Frommer's a half century out of date
Published on Thursday, September 03, 2009
(Edited Sept. 3, 2009, to correct an error.)
Arthur Frommer ought to get out and experience more of the world.
The guy who is best known for having written books in the 1950s on how to travel Europe on the cheap, posted an item on his blog saying he would no longer visit Arizona because he was “shocked beyond measure by reports that (on Aug. 17), nearly a dozen persons, including one with an assault rifle strapped about his shoulders and others with pistols in their hands or holsters, were openly congregating outside a hall at which President Obama was speaking to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.”
Frommer admitted on the blog posting he was speaking out and taking action before he “learned more” about the state’s gun laws or the situation in Phoenix that day.
He didn’t know the president was never in any danger. Beyond that the people carrying the weapons, including the AR-15, were doing so legally and law enforcement was aware of the situation.
All Frommer was really doing was reacting to his own perception that these weapons “looked” threatening.
For as ill-informed and irresponsible as Frommer’s comments were, people in Arizona tourism are now worried over the negative effects they may have on an industry that’s already suffering more than most others.
Sherry Henry, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, issued a statement saying the comments were unfortunate and unfairly singled out the state when 10 other states have similar gun laws.
“Comments like Mr. Frommer’s do not affect gun owners or gun-ownership laws,” Henry said in her statement. “They affect the housekeepers, restaurant workers, hotel clerks, tour operators and thousands of others at hotels, restaurants and attractions around the state that rely on the tourism industry.”
Still though Frommer’s opinion seemed to grow as time went on. In an Aug. 23 interview on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” host Guy Raz said to Frommer, “You almost make it sound like it’s Mogadishu, but we’re talking about Arizona.”
Frommer responded, “Well, it’s getting that way. It’s getting that way. The number of guns that are now being carried by citizens in Arizona is becoming frightening.”
It’s also worth noting that John Wiley & Sons, the company in Hoboken, N.J., that publishes Frommer’s books, distanced itself from him issuing this statement: “Mr. Frommer’s posting does not represent an official point of view held by Wiley or the writers and editors who create the Frommer’s Travel Guides. As a company we remain neutral because we respect our rights as individuals to have varying opinions.”
They’ve also said Frommer is no longer available for media interviews on the subject.
So, really, in the final analysis, what we have here with Frommer is a cute little old 80-year-old who hasn’t had this much attention in about half a century. He merely ventured outside his realm of expertise and shot his mouth off. Is he relevant? Are his ideas of travel relevant? Should Arizonans be concerned?
The answer to all three: Probably not.
Frommer can stay in New York and keep to himself where he feels safe. His opinions on travel are uniformed and aren’t worth taking.
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