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Did Chicago Lose Olympic Bid Due To US Passport Control?
An anonymous reader writes "Yesterday, Chicago lost its bid for the 2016 Olympics (which went to Rio de Janeiro instead), and it's looking very likely that US border procedures were one of the main factors which knocked Chicago out of the race: 'Among the toughest questions posed to the Chicago bid team this week in Copenhagen was one that raised the issue of what kind of welcome foreigners would get from airport officials when they arrived in this country to attend the Games. Syed Shahid Ali, an I.O.C. member from Pakistan, in the question-and-answer session following Chicago's official presentation, pointed out that entering the United States can be "a rather harrowing experience." ... The exchange underscores what tourism officials here have been saying for years about the sometimes rigorous entry process for foreigners, which they see as a deterrent to tourism.'"
No reason at all? Did he have a beard?
What sane person would choose "Chicago" over "Rio de Janiero"? Passport control? Are you kidding me? Chicago is known for being wet, cold, windy, and expensive.
Maybe this will be the wakeup call for Chicago, that their culture of bribery is actually costing them business. But I doubt it.
Democrats or Republicans. They are both taking us to the same place and they are not afraid of us anymore.
It seems only fair that if it's so difficult to get in, it should be just as difficult to get out! Just say no to USAnians travelling around the rest of the world!
Requiem for the American Dream
The USA really is a nice place. Our natural bits are wonderful and our people (in many places) are quite friendly to foreigners. Sadly we probably don't speak your language, unless it's English or Spanish, and you'll have to figure out what "miles" are if you want to use our roads.
We're sorry about our government's temper tantrum for the last eight years. Sadly in a large chunk of our country religious fanaticism passes for local color, and a segment of our political system has gotten pretty good at manipulating that to get votes. We're trying to fix that now but our government has trouble doing anything quickly or efficiently, partly because they're still scared of the fanatics. Hopefully soon we'll get the country fixed back up and in a state to receive visitors -- check back in a few years.
Japan also has similarly annoying entry procedures. What do they really do in Rio that's all that different?
Do they not make you wait in an annoying line?
Do they not have some INS official rubber stamp your passport?
What exactly is the FUD-miester from Pakistan complaining about.
I've seen people who look like his grandma go through customs at O'Hare. So I'm really curious what he's complaining about.
They were in the same annoying line with everyone else. It was the same kind of line in the UK, France, Japan, the Netherlands or Canada.
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
I'm a peaceful Norwegian with two (many years ago) convictions for possession of small amounts (1-2 joints) of marihuana.
Unless you have a pharmacy and/or medical degree you're an idiot. And if you go around sticking your fingers into power points with a medical and/or electrical engineering degree you're equally as stupid.
Hop the southern border. When you get here you will never need to show documentation to get full government service. 20 million mexicans did it, so can you!
And the fact that South America never held the Olympics before.
You're forgetting the Georgia olympics.
How about the one that's only whispered? "No acts of war within memory of having received the Olympic 'OK'" ?
Requiem for the American Dream
>He's had 9 months,
So how long until things become his fault/problem?
>inheriting a cratering economy, failing banking sector, automotive sector and a health care crisis.
It's good to see that you have mastered repeating the talking points from the White House... bravo.
>I think he's done damn job with what he was given to work with.
So... nearly 10% unemployment is a 'damn good job' when he was promising it wouldn't go over 8 if we passed the stimulus bill right now now now? Such a good job getting all of those shovel ready projects going (which were a myth to begin with (if they were shovel ready funding would already exist for them)) and getting the other money out into the country... we are at what? 8% spent now?
>You don't change direction in a bureaucracy like DHS overnight.
Really? When the executive says "We will start doing X"... things don't change? How long do you expect things to be turned around that do not require the buyoff of congress? 1 year? 4? 8? More on that later...
>Besides, as soon as he starts looking at it or proposing changes, you'll be screaming about how Obama is leaving the country open to attack.
Depends on what the changes are⦠and frankly I haven't heard all that many with regards to changing how one gets into the country just yet... other than the occasional hints at comprehensive immigration reform (aka amnesty).
>Pathetic AND predictable.
Good to see you are again repeating existing phrases.
>Maybe you noticed it was people from outside the US raising this issue? No? That's not surprising.
I did... but then it's one man's opinion... and unfortunate given the platitudes the President was promising with regards to making the Olympic guests feel welcome.
I guess this means that no matter how bad things might have been due to last 8 years of Republican rule (and I'm of course being generous with the length)... you seem to be saying that the IOC didn't think that President Obama could turn things around in 8 years.
But you are absolutely right, it's all the fault of the Republicans, Bush, Cheney, Halliburton, the neo-cons, Blackwater (did I miss anyone?) and everyone else who isn't a good little progressive... right?
>Nothing but criticism and negativity.
Compared to the delusional comments from you of "I think he's done damn job with what he was given to work with"... I'd rather negative and critical... or as it is properly defined in this context... realistic.
Like it or not... things in this country have gotten far far worse since the President took office. Yes... he has taken some steps to try to improve things... and you'll notice that most of those programs were kicked off during the previous administration. Do I credit Bush with them? Heck no, most of them were mistakes and too have made this recession deeper and longer than it would have been had the govt played it hands off... or at least cut taxes as a stimulus instead of creating even greater debt (this is where you will no doubt throw in Iraq).
In fact the only real 'win' for him thus far has been the credit card bill of rights bit... which was largely a joke given what was promised and what it actually does for those who are so irresponsible that they cannot monitor their own bills.
>I'm sick of it, sick of you.
I'm sorry to hear you say that, there is a flu running about I hear.
>This country would be farther ahead if we carved off a section and let you have your own space. I'd be all for that.
So is this the much touted liberal tolerance I've been preached about for so long? What's more interesting is you expect us to go off into our own little place... when it is us and those like us (you know, freedom loving people) who founded this country.
Remember... the line was:
Help Brendan pay off his student loans
Joe Stalin, and the Khmer Rouge implemented a solution for these "Vile, disgusting, angry, small-minded, pathetic people." Sounds like you'd have a home with them.
Maybe consider finding common ground, assuming your opponents motives are noble, and convincing them of your ideas would be a better strategy.
I, for one, am glad you showed such a shitty attitude towards frontline government employees. Don't want to enter America! That's a good one! PS Chicago didn't get the Olympics because they didn't bribe the IOC enough, had nothing to do with immigration policy. But thanks for venting on a totally unrelated subject!
Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!