Best Of

If Trump wins I'm going to leave the country! And if Biden wins, I'm going to leave the country. This is not a political statement, I just wanna travel again! (I saw this on the social media I rarely visit. )

kfnknfzk
4:01PM
. . . At West Point it apparently is routine for a cadet to greet the group, give an overview and answer any questions. When our tour director stepped aside to make a phone call, the cadet made it very clear that he had drawn the short straw that morning and was not happy with having to entertain us. Without hesitation, an individual within our group reminded the cadet who was paying his education. Another group member very politely but sarcastically asked the cadet how many kids were thrown out on a yearly basis. The kid changed his demeanor after that.

As someone who has been in that very position, but at the similar, but finer institution on the banks of the Severn River in Maryland, I frankly think your group was off base in all categories- you were rude and patronizing. The "kid," really?!?!? Yes, the Academy education is federally, funded, but since Cadets are also tax payers, their tuition is partially paid by the Cadet (or Midshipman) her/himself and his parents. Trust me he/she will pay back that investment many fold, by defending his/her country and voluntarily putting is life in harms way many times over the next six years or throughout his/her 20 - 30 year career, if he/she is permitted to serve that long. Free time is severely limited at all the academies. If you are not going to class, you are studying, doing research at the library, preparing spotless uniforms, cleaning your room, participating in mandatory athletics, military unit, and social activities. By the time lights out arrives, those not staying up late to study or work on a project or paper, are totally drained- 0600 comes early! Even during the summer the Cadets are busy and do not have a lot of free time. For part of the summer they will be at the Academy for special military, leadership, and academic training, so free time is most precious to them. Those not at the academy will be out serving with and learning from the operating forces, jumping from aircraft and participating in combat and weapons training. Had your group known or appreciated this, they might have looked more favorably or sympathetically on what was no doubt a lapse in judgement. Did anyone in your group ask for his address so they could send him a care package of cookies, treats, etc. That would have been the appropriate response! And yes, due to the physical and mental stress, the attrition rate is high at all the academies! Of the 40 high school graduates and the Navy and Marine Corps enlisted service members in my company who raised their right hands with me on induction day, only 16 graduated and were commissioned.

I did spend some time this evening rereading the forum rules and nothing in them prevents a discussion such as this. They do talk about being polite and positive. Chastising others for what you see as breaking the rules is certainly not positive. We're all adults here and if you aren't interested in a topic, just ignore it. Plenty that I ignore.

I also spent time looking for some explanation by Tauck of the purpose of the forum. Closest I could come was this statement in my green book from last year under "Stay Connected" --- " you can ask pre-trip questions and reach out to your fellow Tauck travelers before your journey - and keep in touch with your new friends after your trip - on the Travel Forums ". Certainly the private messaging feature is a nice way to share more personal details but that doesn't mean they all have to be limited to that.

And yes, we'd ALL love to be talking about our trips and plans for more, but sadly covid just lingers over everything.

I' m sick of it! ....
I just want to travel again!!!!!!!!! everyone mellow down and keep your political ideas to yourself ,it will do us all a big favor! , we are all here for one and only common interest.... TRAVEL!

NancyCohen was more eloquent than me. It's funny how some people dispute real science and medicine, and call it politics. If someone runs red lights and stop signs, and doesn't obey the speed limit, is that political, too?

In any case, I will keep fact and rational thought to myself going forward.

I don't care what your political affiliation is. As travel maven said, there are a plethora of other sites you can go to voice your opinions, jokes and snide comments. This is a forum about travel, especially travel with Tauck. May I suggest that those of you who wish to use this site differently should establish your own closed group elsewhere. There is enough hostility, lack of civility and division in our country. We don't need it here. Hopefully, Tauck will intervene and remind you of the purpose of this forum. Thank you S35flyer, travel maven and jeffr775 for speaking up. We should all be grateful that we are fortunate enough to travel the world. Let's travel (when safe to do so) and enjoy each others experiences. Stay safe and well.

I have to agree with S35Flyer. The Tauck Community Board is the only platform where I can go to avoid politics and follow discussions relating to travel, which I love dearly. From morning until night, we are bombarded with Political Commentary, ads and opinions on the TV, Radio and Social Media. The comments on Facebook have become so down right ugly and mean from both sides of the Political Arena, that it has become intolerable for me. I have unfriended several people that I truly like as the comments are so deplorable. I realize everyone is very passionate about their Political Party and candidates but please keep in mind that not everyone may share your opinion. So, I kindly ask of my kindred traveling friends that we refrain from anything political on this travel board. This is the only site I look forward to visiting every day because it is devoid of Politics. Please don't take this away from me.

BKMD, I don’t appreciate your political comments regarding 2 digit IQs. You may feel that way, but take it somewhere else. We don’t need that junk here, we’re all just wanting to travel again.

“BKMD
August 28
Cathy - Did you miss the paragraph in the 2nd amendment about the right to bare mouths?
On a related note, notice the audience at Trump's speech? I think a 2 digit IQ was required for entry“