The country holding captive  the birthplace of the religion I grew up with, Christianity, of the ethics that shaped me, has withered beyond redemption. It seems hell-bent on withering spirituality throughout the world.

In 1999, I was a guest of Israel, there to write on adventure travel. While traveling at night on camels across the Negev desert to a Bedouin-staffed luxury camp for tourists, news comes of Ehud Barak’s defeat of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud party. The guides, members of Bedouin tribes long displaced and discriminated against, were ecstatic. They chattered away on cell phones, hopeful for reforms that might improve their lives. That was not to be.

Shortly after that excitement, I’m in a luncheon in Jerusalem. I’m sitting next to Netanyahu’s outgoing Minister of Tourism, Moshe Katsav. No backwater, this cabinet post. For a time, Barak served simultaneously as both Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism. The post is not just central to bring in income but for propaganda, which is ladled thick on visiting journalists.

I asked Katsav why, instead of arguing with Jordan about which side of the river Christ was baptized on, the countries didn’t join together in joint tourism projects, enlarging the tourism pie.

Even better, I added, why not include the Palestinians? Give them skin in the game and a stake in stability?

Katsav stared at me like I’d just emerged from a twenty year coma.

“The Palestinians, (pause), they are our N-words!”

Katsav didn’t say “N-words”. He said the word. Drawn out, emphasized. No KKK Imperial Wizard could outdo his sneer.

Katsav assumed I’d grasp terms a white American would understand. No concern of insulting African-Americans any more than Palestinians. Or of offending me, someone there on their dime. Scales dropped from my eyes. The supremest racism underpinning Israeli society and policy winked at me.

An outlier? Katsav was later elected President.

At least he didn’t give the common scripted response, “It’s complicated”. It isn’t. It’s never been more complicated than people, even the non-god fearing, waving real estate deeds from God to steal what they coveted of what little Palestinians had left.

Another Minister of Tourism, Rehavam Ze’evi, appointed in 2001 by Ariel Sharon, remained a pal of Netanyahu. He described Palestinians working in Israel as a cancer that should be gotten rid of as if they were lice. He wanted to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank by making life miserable for them. He envisioned Jordan as part of a Greater Israel.

A proponent of Israel’s strategy of assassinating “potential” terrorists, even calling for the death of Arafat, he later met that fate.

Current Likud Minister of Tourism Haim Katz has long pushed for Israeli colonization in the Gaza Strip and developing tourism in the occupied West Bank, via illegal settlers, measures preventing a Palestinian state. During a prior government post Katz obtained parliamentary immunity on charges of corruption.

Nice crowd, beckoning travelers to the Holy Land.

Spirituality that hasn’t withered runs deep in groups like Jewish Voice for Peace, with whom I had the pleasure of marching on Capitol Hill. Damned impressive, they hold up under despicable insults to their character and identity. As are Code Pink and anyone else who’ve let me string along demonstrating for a ceasefire. Revealing how deeply the fix is in, Nancy Pelosi called for FBI investigations to see if those calling for a ceasefire are doing Putin’s bidding. Honest, Nancy, Putin hasn’t called.

Israel has manipulated America, founded on the separation of church and state and on free expression, into creating a doom loop for our democracy. We do carte blanche funding of an apartheid foreign power which then purchases and threatens both our legislative and executive branches, Federal and state. Would it go over if any other foreign country’s minions publicly announced they’d spend a hundred million dollars to defeat a handful of US Representatives who opposed ethnic cleansing? If they offered bribes of 20 million dollars to people to primary those they want removed?

What about if their US legislative minions pushed to throw our First Amendment rights under the bus by threatening fines of a million dollars and prison sentences of twenty years if one advocates BDS – boycott, divestment and sanctions – for Israel’s violations of international law? That’s what “liberal” Maryland US Senator Ben Cardin tried to pull off in 2017. Chuck Schumer made Cardin head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after Senator Bob Menendez – Senator Mendacity – another Israeli favorite, crossed too many gold lines. Lately we have the spectacle of legislatures across the country twisting our language so that criticizing Israel and Zionist genocide is equated with anti-semitism. The irony of course is that there is no greater cause of anti-semitism throughout the world than Israel’s actions. No justification for anti-semitism, but impacts are there. As it is now for Americans before the shocked eyes of the world.

Legal pushback didn’t happen when people boycotted apartheid South Africa. The editorial page cry for our First Amendment rights would have been deafening if it were tried. Not loud now. That should terrify us.

The NY Times recently told reporters to mostly shutter the terms “genocide,” “ethnic cleansing,” “occupied territory,” “Palestine” and “refugee camps.”

Orwell looks wiser every day.

Better to support tourism to nations not cowed, that call out Israel’s war crimes and my own country’s tragic hypocrisy. The forced complicity of the parade of depravities we’ve seen is unforgettable and unforgivable. Yes, nothing justifies attacks on innocent civilians, even by the occupied against occupier, even in return for attacks continuously done on Palestinians, including in the West Bank. Should never have happened, even if past non-violent demonstrations were greeted by snipers. Just a line one can’t cross and maintain one’s moral high ground. But most Palestinians, including men, had nothing to do with it. The horrors of collective punishment, including on children, women and other innocents, did not begin after Oct. 7th, despite the illusions of PR machinery. It began with the systematic, long-haul dehumanization and annihilation of a culture and people. I can easily do without the country behind that, as well as its apologists and enablers. I guess that’s something of a personal boycott.

The post Israel’s Doom Loop for Our Democracy appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Article and photos by Raoul Pascual.

The African Art Museum (also called The African Museum of Art) is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.  It’s a beautiful massive building but, to be honest, it doesn’t have as extensive a sampling of authentic African art as I expected.  For that I guess you would need to visit the African American History and Culture Museum. You can rent the venue for personal and business functions.

If you are in a hurry and just want to get a sampling of the African culture, the AAM is a good place to start. According to their website, “the primary mission of the Education Departments of the National Museum of African Art is to strengthen global arts and humanities appreciation by helping to increase understanding of our world’s cultural and artistic traditions through the lens of African and its diasporas” — yeah, that’s quite a mouthful. From my untrained eyes, the collection seems to be more contemporary than historical. There are permanent displays as well as seasoned highlights of contemporary artists. At the time of my visit, the featured artist was Ayana V. Jackson. Kudos to the architects and the exhibit designers who gave each room its own personality. The generous space, high ceiling and dramatic lighting are displays in and of themselves. Indeed African Americans come from a proud heritage.

If you plan to visit the Smithsonian, It’s best to take the Washington Metro. Maps are available for the asking at the information booth by the entrance. Of course you can always take your chances finding a parking space but I wouldn’t.

The post African Museum of Art: Washington, DC appeared first on Traveling Archive.

I used to live around the Washington, DC area in my college days and I’d been to the Smithsonian Museum and the different monuments. But it never occurred to me that this is also the town where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. So to my delight and surprise I found out, through a museum information booth, that the original Ford Theatre where he was shot and the house where he died had been preserved all these years and it was just a few blocks away.

I only had a typical general tourist map (with hardly any detail) to get to my destination — I just knew I was walking in the general direction. Once I saw tourist buses and a souvenir shop full of Lincoln memorabilia I knew I was at least in the vicinity. But as I gazed around, I saw nothing but blocks of modern buildings. And then I saw a security guard wearing a standard beige uniform guarding an old fashioned stairway entrance of a brick façade of a house. It was literally a hole in the wall among the modern buildings. It turned out to be the boarding home of the Petersen family where Lincoln was carried to after the shooting.

Fortunately for me, it was an off-season so there were just 2 families ahead of me. One could get claustrophobic easily in this cramped hallway where posters and enlarged pictures of old newspaper headlines unfolded the assassination. Less than a hundred paces from the entrance was a little door at the end. I entered the room and there it was — the famous bed where Lincoln breathed his last. I knew Lincoln stood head and shoulders above everyone so I was surprised that he fit in that short bed. The bed sheet, the pillows, the clutter in the room where they carried him to safety seem to have been preserved. There was a sense of reverence as tourists took turns gazing at the room where this great man died.  Not much could be said about the room. No elaborate decoration. It was what it was. And then the path towards the exit showed more pictures and displays of the aftermath — John Wilkes Booth’s escape route, the hunting party, the judges, etc.. The architects of this display were pretty clever in blending this 1860s home with the modern age. There was a large spiral stairway standing from the bottom floor to the 3^rd floor and in the center was an odd pillar of books. Upon closer inspection, I realized that every single one of those books — from the children’s books to the scholarly writings — had been dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. Such was this man’s legacy to the world.

I asked the guard where the Ford Theatre was and he was amused at my blindness. He pointed right across the street. I expected to find an old building instead of a glass façade. The proximity just made sense because this was the closest accommodation to rush the body to safety right after the shooting.

Again, the theatre was an architectural marvel – a blending of the old and new eras. One step past the double door entrance brings you back in time. The interior reminded me of some of the New York Broadway theaters where intricate wood carvings adorn the walls and the ceiling.

A Little History

The tourist guide narrated the events of the assassination like a seasoned orator.  He said the Civil War had just ended. Many lives were lost on both sides. Lincoln was bereft and carried the deaths of 618,222 soldiers on his weary shoulders. It was a hollow victory. There were still loyalists of the Confederate army who considered Lincoln a traitor to the white race. Among them was the most popular actor of that day, John Wilkes Booth (JWB).  

With victory fresh in the air, the people in D.C. clamored for the President to give a speech; however, contrary to popular belief, speaking in public was not one of Lincoln’s strong suits and he passed the opportunity the first night. But he prepared for the second night and on April 11, 1865, speaking from the White House window to the crowd below, he reluctantly gave his speech about reconstruction and unity … it was his final speech on this earth. The speech angered JWB and it was there that he vowed to assassinate the President. To put things in context, the sentiments against slavery in the country was divided. Lincoln went against the grain and he had made genuine enemies. Ironically, it was his death that unified the country.

On that fateful week, with his long-time connections with the Ford Theatre, JWB learned that Lincoln had a change of schedule and was going to attend the show — a comedy entitled “Our American Family,” on Good Friday, April 14, 1865. The theater grounds was practically his “home” so he had full access to every room in the building. He was familiar with the play so he knew the perfect time to carry out his dastardly deed. He entered the side door on the 2^nd floor that led to the Presidential Box. He barred the door with a 2×4, put a derringer pistol at the left nape of the President and fired. The President’s body slumped forward. 29 year old Major Henry Rathbone (who was sitting near Lincoln) rushed to Lincoln’s aide but JWB drew his dagger and slashed Rathbone’s arm. The audience below were unaware of the violence taking place … thinking the shot was part of the performance until JWB leapt from the balcony and broke his leg; but despite his injury, he escaped through the backdoor and rode away on horseback. With a $100,000 reward on his head, JWB was cornered by federal troops in a Virginia farm on April 26. He refused to surrender so they burned down the farm and JWB was shot and killed. Eight of his fellow conspirators were also captured. Some were hanged and others were locked in prison. Justice was served amidst mixed sentiments.

Dr. Charles Leale attended to the President. The bullet had entered through the left ear and lodged behind the right eye. He had seen enough of the wounds in the Civil War to predict that there was no hope for survival.  Lincoln was carried to the Petersen’s home across the street where he died 9 hours later at 7:22 am. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton famously pronounced, “Now he belongs to the ages.”

Our group of tourists made our way out of the theater. As I walked out from the centuries-old theater into the streets surrounded by modern buildings, I couldn’t help but compare the uncertainties of Lincoln’s time with that of today.  One day the politics of today will certainly find their way into our history books. Will the fake news and the conspiracy theories be convincingly revealed by objective historians? Will we recognize the greedy influencers who lurked in the shadows and will the unsung heroes finally get their thanks? Or will history repeat itself and will we need an assassin’s bullet to unite our divided country? Hmm …

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Ten Facts About Lincoln’s Assassination

Ford Theatre

The post Ford Theatre: The Shot That Launched a Thousand Books and United a Nation appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Bucket List

Ever since Dan’s funeral 2 years ago, Olivia had disappeared from my social circuit. She never returned my calls … never replied to my emails. So when a mutual friend said she was going to visit Olivia’s office last Wednesday, I invited myself to tag along.

Olivia had lost 20 pounds. Aside from the usual office clutter, her office was piled with memorabilia; certificates and awards plastered the walls. We reminisced the good times with her husband who was a frogman and demolition expert. Dan was among the first batch of the newly created UDT (Undersea Demolition Team) US Navy Seals. In fact, Olivia showed me his goggles and mini-oxygen tank that was smaller than a water bottle. His covert team gathered intelligence for the Cuban crisis and the Vietnam war. Dan even opened the hatch for John Glenn on February 20, 1962 when the Friendship 7 splashed safely in the ocean after the first manned orbit around the world. Dan was a devoted fan of my TGIF emails (I’m flattered).

Her life revolved around Dan. They were quite an item. She was the opinionated, skeptic who always had something to say about anything and he was the introspective analyzer curious to learn about everything from gem stones to guitar techniques. His desk and his dusty tool shed remain untouched to this day. As she shared her amazing life with her husband, tears rolled down her cheeks: “We did everything together but I took him for granted … I didn’t realize I would miss him this much.” Indeed, this widow was a zombie for 6 months. It took an hour to say my goodbyes because she would not let me go. It must have been a while since someone listened to her stories. Bless her strained heart.

Washington, DC
During my college days, my school was a half hour walk away from the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC. I took it for granted that I’d have enough free time to explore. However, the only time I museum hopped was when out-of-town guests forced me to show them around. I’ve always wanted to return to DC and soak in that wealth of history. So, tomorrow I’ll be taking a jet plane back to my old haunts. I’ll be visiting my Aunt who took care of me then. She’s my second Mom. I need to do this while she’s still cognitive. Not sure what I’ll do there … what to talk about, what to see … but I just know this visit has been a long time coming.

Conclusion
How often do we take people and places for granted? The great philosopher Ferris Beuller said “If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

How’s your bucket list? The world is changing faster than a baby’s diaper. Don’t know about you, but I’m not missing this one.

TGIF People!

“He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of His name. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because You are with me. Your rod and Your shepherd’s staff comfort me.” – Psalm 23: 3-4

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Clinton of Arizona

Parting Shots

Thanks to Mike of New York

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

Thanks to Erick of La Habra, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

Got any good jokes? Come share it with rest of us!
Know someone who enjoys a laugh? Share this article.

SUBSCRIBE

The post Life Lesson Growing Up Poor appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Jim Gordon of Vancouver, BC — Co-host/co-producer of weekly TV shows, Our City Tonight & The Travel Guys:

Well done to my #travelguystv colleague #weavecleveland for his contribution!! I live in Vancouver and have never been to that tiny fishing village. I would also add, taking visitors to #crescentbeach in #whiterockbc near Weave’s home!

West Beach has more rocks than East beach, but right at the water line in the photograph is where the sand begins. The tide tide goes way out on this shallow bay so there’s more sandy area than rocky area.

Harrison Liu of Miami Beach — Cruise specialist:

If I weren’t already living here, I’d say Miami. But I have to agree with Mattox, Memphis is my #2. My most memorable experience in Memphis was the Sun Studio tour. One of the best storytelling I’ve ever experienced.

Maribeth Mellin of Southern California — Author, free lance journalist:

Washington D.C. for sure. Lived there in the 70s and spent every weekend walking around the city, exploring neighborhoods. It felt like living in a national park with manicured gardens everywhere. No billboards, no high-rises, flower markets and cafes on the sidewalks and so many monuments and museums available for free. It’s truly an international city — the grocery stores held a fascinating array of ingredients and there were restaurants for every possible taste. I wasn’t into politics at the time and could enjoy the city for itself, without that distraction.

Judy Henry Heier of Puyallup, Washington — Owner/Antiques Dealer/Appraiser at the Heier Echelon:

Fantastic! Very inspiring article, and makes me realize I need to travel more… Deadwood, S.D. comes to mind as an interesting destination. A throwback to the 1870’s, 1880’s, with the renovated hotels, turned casinos… wild west and mining history including the Gold Rush, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane… If you’re there at right time, you’ll see a ‘shootout’ reenactment… the beautiful trek through the Black Hills, and don’t forget to visit Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse a few miles down the road. Beautiful scenery to behold along the way. A fun destination.

Patty Medina of Southern California — Writer & actor:

Cambria, California. It’s our happy place! And, driving down the Pacific Coast brings joy to my heart.

Jill Rand of Perkasie, Pennsylvania — Heritage Estate Properties executive:

Fantastic article! I agree with Julian, CA! (#3, T.E. Mattox, on writer’s poll), The cutest small town, filled with Apple orchards, antique stores and Bed & Breakfasts. I went on a mother/daughter weekend when Amanda was 5 years old. Little did I know the throw back in time included lack of Wi-Fi and televisions! We played board games in the Parlor, sipping hot apple cider. Nearby farm offered a petting zoo and panning for gold! An incredible, memorable experience once I got over the panic of “unplugging from technology.”

Ann Bailey of Pasadena California — Writer:

New Orleans. Doesn’t feel like it’s part of the United States.

Alex Brouwer of Berkeley, CA — Youth counselor:

While I haven’t been to many places in the US, I love San Diego, CA; Crater Lake, OR; or Zuma or Malibu beach in Los Angeles, CA. My favorite place of all may be Mt. Rainier in Washington State.

Brom Wikstrom of Seattle — Artist , mouth painter & instructor:

Eureka Springs, Arkansas has an illustrious history, dynamic present and a promising future. From its earliest days, it was renowned by native Americans as a destination for the healing properties of the natural springs. Early settlers also migrated to the area for the same reason and left remarkable Victorian homes throughout the valley. Perhaps most striking is the famed Crescent Hotel, billed as the most haunted place in America. For someone like myself who uses a wheelchair, the steep, winding streets can pose a challenge at times but the natural beauty, charming structures and generous people make this an enjoyable and history-filled experience. I was able to board the historic train that shuttles visitors around the area and took several driving tours to soak up the natural beauty from selected viewpoints. Cultural venues are cherished with an annual opera festival, Festival of Arts in May and a Mardi Gras Festival. You don’t need to be particularly religious to appreciate the annual Passion Play performed out of doors from May through October or the sacred confines of Thorncrown Chapel, architect Fay Jones’ masterpiece, set in a forested glen that exemplifies serenity and blends with its natural setting beautifully.

Nearby is the Blue Spring Heritage Center, a 33-acre nature preserve and the world-class Crystal Bridges Museum of Art in Bentonville is barely an hour’s drive away. Only a bit further in the other direction is Branson, MO where music and entertainment options thrive. Other points of interest to note is Quigley Castle, a unique house museum and garden and Onyx Cave, a modest sized attraction where some of the 1969 production “It’s Alive” were filmed.

It was July when we visited and though it was hot as all get out, we cooled off with sun tea and some of the local craft beers in the taproom at Brews on Pine Street.

Jeff Stave of Sandy, Oregon — Musician & composer:

Okay, once while visiting the Flora-Bama road house on the state line Gulf Coast, I called my mother and told her I wanted to head over to New Orleans for a stay. She nixed the idea saying she worried about my safety. I was in my 40s .

Steve Mandel of Long Beach, CA — Music critic:

Love to go back to New Orleans or Memphis. Been too many years. “Steve, I want to go to Boston” – Jocelynn Pryor!

Gitta Kroon-Fiorita of Connecticut — Owner at Kroon Communications, LLC:

All great destination choices and wonderfully written. I am always drawn to places I have not been and New Orleans is high on my bucket list. I must say though I have come to appreciate what my own state of CT has to offer during this pandemic. Great state parks for hiking and small towns to wander. E.g., I discovered the historic town of Washington, surrounded by miles of trails at Steep Rock. Anyone bound for New England in the fall to see the foliage, don’t skip this little gem!

Roger Fallihee of Seattle — Writer:

I love Cannon Beach, Oregon. We go there almost every year. Amazing beach, town, people, shops, and restaurants.

Visit T-Boy Society of Film & Music’s Favorite Domestic Destinations — Writer’s Poll

The post The T-Boy Society of Film & Music: Readers’ Poll Favorite Domestic Destinations appeared first on Traveling Archive.