Avoid the United States at All Costs

I can’t find a link to the entire scene shown below, but so many times in my life, I’ve found Star Trek to be inspiring and, very often, a source of learning. While growing up, when being abused so badly that I had no dreams left about what I wanted to or could do with my life….when I was sent to bed to stick to my sheets because of the bleeding, or when I was expected to attend Sunday School hours after being raped, I found escape from the pain, terror and guilt with books and movies. Trek saved me from conforming to the evil ideology of my father. Today I try as hard as I can to be a decent man. I worked for 30 years and still never did anything I dreamt of before those dreams were snuffed out like a candle. I did the best I could under the circumstances, but I have regrets. They’re heavy and difficult to live with. But I’m not alone when I say that I learned a lot from Trek and books.

Many of you no doubt can relate to this, and personally and sincerely, I’m sorry.

Star Trek was always my favorite. The sets were much smaller than most people know, forcing viewers to use their imaginations to fill in the rest. Today imagination isn’t required. CGI removes the wonder of imagining the things you couldn’t see in classic shows or when reading a great book.

Star Trek IV

In the movie Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Admiral Kirk and his officers are on their way back to Earth when they receive this warning from the president of the Federation. An alien probe has entered orbit and is causing atmospheric damage to the planet. Kirk intercepts a message from Starfleet Headquarters warning everyone to stay away.

“ST 4: TVH” is still one of the most beloved Trek movies, and for good reason.

That’s why I’m reminded now of this scene. I’ve warned people before to stay away from America, and I hate doing it, but I believe it to be morally justified. This time, even more so.

This summer — indeed this year — tourism dropped significantly from other countries. I feel sad about it, but those people who stayed away were smart.

At times, the major news outlets were reporting that people were being taken off the streets illegally and without any due process, were hauled off to other countries which accepted them as prisoners. Reports of imprisonment under inhumane conditions were then suddenly stopped, one news agency after another under the threat of losing their broadcasting licenses.

Now there’s almost no mention of this violation of human rights at all. That’s outrageous!

Therefore, especially during the current government shutdown, I must renew my warning to all travelers from abroad: avoid the United States at all costs.

You can’t even visit a national zoo, and the Smithsonian museums will only remain open for a limited time. There is no reason to risk your freedom or your life to come here. None. To see a geyser? Ski in Colorado? Visit even with family?

It is a dangerous time, for Americans and for you. There’s no way to know what might happen. I believe that with video meetings at your disposal, even business travel can and should be avoided.

Our president has caused, and continues to cause, critical damage to the very foundation of this country, and he’s seriously mentally ill. He claims to have stopped wars that don’t exist, including one between two countries that share no borders, and indeed are thousands of miles apart. He declared war on one of our own states even though the governor of that state assured him that nothing is happening there to warrant military intervention.

When meeting foreign leaders, he’s worse than an embarrassment; he is in fact being laughed at, and that is justified.

He’s a fool, but a dangerous one. He’s in power and longs to use that power without any thought as to the consequences. He does not, in fact, care about the people he’s supposed to serve. Or you.

Save your money. Save yourselves.

Avoid the United States at all costs.