Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bombast and the Axis of Evil
Even from the i rst moments of this trip, it was clear that the people of Iran
would be the biggest joy of our visit. Iranians consider visitors to be a gift
from God…and treat them that way.
People greeted me with a smile. Invariably, they asked where I was from.
I often said, “You tell me.” h ey guessed and guessed, running through i ve
or six countries before giving up. When I i nally told them, “America,” they'd
be momentarily shocked. h ey seemed to be thinking, “I thought Americans
hate us. Why would one
be here like this?” The
smile left their face. h en
a bigger smile came back
as they said, “Welcome!”
or “I love America!”
In a hundred such
interactions in our 12
days in Iran, never once
did my saying “I am an
American” result in any-
thing less than a smile or
a kind of “Ohhh, you are
rich and strong,” or “Peo-
ple and people together
no problem, but I don't
like your Mr. Bush.” (It seemed that Iranians liked our president as much
as Americans liked Iran's.) I found it ironic that during the Bush years,
Americans found they were better of keeping a low proi le in most foreign
countries. But in a country I was told hated me, my nationality was a real
plus absolutely everywhere I went.
h e disparity between the warm welcome I received and the “Axis of
Evil” and “Death to America” bickering of our two governments got me
thinking about bombast and history.
h e word “axis” conjures up images of the alliance of Hitler, Mussolini,
and Hirohito that our fathers and grandfathers fought in World War II.
People in these countries now believe that each of these leaders maintained
his power with the help of his ability to stir the simplistic side of his elec-
torate with bombast.
Welcoming travelers is a traditional Muslim value…and
being an American makes you the most popular kid in
the village.
