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| Home Front: WoT |
| "W" orders clampdon on flights to US |
| 2008-02-11 |
| Moderator note: please do not post an entire entry in italics. The United States administration is pressing the 27 governments of the European Union to sign up for a range of new security measures for transatlantic travel, including allowing armed guards on all flights from Europe to America by US airlines. The demand to put armed air marshals on to the flights is part of a travel clampdown by the Bush administration that officials in Brussels described as "blackmail" and "troublesome", and could see West Europeans and Britons required to have US visas if their governments baulk at Washington's requirements. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #9 Neither Obama nor Hillary will "bring the troops home". This will be the major disillusion Democrats will face should one of the two get elected. Maybe a few, to save face. But the troops will stay. |
| Posted by: Pearl Shuck3997 2008-02-11 21:26 |
| #8 This maneuver by the Bush Administration (ie; Homeland Security)may be a forgone conclusion, assuming the 'tea leaves' are being read and a sweep of the Presidency to occur in November. With Obama and Hillary vowing to bring the troops home sooner rather than later and turning those AirCraft Carrier groups around; tightening of the borders; Sea,land and air will be a required move on the US side as it steers toward 'semi isolationism' and nationalistic enhancement."W" also mindful of politics can steal alittle thunder from the Dems and 'pumping the Repubs' as we get closer to the General Election! |
| Posted by: smn 2008-02-11 19:56 |
| #7 By cancelling the Visa Waiver program for Europeans the U.S. would massively shoot themselves in both feet. The program was established 20 years ago, one reason being that U.S. consulates could barely cope with visa applications. Since then transatlantic travel has increased multifold. How would they cope now, with millions of applications every year? U.S. airlines and the tourist industry (including everything related to business travel) would suffer most. International business conventions would shun the U.S. Bottom line: It's not going to happen and after some negotiating things will work out, just as they always do. |
| Posted by: Pearl Shuck3997 2008-02-11 15:14 |
| #6 Sounds like HS is concerned about people in wheelchairs switching places with their escorts just before boarding. Somebody's been running scenarios. |
| Posted by: moody blues 2008-02-11 13:12 |
| #5 Hammerhead With the numerous EU citz who hail from the Islamic world who have been battle tested in Iraq, why shouldn't the USA be concerned? |
| Posted by: Thereng Sproing2085 2008-02-11 11:08 |
| #4 Visas should be in place no matter what. I fully would expect to apply for a visa if I was visiting the EU. And seeing the trouble Western Europe is getting itself into with their "Youths", seems entirely appropriate. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-02-11 09:37 |
| #3 Given their attitude, I think visas would be entirely appropriate. |
| Posted by: Darrell 2008-02-11 09:10 |
| #2 EUros are getting a taste of the price of joining EUrabia. Sucks to be them. Now the terrs will increase their attention to EUrotargets. Heh. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-02-11 08:39 |
| #1 As part of a controversial passenger data exchange programme No kidding... |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2008-02-11 08:32 |