Diplomatic incident
A minor diplomatic incident here at Andrews Air Force Base.
It seems that the British authorities have insisted that the press in the White House "bubble" have to show passports when arriving in Britain.
This is unusual - most countries treat the travelling White House press with a gracious acknowledgement of what they believe to be their status.
Perhaps the Brits are seeking revenge after that strange incident at the White House when press traveling with Gordon Brown had trouble getting in.
Plainly, in a partnership of purpose, passports are required.
Hello, I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~28~RS~)
Comments
This is rediculous. What are the Brit's thinking. I thought this sort of Tit for Tat was a thing of the past. Just give the press core normal treatment.
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Justin,
Seems fair enough.
When I read the title to this thread I was worried that Prince Harry had been at an event woth the Obama's. I was relieved to read the substance.
Happy Sam
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Justin,
That should have been 'with'. Apologies for the fat fingers.
Sorry Sam
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"most countries treat the travelling White House press with a gracious acknowledgement of what they believe to be their status."
Presumably passports were required in order to leave the country and to return to it, also, in the case of Justin, that he had fulfilled all of his US tax obligations before departing and was carrying his Alien Registration Card. I have to get a "sailing ticket" every year, so why shouldn't he? Being a member of the Fourth Estate should not make the rules any easier to break - US authorities would require biometric passports from the press of other countries, so why should the British be any different? AmericanSportFan, that is the normal treatment.
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I hope you remembered your passport
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4, David -
So if you're not all paid up on your taxes, you're not allowed a visit home? That seems harsh. Does the "sailing ticket" prove this?
It does seem rather odd that the press corps would be flitting round the world without passports. I wonder if anyone missed the plane due to having to run home to get a passport. Or is that they carry them but are insulted at having to actually present them upon arrival?
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I see no real problem with this- do the press from other countries have to show their passports when entering the US? It seems to be a case for Justin to not one more change. We all go through it as we get older-and it gets worse with time
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It's a point well-made in classic British style, a mild response to the utter lack of manners shown to the British Prime Minister.
Problem is, He and His minions are too stupid to catch on, if they even care.
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As a Canadian who up until recently was able to cross the US border by stating that I was born in, and a resident of, Canada and now must show a passport, I see nothing wrong with this. I agree with bere. Is the White House press travelling the world without passports? Or merely insulted at having to present them? I am more surprised that this was allowed to happen. Why should the press be immune?
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Justin. Make sure you have your documents in order when you return to the good old U S of A. I once had to go through a strip search and body cavity examination when returning from a backpacking trip in Canada because I was not carrying my draft card.
Probably could have avoided the special attention if I had not tried to be witty with the Customs officer after producing 3 other forms of proper identification. He did not appreciate my humor.
His fellow officer doing the exam did not appreciate his act of revenge. I was smelling a little gamey after 2 weeks in the bush. It was a hot day, and a small room I waited in for an more than an hour. I had been using bear grease as an insect repellant.
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Justin:
I think that it is differing protocols regarding the showing the "documentation"; I hope that you have yours with you...
~Dennis Junior~
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Idiocy on both sides. Is this news? Is this an "incident"? Is this a waste of ink?
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There is nothing there, especially if the Brits pay back the snub from the White House. Fair is fair and what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Would one prefer that if say you are from a free press would you not be glad to have your passport checked to make sure there are no pretenders of journalism amongest yourself such as MSNBC
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Justin:
With the world being what it is now, perhaps showing their passports, at either side of the pond, makes sense. I don't believe it should be taken as a tit-for-tat situation. One cannot be too careful now-a-days.
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Well, this is how things are in Gordon Brown's governmental circus.
The US state visitors are obviously not illegal immigrants.
In the UK, illegal immigrants are allowed to destroy all of their documents, prior to entry to the UK.
How ridiculous!
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Hmm, I guess to members of the press this is a big deal because they feel the British government is hindering them from doing their business, but I do not really see it that way; I always assumed that the press had to show their passports just like everybody else, so Im more shocked that the press was given this free pass to start with. Sure, this move by the UK is an unnecessary disrespectful slight to the American press core, well worth the grumbling, especially if its not required of other press groups, but I would also like to point out that it seems a little elitist of the press core to think that they are above the rest of us passport carrying travelers who must show our identification.
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#6. bere54: "So if you're not all paid up on your taxes, you're not allowed a visit home? That seems harsh."
It has to be shown that last year's Federal income taxes were paid in full and that one is up-to-date in the current year. Only American citizens can depart without demonstrating proof of payment, which is a little card staple to the passport itself. I think that even the President and his wife, whoever they may be, are obliged to carry passports, although no doubt someone else presents them to the authorities.
"Does the "sailing ticket" prove this?"
Yes, because it's checked with the Internal Revenue - the marvel of computers!
#8. OldSouth: "It's a point well-made in classic British style"
I don't think so - why should reporters get special treatment?
"a mild response to the utter lack of manners shown to the British Prime Minister."
As a Brit (also?) I don't consider that there was any "utter lack of manners" on the part of the President. The DVDs (Blu-Ray perhaps) were not very imaginative, but perhaps Mr Brown had indicated his interest in them. I understand that Buckingham Palace makes every effort to find out what the recipient likes and I cannot believe that The White House would be any less inquisitive. As for the press conference etc, not a big deal. Now if it were The Queen visiting, that would be different, since it is she, not he, who is Head of State. He's merely her employee . . .
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What perverted whisky soaked logic gave the press and media the inflated egos of thinking they had diplomatic immunity?
I dont care if you are a Sun darts match hack or the court correspondent of the London Times, you need a passport to leave the UK and enter another country. You dont like that idea? Stay at home.
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Re : AmericanSportFan
"Just give the press core normal treatment. "
They are giving the Press Corps 'normal treatment', it's just them who are getting prissy and claiming they are in some way 'special' when all they are is a mob of journalists with ego problems - possibly a redundant term regarding journalists....
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I take it the American press have sent all their details to the British Embassy three days in advance and had their bona fides checked before being allowed on the flight as we have to if we want to visit the good ol USA?
Seems our American cousins don't like a little reciprocity.
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most countries treat the travelling White House press with a gracious acknowledgement of what they believe to be their status.
That makes sense, since, not having any backbone, they can't be human and so don't need passports. To Brits, however, that's the normal state of affairs in relation to the White House, so it all stacks up.
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Tit for tat is not uncommon, but I am disappointed the Brits, of all people, would engage in such infantile behavior. Surely, they understand our collective paranoia against anything foreign...
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Justin you are missing the real diplomatic incident.
Which is the renegade Spanish Judge allowing bogus prosecutions against Bush officials by a known terrorist supporter.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
An incident of [Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]domestic diplomacy?
;-)
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I agree with David Cunard's first comment.
Secondly Justin I listened to your recent interview on the Excess Baggage program. I am currently living in NC and really enjoyed your comments, they were refreshing! Its good to hear that Im not the only person who struggled with the different humour, the lack of irony! Also I still cant get used to the direct nature!! Having said that I now have a fondness for Americans that I never had before whilst in England!
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10, publius -
Euuuuwww! Served them right.
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Oh please! A bunch of hacks have their noses put out of joint by being asked to do what the rest of us have to do all the time - and this is news?
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If it's Tuesday it must be...Obama Europe Trip: Five Countries In Eight Days
"But money isn't the sole agenda item. Obama plans to attend international summits on urgent topics, including the downward-spiraling fight against terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He also will make his first stop in a Muslim nation, Turkey.
;-)Wildly popular around the globe but relatively inexperienced in foreign affairs, Obama and his wife, Michelle, also will squeeze in a Buckingham Palace audience with Queen Elizabeth II. He will deliver a speech in France on the trans-Atlantic relationship, and an address in Prague on weapons proliferation. And he will host a round-table session with students in Turkey...."
Heloise
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28. Maybe this is the beginning of the end of the mindless homeland security mania that has infested the US government since 2001. It's about time the US press corps finally had to put up with pettifogging border security, and recognize it for the nonsense it is. All my life we crossed the US border with little more than a smile and a wave. Everybody could tell by the way each other spoke who was from which country. We never had any trouble.
If I close my eyes, turn around three times, and click my heels together, maybe we can have the 1960's back again.
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AmericanSportsFan shock discovery!
1) spelling 'ridiculous' and 'corp' correctly wouldn't hurt your argument.
2) that being treated the same as, I assume, your own nation treats others is not unreasonable.
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Showing one's passport should not be a big deal especially in these troubled times when terrorism is a legitimate issue. Journalists should be vetted like other ordinary professionals. Of course those on diplomatic passports are extended special treatment according to diplomatic protocol which is quite normal. Tit-for tat behaviour is common even among close allies. Above all caution should never be thrown to the winds.
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Note to self. When correcting someone elses spelling you get it right yourself!
Corps. Not Core or Corp...
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Does nobody remember the infamous shoe thrower from the trusted press. I do wish the press ( self important egomaniacs ) would listen to there own stories, time and time again we hear about lapses in security, often reporters trying very hard to create a story!!!! Pot, Kettle, Black me thinks!
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#33
Bagpuss,
When referring to the White House press gang, the appropriate word is corpse. Blog owners excluded.
Helpful Sam
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um big deal.
diplomats arriving still have to present themselves and credentials including a pass port why would the press be any different.
the press are covered by no conventions or agreements as to their ability to travel through boarders.
diplomatic incident would be something like home land,TSA people stopping consul generals for security checks as part of their random sampling.
the press are , the press. not officials of state.
did anyone ask Obama to see his pass port.
Totally pathetic non incident.
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I'm not at all sure that there is a story here. Demanding a passport at inward immigration control - shocking. If this was really any sort of tit for tat, then Britain would demand fingerprints, biometric scans, three days notice before travelling and all kinds of information like credit card and e-mail details, not just from the White House press corps, but all citizens of the USA travelling to the UK; that would be tit for tat. I wonder how many Americans know the hoops that British visitors now have to jump through before flying across the Atlantic. Much as I like visiting, I haven't bothered since all that nonsense was introduced, there are plenty of other friendly countries to visit that are much less hassle. Seems to me that the press corps is simply getting above itself.
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Time and Bere I would add that after missing the ball so bad in the lead up to the war in Iraq the press should shut up. they are like the bankers it seems. self entitled idiots if any truly did feel a slight about having to show their passports.
There was Chuck up Todd going on about trying to get the president to ask the "people to sacrifice something" as he flits around on a bloody good salary for reporting everything late.
8 years too late.In most of the presses cases.
(including our e steamed blog leader.)
Rules changed. Iris scans came in, and all the time the press said next to nothing of the possible big brother aspect and the real worries behind the bull of travelling internationally now a days.
Bu they get asked to show their pass ports and hey presto they suddenly see there is something up.
Well done 8 years too late
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10 class act Pub.
shame the deli belly doesn't hit when they say spread your legs.
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PS customs are the one of the only agency officially allowed to RAPE people.
It is Rape ,no consent. internal intrusion
Just incase they want to smoke or are suspected of wanting a smoke.
Rape encouraged by the state.
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12 marbles , in this case a waste of energy, Yes.
Talk of negativity.
I'm one of the most negative people around . How does our lord and blogger make all these negative remarks or topics when it seemed he was a fan of Positive thinking?
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13 here here though I would say Fox. OH wait do fox get press privileges in Europe? After all they are not a news agency. legally speaking.
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15 get your BNP papers out .
What trash. these are not GOV officials. they are Journalists. Think Sara Palin she could be along if she had stuck to what she started as, (after spots into politics;)
Not officials. and if any of them get drunk and hit someone there will be no diplomatic immunity.
your whole letter is , ridiculous!
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37 well said malc the strange over zealous requirements by the US has also put a lot of people I know off travelling here (and not because they are wanted etc ) because they think it over the top. they resent america for the Iris scanning and the rest.
So we in the states loose some tourists,
homeland security my rear. they let people on a plane with box cutters. they allowed 9 / 11 to happen (not on porpoise) because americans couldn't live with out knives.
and now we all have to have our biometrics taken for big brother. all the time americans go on about the cameras in the UK. well now we have to be scanned . I preferred the cameras to my biometrics being taken.
I'm with all those that say we should demand of americans the same they demand of us.
LOL I have both passports so Ha HA
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37 MalcolmW2
"not at all sure that there is a story here"
There is a story in that I just found out what you, as a Brit, are subjected to. No report by the US press on the issue that I am aware of. Also learnt from David_Cunard about "sailing tickets."
Please do not tell me it is the same entering Canada. I do know you must wait in long custom/immigration line-ups, but then we wait in the same lines! Why single out returning Canadians for preferential treatment? We might start thinking of ourselves as "special!"
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The press isn't part of the diplomatic corps. They needn't be show any deference. Also, if the U.S. is requiring passports, then it's ok for the British to. Actually, it would be ok if the U.S. weren't.
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In view of the new US vist requirements for those visitors from visa waiver countries including the UK .
(see below) I am not surprised that the UK is now requiring passports and scrutiny . Perhaps is a signal to the new administration to review its additional requirements for visa waivers among other things
Department of Homeland Security began accepting Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications on August 1, 2008 ESTA is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers currently fill out en route to the United States. ESTA applications may be completed online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the United States. DHS recommends that ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans. ESTA is now mandatory for VWP travelers who are nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Republic of Korea, and the Slovak Republic. Effective January 12, 2009, all VWP travelers will be required to obtain an authorization via ESTA before traveling to the United States. Learn more about ESTA on the DHS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
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Justin - you aren't HM Queen Elizabeth II. Only Her Britannic Majesty is entitled to travel into/out of the UK without a passport. All other UK passports require travel to be afforded in the manner of her name. You're not the Queen, thus you need to use your passport!
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45, timewaits -
When entering Canada, and returning here, I try to use the roads less travelled by. And then they are suspicious of that! On both sides of the border, though more so on this side. "Why are you coming by this route?" I am asked by a squinty-eyed person. "To avoid the lines at the major border crossing," I answer. This always surprises them. Am I supposed to say, "Because I'm trying to sneak in contraband and thought it would be easier this way."?? I can't figure out why trying to avoid long lines is suspicious.
I did once have to wait in line entering Canada at Calais, Maine. But there was a rubber ducky race on the little river so it was quite interesting.
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bere54
Glad to hear you were well entertained. I was talking about the airports. The line-ups are ridiculously long!! And we are all, Canadian or not, treated as criminals. You don't want to be coming in on a flight from a country associated with drugs. Once when two flights arrived from such countries and we were there forever... apologizing to visitors as they quite rightly grumbled and complained.
Without going into the whole story, I tried to cross into the US at a small crossing and the agent so upset me (not that easy to do), I left my car and started marching off towards Canadian customs, with him shouting, "Where are you going?" "I'm going to Canada!"
Oh dear! I was met at the door of Cdn customs by the officer, "What's wrong, what's wrong?" I don't think anyone had ever walked there before!!
If you would like to hear the conclusion, let me know.
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50, timewaits -
Of course I want to hear the conclusion; in fact, I'd like to hear the whole story. What did the agent do that upset you so much?
Sometimes those people are so dumb you wonder how they ever got a job not involving fries. And that makes things scarier. I was a nervous wreck coming back from Canada once because I was afraid they would search and find my son's one purchase: a T-shirt with a picture of a marijuana leaf on the front, and that this damning article would lead to our arrest and incarceration (not to mention the treatment happylaze and publius so vividly and horrifyingly describe).
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Mr.B.Obama might bring Snoop Dogg and his possie
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51 bere54
You gotta get out of that country!! All the paranoia you exhibit.
I will try to be brief. Years ago (we lived a mile from the border) my dog was at the vet's in NY and was ready to be picked up so I wanted to get there asap. Our car had something wrong with the battery and M told me not to turn it off (even at the vet's) in case it would not start. Very small crossing, old man agent, of course asks me to open the trunk, requiring the key. Explain, even knowing it would do no good, and asked for his assistance if the car would not start. He said, "No." Of course the car did not start and his fatal error was to say (I do not know why), "That should teach you a lesson." I was so upset that this man would not help me, I shouted, "About what!" as I set off for Canada.
Insert previous story..
Crossed the border.... In answer to the Cdn agent said, "That man was so mean to me." I was almost in tears. He was very kind and a little bewildered and kept saying over and over, "He was only doing his job," etc. Asked to use the phone to get car repair instructions, got them, told the Cdn agent I would be back soon with my dog and NOT to ask me to open the trunk. "Oh, no, no."
By the time I marched back to the US a neighbour had appeared and had fixed the car. I got in and drove away, the agent didn't say a word!
On my return, Cdn agent comes out, I say, "It's me!" He waves me through. Thought later, the whole thing could have been a scam and I could have had anything in the car.
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53, timewaits -
Wow, what a tale! I can understand why you were so upset. If it had been a scam, then how did you acquire the dog? The dog's presence probably lent the degree of verisimilitude necessary. How could anyone be suspicious of a woman and her beloved dog?
Whenever I hear the myth repeated that "Americans are the kindest and most generous people in the world" I am reminded of other incidents like yours. Sure, Americans can be kind and generous as can most other people. But in general . . .
I once heard a story about a guy who was paddling down the coast from somewhere in Canada all the way to, I think, Florida. He said that whenever he pulled in for the night along the Canadian coast, a stranger would invite him in for a meal and bed for the night. That ceased as soon as he got into American waters and for the rest of his journey he used his tent, which he had planned to do all along anyway.
But I must say that when my daughter and I drove across (this) country in our old VW Vanagon, we met an awful lot of really nice, helpful people. However, we met more nice, helpful people when travelling around Canada in the same old van (which often needed help -- we called it "Ferdinand" because it seemed all it wanted to do was sit and smell the flowers).
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47. LawChicago.
"Department of Homeland Security".
Just so much mindless hysteria. All this fuss and bother to permit a bunch of petty, officious, paranoid people to lord it over every poor schmuck who crosses the border. An entire army of people employed as busybodies. And none of it makes any of us one whit safer.
None of it stops the flow of drugs across the border.
None of it stops the smuggling of firearms across the border.
None of it stops the smuggling of humans across the border.
It merely increases the opportunities and profits of organized crime.
It increases the violence and lawlessness of, for example, first nations communities adjacent to the border, where smuggling is rampant.
And all the while, it inconveniences a lot of honest people for no good reason.
Complete and total waste of resources.
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53 Timewaits.
Good story.
54. Bere. "Ferdinand".
Something about that is so ... lovely, I guess.
My enduring memories of traveling, almost anywhere other than the eastern seaboard, are of people's kindness and generosity, particularly out west. My great fondness for America is rooted in the experience as a child of the limitless, big-hearted generosity you find in places where the land is flat, and the sky is huge; and in other places, too.
You have reminded me of wonderful memories. Thank you.
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One more from the kitchen band.
Immigration
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I have another custom's agent story involving my sister. Our elderly, partially handicapped aunt was returning alone from a vacation with my parents. My sister was enlisted to pick her up at the airport. As she waited the doors kept sliding open and shut and she would catch glimpses of our aunt. Soon became apparent something was amiss and my sister knew she needed help. Broke the rules and went "in" the "out" door. Comes up behind the agent who is haranguing our obviously agitated aunt. The man does not know my sister is behind him (as no one ever comes in the out), when she says, "Put a uniform on you and you think you can boss around old ladies!!" The guy almost jumped out of his skin! She then proceeded to totally ignore him while she talked to our aunt in a calm voice. He didn't say a word!!
My mother was not at all happy to hear about this as of course my parents had asked for "assistance" from the airline. Turns out when asked our aunt said she didn't need any!!
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43. At 4:06pm on 31 Mar 2009, happylaze wrote:
15 get your BNP papers out .
What trash. these are not GOV officials. they are Journalists. Think Sara Palin she could be along if she had stuck to what she started as, (after spots into politics;)
Not officials. and if any of them get drunk and hit someone there will be no diplomatic immunity.
your whole letter is , ridiculous!
>>>>>
I think your ill informed Nu labour border control mess rant defence is both ridiculous and ill placed and I'd be most delighted to see Sarah Palin as well as other Americans reaching the UK.
Bring on the General Election - kick out those happy lazers!!
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58, timewaits -
Just can't trust those wily old ladies!
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59 neutered .
yep you fly the flag don't you.
Keep your eye fully on your post at all times.
I never voted for Blair . so who's the twit now.?
No I voted for the natural Law party who made more sense than you.
"I think your ill informed Nu labour border control mess rant defence is both ridiculous and ill placed and I'd be most delighted to see Sarah Palin as well as other Americans reaching the UK."
Maybe you should meet more I think you would find much to object to. they are a more diverse "people" than you may think.
I have no problem with americans coming to the UK, I don't care about border control it is a pile of crap. as you sit consuming resources that have driven people from their land to seek shelter in the UK where we tell them things are better.
"ill informed Nu labour border control mess rant defence is both ridiculous and ill placed"
am I to assume from your rant that you think they messed up border control? and it was them pinko commie labour.
I'm a fan of OLD labour. Labour for the people , labour for strikes, labour for healthcare spending with out results.
I'm into all that.John Smiths Labour.
but NU labour, well lets just say when I saw Tony I thought the ads were right.
he seemed creepy. And well unfortunately a little too religious.
Too .......aMErican .
Americans who you seem to think should not need to go through border control.
Why waste time right ? the villains must be other types of foreigners , cause there's no murdering gun toting crazy people in the US , right?
You want security. then everyone crossing the border shows their papers.
With in Europe,,(OOOOHHH YOU HATE EUROPE DON'T YOU...That's it. you hate them euro free borders now.
Get over it and drop the nationalism
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Time bere and all.
the travesty of customs intrusions in the sake of searching for contraband (and BTW they don't have to put the car back together again when they strip it. ) can happen to anyone. and few that have experienced the false "feelings" of customs officers or has been locked up while they wait to see if you 'PASS" their test. A belly full of a test that I am sure the examiner does not care for either.
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60 bere
70 year olds mothers and their kids in one party. THEY are real suspicious.
Shoot at sight the orders should be.If they have more kids they must be more dangerous. I heard Kids are referred to as terrorists so I think it must be true.
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#62, Happylaze:
Well, I had a little adventure at the border, just before 9/11. I was bored one day and thought I'd take a trip, alone, to Montreal just to go clubbing for the night. I arrived at the Canadian border crossing, like so many times before, but I and my car was searched this time. They took my pepper spray that I had never used and let me go. After getting into Canada though, there was a car in the distance behind me who was changing speed as I did. I brought the car up to 110 M.P.H. and they were still about ten cars back. Whoever they were, they followed me all the way into Montreal (at 110 M.P.H. all the way) where I lost track of them. To play it safe, after clubbing, I slept in my car to let the alcohol evaporate a bit, if you know what I mean.
The next morning, I drove back on the New York side instead of the Vermont side that I used to go up there on. Although the border guard didn't search me or the car on the return trip, he gave me one of the iciest stares I think I have ever received. I suspect that whoever followed me into Montreal had watched me all night long.
I haven't been back since. I love Montreal, but being searched and followed didn't make any sense. I was well dressed, drove a 2 year old Cadillac, and I had nothing on my record that would remotely give anyone the impression that I did drugs, let alone sell or buy them.
I miss Saint Catherine Street (Rue De Saint Catherine). Besides the club scene, which is great, I used to go to keep up on my French. Even though most would answer me in English (very frustrating), I would eventually run into someone who would speak French in return. Now, I have heard that one needs a passport to even go into Canada. I don't think I will get it renewed, as it expired, until I move to Holland.
It's no longer worth the aggravation to travel.
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61. At 4:00pm on 01 Apr 2009, happylaze wrote:
59 neutered .
yep you fly the flag don't you.
Keep your eye fully on your post at all times.
I never voted for Blair . so who's the twit now.?
No I voted for the natural Law party who made more sense than you.
"I think your ill informed Nu labour border control mess rant defence is both ridiculous and ill placed and I'd be most delighted to see Sarah Palin as well as other Americans reaching the UK."
Maybe you should meet more I think you would find much to object to. they are a more diverse "people" than you may think.
I have no problem with americans coming to the UK, I don't care about border control it is a pile of crap. as you sit consuming resources that have driven people from their land to seek shelter in the UK where we tell them things are better.
"ill informed Nu labour border control mess rant defence is both ridiculous and ill placed"
am I to assume from your rant that you think they messed up border control? and it was them pinko commie labour.
I'm a fan of OLD labour. Labour for the people , labour for strikes, labour for healthcare spending with out results.
I'm into all that.John Smiths Labour.
but NU labour, well lets just say when I saw Tony I thought the ads were right.
he seemed creepy. And well unfortunately a little too religious.
Too .......aMErican .
Americans who you seem to think should not need to go through border control.
Why waste time right ? the villains must be other types of foreigners , cause there's no murdering gun toting crazy people in the US , right?
You want security. then everyone crossing the border shows their papers.
With in Europe,,(OOOOHHH YOU HATE EUROPE DON'T YOU...That's it. you hate them euro free borders now.
Get over it and drop the nationalism
>>>>>>>>>
Wishing for a competent UK government and competent border control agency that has the ability to identify a real border threat when it sees one and otherwise have appropriate security has got nothing at all to do with Nationalism.
Natural Law weirdos/Nu Labour cry nationalism every time someone says or does something to support Britain because they stand by and say nothing while Nu Labour do a great job of wrecking it.
You say you have both passports and have the best of both worlds in terms of passport control - but you spend hours on a blog complaining about it!
Roll on the general election and kick out the happy lazers and you're most welcome Sarah Palin! (You need not reply unless you've got nothing else to do except watch your post all day!)
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You say you have both passports and have the best of both worlds in terms of passport control - but you spend hours on a blog complaining about it!
Yea that's because I don't like other people having to face the problems. Maybe because I am not as selfish as you.
"Nothing to do with nationalism. "
Yea because you like americans and want them free entry with no controls .
But the REST well they might be Muslims right? What exactly is your paranoid LITTLE brain cell worried about?
And you like Palin wow. there is a true proof that not only americans are thick.
You can have her.
Go on take her.
Please I insist.
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64 cads there is no logic to the paranoia of the state that leads to prohibition.
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US citizens are not required to have a passport to enter Canada (unless entering from a third country), but they do need one to re-enter the US, which comes to the same thing if they want to return home. A rule not of our making but one that has reduced the number of visitors and therefore affected our tourist industry.
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Neutered "(You need not reply unless you've got nothing else to do except watch your post all day!)"
Nah I've seen it before .
I suspect your belly full of anger will prevent you seeing yours.
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Time 68
That's just way too convenient isn't it.
get up to Canada. on the way home loose the passport and hey presto.
"Look it's not my fault they won't let me in. Can I stay?(big St Bernard eyes look)"
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69. At 5:26pm on 02 Apr 2009, happylaze wrote:
Neutered "(You need not reply unless you've got nothing else to do except watch your post all day!)"
Nah I've seen it before .
I suspect your belly full of anger will prevent you seeing yours.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That was a party political broadcast on behalf of the Natural Law Party. The BBC takes no responsibility for the opinions or views expressed.
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70 happylaze
Well that's an idea. But they do give you 180 days to find a new one, so I don't know how successful it will be. Might find yourself back in the UK.
You did appreciate the undercurrent though?
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67, happylaze wrote: "64 cads there is no logic to the paranoia of the state that leads to prohibition."
I agree.
68, Timewaitsfornoman wrote:
"US citizens are not required to have a passport to enter Canada (unless entering from a third country), but they do need one to re-enter the US, which comes to the same thing if they want to return home. A rule not of our making but one that has reduced the number of visitors and therefore affected our tourist industry."
I think that the Canadians need to speak out. I would love to go back, but not the way things are now. I want to be carefree when I travel. That is why I do it. If it isn't fun, why bother?
70, Happylaze wrote:
"Look it's not my fault they won't let me in. Can I stay?(big St Bernard eyes look)"
I like the Visualization of that line.
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73 cadrolls1
This is a US law, not a Canadian one:
"The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a U.S. law that requires all travellers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, to present a valid passport or other approved secure document when entering the United States from within the western hemisphere.
The new document requirements were implemented for air travel in January 2007. Final document requirements for those seeking to enter the United States at land or water ports of entry will take effect June 1, 2009."
Canada does not require US citizens to have a passport to enter Canada (by land or water) but they must present one when re-entering the US, so comes to the same thing. Canada did speak out and has battled with the US over this for years. For most (all?) other countries the passport requirement came into effect several years ago.
As I said it has had a negative impact on our tourist industry, you being a perfect example.
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74, timewaits -
This is going to affect our tourist industry too. And I guess it'll be bothersome to Canadians close to the border who I understand pop over to the U.S. to buy cheaper gasoline.
I'm still wondering what's going to happen in places like Derby Line, VT, and Stanstead, Quebec, where they actually share buildings.
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bere54
I know and not just your tourist industry. Many Cdn firms have been encourage by the northern states to relocate, or at least open a branch office. And many have done so, bringing with them much needed dollars. Perhaps now with the passport requirement some will feel it is not worth the bother. I know the Governors from the N. Eastern states at least, were very opposed, helping to delay the new rules.
Channel 5 WPTZ (we even say zee) calls itself: Burlington, Plattsburgh, Montreal. Vermont PBS receives a large percentage of their donations from Cdns. Not that this will change but an example of co-operataion.
I would think or hope Derby Line and Stanstead will continue as usual.
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77, timewaits -
Re: Derby Line and Stanstead, I do think they are going to have to retain the laxness, otherwise the opera house and library will have to be closed. People here have been very concerned about this.
And about cooperation -- fire departments regularly cross the border to assist with nearby fires. I understand this is going to have to be discontinued, at least with Canadian firemen coming here, unless Homeland Security has backed down on requiring them to stop and display passports on the way to the fire. Of course, the American firemen would have to carry their passports at all times so they could return home after fighting a fire with Canadian neighbors!
Isn't it all ridiculous? Perhaps Vermont's Congresspeople have able to convince H.S. that the risk of terrorists stowing away on a fire truck is minimal.
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bere54
I heard about that. It is ridiculous, but what are a few lives when security is at stake? Try to make sense of that.
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