Posts Tagged ‘Martyrdom’

Martyrdom and the American Empire – Rick Steves


Complete video at: fora.tv Travel writer Rick Steves discusses the seeming contradictions of suicide bombing and Islamic ‘family values,’ comparing the concept of martyrdom in Iran to images of heroism in the United States. Steves says that much of the world views the US as an empire, the only challenge to which lies in waging acts of terrorism. —– Travel guru Rick Steves sheds light on Iran, calling it the most misunderstood country he has ever visited. He discusses his travels through the country and his new special airing on PBS. From Friday prayer in a leading mosque to anti-American murals, Steves presents his message and experiences to help us better understand a nation that continues to be shrouded in mystery and clouded by myths and mistruths. Rick Steves grew up in Edmonds, Washington and studied at the University of Washington where he received degrees in Business Administration and European History. But his real education came in Europe – since 1973 he’s spent 120 days a year in Europe. Spending one third of his adult life living out of a suitcase in Europe has shaped his thinking. Today he employs 80 people at his Europe Through the Back Door headquarters in Edmonds where he produces 30 guidebooks on European travel, the most popular travel series in America on public television, a weekly hour-long national public radio show, and a weekly column syndicated by the Chicago Tribune. Rick and his wife Anne have traveled each of the last 18 years with their two