06/02/2009
Nepal 05/22/2009
Georgia 04/09/2009
Sudan 04/08/2009
Colombia 03/25/2009
Algeria 03/04/2009
Syria 02/12/2009
Somalia 11/15/2008
link
Iran specifically:
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This information is current as of today, Wed Oct 28 09:30:17 2009.
IRAN
July 01, 2009
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran. Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and carefully consider non-essential travel. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran issued September 15, 2008.
Some elements in Iran remain hostile to the United States. As a result, American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest while travelling or residing in Iran. In 2009, Iranian authorities prevented a number of Iranian-American citizens, including journalists, who travelled to Iran for personal or professional reasons from leaving, in some cases for several months. Iranian authorities also detained or imprisoned Iranian-American citizens on various charges, including espionage and posing a threat to national security. Americans of Iranian origin should consider the risk of being targeted by authorities before planning travel to Iran. Iranian authorities may deny dual nationals access to the United States Interests Section in Tehran, because they are considered to be solely Iranian citizens.
The Iranian Government continues to repress some minority religious and ethnic groups, including Bahai, Arabs, Kurds, Azeris, and others. Consequently, some areas within the country where these minorities reside, including the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kurdish northwest of the country, and areas near the Iraqi border, remain unsafe.
Large-scale demonstrations with sometimes violent outbreaks have taken place in various regions throughout Iran, in particular over the past weeks as a result of a volatile political climate following the June 12, 2009 presidential elections. U.S. citizens who travel to Iran should exercise caution.
The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize dual citizenship and will not allow the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and prosecution.
Americans who travel or reside in Iran are strongly encouraged to register through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. If they are in Tehran, American citizens may also register in person at the Foreign Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy currently located at No. 39, Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Pasdaran, Tehran. The telephone numbers for the Foreign Interests Section are (+9(21) 2254-2178 and (+9
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Iran, and the current Worldwide Caution, which are located on the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain updated information on travel and security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, from outside the United States and Canada, +1-202-501-4444.
"Life is all about ass, you're either covering it, hauling it, laughing it off, kicking it, kissing it, busting it, trying to get a piece of it, or behaving like one."
"Common sense is something so rare it should be classified as a super power."
And Iraq
This information is current as of today, Wed Oct 28 09:33:18 2009.
IRAQ
June 15, 2009
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers inherent in travel to Iraq and recommends against all but essential travel in country given the fluid security situation. Numerous insurgent groups remain active throughout Iraq. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF)-led military operations continue, and attacks persist against the ISF and U.S. forces in many areas of the country. Turkish government forces have carried out operations against elements of the Kongra-Gel terrorist group (KGK, formerly Kurdistan Worker's Party or PKK) located along Iraq's northern border. This Travel Warning warns U.S. citizens of the current security situation and reiterates the dangers of the use of civilian aircraft and of road travel within Iraq. This replaces the Travel Warning of June 13, 2008, to provide an update on security incidents and additional concerns about travel within Iraq.
Iraq Remains Dangerous and Unpredictable
While the security environment has shown significant improvement over the past year, Iraq remains dangerous and unpredictable. Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue, including in the International (or "Green") Zone. Methods of attack have included roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mortars and rockets, and human- and vehicle-borne IEDs. Kidnappings still occur; the most recent confirmed kidnapping of an American citizen reported to the U.S. Embassy occurred during July 2008 in Nassariya. In addition to terrorist and criminal attacks, sectarian violence occurs often. U.S. Government personnel require special permission and a security detail at all times when traveling outside of secure facilities and are prohibited from traveling to certain areas of Iraq depending on prevailing security conditions. Detailed security information is available on the Embassy's web site at http://iraq.usembassy.gov and at http://www.centcom.mil.
Transportation to/from and within Iraq
Travelers choosing to utilize commercial carriers to enter or depart Iraq should be aware that, although there have been no recent attacks on civilian aircraft, the potential threat still exists, as does the high risk to road transportation as described above. U.S. Government personnel, with limited exceptions, are generally required to use U.S. military or other official aircraft when entering or departing Iraq. There have been no recent security-related incidents associated with civilian airport operations. Embassy employees, including those resident in northern Iraq, may seek authorization, and under special limited circumstances, have obtained permission to use commercial airlines and civilian airports when entering or departing Iraq. Civilians, including tourists, business people, and temporary residents should recognize the risks associated with air travel to Iraq and must be guided by the security policies of their agencies, companies and sponsors.
Northern Iraq
The security situation in Sulymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk Governorates in northern Iraq has been relatively more stable than the rest of Iraq in recent years, but violence persists and conditions could deteriorate quickly. Even though there have been fewer terrorist attacks and lower levels of insurgent violence in Sulymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk than in other parts of Iraq, the security situation throughout the country remains fluid. Violence associated with the status of Kirkuk is likely to continue, at least within Kirkuk. Insurgent groups continue to operate across the north. In 2008, multiple incidents occurred in Sulymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk involving IEDs, rocket and mortar fire, vehicle bombs, and shootings, though none resulted in U.S. casualties. While many parts of northern Iraq have become more stable, Mosul continues to experience intense violence and instability.
International Zone Restrictions
The U.S. Embassy is located in the International Zone (IZ) in Baghdad. The IZ is a restricted access area. The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Government personnel assigned to Iraq to be sufficiently serious so as to require them to live and work under strict security guidelines.
Limited Emergency Support to American Citizens
The U.S. Embassy provides limited visa services to the general public and provides restricted emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq, particularly those located outside of Baghdad. American citizens who choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this Travel Warning are urged to take responsibility for their own personal security and belongings (including their U.S. passports), avoid crowds, especially rallies or demonstrations, and to inform the U.S. Embassy of their presence in Iraq. All Americans in Iraq are asked to register with the Embassy at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.
Contact Information
American citizens may obtain the latest security information or other information about Iraq by contacting the U.S. Embassy, located in the International Zone, via landline at 1-240-553-0581, via e-mail to baghdadacs@state.gov, or by accessing the U.S. Embassy's website at http://iraq.usembassy.gov. The after-hours numbers in cases of extreme emergency are 011-964-770-443-2594 (from the US) or 964 0770-443-2594(within Iraq).
Updated information on travel and security in Iraq may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Iraq, as well as the Worldwide Caution, both of which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov/.
"Life is all about ass, you're either covering it, hauling it, laughing it off, kicking it, kissing it, busting it, trying to get a piece of it, or behaving like one."
"Common sense is something so rare it should be classified as a super power."
Oddly, I didn't need the state department to warn me that in all the world there are lots better places to go to relax than Iraq.
And in case anyone needs a reminder about the original story...
http://www.606studios.com/bendisboar...82#post6214282
The story were the guy at the Iraqi hotel who warns these idiots that hiking in that area was a bad idea, and how Iraqi police spotted them in the area and warned them that hiking in that area was a bad idea.
These people were unbelievably stupid.
Sites that may or may not interest you..
Ture...one would think it's a common sense kind of thing...You don't need the warning, neither do I, but the hikers....yeah!
Hell the short version should have read: Stay yo' dumb @sses the fuck outta IRAQ and IRAN! if you get caught, I ain't coming for ya, cuz I warned ya!
"Life is all about ass, you're either covering it, hauling it, laughing it off, kicking it, kissing it, busting it, trying to get a piece of it, or behaving like one."
"Common sense is something so rare it should be classified as a super power."
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