Hatrack River Forum: Passport requirements catching deadbeet parents

This is topic Passport requirements catching deadbeet parents in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=049797

Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

AP writeup in the NYT.

I've always used passports to cross borders anyway, even when they weren't required (e.g. when I cross from Canada into the U.S.), since I've had one for as long as I can remember and it's a convenient way to ensure that I have both ID and proof of citizenship on hand. So I didn't share the views of the people who are complaining about the new requirement to have a passport to cross the U.S. border -- and a lot of people, particularly in border towns like mine, are complaining. Of course, now, because so many people are suddenly trying to get passports, I'm having to plan my passport renewal pretty carefully.

But really, this ancillary benefit of U.S. policy on passports far outweighs that. A check against people from running off to another country and leaving their former families in the lurch makes a lot of sense, even if it wasn't the motivating factor behind the new passport requirement.

Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :

Ooh! I hope they'll also manage to catch deadcarrot parents this way, too. There are entirely too many deadrootvegetable parents running around and crossing the border. It's distasteful.

--

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

--Mel

Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

For a minute there, I actually thought there might be such a thing as "deadcarrot parents." I need to get more sleep. [Big Grin]

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :

I'm surprised by the lack of complaints around my hometown. Lots of people around here come and go from Canada on a daily basis, and I used to be one of them (well, monthly basis), but I don't feel like fighting to get a passport, so I'll just stop going, until after this big rush anyway. I will miss the days though when I could get there and back on just my driver's license, or at worst, driver's license and birth certificate.

I was considering going to visit a friend of mine in Ireland this winter, but I probably shouldn't have spent the money anyway, so it's a good thing I wouldn't be able to get one until too late.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
Originally posted by theCrowsWife:
Ooh! I hope they'll also manage to catch deadcarrot parents this way, too. There are entirely too many deadrootvegetable parents running around and crossing the border. It's distasteful.

*giggle*

twink, I agree. This is a great side-benefit. [Smile]

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

Awesome.

Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :

Lyrhawn, a passport is a useful thing to have anyway. And you never know when you may have to skip the country. If you aren't in a hurry, you may as well send in the application.

I don't drive, so I use mine for my ID.