…but the new US passport is too cute by half.
Michael Currie Schaffer of The New Republic wrote an op-ed, An Embarrassingly Patriotic Passport, that contained a link the new e-Passport at the State Department site. [Warning: it’s an animation and you have to put your cursor on it to get it to stop.]
Using graphics to prevent counterfeiting is one thing, but this is going to be easy to counterfeit because it is so “busy” and distracting.
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19 comments
During my travels throughout Europe, most border guards saw my blue passport cover and waved me through without even taking a peak inside. May they continue to do so.
When I was traveling the cover was green or red [red was official duty] but the visas were too confusing for most border guards, especially when I took vacation time after flying in on military aircraft, which meant I had exit visas, but no entry visas. There were no visas required in the Nato nations for Nato military, even if regular tourists did need them.
I’m afraid that current American policies are going to increase the number of visas required.
Heck, Bryan, I’m not sure I’m allowed to visit Canada anymore. That’s how ridiculous this is.
I wasn’t allowed to leave the country without special permission for years after I got out of the military, despite having spent most of my time in the military deployed overseas.
I got turned down for a Peace Corps position in Russia because I’m listed as persona non grata in their data bases.
With three-quarters of a million people on the “do not fly” list and some of the names common as dirt, I haven’t tried flying. I figure my Mother will make the list for the pudding incident.
Welcome to the Soviet Union of America – the SUA is like the USA, but without those pesky rights.
my name is common as dirt… in the middle east. i am so looking forward to flying across the country for christmas [my itinerary includes phoenix, lucky me], carrying my emergency supplies of both food and medicines with me. i’m still considering driving, but i’d have to pay for an extra week of pet care and make it through texas without getting stopped.
decisions, decisions.
the absurd part is that you have to show up at the airport on the day of your flight to find out if you are on the list, rather than being able to find out before hand to make other choices, like the train.
well, that’s just ducky.
They have redefined the “convenience” of air travel.
I’d almost rather walk or swim.
it’s looking like i could walk there faster.
taking the train means that i would have to go from florida north to chicago, then south to san antonio, then finally west. i would love to someday take a train trip all around the country, but as a trip in itself, not as a way to get to this year’s family reunion.
They still haven’t repaired all of the bridges apparently because the train my Mother took and boarded in Crestview, now only runs between New Orleans and LA, so you would have to take a bus to the Big Easy or con a friend to drive you.
if they haven’t repaired all the bridges, i guess i’ll have to swim and walk.
i’m still planning to show up at the airport and dare them to find my name on their stupid list. i did at least resist the urge to buy some choclate pudding to take with me on the trip when i was at the grocery store today.
There was the railway bridge near Mobile that got hit by the barge and then the other railway bridges taken out by Katrina. The roads are back to the best of my knowledge, but they have suspended the passenger rail traffic apparently.
i’ve been told that the roads are all back too, which amazes me, given the photos i saw right after the storm.
[also, i really do know how to spell chocolate]
Must not have eaten your meat.
How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?
Just another brick in the wall.
oh, the tribulations of being almost-vegetarian! although if i had to eat the british version of pudding i’d go vegan in a heartbeat.
British puddings and pies come in the American dessert types and well as the “meatier” types.