Seriously thoughtful How do you plan to prove you are a citizen?

[Patricia]

We're UK citizens. A few years ago my partner was taken ill in France on the last days of a holiday. When we packed to go home, he discovered that he had lost his passport somewhere in Nantes. I got him to the Eurostar terminal in Paris and spoke to the British immigration official who let him on board with no problem because he sounded so very British.

(We also had a photocopy of the missing passport, though no-one was interested in looking at it. The missing one eventually turned up in Hendaye, where someone had tried to use it to cross into Spain.)

The moral seems to be that one should perfect one's accent.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Patricia

We're UK citizens. A few years ago my partner was taken ill in France on the last days of a holiday. When we packed to go home, he discovered that he had lost his passport somewhere in Nantes. I got him to the Eurostar terminal in Paris and spoke to the British immigration official who let him on board with no problem because he sounded so very British.

(We also had a photocopy of the missing passport, though no-one was interested in looking at it. The missing one eventually turned up in Hendaye, where someone had tried to use it to cross into Spain.)

The moral seems to be that one should perfect one's accent.

That's right y'all...

[vivaldirules]

Originally Posted by Patricia

The moral seems to be that one should perfect one's accent.

I think Zelda's been telling us that but pshwynkies just refuses to use them.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Oh, what the hell. McConnell may be doing it because he's a paranoid sob, but the fact is that verifiable identity is a Good Thing. I wouldn't want to see it happen because the country is stupid and votes based on fear and xenophobia... but I'd still rather see it happen. Because personally, I'm tired of being confused with the other Steve Jordans in this country who write bad checks, shoot men, rape women and con little old ladies out of their life savings.

As far as the Confederacy is concerned: I'd like to see him try. You thought Atlanta burned well the last time? Just you watch.

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Don't bait me... make your point, Ralph.

My point is - why would you try to keep people in a political state if they peacefully decide to opt out? Loss of control over people? After all, in the final analysis, I.D. cards are all about control of people...

[Moejoe]

I've now resigned myself to carrying a bowler hat, a cup of milky tea, a bulldog and an air of embarrassment with me at all times to prove my Englishness.

On a more serious note I hardly ever carry ID with me. And I won't be carrying it with me if they make it mandatory either.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

Originally Posted by Patricia

We're UK citizens. A few years ago my partner was taken ill in France on the last days of a holiday. When we packed to go home, he discovered that he had lost his passport somewhere in Nantes. I got him to the Eurostar terminal in Paris and spoke to the British immigration official who let him on board with no problem because he sounded so very British.

The moral seems to be that one should perfect one's accent.

That and act like you're doing what you're supposed to be doing. (I hate accents, I pick the sodding things up far too easily)

[vivaldirules]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

I've now resigned myself to carrying a bowler hat, a cup of milky tea, a bulldog and an air of embarrassment with me at all times to prove my Englishness.

Erm.....nice looking bowler, Moejoe. I can't wait to see your bulldog.









No, wait! I didn't mean it that way!

[WT Sharpe]

I think a 10 question quiz containing questions on geography, science, foreign affairs, and govenment would go a long way in proving U.S. citizenship. Anyone receiving a passing grade should be looked on with suspicion. They're probably not a citizen.

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

Erm.....nice looking bowler, Moejoe. I can't wait to see your bulldog.









No, wait! I didn't mean it that way!

Ahh he's old and wrinkled and.... then there's my dog too

[Dusty Bottoms]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Ahh he's old and wrinkled and.... then there's my dog too

I concur with the chap above, who is also me (damn so this is what it feels like to meet your evil twin?)

Moejoe is a deceased parrot, he is not pining for the fjords any longer. Long live Dusty Bottoms!!

[Stitchawl]

When traveling abroad, most countries require visitors to carry their passports with them at all times. REQUIRE being the operative word. But most visitors to First World countries never come in contact with police during their travels so usually don't bother with this. But in many Third World countries, one finds themselves at police roadblocks just about every time you get on a long distance bus or on highways between larger cities, and I've seen quite a few tourists taken off buses and out of rental cars and detained because they couldn't produce their passports, especially in S.E. Asia.

I have no doubt that these tourists became angry over the 'police state' behavior being shown to them, interrupting their idyllic vacations 'for no good reason,' never once considering the fact that they were breaking the law. A passport isn't a cement brick. It doesn't create a heavy weight in the pocket or take up valuable space in a shoulder bag. It can, however, keep your vacations (or your daily activities) running more smoothly. The new passport cards don't take up any more room in a wallet than a department store point card nor does a driver's license weigh down your pockets. The police in EVERY country require one to carry a driver's license when you are behind the wheel. If you get pulled over and don't have one, you pay the price for breaking that law.

Personally, I don't care for these laws. I don't like the idea of being 'required' to carry an identification card at all times. And we tend to get upset that the police require us to do so, but don't get upset that we are required to produce them (or even two of them!) when cashing a check at the supermarket! (For some reason, that's OK... )

There are no fail-safe measures these days to insure that the cards are legitimate. With a bit of computer skill, PhotoShop and a good printer and laminator, a highschool kid can make what 'looks like' legitimate identification cards in 15 minutes. But the fact is, the law requires us to carry them in many different situations. Don't get angry if you are the one caught breaking the law. Like 'Baretta' used to say; "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time."

Stitchawl

[Jaime_Astorga]

Originally Posted by wodin

I carry three separate Govenment furnished ID's, one from the state and two from the Federal Government. I have yet to think that "dragging" them "around everywhere" has been a burden.

It's not so much a bother as it is that I am afraid of losing the thing. I DO carry my learner's permit with me, though. However, I don't think that would work to verify status as a legal resident.

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I think a 10 question quiz containing questions on geography, science, foreign affairs, and govenment would go a long way in proving U.S. citizenship. Anyone receiving a passing grade should be looked on with suspicion. They're probably not a citizen.

That only works for weeding out the citizens by birth, though =P

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

My point is - why would you try to keep people in a political state if they peacefully decide to opt out? Loss of control over people? After all, in the final analysis, I.D. cards are all about control of people...

I disagree. ID cards are all about identifying yourself, to make sure you are accorded the rights to which you are guaranteed by your government (or whoever assigned you the card). Or, to put another way, to make sure those rights are not taken from you, or mistakenly given to someone who did not earn them.

I can readily see how someone who is used to taking benefits from a system they did not support or pay into, would resent the issuance of IDs that would prevent them from doing so in the future.

I have a harder time understanding those who refuse to use ID cards that would prove that they, and not someone else, were eligible for a service their taxes and citizenship supported.

And remember: In the U.S., if you don't like your state, no one is preventing you from leaving...

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

I think a 10 question quiz containing questions on geography, science, foreign affairs, and govenment would go a long way in proving U.S. citizenship. Anyone receiving a passing grade should be looked on with suspicion. They're probably not a citizen.

Like the Cheech and Chong music video -Born In East L.A.?

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

Like the Cheech and Chong music video -Born In East L.A.?

Exactly!