“Forbes Magazine is promoting Iran as one of ‘The 10 Coolest Places to Go in 2017’, based on a review by Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder of the travel website Indagare…’Visitors to Iran understand that they must adapt to Sharia law and customs, under which alcohol is strictly forbidden and women must wear hijabs…..’”
Forbes forgot to mention a few more of Iran’s attractions: acid attacks on women to enforce Sharia dress codes; the devaluation of a woman’s life, such that if she dies accidentally, her family will receive only half the legal compensation than given for a man; the devaluation also of a woman’s testimony in court, as worth half that of a man (as per Qur’an 2:282); public lashings for certain offences and death by stoning for women convicted of adultery; executions at a rate of over 800 per year, mostly for drug offenses; the honor killing of women, while the regime looks the other way; and heavy fines and jail sentences for women who do not wear the hijab. Also, if you happen to be a journalist and/or a peace activist, or have done anything whatsoever to upset the regime, you may be detained at the airport and jailed in Evin Prison on trumped-up charges. There, electrocution, brutal beatings, rape and drug-induced confessions and hangings are common.
Indagare’s Biggs Bradley – a woman to boot – also “credited the nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration and others in the West for the increase in tourism in Iran.”
Shame on Forbes in featuring this advertisement for tourism in Iran, and for including in it praise of the nuclear deal: Obama took advantage of this pact to released at least $100 billion to Iran, which it is using to finance jihad terrorism.
“Forbes Mag: Iran Cool Travel Destination for 2017 – Visitors Must Adapt to Sharia Law And Customs”, by Penny Starr, Breitbart, March 20, 2017:
Forbes Magazine is promoting Iran as one of “The 10 Coolest Places to Go in 2017,” based on a review by Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder of the travel website Indagare.
“Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley is excited about the trip she just completed, to Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Persepolis,” the Forbes article states. “The country seemed to be on the verge last year, and that panned out.“Tourism has doubled in the past year, Biggs Bradley notes, thanks to the 2015 nuclear agreement along with regular flights from London, Paris, Vienna, Istanbul, Dubai and Doha.”
“Visitors to Iran understand that they must adapt to Sharia law and customs, under which alcohol is strictly forbidden and women must wear hijabs, or headscarves, outside their rooms,” Biggs Bradley wrote. “Advanced visas are required for Americans, who must be accompanied by Iranian guides and may not visit Iranians in their homes.
Visitors must also “skip alcohol and put up with basic hotels,” Biggs Bradley wrote in the review published early this year.
“This is a destination for history buffs and connoisseurs of decorative arts who don’t mind basic rooms and food,” Biggs Bradley wrote. “It is not for sybarites [defined by Oxford Dictionary as “a person who is self-indulgent in their fondness for sensuous luxury”] looking for nightlife or spas.”
Biggs Bradley wrote that first impressions when arriving in the country are “wholly inaccurate.”
“On the day that our Indagare Insider Trip arrived in Iran, the cover of the Tehran Times featured a photo of a march marking the anniversary of the United States embassy takeover,” Biggs Bradley wrote. “The next morning, we passed a giant mural on the side of a building depicting an American flag with falling rockets in the place of stripes and bearing the slogan ‘Down with the U.S.,’
“This jarringly inauspicious start to our trip proved a wholly inaccurate foreshadowing of what the rest of our weeklong experience in Iran would be,” Biggs Bradley wrote. “Throughout our stay, people on the streets, in bazaars, at museums and monuments would come up to our group to greet us, ask our impressions and thank us for coming.
“I have never felt more genuinely welcomed by the local people in any of the more than 100 countries I have visited,” Biggs Bradley wrote.
Biggs Bradley credited the nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administrations and others in the West for the increase in tourism in Iran.
“According to the Tehran Times, the number of foreign tourists arriving in Iran has doubled since it signed a nuclear deal with six Western countries, including the United States, in January 2016, leading to the lifting sanctions,” Biggs Bradely wrote.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Iran is not an ideal travel destination because of it being designated as the No. 1 state sponsor of terror through its ongoing funding and arming of terrorists groups around the world and its human rights abuses against its own citizens and visitors.
The State Department’s travel warning on its website states its purpose is to:
“Reiterate and highlight the risk of arrest and detention of U.S. citizens, particularly dual national Iranian-Americans. Foreigners, in particular dual nationals of Iran and Western countries including the United States, continue to be detained or prevented from leaving Iran. U.S. citizens traveling to Iran should very carefully weigh the risks of travel and consider postponing their travel. U.S. citizens residing in Iran should closely follow media reports, monitor local conditions, and evaluate the risks of remaining in the country.
Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain and imprison U.S. citizens, particularly Iranian-Americans, including students, journalists, business travelers, and academics, on charges including espionage and posing a threat to national security. Iranian authorities have also prevented the departure, in some cases for months, of a number of Iranian-American citizens who traveled to Iran for personal or professional reasons. U.S. citizens traveling to Iran should very carefully weigh the risks of travel and consider postponing their travel.”
The State Department’s Countrys Report on Terrorism 2015 details Iran’s ties to the most ruthless terrorism around the world.
“Iran remained the foremost state sponsor of terrorism in 2015, providing a range of support, including financial, training, and equipment, to groups around the world – particularly Hizballah. Iran continued to be deeply involved in the conflict in Syria, working closely with the Asad regime to counter the Syrian opposition, and also in Iraq where Iran continued to provide support to militia groups, including Foreign Terrorist Organization Kata’ib Hizballah.
In addition, it was implicated for its support to violent Shia opposition group attacks in Bahrain….
miriamrove says
Iran is an ancient country and has so much to offer. So much history. One of the oldest church’s is in Jolfa, Iran. But the bastards over there because of their evil ideology delimited tourism. It is not a cool place to go. I was just there last year and it is so oppressive. Everything is under ground. It is worse than N.Korea. At least in N.Korea you can have a beer without being lashed. So I am not sure how Melissa came up with this BS. m
Julie says
Thank you for sharing your story.
JMB says
I think I now how Melissa came up with here report on Iran, not sure in which order;
1, She is a travel writer, she has to promote whatever place she visits. Her next place may be the dreary English midlands but even there she will probably wax lyrical about the amazing range of curry restaurants there and how there is a mosque in every high street.(The filth and rape crisis will not even enter her head)
2, She is a presumably young and female journalist, no doubt very liberal therefore she will hate Israel and as a consequence be in full support of anything to do with the Islamic world, she overlook all the problems of that nation and just be in praise of Obama’s recent deals with that nation and will not even be upset about the nukes.
3, All other things being equal I would love to visit Iran, must be a fascinating place with it’s history and natural attractions. To a certain extent I would be prepared to accept a lot of their ruling on the conduct of visitors. BUT, how about they show respect for our way of life and our customs when they come to our countries and if that palace (Iran) is so great why to they all flock to West as migrants/refugees/asylum seekers.
4, As a travel writer from the USA she would have got the VIP treatment wherever she went as long as she wore a headscarf and let the authorities know that she was very sympathetic to the Iran’s political and religious ways. (And she was not a Trump supporter)
Observer says
Iran is fascinating but I’ll take you up on this comment
” BUT, how about they show respect for our way of life and our customs when they come to our countries and if that palace (Iran) is so great why to they all flock to West as migrants/refugees/asylum seekers.”
The reason why Islamic countries don’t have any respect for the West is because we have no respect for ourselves or for our culture. The West is fast on its way to ruin – it’s turned away from family values to feminism, liberalism, atheism, slut-walks & welfare.
Woman’s suffrage was probably the biggest catalyst for the decline of the West. Women now rule over men in the West, and now we’ve had 4 waves of feminism that have poisoned our entire society. After witnessing the change over the past decades there is very little left fighting for in the West.
barb says
Comments about feminism spot on.
Terry says
FORBES IS OWNED EITHER BY THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT OF CHINA, OR ONE OF THE SYCOPHANTS OF THE SAID GOVERNMENT.
Malcolm Forbes sold out; he might (or might not) still have a title with the company; but it is basically Chinese controlled. (I think the sale was in 2014 or 15-not sure).
gravenimage says
Not quite. While Hong Kong has been taken over by Communist China, Hong Kong does still have a fair amount of autonomy, especially financially (although their political autonomy is, unsurprisingly, being eroded).
Forbes sold a controlling percentage to an independent financial organization–Whale Media. They did not sell to the Communist Chinese government.
terry says
Ok, so I was slightly off. However, do you beleive that the Hong Kong “independent” financial company would do anything to piss off the Chinese government? Or, rather that they would kiss the ass of the government, so that they can continue to reap ( and probably launder or at least take out) their money?
I think the latter- and forbes is not an independent magazine.
My views..
(I stopped reading it years ago-although periodically at a library will glance through an issue)
gravenimage says
Terry, I assure you I am *no* fan of the Communists, and have become increasingly concerned over Hong Kong being able to maintain her freedom.
Westman says
And don’t forget to,ask for a tour of Qom and Fordow. The heartfelt hospitality and invitations to prison will be so genuine that it will be impossible to refuse them.
miriamrove says
Hi westman! I have been to the city Qom. It has so much historical sites. But non musims are not welcomed. m
Westman says
That must have been interesting. Qom is where new Mullahs are minted to insure future oppression by Islam.
Biff H says
An adventurous sex tourism aficionado could spit out the Shahada and zip on down to one of the government’s mutah franchises Qom is famous for. A bit of sexy time, a souvenir marriage contract blessed by the Ayatollahs – what’s the down side to exposure to the best of what Islam offers the faithful? Any tourist will tell you the experience they cherished above all others is an intimate encounter with the locals. Love love love.
gravenimage says
True–“pilgrims” to Qom often hit the local brothels–oops, I mean have an Imam “marry” them to some likely Muslimah for as little as an hour. One of the perks of this “religious” pilgrimage…
John A. Marre says
Sounds like fun! How cool is it to hear the ayatollahs yelling “Death to America!”? The hangings would really be something to see. I can hardly wait! I’m going to book a flight today!
I’m so excited about going to a 100% Muslim country! I don’t care about the alcohol, but those headscarves are the latest fashion and are really cool. It’ll be fun to witness first hand how Sharia law works.
Julie says
Yes John I heartily agree, Iran is the bomb!
I’ll see if I can book an appointment for Female Genital Mutilation while I’m there. You know, really get into the Islamic culture.
Karen says
Yes, FGM is the new mani-pedi!
Iran is the bomb?! Oh, Julie….(excellent!!)
Norger says
I wonder how an American flag hijab would go over in Tehran ? Maybe you can even buy one there!
Joy Greggo says
Oh yes! Golly Melissa, is your travel company “gay friendly”? It might be embarrassing for your clients to get thrown off the top of buildings. These are the same nitwits who would boycott North Carolina for not allowing men in women’s bathrooms, and attend “women’s marches, but think nothing of promoting travel to a country that oppresses women and murders homosexuals.
Ted says
Unfortunately in Canada M103 has been passed and my rights to free speech have been removed so I cannot be critical of a certain subject and I must use the term ” you know what” from now on. So in the future when any citizen of Canada wants to express anything negative about “you Know what” they had better never use a noun because these people who stuffed this down our throats (M-103) are going to eventually have some penalty assigned, and their thought police will be watching. Kind of getting like Trudeaus is going to do what Stalin did. But this will statistically improve his unemployment numbers, due to the the number of agents they will need to monitor us.
gravenimage says
If enough people in Canada speak the truth, authorities will be unable to prosecute them all.
Guest says
I’m never going to Iran
barb says
I don’t want to go to Europe, either. Would feel safer in Russia/China.
Voytek Gagalka says
Of course it is “cool” if you’re ready to strictly follow sharia regulations (and preferably) be Mohammedan’ shia and will willingly participate in all their “death to America” rallies. They could even reward you if you’ll be willing to used in their propaganda and sell your own country. Nein, Danke!
davej says
I found many Persians to be friendly and inquisitive but they have all become victims of a religious theology.
There is an effort in the media to make Islam and the hijab “cool” as part of their effort to promote “diversity” and virtue signalling. No mention of the virtue involved in contributing your tourist dollars to a repressive terror regime.
Go to Europe instead and see if you can help them wake up from their stupor and tolerance of all the cool Muslims in their streets.
Terry says
better yet- go to parts of the US AND TELL THE PEOPLE HERE TO WAKE UP TO THE MUSLIM THREAT.
LET THE EUROPEANS TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
AND SCREW IRAN. HOPE THAT THEY GET 36 MAJOR EARTHQUAKES IN THE NEXT 18 DAYS. (and most centered in the area where they have the nuclear facilities; and the rest at their rocket and missile factories and military bases).
Any leftover (earthquakes) can kill their other American and Israel hating pieces of garbage–I mean people.
Dawn says
Thanks for that…you made me laugh out loud.
Jaladhi says
None of the Muslim Islamic hell holes are worth risking your own life!! Stay away from all those 57 Islamic countries as well as Europe and UK!!
Jean Terry says
I lived in Iran for a few months in 1982-83, prior to the fall of the Shah. I think I have the dates right, it is so long ago. Lived in Teheran and walked around the city a lot. There were many Americans, Germans and Russians there at the time doing business. Travelled to Isfahan and a few other places. Stopped in Qom for lunch on the way to Isfahan, where we were attending a wedding. We ate in a place that was next to the mosque, I am not sure if it was the main one. I was wearing jeans. The young man who was interpreting for us said we needed to leave right away at one point. The city seemed very quiet with not that many people on the streets. I didn’t realize at the time I was in the most religious place in Iran where later the Ayatollah would take control of the country. The Iranian people that we met were wonderful to us, but they were part of the rising middle class. The food in peoples’ homes was wonderful. I think in time with the Shah democracy would have gradually come. But the Shah had his secret police too. But the religious fanatics took over. It is definitely a country where it would be fascinating to visit, but I am surprised that they would advertise it that way considering the dangers there now.
Terry says
The Shah was thrown under the bus by Jimmy Carter (1977-81–Ronald Reagan was elected Pres Nov 1982; took office Jan 1983). (Carter would have taken office jan 1978, left office Jan 1982)
AvantiBev says
No, President Reagan was elected Nov of 1980 and re-elected 1984.
terry says
http://www.whitehouse.gov was my source for the years Carter was president.
I tend to agree WITH YOUR YEARS, but was going by the above referenced site-
TR says
Reagan was inaugurated January 1981.
Just like Donald Trump won the Election in 2016 but did not take office until Jan. 20, 2017. When Democrats say, “what has he done in his first 100 days”, this is wrong. Obama was still bringing Jihadi Insurgent Hostiles into the USA right up to the Inauguration in January . Plus releasing Felons from prisons in the hundreds and freeing terrorists. In general .Obama , the Terrorist, was in high gear under mining the USA before Trump’s Inauguration and is still supporting and organizing subversive activities today.
Arthur says
The Shah was kicked out in 1979. Reagan became president in 1980. I remember years of newscasts counting the days the embassy workers were held hostage. I remember that many of them seemed to come back mentally damaged.
Joy Greggo says
A family friend was one of those hostages. Locked in a small closet for months and tortured on almost a daily basis. Melissa Biggs Bradley’s article extolling the virtues of travel to Iran is the height of irresponsibility. She should change the name of her travel agency to “Blind Leading the Blind Tours.”
Terry says
I remember the hostage situation; the Shah being overthrown, etc.
The dates I USED WERE FROM. http://WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV
I would think that the government could have gotten the dates right.
gravenimage says
Thanks for the background, Joy.
I also remember the terrible countdown for 444 days for the Hostages.
gravenimage says
Thanks for the background, Jean.
david says
My fiancée and I are not quite married yet. Forbes, would you still recommend we visit? We have been fantasizing about an Iranian vacation since we were teenagers……LMAO…..WTF…..
mortimer says
It’s hard to know what motivates Melissa Biggs Bradley’s glowing report for one of the most un-free and authoritarian countries on earth. One assumes that there was a certain first-class treatment given and special favors in exchange for writing her glowing report.
Wellington says
Understandable to question her motive, mortimer. Interesting for abstract reasons and all that. But whatever the motive, it is certainly not a defensible one.
Actually, she should be ashamed of herself, but this isn’t going to happen——–though it should. I mean, my God, Iran is the number one sponsor of terror of any polity in the world and this silly person is recommending a visit to it? What a fool.
gravenimage says
Yes, Mortimer and Wellington–I think port of it is the “Extreme Vacation” chic–going to places most of their friends haven’t, like Antarctica or riding the Trans-Siberian Railway. I do understand the appeal of this to some extent–although it can sometimes be dangerous or even insane, depending.
Far more troubling is “Tyranny Chic”–for Americans, the most obvious is taking trips to Cuba, especially as things stood a few years ago. I’m ashamed to admit that I know people who have vacationed in Cuba, for whom twitting the United States was as much of a draw as were the attractions of Cuba itself.
When I mentioned Cuba’s oppression of free speech, of artists, and of gay people, they mostly drew a blank. I suppose this ignorance is better than if they had known and did it anyway–but only marginally.
Darryl Kerney says
Well, my friend Shabnam, who i think is somewhat well known here, lives here in Canada but is from Iran, she was imprisoned there at 16 in Evin Prison for criticizing the regime. She is a human rights and anti Iran regime activist, she was invited by the regime to return to visit her homeland that she loves, wisely she declined the offer. Of course she would have simply disappeared and she knows it.
gravenimage says
Darryl, is your friend Shabnam Assadollahi? She is brave and outspoken. Here’s some more information on her for those who are interested:
“Iranian human rights activist Shabnam Assadollahi condemns Ottawa Hijab Day”
http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/world-news/around-the-globe/iranian-human-rights-activist-condemns-ottawa-hijab-day-19042
“Iranian human rights activist Shabnam Assadollahi: “It is time for the UN to be booted out of New York”
http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/world-news/around-the-globe/iranian-human-rights-activist-it-is-time-for-the-un-to-be-booted-out-of-new-york-25568
I think you are right–she was very wise not to take the Mullahs up on their “kind” offer to come back to the Islamic Republic of Iran for a visit…
Wellington says
I know what the matter with Iran is——–Islam. But what’s up with Forbes? Why has it gone into stupid mode here?
Besides, I will NEVER visit a country where I can’t have a beer. No exceptions to this rule of mine. Not one.
Terry says
I posted-somewhere-in this post- FORBES WAS SOLD TO THE CHINESE COMMUNISTS .
more details in the other post.
That is what is wrong with the magazine
gravenimage says
Terry, see above–Forbes was not sold to the Communists.
Norger says
Next stop Somalia, the Sudan or perhaps Saudi Arabia? The only downside about Saudi Arabia is that pesky veil thing that woman have to wear all the time (that darned sharia!) and those annoying rules about no kuffars in Mecca. Once you get past that stuff, it’s just an awesome travel destination.
gravenimage says
Unfortunately, you just can’t parody this stuff. Here’s travel to scenic Sudan, including sights in Kartoum:
https://www.google.com/destination?q=sudan+travel+destination&rlz=1C1TSND_enUS657US657&biw=911&bih=425&site=search&output=search&dest_mid=/m/04d_m&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwir3om9o-vSAhXkgFQKHTXqCtgQ69EBCBwoATAA
Infidels could look forward to being enslaved there.
And here is Somalia:
https://www.google.com/destination?q=somalia+travel+destination&rlz=1C1TSND_enUS657US657&biw=911&bih=425&site=search&output=search&dest_mid=/m/0gclb&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiS1YH8o-vSAhVmx1QKHfS1DxUQ69EBCBwoATAA
Perversely, one of the sights listed is the Mogadishu Cathedral. No mention that the last Bishop of Mogadishu was murdered by Jihadists while giving mass there in 1989, nor that most of the Cathedral was destroyed in 2008.
Allegedly there are plans to rebuild the Cathedral–I’m not sure I’d be holding my breath, though.
If not murdered outright, Infidel travellers there could look forward to being kidnapped and held for ransom…
Oliver says
And SYRIA is looking to boost tourism. And (I read this, forgot where, was NOT sarc or satire) pushing Aleppo.
I know, Aleppo WAS an historic city. However, the few pictures I bothered to look at, between the terrorists and the bombings, it is a mess
August West says
Forbes has also neglected to add how much $ the Iranian chamber of commerce paid for this marketing piece.
Hugh Fitzgerald says
Spend Your Summer In Germany — 1936
http://mentalfloss.com/article/74298/how-nazi-germany-advertised-itself-american-tourists
gravenimage says
Yes–this is true, Hugh.
I remember reading–with utter shock, because I was unaware of the history when I was a teenager–a glowing article on Nazi Germany in an issue of National Geographic Magazine from the late 1930s, in the home of a friend whose parents had a collection going back decades. While many of the full-color pictures was of more expected shots of scenic Germany, one of them was of trooping Hitler Youth.
gravenimage says
Forbes mag names Islamic Republic of Iran “cool” travel destination for 2017, says visitors must obey Sharia
……………………………
More “Tyranny Chic”. And dangerous Tyranny Chic, at that, considering how many Americans have been detained, imprisoned, and even disappeared in Iran.
More:
“This is a destination for history buffs and connoisseurs of decorative arts who don’t mind basic rooms and food,” Biggs Bradley wrote. “It is not for sybarites [defined by Oxford Dictionary as “a person who is self-indulgent in their fondness for sensuous luxury”] looking for nightlife or spas.”
……………………………
So you are a “sybarite” if you take issue with gay people being hanged and women being stoned to death? This isn’t about being cheerful about putting up with less than five-star accommodations.
More:
Biggs Bradley wrote that first impressions when arriving in the country are “wholly inaccurate.”
“On the day that our Indagare Insider Trip arrived in Iran, the cover of the Tehran Times featured a photo of a march marking the anniversary of the United States embassy takeover,” Biggs Bradley wrote. “The next morning, we passed a giant mural on the side of a building depicting an American flag with falling rockets in the place of stripes and bearing the slogan ‘Down with the U.S.,’
……………………………
Wait–is she somehow claiming that these were not real signs? How would anything that happened subsequently–no matter how positive–somehow render these facts “inaccurate”?
More:
Biggs Bradley credited the nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administrations and others in the West for the increase in tourism in Iran.
……………………………
And how is legitimizing the bloody Mullahs a *good thing*?
More:
According to the U.S. Department of State, Iran is not an ideal travel destination because of it being designated as the No. 1 state sponsor of terror through its ongoing funding and arming of terrorists groups around the world and its human rights abuses against its own citizens and visitors…
……………………………
I always used to respect Forbes–but this piece from Melissa Biggs Bradley is not just immoral for endorsing travel to a terrorist state, but also directly puts her readers in immediate danger if they take her travel recommendations.
Reckless and amoral at best; downright evil at worst.
Fab Feringhee says
Will there be a meetup group to trade sex slaves?
david says
Forbes must have hired its first Muslim CEO……
Arthur says
When it comes to travel reviews, just remember what they say about parachutes. You may never hear a complaint about a parachute, but that doesn’t mean they all work.
Troybeam says
What is left to see in Iran, most of the nations history has been destroyed, historical sites no longer exist except rubble, what is there you cannot take pictures, must adhere to sharia law, no telling if you sneeze will you end up in jail.
Nope, the Middle East is just asking for you to come on a suicide mission, a perfect time to have visited Iran was when the Shah was in power, more western than what you have today thanks to Jimmy Carter that all changed.
On that picture issue: a man I know went back to Iran, born there, to handle his fathers affairs, went to take pictures was almost arrested, this was 2012 or 13.
Karen says
“Iran remained the foremost state sponsor of terrorism in 2015…..”
I understand the desire to travel and see it all. I love to travel, but would never spend my money in Iran. Sadly, Iran, Cuba and similar countries have to remain off my list.
Frank Anderson says
I’m sorry to any who object: BUT I must point out the meaning of the phrase “Assumption of the Risk”. When a person chooses to ignore a known risk, places himself in danger and gets injured (hijacked/kidnapped/jailed/murdered) it’s his own fault and responsibility. Going to Iran is nothing less than a known risk of not returning. There should be no public money spent or government effort made by people trying to rescue people who are stupid enough to go where they know they are hated and subject to every lie taught and practiced to get them into the grips of evil. Sorry, charity begins at home. You do something really stupid; You should have your own plan and arrangements to get yourself out. Think of all of the ways people put themselves in danger and then expect to be rescued. Rescue only encourages insane behavior. Just like flying used to generate travelers’ insurance, this may be a reason to buy a new travelers’ insurance to keep off the taxpayers’ pockets. Go where you want but pay your own bill in the process.
The idiot hero, Captain Phillips, ignored warnings to keep 500(?) miles from the coast of Somalia, and sailed about 200. His ship was hijacked. Large sums were spent to “rescue” him and his crew. His company should have paid the entire bill because they entrusted the whole business of the trip to him. We have better places to spend our money.
gravenimage says
Frank Anderson wrote:
I’m sorry to any who object: BUT I must point out the meaning of the phrase “Assumption of the Risk”. When a person chooses to ignore a known risk, places himself in danger and gets injured (hijacked/kidnapped/jailed/murdered) it’s his own fault and responsibility.
………………..
If Forbes Magazine’s travel section is saying that Iran is a cool place to go to then it cannot be assumed that everyone understands that it is dangerous to travel there.
Frank Anderson says
GI, with great respect, there have been news reports of Iranian kidnapping, killing and hostage taking since 1979, including the holding of approximately 59(?) US Embassy Officials 444 days under the present regime. Repeated demonstrations and public statements chant “Death to America”. Iran has been named the “Chief State Sponsor of Terrorism” and has participated in the killing of hundreds, perhaps thousands of US citizens, civilian and military in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Europe, Argentina and anywhere else they can reach. “You go: You pay.” Enjoy the whole trip, including the WHOLE bill.
Relying on a single story that is so delusional in the face of more than 40 years of experience is beyond simple negligence (which in some states is a complete bar to a claim, and in others is subject to “comparative negligence of the plaintiff and defendant”) and arises to “contributory fault” in some jurisdictions and plain and simple “assumption of the risk” in others that puts the whole claim back on the plaintiff, the “self-injured party”.
Would my telling you that a bus cannot hurt you when it hits you at 55 miles per hour if you jump in front of it excuse you from the defenses being discussed and allow you to win a claim against the bus company and driver? The people who go to Iran, North Korea and other absurd places make their choice. Why should taxpayers subsidize their stupidity with amazingly expensive and time-consuming rescue efforts?
Best wishes always.
gravenimage says
Frank, I could not agree more–anyone would would gad off for a vacation without at least checking out State Department travel warnings is a fool.
But there are certainly some naifs who might read an article in a respected publication like Forbes and assume that going to Iran now is just peachy-keen. This is criminally negligent on the part of Forbes.
And best wishes to you, as well.
Frank Anderson says
GI, it is an honor and pleasure to exchange with you. I must admit that with my years in school and over 30 years of being licensed, looking for issues is a major part of my participation in these posts. Speculating on the presence of remedies against Forbes for publishing such a dangerous and false article drives a look at the great case of New York Times v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (Ala. 1964) where slander of a public official was put to a higher standard of proof than slander of a private person.
The Forbes report we are discussing is addressed to the uninformed and completely gullible people who would be suckered into making a trip to Iran, then being captured, killed or otherwise injured and then wishing to claim against Forbes for deceiving them into making the trip. A court, probably all the way up to the Supreme Court, would, in my opinion, deny recovery, because the “reasonable, prudent person”, not the really dumb plaintiff, would know better. The standard in a slander claim involving “public persons” is that an article is published with “knowledge of the falsity or reckless disregard of the truth” which to me is obviously present in this article. Going to Iran on reliance of the Forbes article is really hard to connect to a usual slander claim. When the “contributory fault/assumption of risk” defense comes into play, it usually beats all claims of liability. Other opinions are just as worthy of examination.
In any event before making such a trip, comprehensive terrorism insurance at whatever price, and a long conversation with a currently licensed attorney practicing in your home jurisdiction are two really good ideas, not necessarily in that order.
Aton says
Quote: “tourism has doubled”
Hmm, from six people to twelve….
Aton
shoehorn says
If the Shariafied IRI is so cool, why are there so many reffos getting the hell outa there?
TheBuffster says
“According to the U.S. Department of State, Iran is not an ideal travel destination because of it being designated as the No. 1 state sponsor of terror through its ongoing funding and arming of terrorists groups around the world and its human rights abuses against its own citizens and visitors.”
Even if there were no risk of personal peril, I would never give my tourist dollars to such a regime. After the US government under Obama let Iran have its 100 billion dollars – dollars that enable it to keep being repressive and sponsoring murder around the world – I sure as hell don’t want to voluntarily contribute to that evil enterprise.
I can’t get used to the shallowness of some people on matters of this import. It’s as if they live in a realm of circuses, carnivals, and amusement parks where evil is just a scary animatronic puppet.
Joy Greggo says
I used to receive Indagare’s newsletter. I cancelled when after Trump’s election, it contained a weepy article about how in distressing political times, travel was an “antidote to xenophobia.” I sent an e-mail cancelling my subscription and explaining how inappropriate and offensive I found their lecturing to their customers to be. Melissa wrote back apologizing for the article, that her staff had taken the liberty of editorializing and politicizing the travel article and would I please give them a chance by remaining in the club for another year free of charge. I declined. This latest article proves my instincts were correct. Indagare is a shill for progressive, globalist politics, not to mention being owned and run by people wallowing in dhimmitude.
gravenimage says
Thanks for the background, Joy.
Mike says
Hope many peoples from alll over the world follow Forbes recommendations. The more Westerners that get in troubles in Iran , the best this expose the regime .
gravenimage says
I don’t want to see *any* Infidels fall victim to this vicious regime.
And anyone who doesn’t already know that Iran is barbaric is a fool.
Anne Smith says
This daft woman Biggs Bradley has just joined the ever increasing list of useful idiots.
I wonder if she spent any of her time there canvassing for the release of the unfortunate Mrs Ratcliffe who is now incarcerated in a hellish prison on trumped up spying charges, after a visit to her Iranian family to show them her new baby daughter.
I thought not.
Florida Jim says
One day soon an American visitor to Iran will be held hostage as the three young people were a few years ago just for crossing into the foul Country.They and others are simply waiting for the right moment to take hostages and begin the bargaining.
gravenimage says
Yes–how can anyone have forgotten the hikers so soon? And what about British and American naval personnel held hostage, as well?
Carolyne says
They might throw acid in your face or stone you to death. If you take up a romantic relationship, your life is lost. Hey, how cool is that? Some people thought Hussein Obama was “Cool” too.
Angemon says
I wonder if that’s a sponsored review?…
Jeanette says
That was my immediate thought!
Iran would be almost as much fun to visit as Saudi Arabia.
Jeanette says
Here is Indagare’s email address:
info@indagare.com
I just sent them a not very flattering email.
Joy Greggo says
Well done. I’ve already tangled with Melissa. Ask her about the attack in London.
gravenimage says
Thanks, Jeanette.
Azita says
I am an Iranian. I Will not visit Iran until these flea infested mollahs are out of it. How much was the author paid by the mollahs to write this glorious review? I wonder if the author also had to witness public hangings? Disgusting to try to make hell sounds like paradise!
gravenimage says
Thanks, Azita.
Brenda Romano says
If Iran wants to detain Iranian-Americans – go for it. Keep them. We don’t want or need them back.
When Iranians follow American jurisprudence, then I’ll follow Sharia law. Seems fair.
Frank Anderson says
Brenda, American jurisprudence and Sharia law are totally incompatible. The rights that are reasonably expected under US law are completely at odds with Sharia. I hope it does not cost you three or four years of law school and at least one successful bar exam to figure that out. Sharia law is to Islam perfect, unchangeable, and all controlling. Please take the time short of wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars going to law school and earning a license to find out for yourself.
gravenimage says
I think Brenda was being sarcastic, Frank.
Frank Anderson says
I certainly hope so.
els_g says
Why are you so critical towards Forbes? I think they only forgot to mention Iran is one of the coolest places for the leftists because there they would face their ultimate dream fulfilled – totalitarism.