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August 29, 2010 at 1:09 pm #2197539
Visiting the USA
Lockedby neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
or, rather, not visiting the USA.
I’ve been to the USA on vacation a dozen or more times. Love it and love you all. Although, on every flight I’ve filled in that silly green card with its stupid questions: “Were you ever a member of the Nazi party?”.
Last time, I filled in my details on the new Electronic System for Travel Authorization, ESTA, a couple of weeks prior and although I have to reckon it the crappiest website ever invented, it was probably easier than trying to fill the card in on an economy flight table. The questions aren’t any better: “Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage or sabotage; or in terrorist activities; or genocide; or between 1933 and 1945 were you involved, in any way, in persecutions associated with Nazi Germany or its allies?”. Ah, well… That would be telling.
Now, it would seem, we have to comply with the ESTA and [b]pay for the privilege[/b], starting on 8th September. OK, so it’s only 14 USD but – and this is where I get slightly ticked off – the charge is not to pay for the service but is intended to be used to promote US tourism.
You want ME to pay for YOUR tourist promotion? Nope. Don’t we Brits (and others) contribute enough to you tourism?
Now, I could fill it in now while it’s free and it’s good for the next two years but my passport needs renewing and the ESTA goes with it. And so does next year’s trip.
It’s the principle. The USA is a rich country and I go there to spend money – lots of it – on travel, accommodation, food and entertainment. I already pay US customs $2.70, a US immigration fee of $3.50 and a US animal and plant health inspection services user fee of about $2.50 every time I travel (and I don’t get anything from that).
This year, I’m driving to Rimini, in Italy, and I’ll pass through seven countries and not only will it not cost me anything when I cross the borders, I won’t even have to show my passport.
Neil 🙁
My erstwhile membership of the Waffen SS will probably be quite useful in Switzerland.
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August 29, 2010 at 1:17 pm #2852439
WHAT?!?!!?!
by jaqui · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
you won’t come to CANADA instead?
that does it.
not only stand gg up but ignore Canada. to boot.-
August 29, 2010 at 2:02 pm #2853864
Oh, I’ll visit Canada
by neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to WHAT?!?!!?!
you guys don’t want to rip me off!
🙂
I’m still going to Rimini, though. And also down to Sorrento, near Naples. I’m going to climb Vesuvius and stare down into the crater and see if it dares to explode.
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August 29, 2010 at 2:48 pm #2853853
If it does….
by puppybreath · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Oh, I’ll visit Canada
can you send us pictures before the lava gets too close?
😉
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August 29, 2010 at 2:56 pm #2853851
Of course
by neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to If it does….
If I can outrun the pyroclastic flow.
:p
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August 30, 2010 at 2:35 pm #2853663
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August 30, 2010 at 5:56 am #2853759
Vesuvius will give your calves a work-out.
by charliespencer · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Oh, I’ll visit Canada
Stretch good first, and plan on about 45-60 minutes to get all the way up if you push it. It’s a leisurely 90 if the tour bus isn’t on a schedule and you’re not in a rush.
Sorrento is pleasant; Pompei is mandatory; Naples is a dump.
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August 31, 2010 at 7:10 am #2853520
Thanks for the info
by neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Vesuvius will give your calves a work-out.
I will have my own car with me so no time constraints. It also means that I can pack my walking boots and poles. Barring eruptions, I should be good to go.
Naples, we are deliberately by-passing. Sorrento is so that we can see Pompei, Vesuvius and Amalfi.
🙂
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August 31, 2010 at 1:16 pm #2852370
I don’t suppose you’ll be driving to Sicily.
by seanferd · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Thanks for the info
:0
But Etna is a fantastic beast.
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August 31, 2010 at 3:54 pm #2852343
It was a little more active than usual when I was there
by nicknielsen · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to I don’t suppose you’ll be driving to Sicily.
I could see the glow from my hotel room in Caltagirone.
When I left, I flew out of the airport at Catania. I was able to see it on the left as the flight headed up the coast. Very impressive.
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September 1, 2010 at 1:51 am #2852233
I did check out Sicily
by neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to I don’t suppose you’ll be driving to Sicily.
because I could have got a really good hotel deal but once I’d factored in getting the car across the Strait of Messina, It didn’t really seem worth the extra thousand miles.
🙂
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September 1, 2010 at 1:53 am #2852232
Make sure…
by ansugisalas · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to I did check out Sicily
that it wasn’t in fact a hotel deal you cannot refuse…
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August 29, 2010 at 1:50 pm #2853866
Never let it be said
by boxfiddler · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
that our ‘fearless leaders’ have any sense…
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August 29, 2010 at 2:10 pm #2853862
Some piece of tourism promotion…
by ansugisalas · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Never let it be said
that form and that site…
Yes, come right in, but first, answer me these questions three…
WHAT is your name?!? Goering? Hitler? Goebbels? Hmmm?!?
WHAT is your quest?!? Terror? Genocide? Death and Destruction? Rebuilding the Reich?!! Hmmm?!?
WHAT is your favourite colour? Brown, maybe? Hmmm?!?-
August 30, 2010 at 11:37 am #2853703
Questions
by ed woychowsky · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Some piece of tourism promotion…
I worked with a guy who said yes when asked if he or any member of his family ever tried to overthrow the government of the United States. Turns out that his grandfather or great-grandfather was a Confederate General.
I wonder how Homeland Security would handle that kind of answer?
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September 1, 2010 at 10:30 am #2852176
Aiieeee!
by juanita marquez · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Some piece of tourism promotion…
Do you mean colo(u)r in the visible or invisible spectrum?
*flip*
You have to know these things when you are royalty, you know.
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August 29, 2010 at 2:36 pm #2853855
The reason is
by seanferd · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
that not only will they bust you when they find out you were a member of the SS, but they can heap on additional charges for lying about it. Because that would be worse.
edit: That fourteen bucks is supposed to make you really re-think your position if you are going to lie, because you’ll be out that fourteen bucks as well as not getting into the U.S. (Because being out the fourteen bucks would also be worse than not getting into the U.S.)
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August 29, 2010 at 4:10 pm #2853843
But I love SS’s
by hal 9000 · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to The reason is
So does that mean that I can’t come?
Granted they are Ducati SS’s but after all the Italian Government was a German Allie and right in there with the German SS, so does that mane that anything called SS from Italy is suspect too?
Yep I knew that there was a reason why I didn’t go to the US this year and now I’ve remembered it. It wasn’t that I was so busy but that they wanted me to fill in that silly green thing that isn’t even at all [i]”Green.”[/i] :0
But no questions about Members of the previous Japanese Air Force asking if they where ever a failed Kamikaze?
Col :^0
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August 29, 2010 at 5:21 pm #2853833
Well, they aren’t as scary now.
by seanferd · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to But I love SS’s
Since the Japanese enemy at the time didn’t have a cool buzzword name like the Nazis (whom many in the U.S. defended right up to the war).
Besides, we nuked the crap out of Japan, and and they were mostly killing unsympathetic brown people and future Commies who don’t have a huge post-war lobbying concern. And since there weren’t U.S. companies aiding the enemy in the Pacific as they did for the enemy in Europe (e.g., IBM), there may be additional guilt involved for the whole Nazi thing.
Hrm. Does Ducati USA sell the SS?
http://www.ducatiusa.com/bikes/index.do
Don’t see a super sport for 2010. Maybe they don’t like the SS designation? :0 However, the name “Hypermotard” certainly grabs my attention. -
August 29, 2010 at 5:27 pm #2853831
“Hypermotard”
by santeewelding · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Well, they aren’t as scary now.
That can only be a dog of mechanical intelligence.
HAL: tell us it ain’t so.
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August 30, 2010 at 2:21 pm #2853669
I’m probably not the right person to ask about this
by hal 9000 · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to “Hypermotard”
I gave up following the new Duc’s when God Retired and the Rubber Band Motors became the only ones used against God’s wishes.
Besides as he designed the Bevels which have a very unique sound and made a small underfunded Engine Builder into the only Successful Desmo Production Company in the world he must have been doing something right. 😉
But those OHC Belt Drive motors just never interested me all that much. The Trellis Frames first used on the Pantha’s that where the first of the [b]”Rubber Band Motors”[/b] didn’t look or perform anywhere near as impressively as the then current MHR’s.
The need to turn the rear Cylinder hear 180 Degree’s and fit a Down Draft Webber Carby certainly to me looked like a backward step and I was no where near as impressed riding one of those Rubber Band Things as the Bevels. Must be my age showing but then again God didn’t like them either. 😀
I just wonder what would have happened to their latter Racing Ambitions if he had of still been involved with their design and styling. Their last World Championship Winning Moto GP Bike looked really nice provided you didn’t remove any of the plastic on it but I just can not get motivated with their Road Bikes even since they introduced the Fuel Injection that actually works. The new stuff may appear to go faster maybe but my old Bevel SS still shows most of the rubber band things a clean pair of heals whenever I turn the taps on and wear out tires.
Drives the Competition Crazy when they are unable to keep up with a 30 year old Duc on the race track on the very few occasions that I blow the cobwebs out of the exhaust pipes.
But did you know who is one of the biggest maker of Marine Engines? :0
Col
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August 31, 2010 at 1:09 pm #2852373
Caterpillar Marine Diesel
by oldbaritone · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to I’m probably not the right person to ask about this
“But did you know who is one of the biggest maker of Marine Engines?”
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September 1, 2010 at 5:43 am #2852211
Cat is big in the US
by hal 9000 · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Caterpillar Marine Diesel
But it’s not the best known outside the US.
Volvo Penta is the expected one here by most Boaties but the Ducati Marine Diesel’s are also very common. 😉
When it comes to numbers produced Ducati is still one of the big guys in this field.
Col
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August 30, 2010 at 6:00 am #2853757
War Criminals
by charliespencer · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to But I love SS’s
No one is still looking for Japanese war criminals in connection with the Holocaust.
Why they think anyone they’re looking for would answer ‘Yes’ is beyond me. “Hey, that’s right, I was a guard at Auschwitz! I better put that down!”
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August 30, 2010 at 11:58 am #2853701
Exactly.
by seanferd · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to War Criminals
Why would they self-identify?
And no, no one is looking for Japanese involved with the Holocaust. That was in Europe. The Japanese did their own thing in Asia/Pacific, which doesn’t have a name like the Holocaust does. The Rape of Nanking is about as close as it gets to the Asian atrocities having some sort of identity, and it certainly doesn’t cover all of them.
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August 30, 2010 at 1:51 pm #2853677
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August 30, 2010 at 2:10 pm #2853672
Nope, not nice at all.
by seanferd · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to What about the Japanese
And remember how freaked out the U.S. was about American citizens of Japanese descent? Put them in camps, took everything away from them. Americans of German descent weren’t treated like that, but who are we looking for with the $14 are-you-a-war-criminal card?
It’s all theater.
But we do have the wonderfully romanticized The Bridge on the River Kwai.
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August 31, 2010 at 5:58 am #2853552
Well, the argument could be made
by charliespencer · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to What about the Japanese
That POW atrocities are in a different category from those inflicted on civilians. Or that the number of Holocaust victims was much larger. Or maybe the WWII victors tried all the Japanese war criminals they were interested in.
Or maybe the Western powers didn’t give a rat’s about war crimes outside Europe? Nah…
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August 31, 2010 at 1:13 pm #2852371
War Criminals … on their Walking Frames
by oldbaritone · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to War Criminals
There are no youngsters who served in WWII any more, from ANY side of the conflict.
Oh, sorry – we’re not allowed to profile so we mustn’t look at the wrinkles or gray hair.
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September 1, 2010 at 5:52 am #2852209
A better question to ask
by ed woychowsky · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to War Criminals … on their Walking Frames
Want is your response to the phrase; “There can be only one?”
A. Huh?
B. One want?
C. Draw your ceremonial Waffen-issue sword and take a head.
D. None of the above. -
September 1, 2010 at 9:21 am #2852186
That could
by seanferd · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to A better question to ask
seriously cut down on the number of customs and immigrations agents asking any questions at all. It wouldn’t surprise me that they would allow you to walk around with a 30-odd inch blade as long as you weren’t crazy enough to have a 30 ounce bottle of shampoo as well.
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August 29, 2010 at 11:46 pm #2853800
creative sausage-making and ill will
by bergenfx · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
I completely agree how stupid this is. Revenues will probably be enough to buy a wing for a military transport carrier. Hardly worth the ill will, but then I am not the one who gets to make these value judgments.
Bush tax cuts have pushed burdens on to states (by reducing federal revenue sharing). State elected officials don’t want to antagonize voters with an income or sales tax increases, so they make creative taxes which affect the least number of people. Seems the federal govt has picked up the theme and are taxing non-voting visitors. (I know. More than you want to know about American sausage-making). I imagine also, the bean-counters set a figure that most international travelers would shrug at, not figuring for those offended in principle.
Practically speaking, though, most European governments make out better than the US. The 15% – 18% VAT is a much larger dent than $14 plus a 5% – 8% sales tax, (in my state, 0%).
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August 30, 2010 at 1:33 am #2853785
It’s not that they want to charge me 14 USD
by neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to creative sausage-making and ill will
(much) but that they want to put the money towards promoting tourism to the US. I agree that the level is set that a family of four will “only” have to add $56 to their holiday costs and will probably pay it to take their kids to Disney but I will find somewhere else to go.
Canada, maybe…
🙂
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August 30, 2010 at 1:17 am #2853787
Ich bin ein…
by mjwx · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
[i]Ah, well… That would be telling.[/i]
A quote from The Prisoner?
Appropriate I guess. I’ve always been amused at the idea of asking, on an arrival card if I’m planning to overthrow the government. I feel like ticking yes just for the fun of it (if they find out I’m planning to do it by ticking yes on the arrival card my masterful plan will be foiled). The Australian card at least asks useful questions like “have you got any plants, animals or porn”.
As for paying for Customs services, you could just do what most countries do. Confiscate your cheap booze at the door if you’ve got more the 2L of it (Litres, yes a metric measurement dear Americans, you will learn to love the metric system). This is why it’s always party time at the AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) HQ.
Well, be seeing you.
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August 30, 2010 at 1:26 am #2853786
The dutch form probably is like this:
by ansugisalas · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Ich bin ein…
A) Are you a person who isn’t dutch?
B) Are you without drugs?
C) Are you without a prostitute?The only prohibitive one is A… that’s a no-go :p
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August 30, 2010 at 11:41 am #2853702
Litres
by ed woychowsky · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Ich bin ein…
Booze and soda are two things that we can get in metric. Although most Americans don’t even realize that it’s metric.
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August 30, 2010 at 12:20 pm #2853699
Motorcycle engines too :p
by ansugisalas · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Litres
Them cc’s ain’t cubic cubits 😀
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August 30, 2010 at 2:17 pm #2853671
Engine displacement is rapidly going metric
by nicknielsen · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Motorcycle engines too :p
Heck, even the big engines are metric; my company van doesn’t have a 340 V-8, it has a 5.6 liter. And 750cc sounds a whole lot better than 45 cubic inches.
Besides, only car people really understand engine displacement anyway. :p
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August 31, 2010 at 1:17 pm #2852368
and Litres are larger
by oldbaritone · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Litres
so even if we have 2 full quarts, that’s “less than 2 litres”
But most Americans don’t even realize it – all they know is that the pint bottle of water is now 16.9 oz, and they don’t have a clue that it’s 500 ml.
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August 31, 2010 at 10:58 pm #2852250
That
by ansugisalas · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to and Litres are larger
is hilarious!
如此欢闹的,我可以哭 -
September 1, 2010 at 9:43 am #2852184
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September 1, 2010 at 1:58 am #2852230
Not larger than OUR pints
by neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to and Litres are larger
Our pints are a full-bodied 20oz so 500ml glasses of beer are less than we are used to. Luckily, pubs still serve pints.
We are resisting metrication in every way possible. The idea, put forward a few years ago, to move us to Kilometeres, was quickly shelved when the PTB realised that it would cost billions and not really achieve anything at all.
🙂
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September 1, 2010 at 5:45 am #2852210
That explains it!
by ed woychowsky · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Not larger than OUR pints
My British friend can drink me under the table because he’s had more practice. I’ve only been doing 16 oz. curls!
Boy, am I a slacker! 😀
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September 1, 2010 at 9:06 am #2852191
Yep, them British pints will get you
by nicknielsen · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to That explains it!
A friend of mine brought some pint glasses back from his assignment to England. He was sorely disappointed to find out it took almost two 12-oz. bottles of beer to fill those “pint” glasses….
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August 30, 2010 at 5:53 am #2853760
That’s what tourists are for.
by charliespencer · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
Seriously, many state and local governments find ways to milk tourists for tax purposes. Many areas charge hotel taxes; obviously only out-of-towners (-countriers) pay those. Don’t European countries do the same?
You’ve been paying for our tourism promotion all along. This time it’s just more in your face.
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August 30, 2010 at 2:28 pm #2853666
Not to mention that the AU Government
by hal 9000 · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to That’s what tourists are for.
Charges people to come to and leave AU. Even it’s own people have to pay for the privilege to leave the country and return for a holiday.
Could be the reason that the Current Federal Pollies don’t like the [b]Boat People[/b] they are not paying the Arrival Tax so they are not welcome. 😀
Those who fly in and then disappear as Illegal Immigrants at least Pay their Arrival Tax so they are acceptable and don’t rate any Red Neck Style Complaints. What I find funny about both the current Political Party Leaders when they go on about the Immigrant Problem as they perceive it, they both fail to mention that they came here as $10.00 Poms all those years ago. On a Boat. :^0
Col
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August 30, 2010 at 5:41 pm #2853635
LOL.
by seanferd · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Not to mention that the AU Government
Hey, they need some way to pay for the school chaplaincy.
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August 30, 2010 at 7:39 am #2853740
Dammit!
by maecuff · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
And I was going to have a party in your honor. We’d goosestep around the back yard. Maybe have a barbeque..
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August 30, 2010 at 2:31 pm #2853664
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August 30, 2010 at 2:58 pm #2853661
Colin!
by neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to But Mae here the real question is
Woo! I thought it, but didn’t post it!
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August 31, 2010 at 5:34 am #2853566
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August 31, 2010 at 7:08 am #2853522
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August 31, 2010 at 11:37 am #2852397
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August 31, 2010 at 11:42 am #2852396
that is
by jaqui · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to But Mae here the real question is
plural right?
not a singular who.
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August 31, 2010 at 12:12 pm #2852391
That bites, Neil
by jck · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
But, you’re not alone.
To renew my passport went from $75 to $110.
That’s 6 pints of beer difference!
Damn American bureaucrats.
BTW, got any jobs over there yet? lol
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August 31, 2010 at 12:57 pm #2852376
Times are hard, John
by neilb@uk · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to That bites, Neil
They’ve got to get money from anywhere that they can. You, me…
🙂
No jobs, sorry. We’re being outsourced in February. Not too sure what is going to happen.
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August 31, 2010 at 5:02 pm #2852334
Oh, thats pretty bad
by av . · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Visiting the USA
Who in their right mind would answer yes to any of those questions?
Welcome to the the country that nickels and dimes you to death. If you live here, you’re used to that, but that is no way to promote tourism!
Still, Italy is beautiful. Good choice, Neil. Have lots of good food and wine and an excellent time.
AV
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August 31, 2010 at 5:23 pm #2852331
RE: Who in their right mind…
by nexs · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to Oh, thats pretty bad
Who?
I know who!A very honest Al-Qaeda terrorist.
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September 1, 2010 at 12:52 pm #2852139
So now we know…
by ansugisalas · about 13 years, 7 months ago
In reply to RE: Who in their right mind…
If you check yes, you’ll wake up next in guantanamo. Waterboarding is free, and every hour is happy hour.
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September 1, 2010 at 3:00 am #2852226
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