Not as much evil as we think
There’s so much talk of evil in the world today. Every paper you read has some reference to war, terrorism, and murder. I don’t think the world is that bad a place! There’s just enough evil to keep journalists and certain state leaders in their jobs. But, think about this: as an Australian travelling through Europe, only a handful of countries require me to have a visa to enter their country.
In these days of globalization and speedy foreign travel, it’s easy to make the assumption that foreign nationals have the right to enter a country. Well, sorry, we don’t! No country has to let in any foreign national. Now, there are good economic and public relations reasons why they would, but you can be sure that if most countries thought that there exists a huge evil at their front door, they would close up the gates to their country quick smart! But, that’s not the case.
Despite the current perceived state of affairs in the world, most state leaders have sought fit to allow people the freedom to travel across their borders with no more than a little book with a fancy cover telling them who that foreigner is. For that, I thank these people, these countries. Let’s not forget that less than twenty years ago, Eastern Europe was still under the dark, suffocating blanket of communism. 20 years! In the annals of this world, that's the blink of an eye. Yet, it's still long enough that today, I can travel from Sofia, through Belgrade, up to majestic Budapest, sneak into Austria to revisit the sweet tones produced in Vienna, cross the magnificent Charles Bridge in Prague, and then visit the somber but necessary remains of the Auschwitz concentration camps, all with nothing more than my mug-shot-containing passport. It is quite extraordinary and a testimony to one thing: the people of the world are generally good, loving, open people that are happy to have us visit their homes, knowing that we'll probably be good, loving, open people that are unlikely to destroy their country and people. For that I am eternally, sincerely appreciative.
Later...
In these days of globalization and speedy foreign travel, it’s easy to make the assumption that foreign nationals have the right to enter a country. Well, sorry, we don’t! No country has to let in any foreign national. Now, there are good economic and public relations reasons why they would, but you can be sure that if most countries thought that there exists a huge evil at their front door, they would close up the gates to their country quick smart! But, that’s not the case.
Despite the current perceived state of affairs in the world, most state leaders have sought fit to allow people the freedom to travel across their borders with no more than a little book with a fancy cover telling them who that foreigner is. For that, I thank these people, these countries. Let’s not forget that less than twenty years ago, Eastern Europe was still under the dark, suffocating blanket of communism. 20 years! In the annals of this world, that's the blink of an eye. Yet, it's still long enough that today, I can travel from Sofia, through Belgrade, up to majestic Budapest, sneak into Austria to revisit the sweet tones produced in Vienna, cross the magnificent Charles Bridge in Prague, and then visit the somber but necessary remains of the Auschwitz concentration camps, all with nothing more than my mug-shot-containing passport. It is quite extraordinary and a testimony to one thing: the people of the world are generally good, loving, open people that are happy to have us visit their homes, knowing that we'll probably be good, loving, open people that are unlikely to destroy their country and people. For that I am eternally, sincerely appreciative.
Later...
posted by Jase at 4:52 AM
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