BS: Halle Orchestras tour of US called off.

Subject: RE: BS: Halle Orchestras tour of US called off.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 08:22 AM

Was attempting to point out the uselessness of this thread

Clearly something that really needed to be done...

Subject: RE: BS: Halle Orchestras tour of US called off.
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 11:42 AM

"Now they're telling us we have to get a %@#&*@!# passport!!!???"

Unless it has changed, the requirements for U.S. Citizens entering Canada is that they need to provide proof of citizenship. A passport has been "recommended" as it speeds up the process since everything supposedly has been checked out.

No system is perfect, obviously. Does it deter? I don't think we can adequately guage.   Sure, there are "loopholes" that will get people into this country, as well as dirty bombs and such. Those issues are being tracked.

Are we paranoid? Of course, overly paranoid. We are not alone. In the U.K. there was a story this week of a person who was detained because they were heard singing the words to a Clash song by a taxi driver. Last year after the tragic bombings an individual was shot to death because they were "mistaken" for a terrorist by authorities.   There is a lot of work to be done, but there are also ways to work with the system.

This is not a "useless" thread if it promotes dialogue and opens people up to different ideas. It becomes useless if we only rely on our preconceived and often stereotypical ideas.

Subject: RE: BS: Halle Orchestras tour of US called off.
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 03:47 PM

Yes, Ron, the requirements to return to the US from Canada is changing. In 2007(or 2008?) they will demand a passport.

Subject: RE: BS: Halle Orchestras tour of US called off.
From: Don Firth
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 04:04 PM

Thanks, Ebbie.

I do know whereof I speak, Ron. THIS is what I am referring to.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Halle Orchestras tour of US called off.
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 04:21 PM

Thanks Don, I never said you didn't know what you were speaking about. Relax!

Subject: RE: BS: Halle Orchestras tour of US called off.
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 04:23 PM

And I'd be very surprised if anyone has anything fvaoutavble to to say about those cock-ups by the UK authorities.

I go back again to the distinction I made earlier between restrictions which are genuinely designed to reduce risks to the public, and restrictions which are essentially there to provide some kind of cover for the authorities.

Imposing tighter restrictions on people who are going to a country for a limited stay, with the intention of doing some kind of work while they are there rather than merely sightseeing, very evidently does nothing whatsoever to reduce the danger from terrorism. Nor does it do anything to reduce the likelihood of people overstaying.

Subject: RE: BS: Halle Orchestras tour of US called off.
From: Don Firth
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 04:55 PM

Something just occurred to me:   how does all of this fit into Bush's pushing his "guest worker" program?

Don Firth