MeVoy makes some very good points. I think it is unfortunate that so many stories keep us from going to some incredible places that are definitely worth experiencing.

For example, I would really like to go visit Bogota. But when you tell that to most travelers (I say travelers because otherwise you're likely to get a blank stare) they act like you're nuts. But then on the Lonely Planet board there's lots of people who go there regularly and safely without any problems. But it's not just us Americans who are big babies over safety. My partner is Argentine, lives in EZE, and thinks I'm nuts for wanting to go to Bogota. He may well be right, I'm not sure anymore.