The Candidates and Travel Concerns

This is reprinted from the Frommer's Newsletter http://www.frommers.com/articles/5526.html.

Obama and McCain Strike Out on Travelers' Issues

By Sascha Segan October 8, 2008

In this intense presidential campaign, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain have talked about many issues. But as air travel gets more crowded, delayed and expensive, roads and bridges crumble, and fewer foreign travelers decide to brave our strict security procedures to enter the U.S., the two candidates have said very little about issues affecting travelers and the travel industry.

In tough economic times, travel industry issues are very relevant to Americans' pocketbooks. According to the Travel Industry Association, travel and tourism is a $1.6 trillion industry generating $110 billion in tax revenue a year. The industry employed 7.5 million people in 2006, and that's not counting all of the folks who work at stores, restaurants and other venues patronized by both travelers and locals.

We emailed each campaign twice with a list of questions; both declined to respond. We won't take it personally. The Travel Industry Association has also tried to ask the candidates what they're going to do for travelers, and they seem to have been ignored, too.

We've marshaled the candidates' position statements, press and third-party reports to try to suss out what the candidates think about our struggling airlines, our broken-down railways, our crumbling roads and the inbound travel industry.

Air Travel

Airlines are merging. Flight delays are rampant. Airfares are going up, and people are getting stuck on the tarmac for hours at a time. What do Obama and McCain think?

Obama's transportation position paper blames "a record number of flight delays" on "an outdated air-traffic control system and overscheduling at airports already operating at full capacity ... Moreover, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has failed to work well with our nation's air traffic controllers, neglecting to treat them with the respect they deserve. Obama will work with Congress to modernize the nation's air traffic control system and he will direct the new FAA Administrator to work cooperatively with the frontline air traffic controllers to restore morale and improve working conditions and operations at the agency." According to Popular Mechanics Obama favors hiring more air traffic controllers.

If you read between the lines of a highly polemic AFL-CIO page on McCain's aviation policies you'll find that McCain is interested in privatizing or contracting out air traffic control. He's for allowing foreign airlines to compete on U.S. routes, and for more foreign investment in the U.S. airline industry. The AFL-CIO opposes these things, but needless to say, many other people support these ideas.

Neither candidate has stepped forward for travelers on "passenger rights" issues, including regulating whether airlines should provide comfort or compensation to passengers affected by delays and cancellations.

Rail Travel

Bring up the subject of Amtrak, and you'll find some of the starkest differences in the candidates' positions.

McCain has been one of Amtrak's greatest opponents for years. He has opposed increasing Amtrak funding and referred to Amtrak as a symbol of government waste, according to the Boston Globe. “Amtrak should be restructured to eliminate its reliance on the American taxpayers and to allow for its privatization," he said in 2002, according to a Brookings Institution report from August 25.

Obama says he is "a strong supporter of federal financial support for Amtrak. Obama believes we need to reform Amtrak to improve accountability. As president, Barack Obama will continue to fight for Amtrak funding and reform so that individuals, families and businesses throughout the country have safe and reliable transportation options. Barack Obama supports development of high-speed rail networks across the country. Providing passengers with safe high-speed rail will have significant environmental and metropolitan planning advantages and help diversify our nation's transportation infrastructure. Our domestic rail freight capacity must also be strengthened because our demand for rail transportation has never been greater, leaving many key transportation hubs stretched to capacity."

Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, is known as "Amtrak Joe" for his daily commute between Washington, D.C. and Delaware on Amtrak and his staunch support for increased funding for passenger rail.

Road Travel

For John McCain, energy policy and infrastructure policy are inseparable. "The nation cannot reduce its dependency on oil unless we change how we power our transportation sector," his Web site says.

McCain will offer a $5,000 tax credit for anyone who buys a zero-emission car; a $300 million prize for developing a viable electric car; a "rapid and complete" switch to "flex-fuel" ethanol-compatible vehicles; and enforcing mileage standards on carmakers.

McCain opposes a larger federal role in the transportation sector, according to the Brookings Institution.

Obama wants to increase those fuel-efficiency standards by 4 percent each year, provide a $7,000 tax credit for buying plug-in hybrid cars, and mandate that all new cars be "flex-fuel." In his transportation plan, he also discusses investing heavily in roads, highways and bridges with a "National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank" that will finance projects to the tune of $60 billion over 10 years.

Inbound Tourism

Even as tourism to the US declines, the two candidates have been totally silent on issues affecting the huge inbound tourism industry. As Arthur Frommer recounts here on our site, "While other foreign countries are enjoying regular and substantial increases in their incoming tourism, the U.S.A. is welcoming fewer tourists in 2008 than visited our country in 2000. Recently, a Senior Vice President of the Travel Industry Association testified before a congressional committee that the shortfall in incoming foreign tourism had cost America "46 million visitors, $140 billion in lost visitor spending, $23 billion in lost tax revenueÂ… and 340,000 jobs."

The Travel Industry Association tried to get answers from the candidates, but got nothing.

"We have confidence that both could be leaders in striking the best balance between security and travel facilitation, but to date neither campaign has addressed travel issues in-depth," TIA senior vice president Geoff Freeman said diplomatically via e-mail.

In a blog post in the Orlando Sentinel, Obama criticized a potential government-sponsored tourism advertising campaign. "Because, look, money's tight right now. And there are a lot of potential uses for that money. And I think people know where South Beach is."

McCain has stayed mum on the issue of declining tourism to the U.S. On his Web site, he says he wants to "continue implementation of the US-VISIT comprehensive visitor security program." US-VISIT is an umbrella term for a bunch of controversial border security measures including fingerprinting visitors both as they enter and as they leave the country.

Pin It Now!

Driving in Hungary

I have often told people I would not drive here if I were paid to do so and not as a taxi driver either. This sign says it all. On the left: Liquor store. On the right: Driving school. Any questions? Before I get comments, yes, Hungary has a zero tolerance law. And your point is?

Pin It Now!

From Two Thoughtful Book Readers

I received this note and pictures from Ivan and Jennifer. The subject line of the e-mail was "Enjoying our trip - Thanks for your help". The rest of the e-mail was "Picture 1: Holy Trinity Square

Picture 2: Orthodox Kazinczy Synagogue - The gate through the courtyard next to the Synagogue was closed and locked even though the sign said it was suppose to be open until 2300hrs. The other side of the courtyard was open when we went around. My wife had me pose being angry with the book because the courtyard gate was not open and we had to take a detour.

Ivan with with Jennifer" You have to admit, they do have great taste in travel guides.

Pin It Now!

One Picture is Worth...

a thousand words.

Pin It Now!

Truth in Politics

Seriously, the title of this blog post is either an oxymoron or a bit of jest on my part. You decide for yourself. However, my fellow human beings regardless of your country of origin, we have this nasty habit of believing what we read, hear, or just know in our hearts. Checking out the facts and fallacies is often ignored whether it is due to lack of interest, time, or resources. Yet, the next time the subject arises, we add our 2 cents, 2 forints, 2 pence, or whatever to the conversation as if we were aware of the facts of the matter. To aid those who want to know more of the Truth with a capital T, I have here the link to the facts of who lied and who told the Truth at the Vice Presidential debate. Now it is up to you! I was going to put it here, but it was way too long, but here is a summary.

Biden and Palin debated, and both mangled some facts.

• Palin mistakenly claimed that troop levels in Iraq had returned to “pre-surge” levels. Levels are gradually coming down but current plans would have levels higher than pre-surge numbers through early next year, at least.
• Palin repeated a false claim that Obama once voted in favor of higher taxes on “families” making as little as $42,000 a year. He did not. The budget bill in question called for an increase only on singles making that amount, but a family of four would not have been affected unless they made at least $90,000 a year.

• Biden wrongly claimed that McCain “voted the exact same way” as Obama on the budget bill that contained an increase on singles making as little as $42,000 a year. McCain voted against it. Biden was referring to an amendment that didn't address taxes at that income level.

• Palin claimed McCain’s health care plan would be “budget neutral,” costing the government nothing. Independent budget experts estimate McCain's plan would cost tens of billions each year, though details are too fuzzy to allow for exact estimates.
• Biden wrongly claimed that McCain had said "he wouldn't even sit down" with the government of Spain. Actually, McCain didn't reject a meeting, but simply refused to commit himself one way or the other during an interview.

• Palin wrongly claimed that “millions of small businesses” would see tax increases under Obama’s tax proposals. At most, several hundred thousand business owners would see increases.

This came from the link below with further analysis and more: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_biden-palin_debate.html

Pin It Now!

Saturday Night Live - VP Debate Open: Palin / Biden - Video - NBC.com

This is the "in case you missed it" episode of Saturday Night Live. Tina Fey is so excellent in all of her work and I love Queen Latifah.

Pin It Now!

The Nation

I am not going to embed this video since the article is just as good a read. http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080915/pow_video

Pin It Now!

Sarah Palin Flow Chart

Click to enlarge.

Pin It Now!

For Americans Only

Christopher Elliott, the travel writer had this petition in his newsletter. It is the American version of what Europe has done already. They made airfares transparent. You no longer have to wait until the last page to see that the 1 Euro airfare you thought was such a bargain comes with 168 Euros worth of taxes besides in hidden charges. Now someone is trying to do the same in the US with a petition. You can sign the petition here, but you need a US address. http://citizenspeak.org/node/1351

Pin It Now!

From the Mouths of Babes - CNN News

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- At the Hard Rock Café on Thursday, it was clear who won Palin Bingo.

Young voters play Palin Bingo during the vice presidential debate on Thursday in Atlanta, Georgia.

The game was the focus of a group of four friends, all in their 20s and early 30s, as they put Xs in boxes containing keywords they anticipated Gov. Sarah Palin might say during Thursday's vice presidential debate.

Words like: Special needs, Wasilla, maverick, Main Street, Washington outsider.

"Special needs ... I won bingo!" shouted Laura Butler, 30.

Satisfied with her win, and a full hour into the debate between Republican Palin and Democrat Sen. Joe Biden, she headed for the door.

"I thought it was entertaining and so, you know, it was fun," she said, a White Stripes song blaring in the background.

"I'm an [Sen. Barack] Obama supporter, and I couldn't see anything changing that," said Butler's 27-year-old friend Ryan Carrabine.

The event was sponsored by the nonpartisan organization Rock the Vote, which registered 1.9 million voters ages 18-25 this year. Tonight's debate was the only vice presidential debate scheduled before the November 4 election.

Half his bingo card filled, Daryll Cordeiro, 30, said he was unimpressed with both candidates' responses on nearly every topic from health care to Iraq. He said he'll probably vote for a third-party candidate. Watch how the debate left some young voters wanting more substance »

Many in the room couldn't point to specific issues they felt went unanswered. Rather, they said they wanted to be moved, they wanted to feel something. They wanted to see some genuine fire behind the podiums, not hear another campaign pitch.

"Biden's response to gay marriage was more PC because he was saying he didn't feel like it should be the government's choice and that it should be left up to the individual's choice," said Aaronica Merritt, 25.

She thought the debate was engaging, but said Palin is not ready for the White House.

"The only reason why she was prepared for this debate was because she had a script," she said. "I think that Biden made really good arguments about health care and about the war in Iraq by bringing up that McCain voted against funding the troops just as Obama did."

Merritt is torn because she is adamantly anti-abortion, which aligns with Palin and McCain's platform, but is for gay marriage, which attracts her to the Obama-Biden side.

This year will mark the first time she has voted in a presidential election, she said. Previous elections made her yawn, says Merritt.

"I just didn't think there was a strong enough difference between John Kerry and George Bush," Merritt said. "Now, there is a huge difference, and there's just a much higher degree of interest overall, and you feel energized. You feel like, for once, I'm being addressed; for once my generation might count for something when it comes to deciding who is our president."

Others were less impressed.

"I'm disgusted by the whole process because I don't see a difference between either of them: Obama, McCain, Palin or Biden," Cordeiro said. "[Biden and Palin] are agreeing on so much. You take tax reform, for instance. What did they say that was different, really? They aren't speaking to me. There's all this talk about change, change, change. It's all gimmicks."

But Georgia State University student Bryan Lariscy, who was leaning toward voting for Obama, said Palin did a great job taking on Biden.

"She took some cheap shots, but it worked for her, and I think she's doing really, really well," he said. "Biden is not doing so well. He's holding back way too much. He should be saying a lot more to her, taking her on more."

When Palin took a shot at the mainstream media, several in the crowd looked at each other and chuckled.

"If it really mattered, if it was really close between Obama and McCain, I would go with Obama," Butler said, sipping a tall peach drink. "But that's not because I like him or that he speaks to me. He doesn't. They are all the same. But I don't like McCain. It's a matter, to me, of who you don't want."

The Rock the Vote event was intended to register new voters. But no one registered to vote during the debate, according to volunteer Demarcus Peters, and most of the tables cleared out before the debate was over.

Peters, 31, owns a nonprofit community development business in Atlanta.

"I think people in this room really cared what was going on in this debate," he said. "People were holding their breath waiting for Palin to make a big mistake. I think this event was fairly successful. But I could see the excitement here. No one can say that overall young people don't care what's going on."

Pin It Now!

My Computer and I

My computer and I should have the best relationship ever. We spend more time together than a married couple who are partners in business with a home office. I do my best to treat it kindly. I show my appreciation for its many talents on a daily basis. Yet, like a spiteful friend, it turns on me on occasion; it really hurts when this happens. Yesterday was one of those times. We were working together seemingly without any qualms with each other, and then, it turned on me without warning. In the little tray at the bottom right hand side of the screen where the running programs are shown, a new little icon appeared. What caught my attention was the fact that it was flashing. It had the shape of a little computer with tiny yellow balls on either side. After I realized my buddy was not declaring its gender, I clicked on the icon for identification purposes. What I received in return was a message that is was trying to make contact with the IP host. For the last two weeks, I have been getting any annoying message on the Internet stating that my connection was reset by the host and I had to try again. This was consistent across platforms. The same issue arose with Firefox, IE 8, Outlook Express, and my Incredimail program, so I could presume that it was not software related. So, I had to break down and call my cable company to have it checked out. After listening to three minutes of instructions in Hungarian, I was finally informed that to speak to an English speaking operator, press 7. The last time I called it was 'press 8'. I think they change this periodically to confuse me. I pressed 7 and a lovely apologetic voice told me that all reps were busy and though my call was important, I could press 2 and leave a voice mail message and they would call me back. Being an untrusting soul with these promises, I waited...and waited...and waited. Five minutes later, I did get an actual person who asked for the usual information: my account number, the account name, the account address, my mother's maiden name, my place of birth, religious affiliation, political bent, phobias that have been cured and those that I still suffer from, and so forth. I really should record all of this information to do an instant playback whenever calling a company here to save my breath, but I never remember once off of the phone. The rep asked me to hold on while she checked my modem. I did and she did. She advised me that the modem was in perfect order, but there may be a problem with the IP, so she had to get someone from that department to check it. She asked for my phone number, the last bit of data not provide earlier so they could call me back after they checked it. When I asked how long this would take, claiming I did not want to be held hostage all day, she said within two hours. In the meanwhile, another glitch came about. The batteries in my cordless keyboard died. Now, I did have fair warning, since slamming a key ten times before getting any results is usually an indicator of something. Did I have spare batteries on hand? Nope! Ron was headed to the store, so this was put on the shopping list. Meanwhile, I tried every set of four AA batteries I could find fearful that the cable company would call back and need for me to navigate in the Network Connections or some such place. No batteries worked. One hour later, the phone rang; it was the cable company. Before the gentleman could say a word about do this or do that, I shared my dilemma. Although sympathetic, he said it did not matter since the IP was fine. It seems that it is my router that is causing the problems. They did not provide the router so it is my issue. Ugh! I hate having an issue. Ron returned with the batteries, so I thought I was set to go. The keyboard did not work. I repeatedly hit the reset button on the control and the back on the keyboard, but nothing happened. I uninstalled the software and reinstalled it. Nothing. Using the computer in the kitchen, I looked up troubleshooting for cordless keyboards. I had followed the instructions implicitly, yet still without positive results. By now, I was fuming. Buying a new keyboard was not on the agenda for the day. Ron had gone for a nap, so I decided to wait for him to get up to see if he wanted to go with me. Without a keyboard there are limited things you can do on a computer. I felt helpless and abandoned by my good friend. Pouting, I went to read the book I had started. After two chapters of being absorbed in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, I had an epiphany. The keyboard has a different antenna from the mouse. The reset button I had been hitting was the mouse reset. When I reset the correct antenna, the keyboard kicked into action.

Pin It Now!

Want to Take a Poll?

Pin It Now!

Thesis Students and other Dilemmas

Somehow, I wound up with eight Masters thesis advisees this semester, more than anyone else in the department. Knowing I was instituting a new program in Journalism this semester, I encouraged all of them to start their writing over the summer. I met with three of them consistently and they worked diligently easing the semester for all concerned. At the last minute, another student popped up from the clear blue. I had been her adviser of record over three years ago, but she disappeared. Now I have nine students. Each student has to write a minimum of forty pages, not a big deal for a thesis, but think about trying to do this in Hungarian if you are not a native speaker. Most of them are so fluent, I forget English is not their mother tongue and wave off their concerns about filling forty pages. The worst of it is that they are required to have twenty-five books and four journal articles cited in their work. Considering the resources here, it is as possible as transversing the Appalachian trail without leaving Europe. Amazon.com becomes their best friend because they spend an inordinate amount of money on books, many that look great with the description, but are left wanting once they arrive. The solution I have found for them is Questia online at www.questia.com, an Internet library. They can either use the free library or join for one month, get their research done, note the information they need for the Works Cited pages and voila, they have saved a ton of money. Anyhow, reading, editing, suggesting, commenting on chunks of students' work while still carrying on with the regular reading, editing, suggesting, commenting on students' work in the semester classes, can seriously cause brain strain. After poring over one student's thesis, I sent it back and she replied that she also went over it and found a number of spelling errors. My response was "Gosh if you found typos in the first 20 pages, I should be fired for not finding them first. Distance is a great thing for improving your perspective from you own work." Her response was what makes this worth the effort. "I don’t think you should be fired! J It is not you task to correct every little bit of mistake. The depth of the comments that you make is exceptional, in any case." On to the next thesis with a smile rather than a frown.

Pin It Now!

Sarah, Sarah, Sarah

Palin repeated buzz phrases--"greed and corruption of Wall Street," for instance--over and over. (She was obviously coached to use the word maverick repeatedly, former Republican Senator Rick Santorum observed after the debate.) For some viewers, her autopilot replies might be a turnoff. But for conservatives and independents who want to like her, she probably performed well enough--and she probably performed well enough to stop the hemorrhaging she had caused the campaign.… After the debate, Santorum commented, "Did she show she had a familiarity with a number of particular policy matters? Not particularly." But, he added, she had come across as "clear and concise" and had managed to convey a positive impression of herself and her views to the American public.…When Biden praised Obama, he praised his ideas, his proposals. When Palin hailed McCain, she hailed him, his personal qualities. Fighter. Maverick. Reformer. The debate, in a way, was a contest between a policy-person and a people-person. A CBS News poll of uncommitted voters found that 46 percent of them scored Biden the winner, over 21 percent who favored Palin. A CNN poll gave Biden a 51-to-36 percent win." Full article is here http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/10/10062_veep_debate_an.html

Pin It Now!

International Medical Corps Matched With Top 25 Am...

From chessiakelley at "International Medical Corps Matched With Top 25 Am...": Thanks so much Ryan! We made the top five and we now have until Oct. 14 to vote again in order to get the top prize of 1.5 million(vote tallies have reset to zero). I'm praying we get the votes, and I think we can do it! Thanks again for your support. vote here Let's do it!!! Ryan

Pin It Now!

Vice Presidential Debate

Pin It Now!

YouTube - DeclareYourself

Pin It Now!

Well John, Which Flip Flop Is It?

Pin It Now!

Who is Frank Cotton?

You may notice yet another political banner on the right hand side advertising for Frank Cotton for President. I came across an offer I could not refuse. Post a banner on your blog or website and they will send you a copy of the new novel by Mark LaFlamme Dirt: An American Campaign. After contacting them, they said yes, they would send me the book in Hungary, so I put a banner on the blog.

Today, the book arrived, but I could not remember seeing the banner lately and when I looked, it seems to have disappeared. So guilt and gratitude for getting a free book persuaded me to replace the banner and write this post. Along with the book, there was a campaign button, bumper sticker, and poster. All are displayed in my office at the university to confuse and confound my students.

I have not read the book as it did just arrive today, but I will submit a review once I have. It does look intriguing.

Pin It Now!

Education of Candidates

Educational background of the Presidential candidates Barack Obama: Occidental College - Two years. Columbia University - B.A. political science, majored in international relations. Harvard - Juris Doctorate (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude Law Degree Joe Biden: University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctorate (J.D.) Law Degree John McCain: United States Naval Academy - Class rank 894 of 899 Sarah Palin: Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A in journalism

Pin It Now!

Malev in Trouble

Budapest Airport worried about Malev Airline downsizing

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

Budapest, September 24 (MTI) - Budapest Airport, the company that runs the city's Ferihegy International Airport, is worried about the downsizing of Hungarian Airlines Malev, as it generates the lion's share of traffic at the facility, wrote Wednesday's nationwide daily Nepszabadsag. Malev is owned by a company called AirBridge, which is part of a Russian consortium called Air Union. Financier Boris Abramovich, who has a 49 percent stake in AirBridge, has lost his majority hold in Air Union, which is being bailed out of a financial hole by a Russian government-owned corporation called Rostechnology. Rostechnology plans to expand the union, now including five airlines, by adding another five. No one is quite sure how Malev fits into the picture, but one-third of the company's 300 pilots received layoff notices on Monday, wrote Nepszabadsag. The pilots' union, Hunalpa, has charged management with dilettantism, claiming that multiple mistakes have been made, including termination of several long-haul flights. Hunalpa officials say that the company needs a well-capitalised investor, and tell of an unnamed Middle Eastern airline that is interested in Malev. Moscow analysts, however, say that Malev will not change hands. The contract with AirBridge prohibits a resale without the permission of the Hungarian government, but that is not the case for stocks in the company. Analyst Oleg Panteleyev of Aviaport acknowledged that a review of Abramovich activity was a theoretical possibility. Should the Abramovich brothers be found responsible for the Air Union's financial hole and required to pay compensation, AirBridge might become part of a compensatory package, said Panteleyev, adding, however, that he saw little practical chance of this, wrote Nepszabadsag.

Pin It Now!

Penis-shaped Lollipop Strikes Again - Pestiside.hu

Pin It Now!