Tim Healys Chutney Spoon Posted January 8 Author Posted January 8 2 hours ago, SuperBacon said: Unfortunately they won't be. America has gone so far beyond, it is going to take decades to fix. You've got the president advocating cold blooded murder which has been witnessed across the world, and said "well she was a terrorist and tried to murder the agent" when we can all see that's not the case. The White House have all backed this up, they just don't care. What's going to happen? Who's going to hold them accountable? No one. It's beyond depressing. What is worrying is the complete hypocrisy of it all. One minute its 'if Iran start shooting protesters, we're going in hard' then one of his own citizens gets shot by law enforcement agencies and that's ok 'she deserved it' is basically his answer. Hes losing any respect America had built up, but too many are indoctrinated in his ways now for it to be turned any time soon. I have family over there and I'd love to take my wife and kids over to visit (cost being the main reason I cant) but with each passing day I really feel like 'is it worth the hassle and risk?' Quote
Paid Members tiger_rick Posted January 8 Paid Members Posted January 8 8 minutes ago, Tim Healys Chutney Spoon said: I have family over there and I'd love to take my wife and kids over to visit (cost being the main reason I cant) but with each passing day I really feel like 'is it worth the hassle and risk?' Not gonna tell anyone else what to think but, I'd go back tomorrow. I'd move there tomorrow too if I didn't have the responsibilities I have. Obviously some places are pretty unpleasant for certain people but some of this reads like the right-wing telling us London is a warzone these days. Quote
Cousin Jim Bob Posted January 8 Posted January 8 14 minutes ago, tiger_rick said: Not gonna tell anyone else what to think but, I'd go back tomorrow. I'd move there tomorrow too if I didn't have the responsibilities I have. Obviously some places are pretty unpleasant for certain people but some of this reads like the right-wing telling us London is a warzone these days. I don't think people are expecting to be shot, but going through US customs and having them go through 5 years of your social media to decide if your worthy of entry, sounds like a hassle I can't be arsed with. Potentially getting you kicked back on a plane if you have said something insulting about Trump. Add to that hassle 10 fold if you happen to be a person of colour. I can certainly see why people can't be arsed going. Quote
Tim Healys Chutney Spoon Posted January 8 Author Posted January 8 20 minutes ago, tiger_rick said: Not gonna tell anyone else what to think but, I'd go back tomorrow. I'd move there tomorrow too if I didn't have the responsibilities I have. Obviously some places are pretty unpleasant for certain people but some of this reads like the right-wing telling us London is a warzone these days. Its pretty much like JimBob said - all the hassle and I read theres now an 'entry fee' to pay as well? Its just extra hassle and that that frankly going on holiday I can do without! Others maybe feel differently and that's absolutely fine. As an aside, I love going into London and do it regularly. Just there are some areas I wouldn't go to out of choice, but then that's the same everywhere. Quote
Paid Members BigJag Posted January 8 Paid Members Posted January 8 Has anyone travelled to the US recently, how much of a painful process is it? I find it hard to believe that they'd view me as a problem. Even though my internet history would clearly show that I am not a Trump fan. Having to declare and possibly surrender electronic devices to the US border services is something I'd rather not have to do. Quote
RedTwoster Posted January 8 Posted January 8 3 hours ago, Chest Rockwell said: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jepdjy256o I don't see much 'both sidesy' about that article. I think it's quite clear. That article is fine, but unfortunately it’s not all been like that; with the biggest problem being radio, which is offering up both sides; which doesn’t work without the pictures. There’s also been a weird tendency to highlight the ethnicity of some commentators - the excellent investigative journalist Peter Geoghegan sums it up really well on his Bluesky - a ‘some say it’s raining, others say it’s sunny’ approach to impartiality. And it won’t be the fault of individual journalists - they’ll have been given guidance on language etc (much as they were with Trump/Venezuela when they were told to use ‘captured’ or ‘seized’ rather than ‘kidnapped’ - I actually think that was the right call in that instance, for the record). And hey, it can be difficult to determine how to report in an impartial way in the post-truth era. There’s an argument to be made that if you go too far the other way, you’ll send a section of your potential audience, towards media that exists purely to back-up their viewpoints rather than actually share a version of real events. In this case I think, on the whole, they’ve failed. They’re often trying to be impartial in a way the ends up being partial as it hides a critical element to the story - an administration trying to cover something up in plain sight. On TV you can kind of get away with the approach they’ve taken with the footage - I don’t completely agree with it being the right approach, but I can accept the argument. On radio and online you don’t always have the opportunity to show, you’re always telling. Do I expect them to say ‘Trump says X, he’s lying’? Of course not. Just say what the video ‘appears to show’, and be mindful of the bigger picture as to what the administration’s approach to this may mean. And to be clear, I’m not saying it happening with every bit of coverage - but it’s happening enough for me to have written what amounts to a small essay (…sorry about that) like this. Quote
Members SuperBacon Posted January 8 Members Posted January 8 9 minutes ago, BigJag said: Even though my internet history would clearly show that I am not a Trump fan. "OK we can see you dont have anything on social media to worry about, but can you explain this website where they frequently discuss shitting, fry ups and argue over something called a 'chippy tea'...sir, what is a kwesh?" Quote
Paid Members Sergio Mendacious Posted January 8 Paid Members Posted January 8 16 minutes ago, BigJag said: Has anyone travelled to the US recently, how much of a painful process is it? I find it hard to believe that they'd view me as a problem. Even though my internet history would clearly show that I am not a Trump fan. Having to declare and possibly surrender electronic devices to the US border services is something I'd rather not have to do. Are you still a gigantic asian bloke? Quote
Paid Members Monkee Posted January 8 Paid Members Posted January 8 41 minutes ago, BigJag said: Has anyone travelled to the US recently, how much of a painful process is it? I find it hard to believe that they'd view me as a problem. Even though my internet history would clearly show that I am not a Trump fan. Having to declare and possibly surrender electronic devices to the US border services is something I'd rather not have to do. I went to New York for Halloween and it went fine - nothing out of the ordinary. I got my ESTA in advance and that was it. The only minor inconvenience was that there was a staff shortage at the airport because if the government shutdown so the security lines were painfully slow and I almost missed my connecting flight. This was before the social media announcement though so I don’t know what it’s like now or if it’s actually kicked in yet. Quote
Abe_Knuckleball_Schwartz Posted January 8 Posted January 8 I’m off to Vegas in February and last weekend I completed my ESTA, it did ask about Social Media and asked for usernames but it was optional so I didn’t fill it out - Once completed the decision was referred but after an hour I got confirmation that I had been approved entry Quote
Cousin Jim Bob Posted January 8 Posted January 8 The social media search is proposed for all travellers but already in effect if you go there for work or apply for a visa. Customs already can just demand your phone and to look through but they are planning more. Here is what the CBP are proposing CBP is proposing several updates, including new biometric requirements, increased data collection, and the elimination of the ESTA website in favor of a mobile-only system. Among the proposed changes: A new voluntary "self-reported exit" feature allowing foreign nationals to confirm their departure from the United States by submitting passport data, a live selfie and geolocation through CBP's mobile app. Mandatory selfie uploads for all ESTA applicants, including those applying through third parties such as travel agents. A mobile-only ESTA application, eliminating the web-based option after CBP documented widespread abuse linked to poor-quality image uploads and fraudulent third-party websites charging travelers unnecessary fees. Expanded "high-value data fields," including applicants' social media accounts from the past five years, phone numbers and email addresses going back a decade, IP addresses, and even biometrics such as fingerprints, face, DNA and iris scans when feasible. These additions stem from a January executive order targeting foreign terrorist threats. Updates to the Visa Waiver Program, including the recent removal of Romania, and the expectation that additional countries may be added in the coming years. So you are basically giving up all your personal details. I'm sure nothing could go wrong with that. Quote
Tamura Posted January 8 Posted January 8 (edited) 28 minutes ago, Abe_Knuckleball_Schwartz said: I’m off to Vegas in February and last weekend I completed my ESTA, it did ask about Social Media and asked for usernames but it was optional so I didn’t fill it out - Once completed the decision was referred but after an hour I got confirmation that I had been approved entry You haven't been approved for entry. You've been approved to travel to the US, where a border guard will decide whether you're approved for entry. If I hadn't already paid for flights to Seattle I'd be tempted to rethink my trip in May, but I'm not willing to piss that money away. Edited January 8 by Tamura Quote
Abe_Knuckleball_Schwartz Posted January 8 Posted January 8 2 minutes ago, Tamura said: You haven't been approved for entry. You've been approved to travel to the US, where a border guard will decide whether you're approved for entry. If I hadn't already paid for flights to Seattle I'd be tempted to rethink my trip in May, but I'm not willing to piss that money away. Apologies, that is what I meant…. Been a long day Quote
Paid Members BigJag Posted January 8 Paid Members Posted January 8 1 hour ago, Sergio Mendacious said: Are you still a gigantic asian bloke? Aye. That shouldn't be an issue, right? Quote
Paid Members Sergio Mendacious Posted January 8 Paid Members Posted January 8 34 minutes ago, BigJag said: Aye. That shouldn't be an issue, right? I'd hope not, but things are getting a bit dicey here, honestly. I'm a bit concerned for the Somalians, for a start. Quote
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