Earlier this week, we watched in fascination as the conservative "anything to thwart a black president, even shoot ourselves in the ass" faction reveled in their attempts to scuttle Barack Obama's bid to bring the Olympics to Chicago in 2016.
Never mind the billions of dollars in lost income, the projected job loss and the stature gained by having Americas second city host the Olympics. There was even reports of rejoicing and cheering as the news that Chicago was out was announced and Rio was in.
But, in spite of President Obama’s lobbying efforts, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may have chosen to reject hosting the 2016 summer olympic games in Chicago due to the post-9/11 visa tourist policies established by his predecessor, George W. Bush. Michael Froomkin, Professor at the University of Miami School of Law, is convinced that the “the same stupid anti-visitor policy that is destroying American higher education” also sunk Chicago’s Olympic bid. Chicago was eliminated during the first round and received the fewest votes. A New York Times article points out:
In the official question-and-answer session following the Chicago presentation, Syed Shahid Ali, an I.O.C. member from Pakistan, asked the toughest question. He wondered how smooth it would be for foreigners to enter the United States for the Games because doing so can sometimes, he said, be “a rather harrowing experience.”
A “harrowing experience” may be an understatement. Immediately after 9/11, the Bush Administration began requiring fingerprints and photographs of tourists from all but 28 countries entering the US. President Bush required that all foreigners register online within three days of travel. Thirty-five (mostly European) countries now participate in the US Visa Waiver program, however tourists from the rest of the world still have to jump through the following hurdles:
* Pay hefty visa processing and issuance fees.
* Undergo an interview by a visa officer at the US Embassy.
* Provide evidence which shows the purpose of the trip, intent to depart the United States, and arrangements made to cover the costs of the trip may be provided.
* Present convincing evidence that an interested person will provide financial support if the applicant does not have sufficient funds to support him or herself.
The average wait for a US visa has risen to about three months. Brazil, which will host the 2016 Olympic summer games in Rio de Janeiro, has a reciprocal visa policy with all countries. US tourists are required to have a $130 advance visa before entry into the country and are fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival — matching US requirements for Brazilians.
2 comments:
I think the best way to solve the worlds problems, is to just cede alaska or texas to the GOP lunatics. There they can bask in their no tax utopia.. standing tall on a snow mound.. the rugged Alaskonian, face against the blistering wind.. feel the testosterone.. feel the burn..
And another thing we need to sede.. is just sede florada to the jews. Here you go Isreal.. get the heck out of there.. You got sun, you got, beaches.
sure it might cost us a lot in lost tax revenue from Florida, but it would be offset by the bazzillions of dollars we'd save by not having to by proxy, defend isreal.. either with military givaways, or poking Iran in the eye. Win win..
Hello Microdot,
Who told Dennis Miller he was funny? I remember when he was a liberal and his whole act was just some lame subject connected by a string of profanity…..and he failed because he was just not funny.
Then came the sad period when he had just signed onto the conservative Republican contracts and was supposed to be the comic interjections during the NFL football games as one of his rewards. This quickly became just a sad and embarrassing moment for everyone in the broadcast booth. I don’t think he lasted one season before they yanked him off the air.
Now he is on FOX propaganda network bashing President Obama. Well for those of us who can think for ourselves….this is just another example of his failed attempt to be a comic.
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