Safety First

Some of you may know that we had planned to go to Morocco in mid-October following our visit to Spain. If you follow the news at all then you are likely aware that there have been major uprisings in cities throughout the Muslim world over video created by a US citizen. The video, from what I understand, depicts the prophet Mohammed (a blasphemy in and of itself) in various ways that are offensive to people who follow Islam.

However rude the content of the video, and however ignorant the man who made it, the United States is a country which bestows upon all of its' citizens the right to free speech. Therefore, it would appear there's not much that can be done by the government to reprimand the maker of this antagonistic video, yet Muslims the world over are calling for him to be put to death- a punishment which would seem quite reasonable by their standards, and considering his offense. The irony is that numerous primarily Muslim countries are actively seeking more democratic governments, more freedom, and have repeatedly solicited help from the United States in the process of trying to attain these things.

The people who are attacking the US embassies are, in effect, angry with one man (and perhaps those who helped him to create the video). But it'd be nearly impossible to seek revenge on him directly, as it were. So instead, they do what many people do- take their anger out on the next closest thing- in this case, innocent US citizens working at embassies around the world. Rather illogical, if you ask me, but there it is. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like much of a stretch to think that one of those deeply offended people might take their anger out on a couple of young American tourists walking the streets, and it is for this reason, that we've decided that we'll save our visit to Morocco for another time. A time when there's a little less turmoil, a little more acceptance, and perhaps fewer people going out of their way to deliberately offend those who hold different beliefs than themselves.