Yeah, where's our administration now? No comments, I'm sure.

I saw a video a couple of days ago. It was taken from Egyptian TV. An Imam was talking about a five year grace period for the Egyptian population to get to know sharia and it's penalties. After five years, the hand and foot removals will begin.

Te US does not need to involve itself with the internal politics of any of the Arab nations or Israel, for that matter. Stop the foreign aid. Let charities take care of the social problems. We need to mind our own business and keep our noses to ourselves.

Yea, we should have left the terrorising up to Mubarak

I have no sympathy for these people. Why are they vacationing there in the first place? Don't vacation in a lawless place where so many people hate you. Sad and sorry but true.

My son and I are going to Egypt and Spain in early June for his college graduation gift as he wants to try out his Arabic and Spanish speaking skills he learned in HS and college. I'm definitely concerned as we're flying into Sharm el-Sheikh International airport to spend a few days in the lower region (Aswan, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, etc.) before heading up north by rail to spend a couple days in Alexandria and Cairo before our flight to Madrid, Spain.

I knew there was a lot of instability, but I hadn't heard of these types of incidents, so after careful consideration (mostly begging from my son), I went ahead and agreed to it. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this and may alter our plans if the situation worsens.

Revolutions take a long time to recover from and determine it's next step---heck, it took 13 years between our own American revolution and adoption of our Federal Republic chartered by the US Constittution.

So is the US government obligated to rescue every stupid American around the world? Let them rot and maybe others will learn the lesson. Only a clueless, out of touch rich person would think they were safe vacationing in Egypt right now. They aren't even aid workers or contractors. They are vacationing for crying out loud. Let..... Them..... Rot.

Yeah well we'll probably be reading about you and your son in early June. Good luck with that. Maybe you should just go all out and take a tour through Syria, Lebanon and Somalia while you are over there.

Hey time changes so do places Sinai has many resort area on the Mediterranean sea and was considered to be a safe place. Why the hate.

why in the hell are americans still going there on vacation ?

Aren't we so happy that we helped free the Egyptian people? Our administration is full of "educated fools."

Spry, I wouldn't do it. You are putting yourself and your son in danger. No matter how many people you are with, you are still in danger. You may as well put a sign on your back saying "I'm an American, come kidnap me!" Good luck!

Spry:

Don't go to Egypt, even under High Security protection.

A family member went there about 2 months ago before the protests started up again, to visit the Ancient historical sites, etc,, Pyramids. They took a 12 hour bus ride in the high heat to get there (convoy) under High Security Protection.

Looking back, they realized how dangerous it was.

Wait for calmer times. Who knows what the Military/The Muslim Brotherhood is going to do with the 2 kidnapped tourists--

Just look at what happened at the Soccer Games. 79 people killed; 800 injured. Chaos.

Some people have balls, others cower in their cave. Life's an adventure and Egypt is well worth exploring. Don't go anywhere where you could be in the slightest danger. In fact I would just park the car if I were you so you don't get killed in an accident. Then the Government would be obligated to dish out your S.S. even though you made the decision to go out on the dangerous roads.

It was a stable country and inciting revolution was not the best thing for Obama to do. A gradual transition could have been made to ween the dictatorship out. The US had the clout with the billions we give them every year. Seriously, we should think about buying these dictators off or "out"... it would costs the US taxpayers literally pennies on the dollar.

Just let them keep them, Oldsarge. Let take more innocent people. Another obamy foreign policy victory!

There was a time when I had aspirations of going to Egypt and seeing the pyramids, etc.. Today I can honestly say I have NO DESIRE to see that part of the world. Thank goodness for things like discovery channel.

Of course Egyptians will be welcomed when they travel to USA...go figure.

SpryLynnx

My son and I are going to Egypt and Spain in early June for his college graduation gift as he wants to try out his Arabic and Spanish speaking skills he learned in HS and college. I'm definitely concerned as we're flying into Sharm el-Sheikh International airport to spend a few days in the lower region (Aswan, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, etc.) before heading up north by rail to spend a couple days in Alexandria and Cairo before our flight to Madrid, Spain.

I knew there was a lot of instability, but I hadn't heard of these types of incidents, so after careful consideration (mostly begging from my son), I went ahead and agreed to it. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this and may alter our plans if the situation worsens.

Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Spain. For we've received orders for to sail back to Boston. And so nevermore shall we see you again.

Jeffor, at least we are out SEEING THE WORLD beyond our borders, than making snotty arse comments while sitting behind a small computer screen in a bedroom!

We will probably safer there than travelling to many areas within our own country! Jeffor, watch some local and US news and you will see not all is perfect in the US where tourists are robbed, beaten and/or murdered here too. Geesh!

This really is unfortunate. Egypt has been a very nice place to visit before the upheaval and riots. I hope it gets better so people can visit in safety.

And as for the other comments. We live in a dangerous world, whether it's here or somewhere else. If everybody lived in fear, like too many on here appear to, then what's the point of living? I have lived in and traveled to most of Europe, including Canada, Mexico, a few Carribean islands, and a couple Pacific islands. Each destination has problems, whereas back in 1987 a Grecian tour boat had recently been bombed, yet it didn't stop me from taking a similar tour to a few of these Greek islands which became beautiful memories I will have forever.

I will assess the security situation and possibly change my plans IF I believe the danger is equal to some parts of LA :oP

PS. My son is being commission in the Army as an Officer in May, and my younger Army son is being deployed to Afghanistan sometime in the next few months. There father, a 27 year USAF vet, served in Bosina, middle-east and during the Iraq war, and I served during the cold war, hence living in Europe which is where we met. We are definitely not what many might refer to as "sissies".

Spry, although I admire your ambition to explore.. This isn't the time.. I'd hate to be the one saying we told you so, if something bad were to happen to you, or your son.. I am all with you on the take chances, live life.. No one said live in fear.. Common sense should kick in when you see every couple of days some other Country's terrorist group is kidnapping Americans.. My advise, stay here in America..

SpryLynnx-

The only people making stupid comments on this page are most likely the ones who've never stepped foot outside their own state. Egypt is beautiful in many ways, and is still an amazing country to visit. I've been to Egypt twice since the revolution began last year. Both times I had a great time, and never felt like I was really in any danger. The odds of you getting kidnapped in Egypt are slim to none, and even in this story it was BEDOUIN TRIBESMAN (not the average common Egyptian) that kidnapped two Americans, clearly in an attempt to negotiate the release of their own prisoners. I'm sure if you travel to Egypt and clearly show yourself as a tourist, you will be welcomed with open arms by the general population, as tourists have always been (after all, you are the one with tons of money to spend!).

@Mohamed Amin....love your posting below.

The only people making stupid comments on this page are most likely the ones who've never stepped foot outside their own state...I've been to Egypt twice since the revolution began last year. Both times I had a great time, and never felt like I was really in any danger. The odds of you getting kidnapped in Egypt are slim to none,

Now did you ever think (judging from your name) that you had a SLIGHT ADVANTAGE over many of us "plain jane Americans"? Come on. To compare your travels in Egypt (vs mine, wearing my Oakland Raiders hat, walking around with my blonde haired blue eyed children), might not be quite the same.

Exploration is great. Everyone should have the opportunity to travel to other counties, if they want. It's great to learn about another countries history, view their art and architecture, taste their foods, and talk to the locals. I've traveled to 14 different European countries and had a great time. But I didn't put myself into a dangerous situation on purpose. I'm not saying that I was never in danger, because I was. While in Paris, I turned a corner and walked into a riot situation. Then I was almost in a stampede, also in Paris. Both scared me to death. I removed myself from those situations instead of participating in them. Also, while living in London, a bomb went off in the Tube. I felt the vibrations of the explosion in my living quarters. I will never regret nor forget my travels. But I did travel to peaceful places, during fairly peaceful times. Why would you want to travel to a country that is in turmoil?

I also agree that no matter where you go, there will always be a certain amount of danger, even in the USA.

If you decide to go to Egypt, you might be lucky enough to not be abducted or even hurt. But it appears you are going to do whatever you want no matter how risky it is or how many warnings you receive. I truly hope that in June I'm not reading a sad story about a father and a son that were killed in Egypt. If you come back alive, you can say, "I told you so!"

Slim, and none?? I'm sure these people that were kidnapped didn't expect it either.. I'm not poking fun or trying to be a jerk.. It's just common sense.. If Boston was in shambles like Egypt, I wouldn't visit, and I LIVE in Massachusetts..

@Laulaus....GREAT point and well said. You read stories like this more and more and then when you comment how you wouldn't travel to these countries someone attacks you for being narrow minded.

I guess common sense is a dying trait.

South Sinai Police Chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Naguib tells The Associated Press that he has sent a car to pick up the kidnapping Americans after the deal was made following negotiations with Egyptian Bedouin tribesmen.

Damn! How things change so quick. Now the American woman are kidnapping people?

And it's just not one person that let this get by but a slew of people...

By NBC News, msnbc.com staff and news services

You know F7 on your keyboard does more than just spell, it will find grammar errors too.

That's the problem Raider -- most read stories that are not based on "facts" but pure sensationalism to rile up the folks into believe a situation is far more dangerous than it truly is.

Fact, kiddnappings occurs in the US. Fact, kidnapping accounts for less than .01% of our population. Fact, you are more likely to know your kidnapper than not. Fact, the amount of kidnappings haven't changed in the US, but because the media now nationalizes them it makes it "appear that way".

Sorry, but I prefer to base my decisions on "facts" not what's reported in the media.

Yes, Egyptians, mostly limited to Cairo, are revolting in a similar manner our own Civil Rights Movement took place back in the 60's, but this kidnapping had nothing to do with that. I have experienced more dangerous situations like this in the US, like the Rodney King riots in LA, than I have in all my overseas travels which is quite extensive. I have the sense of mind to read, listen and talk to those who have been there, like my travel agent and a recent traveler, than those sitting behind a computer screen over here putting in their 2 cents because they read one story and have determined all Egyptians are now in the business of kidnapping American tourists.

Sorry, I'm not so easily bushwacked. Remember when FL was plagued with what I believe was refered to as the "bump and run" --- car jacking and/or robbing of tourists that ended up with rental cars removing all indicators that it was a rented car? According to readers here...all tourists should have stopped coming to the US because they would be in serious jeopardy of a "bump and run".

Don't you find it odd that these kidnapped Americans are continuing on their Egyptian journey? That says far more than any comments posted here.

Spry,

From your posts above you appear to know what you are doing because you boast about being an experienced traveler. You said you ask a lot of questions, you've stated that you've been in combat, and you've faced dangerous situations head on and survived....BUT you are obviously not the average traveler. You are not there for a nice little vaca to sit by the pool and go on an excursion to see the pyramids and see all the beautiful antiquities that the country holds. According to an earlier post of yours on another page, you are encouraging your son to participate in their revolt. You said, "I'm taking my eldest son, a Political Science major to Egypt and Spain in early June for his college graduation present as he wants to test out his arabic and spanish speaking skills he learned through HS and College. Although very concerned about the situation, he stated vehemently that this would also be a great life learning experience for him---witnessing a true revolt and then analyzing the reasons behind the situation and coming to his own conclusion." Hmmmmm

I support giving a child an opportunity to travel and to learn and to gain life experiences, but I don't understand why you and your son want to experience this violence first hand. How will you keep yourselves safe? Are you that experienced of a fighter that you can ward off irrational rioters that will attack anyone in their way? Are you seriously ready to accept all the consequences that may happen to you and your son because it will be completely on your shoulders? Or are you just full of BS? When you go to Egypt, I hope you have fun. Go see all the tourist stuff, spend the American dollar on a t-shirt and a mug, but stay out of their business/politics/civil war....that is if you want to come home safely.

As I said in a previous post, I am hesitant to recommend travel to Egypt at this time. However, there are some observations made here that are wrong. "Blond hair and blue eyes" will be an advantage over being named "Mohamed". I had one hotel owner tell me, "Do not send foreign aid. Send 350,000 American tourists. Americans are NOT hated here. Incidents are possible, but they are possible everywhere. I have lived in Alexandria and Siwa Oasis for almost ten years now. There were riots here last night, but I am perfectly safe. Now, I must admit that I am a BIG chicken and can and would leave at any time I felt insecure.

Watch the news and events to know where disturbances are. But be careful with the news. Reporters tend to highlight the dramatic. One thing too I have seen here, most reporters have no idea of what they are seeing or how to evaluate what people are telling them. The political forces at play here are the same ones that have been in play since at least 1919 and before. Nasser and Sadat both had their roots in the Muslim Brotherhood (there is a difference between the Brotherhood and Salafi) which was encouraged by King Faud who wanted to be Caliph. The Brotherhood is a conservative (rural) political force against the urban effendi political class. But The Brotherhood is religious in nature! Look at the current conservative movement in America. It is religious too. "They will impose Sharia!" Sharia has been the basis of Egyptian law for centuries. The "crazy" individuals of the Salafi who get press attention are considered jokes by most Egyptians. But they get big notice in the American press.

The first Egyptian I ever met was Queen Frieda Farouk. She did make one important observation, "It is a shame that people come to Egypt and meet dead pharaohs, but they never get to know live Egyptians." If you come, make a point to meet some live Egyptians away from those directly involved in tourism. Mubarak discouraged this, but now you can actually talk with people. Even the Salafi will be happy to explain their views to you.

bob-

I'll venture some guesses: 1. The two that were taken were likely the youngest and most likely to survive capture, old ones may die and eliminate any bargaining. 2. The two taken were the least likely to put up a fight, i.e., women or weaker looking men. 3. The tour guide was taken as well for communication. Likely a bedouin tribesman does not speak English.

We'll see soon enough.

ATLAS

Your guesses are very good , and have a ring of possibilityto them . My gut feeling is cia or nsa people who's cover was blown. Most likely we still have under cover people working there. Just to keep an eyeon things.

bob

bob - More likely American tourists who will be used to bring more attention and a better ransom than the others in the car. The tour guide may have been working with the abductors.

It is high time that we just start shooting the bad guys. From kidnappers to those who promote the drug trade to those who will blow people up. They are absolutely worthless and just need to be dispatched.

LiFe and LiBeRtY...you are absolutely right the entire world was better off with Egypt under Mubarak.

DAN & ATLAS

You guys are most likely correct !! I just have a habit of looking for conspiracies even where there are none.

bob

Yeah, I want to go to a country that kills Americans on site..... Uhm NO!

I have always wanted to go to New Zealand or Australia.

And you'd be welcome to peaceably go about your business Downunder of course...

Australia is great. Best friends America has.

One of the best Army, one of the best...

I see every newsviner who is naturally and historically anti Obama jumping on the "hate Obama for his Egypt debacle" bandwagon without realizing that it was not Obama who started the Egypt uprising. It was strictly an indigenous movement against Dictatorial rule.

The only thing Obama did, after watching how things were unfolding, he sided up with the winning team - which in this case happened to be the rebels. If the rebels were weak and Mubrak seemed like he had it under control, it would have been dismissed as the internal affair of a sovereign country.

Under the circumstances this was the best move that we could have made. If America had tried to artificially prop up a dictator and help him kill the rebels - his own countrymen, and the rebels had won, the level of hate against us in that part of the world would have been even larger.

I sometime wonder why the righties seem so incapable of understanding things that should be simple and self evident to anyone with a modicum of reasoning ability.

Thank you for an excellent and reasonable post.

ralahinni ......... it is working out exactly as I expected.

About as good as Hope and Change.

Deep down you know you really don't mean that.

So true, just 20 minutes from home and you can robbed shot stabbed and looted, I'd add rape but thats only 15 minutes from home!

That is because our justice system sucks and criminals know that most likely they will get off easy or serve maybe one third of their sentence in jail/prison. 20 years should mean 20 years, not 5.

Opened up a restaurant maybe?

ROFL @ Gelinator

The Chinese people were released yesterday. The US citizens have been released too. Strange part of this, the kidnappers make no effort to hide. They kinda sit and wait for the police. Maybe this is political theater.

mmmm chinese, i know where im going for lunch now, ty

The news media like to make statements that often use the tag of "tribal" because it gives an emotional flavor or lean to their articles. This in turn gives them the slant they want that they believe will make people read it.

Unfortunately, if a person actually looks into and research some of the description that news media places on areas as "tribal", and then compares them to other location, they would tend to see similar conditions in US places like LA or New York or Miami. The term "tribal" should be taken with a grain of salt, or we should consider that all of the United States is just as tribal.

That being said, Egypt before the Arab Spring was one of the world biggest tourist locations. While article is center in the Sinai location, Ciro and the Great Pyramids at Giza is one of the most known locations in the world and visited by many people around the world, including many Americans. One of the biggest contradictions with the current social and political issues in Egypt is that it was started by the disfranchised and depressed poor. Yet these riots and kidnappings has greatly reduced the biggest economic products that Egypt has, its tourism industry.

RichardWalking, what you say about the long history of tourism to Egyptian historical sites like the pyramids is true.

However, it's also true that tourists have been killed over there at these tourist sites over the past couple of decades, mainly by the Muslim Brotherhood--yep, the big winners of the new "Arab Spring".

How unP.C. of you! Where is your sensitivity for cultural diversity? The barbarians are at the city gates and Nero fiddles as Rome burns?

If Nero had a fiddle does that make him a Redneck?

Dan........... Only in the eyes of liberal leftist elitists parroting rhetoric from their indoctrination in public school system of the last 3 generations. Culural sensitivity and diversity to all but their own thingy.

Freedom and liberty are never easy to get and even harder to keep. Democracy is messy and sometimes violent, but worth the effort.

Dan........... Only in the eyes of liberal leftist elitists parroting rhetoric from their indoctrination in public school system of the last 3 generations. Culural sensitivity and diversity to all but their own thingy.

ROFLMAO ...Dennis sounds like a parrot who is perched on a beam somewhere inside the FOX studios ...lol ...these righties are such @!$%#ing jokes....

That would eliminate travel in all of Africa, countries south of the U.S. border and most of Asia.

Stay away from border towns in Mexico, fact is the world is on the "crazy train", All aborad..hahahaha.

Also proof that our stupid President and his lame advisors took a stand to help our enemies once again !

Thanks Obubba and your crew !

That was a bad read of the situation. It is the support of dictators in the region who bathe in riches while the masses go hungry that causes the hate that flourishes abundantly. Look at all the countries with problems - all have been propped up by the US in decades. So, you want America to get involved to maintain the status quo of things? Not good as that puts the lights on America. Let these guys sort out their differences without outside support. With time, even the Islamists will face scrutiny!

And just where do find the money to travel in post clintons "new economy"?

Sensitive one, you have more and better security in Israel, but as far as any of the arab countries, I would never go there, especially now that obamy has aproved of the arab spring. They will all turn into iran type countries, heaven forbid. I feel sorry for the people of iran, they truly want to be free and enjoy the western ways but the head raghead will never allow that to happen, he will only get them killed in the name of allah.

Try Cuba they accept dollars and euros. I'm told it's pretty safe and cheap.

Mama always said "Stupid is as stupid does"

Most people fail to connect Sinai as Egypt proper. Its almost like another country. The Sinai is not even connected to the physical country of egypt, it is seperated by the Suez canal.

Sharm El Shiek is closer to Israel than cairo. When the Israeli's possessed this land they made it a paradise with agriculture and resorts. The weather is warm and the waters are warm and clear. many europeans treat this are like a blue collar riviera.

While most people would have the sense NOT to go into egypt itself, many feel sinai is disconnected. The bedouins have been basically lawless bands that roam and steal from everyone without any ideology.

maybe mama left them... when she was quite young...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRKNw477onU&feature=related

Yeah like who would go for vacation in Miami make a wrong turn and you can be a dead man.

truth is,you are safer outside the USA. I would vacation in Iraq before i would set foot in New Jersey.

new jersey is a hidden gem bro...beaches and coast, mountains, amusement park, atlantic city, multiple music venues, college towns, etc...and if you are in the north, you can hop right into nyc easily; if in the south, can jump over to philly too.

And why should a member of the military be visiting there?

we have Marines visiting Iraq and Afghanistan they come prepared for any problems that they may encounter. If you like I will send you a ticket to a soccer game in Egypt. :]