U.S. Is Most Unfriendly Country to Visitors, Survey Says
November 21st, 2006When people ask me if I want to go back to the U.S., it’s everything I can do to not blurt out, “Are you *@&#^%! kidding me?”
I don’t get into the finer points about the legalized torture and military tribunals. Or the former U.S. cabinet level officials who are going to be prosecuted for war crimes. Then there’s the terrifying plan to round up all illegal immigrants and “potential terrorists.” And what happens when I have to obtain permission to leave again from the U.S. Government? (Permission to leave on foot and in cars will also be required.) Will I be allowed to leave?
“Uh, no,” I say with a smile, “I’m pretty happy here in New Zealand.”
Via Reuters:
Rude immigration officials and visa delays keep millions of foreign visitors away from the United States, hurt the country’s already battered image, and cost the U.S. billions of dollars in lost revenue, according to an advocacy group formed to push for a better system.
To drive home the point, the Discover America Partnership released the result of a global survey on Monday which showed that international travelers see the United States as the world’s worst country in terms of getting a visa and, once you have it, making your way past rude immigration officials.
This doesn’t surprise me.. you know, the last time I was in the states was in 2001 before 9/11 and I’ve never been back since (yes I’m American), but I hear horror stories from friends of mine saying they had to pay $100 to get a Visa just because their plane was transiting through the US ($100 for a Brazilian can be a lot of money), they had to apply for the Visa a long time before their trip.. also an American friend of mine said he now does anything he can to avoid transiting through the US when he flies to South America – because if you go through the US, they make you pick up your luggage and then have to check it in again.. so he tries to fly through Canada now. If they’re treating Americans this way, I can only imagine what they’re doing to foreigners, or even worse – to anybody of “Middle Eastern” appearance!
With libraries like this, who needs airports?
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/november2006/161106taser.htm