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Miss Liberty's Crown to Welcome Visitors Again

Statue of Liberty

Closed off to the public since 9/11/01 because of fears of another terrorist attack in New York City, the crown of the Statue of Liberty will finally reopen. With all patriotic symbolism, bands, political speeches, flags and fireworks, the official reopening ceremony will be held July 4.

Despite the fact that several weeks ago, a clueless Washington bureaucrat sent Air Force One soaring too close over the statue and scared the hell out of New Yorkers, all of Miss Liberty is now considered perfectly safe for visitors. First, after a boat ride from Manhattan, they take the elevator from the statue’s base, then climb the 168 steps to the observation platform.

The area has room for just 30 people at a time, and when the crowds are large, guards move everyone along so that each gets only a few moments in the crown. There they can stare 15 miles out of the 25 windows at the harbor, Ellis Island and a calmer New York City.

Say It Ain't So, Joe!

Vice President Joe Biden

We’ve been getting emails all week since Vice President Joe Biden frightened the hell out of travelers by telling them not to fly or ride the subway because of the new flu bug. Then, a couple of days later, the White House flack said Mr. Biden had “misspoken”. We guess that meant it’s very dangerous to fly or ride the subway with Joe Biden.

Hey, Are You One of Those Ugly American Tourists?

CNN has joined the apology bandwagon that seems to have started with President Obama’s recent visit to Europe. He voiced regrets that American travelers have been disrespectful to people of other nations. We won’t even get into the argument as to whether or not the President bowed down low enough to the Arab king.

CNN had an article that continues the tired accusations that American travelers brutishly ignore the sensibilities and traditions of other countries. The writers dredged up the book and Marlon Brando movie from the 1950s titled, “The Ugly American”. The CNN writers were troubled by the return of the image of the loud, flashy, obnoxious U.S. tourist.