Did Customs & Immigration Cost US 2016 Olympics?
Embarrassing reflection of our administrative incompetency as a nation being discussed at the NYT’s In Transit blog: Chicago’s Loss: Is Passport Control to Blame?:
“Among the toughest questions posed to the Chicago bid team this week in Copenhagen was one that raised the issue of what kind of welcome foreigners would get from airport officials when they arrived in this country to attend the Games. Syed Shahid Ali, an I.O.C. member from Pakistan, in the question-and-answer session following Chicago’s official presentation, pointed out that entering the United States can be “a rather harrowing experience.”
Note that these are concerns I raised 5 years ago.
As someone who regularly travels both domestically and abroad, I have no doubt that this is a very serious issue of anyone wanting to visit the USA. We have the least user-friendly entry of any country I have ever been to. Cory Doctorow noted the insane fingerprints-and-photos regime at the US Border.
I do not know why Chicago lost, but I have no doubt that Customs & Immigration is at least part of the answer.
Ahhh, the Bush administration: The gift that keeps on giving . . .
>
Previously:
Is the balance of scientific power shifting? (January 16th, 2004)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2004/01/is-the-balance-of-scientific-power-shifting/
Economics, Security, and the Decline of the US Creative Class (October 6th, 2004)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2004/10/economics-security-and-the-decline-of-the-us-creative-class/
Losing Our Intellectual Edge (December 22nd, 2004)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2004/12/losing-our-intellectual-edge/
Global Competition for Talent (June 5th, 2005)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2005/06/global-competition-for-talent/
U.S. dominance in science and engineering at risk (July 23rd, 2005)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2005/07/us-dominance-in-science-and-engineering-at-risk/
Source:
Chicago’s Loss: Is Passport Control to Blame?
MICHELLE HIGGINS
In Transit, October 2, 2009, 2:51 PM
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/chicagos-loss-is-passport-control-to-blame/
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Thanks to the neo-cons.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
We will feel the effects of the Bush criminal regime for decades to come. Some of it might be irreversable. Bush merely did what he did during his previous “career” as a “business-man”, but this time he destroyed an entire country and Daddy and friends couldn’t step in to rescue him from doing it.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I thought it was God who made him do it.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:16 pm
South America never hosted the Olympics. End of story there.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
It’s easier just not to do business abroad than deal with the hassle of (some) of the bullies posing as Customs Agents. My experience with (some) US Customs staff tell me that the success of American small business is not very high on their list. The possibility of having to deal with some ‘roided up asshole after a long flight and stressful business dealings don’t fill one with anticipation of embarking on a business venture.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
My question is: Did we really want to host the games with all the costs inherent? Is is a net money gain or a black hole of more debt that we can’t afford? I’m very skeptical about the prospects for breaking even.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I agree that it will not be a great revenue generator for Chicago. I think S.America deserves this chance more than other places. Plus IOC wants to select a country from the BRIC list.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I’ve had multiple visitors from the Far East tell me that after dealing with U.S. Immigration and Customs they will never purchase American-made equipment if they can avoid it. These were college-educated business owners, in one case a graduate of a U.S. Big 10 college with an MBA, telling me this.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I believe the Olympics are net money losers, are they not? So this is more of a “perception” thing for Obama and the U.S. (which matters to a degree), but in reality (where we don’t seem to live anymor anyway in this country, so no matter) it doesn’t really matter much. I think we have bigger fish to fry but apparently this is a big deal to some people (although no sure who).
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
BR says, “Ahhh, the Bush administration: The gift that keeps on giving . . .”
This is now Obama’s(and the Dem’s) government. Obama and the Dems can change these policies if they wanted to.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
@Myr: They sure can, but not in time for perception to change quickly enough. All that matters is perception.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
@Onlooker
The Olympics is a handout for construction companies.
@Myr
Yeah, the GOP will never take political advantage out of the Dems relaxing immigration policies.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Summer Olympics host cities:
1896 Athens
1900 Paris
1904 St. Louis
1908 London
1912 Stockholm
1916 (none)
1920 Antwerp
1924 Paris
1928 Amsterdam
1932 Los Angeles
1936 Berlin
1940 (none)
1944 (none)
1948 London
1952 Helsinki
1956 Melbourne
1960 Rome
1964 Tokyo
1968 Mexico City
1972 Munich
1976 Montreal
1980 Moscow
1984 Los Angeles
1988 Seoul
1992 Barcelona
1996 Atlanta
2000 Sydney
2004 Athens
2008 Beijing
2012 London
2016 Rio
Had the 2016 Games been awarded to Madrid (thankfully no), it would’ve been 3 out of the last four Games held in Europe. Not since Atlanta in 1996, had the Games made it to the Western Hemisphere (or New World, seeing as how the Organizing Committee is predominantly from Europe). It should’ve come down to Chicago or Rio as the final two, with the nod going to Rio because South America has never hosted the Games. Plus, Rio has that magnificent coastline where the sand crystals will be made for hi-def TV. Not to mention what a spectacle Women’s Beach Volleyball will be…..
If Chicago wants a MASSIVE pork project, why not submit a bid NOW for the next available Winter Games? They could drain Lake Michigan and build a temporary ski mountain there.
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
May be a blessing for Chicago and the USA to not win. How would they/we have paid the bills that hosting the games typically entail? Montreal just finished paying for the 1976 Olympics they hosted!
See:
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8740084
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Myr Says: October 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
BR says, “Ahhh, the Bush administration: The gift that keeps on giving . . .”
This is now Obama’s(and the Dem’s) government. Obama and the Dems can change these policies if they wanted to.
~~
As in, no kidding..
One would have thought that BDS hit its half-life in Nov 008, maybe Jan 009, latest..
But, lo, it is not such — and, yes, I’ll, convienently for said Sufferers, forget all about Nov 006/Jan 007..
Delusion, the permanent Paradise.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
My take is that Rio clearly was the most deserving city of the final 4. Chicago is a great AMERICAN city, but not a great city of the world. Cities like NYC, LA, Philadelphia, and Miami tend to draw a better international crowd than Chicago, at least anecdotally. I would think the next US city to make a bid for the summer olympics should be Las Vegas (if it ever recovers from housing).
Speaking of housing, good article on what appraisals are doing to the house market: http://contraryriches.blogspot.com/2009/10/risky-business-betting-on-homes-value.html
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Ohhhhh, Ritholtz. I go WAY off-topic on your earlier thread with a bit about the IOC decision yesterday…
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/10/the-more-you-dig-into-the-numbers-the-worse-they-get/comment-page-2/#comment-222290
…and what do you do? Start a new thread about the IOC decision yesterday. Barry Wuzzy wuvs The Great CNBC Sucks.
Well, my point is who cares what the IOC decision cost the United States? We’ll live. This decision may actually cost Europeans and the world A LOT MORE, and I am not talking about lost Olympic revenue. I am talking about Obama’s prestige, and how this embarrassing turn of events might affect his ability to govern, and how it might contribute to a one-and-done deal for this President. For years, all Europeans and other foreigners did was bitch, bitch, bitch about President Bush, and how they pined for an intellectual liberal President who understood the world and was willing to work with other countries. Well, they finally got him in November 2008. And what do the Europeans and the foreigners do? Reject him and his home city on the first round of voting for the 2016 host city.
The 2016 Olympics was MUCH MORE than a chance for America to show its good side to the world. Much, much more importantly, it was a chance for the rest of the world to come here and show a militarily superpowerful nation which celebrates xenophobia, ignorance, kneejerk reactions, and violence that the outside world isn’t so bad, that the whole world isn’t full of America’s enemies. Instead, the Charlie Brown that is humanity kicked at the football and missed, and in the process, left the world’s favored President with egg on his face.
We can talk all we want about our Customs & Integration and how WE failed. But the morons outside this country should have been able to see through all that, for their sake.
Why do you think I stay a registered Republican?
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Ah, the spin never stops.
While I agree with the draconian travel restrictions are not good for the country, but Dems can change that. They have had power for sometime now. Blaming Bush is the lamest and lazy man’s argument anyone can do at this point.
Face it, as corrupt as the IOC members are, they found out that the Chicago Dem machine is even more corrupt. The recent deaths of children by thugs beating didn’t help the matter as well.
Also don’t send a child to a man’s job. I read somewhere that Tony Blair lobbied for 3 days non stop for London game. Obama though his presence alone for 4 hours should be enough. The American arrogance never stops regardless who’s the president.
Not to mention, Okra didn’t hand out keys to new cars either.
~~~
BR: The Dems should — but what President wants to spend 4 years undoing all of the bone headed moves of the prior admin?
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Regardless of the Olympics, the insanity we were fed by Bushco over security — not to mention the even more insane policy response to their own crazy rhetoric — is a clear indication of the power of propaganda on a population that is too content to think for itself. Anyone know the security threat level today? Purple? Taupe?
And we wonder how he criminals dressed as bankers ended up holding all of our wealth. I think were just north of indigo on the economic melt-down color wheel. If the same deciderer process that was used to make security policy is applied to our financial predicament, they’ll soon be wanting to look up our asses before we enter a bank.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
The US is losing huge amounts of jobs because of its immigration services.
Being allowed to work in the US amounts to wrestling a hostile administration. You’re notified upon setting foot in the country that you’re just as unwelcome as a Mexican goat herder. Even when you make it dead clear that you’re here to create a business, you’re in for a significant investment if you plan to stay around.
At the end of the day you decide that the time, money, and efforts are better allocated in growing your business. The jobs end up created in more entrepreneur-friendly places.
Imo, putting a full stop to this nonsense should have been the numero uno priority of Obama’s recovery plan. I could easily imagine huge billboard signs at the Mexican border having positive effects to job creation. “Empresarios Bienvenido. Uno de Visa por empleo creado.”
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I guess Obama is the victor after all. Nobody’s talking about the unemployment/Afghanistan last few days. It’s all Olympics everywhere including business blog like this.
Obama won hands down.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Re: RIO 2016
Come on, it’s not as complicated as all that…
You’re an IOC voter, and you’re faced with a choice…
- One one side of you you have Michelle Obama staring at you with an unintelligible stare
- On the other side, you have Brazilian samba dancing hookers
Can YOU choose wisely? Considering a city from France wasn’t in the running.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:46 pm
MA,
see http://clusty.com/search?input-form=clusty-simple&v%3Asources=webplus&query=ChoicePoint
re: “…they’ll soon be wanting to look up our asses before we enter a bank.”
and: http://clusty.com/search?input-form=clusty-simple&v%3Asources=webplus&query=Seisint
Lexis-Nexis, not just a “Legal dB”, anymore..
also, http://ecommercecenter.bna.com/current/bar/topt.htm w/ help from TARP, an enhanced vantage point for the IRS via ‘credit-card’ Transaction Processors..
the, virtual, Colonoscopy is upon us.
~~
Jeff,
you and your buds may do well to start wonderin’ about polyps (see that ‘your Papers’ are as unblemished as you think–errors happen, and, as we know, the ‘error-maker’ is, hardly, in this venue, the first one to draw it to your attention.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 pm
@ cvienne
Stop posting the same joke on different posts, and accept the Choice for Miller deal. Then find the commish to get the trade approved.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 pm
A PR Nightmare for the Obamas
One can understand an American president’s lobbying for an American city to obtain the Olympics, but the blitz by the Obamas proved a PR nightmare. Let us count the ways:
1) Obama’s brand is trans-nationalism and an “America is not exceptional” multiculturalism. According to his worldview, it makes sense that a South American country — especially a powerful, ascendant country such as Brazil — should at last have its turn at hosting the Olympics. It did not seem consistent that a politician who had reached out to the Castros, Chávez, Morales, and Ortega, in parochial fashion, would lobby for his own hometown over a “yes, we can” Latin American initiative, especially one involving an exciting city such as Rio.
2) The Obama lobbying speeches were counterproductive. The world has its own inspirational narratives and is not impressed that much by the Obamas’ Chicago sagas. It was accidental but unfortunate that the global viewers had seen some horrific YouTube clips of street fighting in the Windy City, and then were told by Michelle that her father had taught her how to land a right hook, and that it was a sacrifice for her to fly to Denmark to make the case for Chicago.
3) The Chicago bit was overdone. Obama should remember that there is a perfect storm brewing: The more we hear about Valerie Jarrett, Rahm Emanuel, Bill Ayers, and all his old Chicago friends, along with rumors about Tony Rezko–style backroom deals to cash in on Chicago real estate involving the Olympics, and continuing stories about Chicago’s street violence and corruption — the more it hurts the president to be identified as a “Chicago politician” who tries in heavy-handed fashion to implement change through the “Chicago way.” To a younger Obama, Chicago was the romantic can-do town of Reverend Wright, Michael Jordan, Oprah, and the Daley machine; to the world at large, it is something quite different, and far more unappealing.
4) Obama’s messianic appeal is wearing thin, both at home and abroad. I think that once Sarkozy essentially said to the world, “The emperor has no clothes,” the Obama facade crumbled. And here we are.
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:57 pm
The US has definitely the worst customs and immigration in the world. In the last 10 times I came to this country, I was placed in a little room as if I was a terrorist supposedly because there is a drug trafficker with my name. Ive got a common name and I’m from Venezuela but I have gotten my bachelor and masters here and they still treat me like a terrorist. What are the fingerprints for? The US does not appreciate international students as they should. We, international students, maintain the public universities since we pay 5 times more than a resident of the US and there are plenty of universities around the globe we could go to. My brother decided to do his MBA in Australia because he was tired of this system. The US will soon regret all its actions against international students, specially those who are not supposed to be treated like terrorists i.e. south americans. PD: I’ve been in 25 countries around the world, and the US is the only place I’ve been placed in a room as if I was a terrorist.
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
holl,
I am a US citizen and I have to go thru the same before boarding the plane. I have also seen Grandmas taken to tiny little rooms. No fingerprints as of yet, but I bet it’s coming soon as I don’t intend to participate in their gov mandated health insurance and so on.
BushCo gave us the right hook. ObamaCo giving us the left hook. We will be down on the floor shortly.
This country is officially a banana republic.
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Oh dear Lord, please let it be leaked to the press that the SOLE reason Chicago lost the Olympics is because of Customs and DHS. The last time I flew into this country from abroad (Ireland, not Pakistan), it was all I could do to keep from getting arrested, tazered, shot, or whatever it is they do to people with the wrong “attitude.” I hate those SOB’s.
Of course, I really feel sorry for foreigners who need to come here. We’ve all read the horror stories.
Thanks a bundle, President Cheney!
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
alright- miller time-
CNBCs- dude- you finally got a team together- having a tough time trying to clear the hurdle to beat manny due to the bye week- had to offer up Marques Colsten to get a QB-
it all comes down to Cincinnati and Chicago- Benson’s been strong as well as Ochocinco for Cincinnati – i think Cutler coming on strong for Chicago- comes down to whether i start Hester or Bennet-
should be iteresting-
you know Knox is a 2nd stringer right?
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
holl-
“The US will soon regret all its actions against international students, specially those who are not supposed to be treated like terrorists i.e. south americans.’
a lot of truth to that my friend- we should be as welcoming as we can to anyone wanting to visit the USA- it should not be a hardship-
people resent being treated poorly no matter what country they visit- it shouldn’t start as soon as you get off the plane
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Maybe the IOC had already heard one of the many Obamamessiah’s apology speeches before and they were disappointed he didn’t bring new material. And hearing about the huge personal sacrifice Michelle made to sell her hometown probably didn’t generate much sympathy. The press was slobbering all over themselves about how Michelle had really bowled the IOC over with her anecdotes. In one, she described how she so enjoyed sitting on her father’s lap while watching Carl Lewis in the Olympics. As other’s have pointed out, Carl Lewis first Olympics was in 1984, so she was sitting on Daddy’s lap as a 20 year old college student. I’m pretty sure she just made that up.
Maybe, just maybe, the IOC recognized Brail’s international stature is rising and since no South American country has ever hosted the Olympics, the equitable and just decision was to give them to Rio. And since the Obamamessiah had lectured the world at the U.N. about how no nation was more equal than any other, it was pretty arrogant to try to use his personal charm to secure the Olympics for his hometown.
But blaming Bush sure makes you consistent. It makes as much sense as Krugman’s recent column blaming Reagan for the Obamamessiah’s budget deficits. While Krugman’s Reagan/Bush Derangement Syndrome seems more accute than yours, maybe the two of you can get a group discount rate if you seek professiional mental health advice to help with your respective derangements.
The “Buy Health Insurance or Go To Jail Reform Act” won’t be effective for a while, so don’t put it off.
~~~
BR: I blame Obama for what he is doing wrong also —
So far, its 47,983,567 to 14.
Advantage W.
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
madman130 ,
take that neocon slop somewhere else.
aren’t you guys supposed to be beating the Iran war drums this weekend?
stay on message at least if your going to spew GOP talking points:
http://tinyurl.com/ycccymk
we in here tend to think
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Here’s what I can’t believe.
How AWFUL a politician this Obama guy is….
I mean WTFOVER??
The guy who could seemingly do no wrong as a candidate has turned into the Stan Laurel of World Politic.
This moron has ONE TERMER written all over him right now.
Sorry…just calling it like I see it.
I sure as hell ain’t carrying his water for him anymore….
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
With all due respect mr. ritholtz, Chicago doesn’t have sufficient infrastructure and other amenities to host…to blame this on Bush is absurd…you and some of the other lefty loons hear sound like PMSNBC hosts
~~~
BR: You are entitled to youer own opinions, but not your own facts.
If you want to demonstrate some facts to back that up, feel free to try — but I doubt you can.
I have been in Chicago every year for the past 20. The highways, mass transit, hotels, athletic facilities and other infrastructure, in this city is vastly superior to 90% of the rest of the USA. Add to that available space for construction on the outskirts of town.
You have no clue what you are talking about.
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 pm
This Olympics crap is just the latest stumble….He’s got the political sense of a aardvark.
Can someone tell what has been done by the O administration to address the Bankster problem??
Can someone tell me why we are still in Iraq??
Can someone tell me one single thing he has truly “changed” since he’s been in office??
McCain was a douchebag fersure….but at least you knew what you were getting….
I’m starting to think that O is NOTHING CLOSE to what he presents himself as….
Just some beerfueled thoughts from a flyover curmudgeon who is ready to burn DC down and start over.
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
A United States President, supporting the US hosting the Olypmics! How awful!
Take a look at this:
http://tinyurl.com/ybw2qmz
October 3rd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Shenanigans. From what I’ve seen for foreigners it is crap coming into Brazil – although I’ve noticed that Americans get the biggest shaft. I can’t imagine any other country in the world having more humorless Federal Govt. employees than we do.
Let’s face it, it was Rio’s turn. We are in the G20 now; we are buying fighter jets; we are in Honduras doing God knows what. Our supermodels are the best. People think Paulo Coelho is some sort of demigod (craptastic self-help guy, IMO). Lula is far more popular in Europe than Obama.
Everyone just loves Brazil.
Prelim numbers are that it will cost 26 billion Reais – about 14 billion dollars. Expect it to be twice that with all the kickbacks and extras. It will rain money down here for the next 7 years. Come to Rio and help us get a bubble going down here….
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:00 pm
schmoo-
obama’s a dork- live and learn- you don’t have to be right or left to come to that realization-
change- HAHAHAHAHA- yeah- right- let me fly to Copenhagen because I so want Chicago to have the Olympics- -
what a buffoon- embarrasing-
slapped down in the first round–
thankfully
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
madman130:
And Texas is just a great place!! Nothing like executing an innocent man and trying to cover it up. Or laughing about sending people to state sponsored executions.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Gstream, you’re just lucky Michael Jordan didn’t go to pitch Chicago. He was “too busy” running the bottom-feeding Charlotte Bobcats to go for a few hours.
Too bad no one mentions the financial meltdown & worldwide recession in this thread for possibly being a source of anti-Americanism and thereby backlash against an American city’s bid. Wasn’t it Vladimir Putin who, during the depths of the crisis, accused the United States of “lying to the world”?
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Anyone here been to Rio? What are they going to do about the Favela’s surrounding the city? Time to slap a new coat of pain on the slums.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I was in Rio back in 2004 and I really loved it. Just avoid Copacabana though.
Re: Favela – I learned from someone there that Favelas still don’t get any electricity.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
ahab, Knox is a second stringer on the depth charts, but it’s all about targets. Knox has around the same targets as Bennett and Hester, but is more likely to get long yardage and score compared to Bennett. At this point, there really has not been separation among the three. My motivation for picking up Knox was not to keep him long-term as a sleeper, but to execute a gameplan for Week 4 of getting enough viable bingo cards against Detroit. I didn’t have much choice with my top three receivers having byes, plus I have injury issues and Marshawn Lynch is just coming back from suspension.
Why the hell am I explaining this to you? Oh yeah, it’s ahab’s world.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
In more important news, Fox Business anchor Liz Claman is getting attention for wearing “sexy wardrobe”.
http://www.stylelist.com/blog/2009/10/02/fox-anchor-liz-claman-defends-sexy-clothing/?icid=main|main|dl5|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stylelist.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F02%2Ffox-anchor-liz-claman-defends-sexy-clothing%2F
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:36 pm
@madman130
Freak you. 21 years in the army and i come home to idiots like you.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Paul Jones gave you the answer on the Olympics way up above. Some things aren’t complicated. This is one of them. How many people didn’t realize that the Olympics were never held in S. America? Hell, maybe the IOC didn’t realize until recently.
Are we ever going to get tired of using Bush as a whipping boy? So far, does Obama look like he’s going to be any better? I’m almost seventy years old and there have been NO outstanding presidents in my lifetime. And that includes FDR. The only really unique thing about Roosevelt was that he was that rare individual with TOO MUCH self confidence.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Barama has no credibility when it comes to selling Chicago and The Great USA to the world. He’s been traveling the globe for the past 12 months talking the USA down, apologizing to the world for our poor attitude towards the world. Why would anybody believe him now when he decides to tell the world that the USA is now “great” enough to host the World Games?
They bought his first pitch. Now he comes across like a flim flam man when he tries to persuade the world to come to the USA.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:48 pm
“They bought his first pitch. Now he comes across like a flim flam man when he tries to persuade the world to come to the USA.”
If his second pitch looked anything like the one he tossed at the All-star game, then I understand where they’re coming from. It was an ugly, ugly bird, that one.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Thor,
Chitown’s slums aren’t like 3rd world slums — yet (BTW, do we still have “3rd world” countries, or are they all now “emerging nations”?). Nonetheless, they’re slums with all that slums are famous for.
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
cnbcs Says-
“Oh yeah, it’s ahab’s world.”
if it were only true- the world would be a better place-
for me
!!!!
October 3rd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
“Time to slap a new coat of pain on the slums.”
damn Thor- Freudian slip?
maybe that will put all those poor wretched souls on their best behavior when the Olympics rolls into town
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:18 pm
On the fingerprints and photos regimen. I visit the US 2-6 times yearly, but at least as a UK (The woed Alien is always found offensive by Europeans) National I can do a Visa online and don’t have to apply, wait for up to several months to be “Granted” an interview with a Consular Official at an Embassy (Which in most countries involves at least a day trip and often an overnight stay) and still have a good chance of being rejected.
The think about the fingerprint and photo regimen which is so stupid is that after so many visits to the US, you would think that by now my data would be viewable on a database after my (Photo ID) Passport was scanned? Alternatively, EITHER the database does in fact, like much of Government, NOT function properly OR there is some new technology around which allows one to change fingerprints randomly before each visit to the US? Or perhaps none of these nasty aliens can be trusted with anything compared to the sophisticated US. Which gets back to the basic problem.
On my last entry through LAX, not only the above, but I was asked by a Mexicam American, in a surly voice with a surly attitude whilst looking down his nose at me, “Why do you want to visit my country”?
Is it any wonder why many folks are voting with their feet and increasing answering that question with, well actually, I don’t really!!
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Here’s the deal. Obama just did what all the heads of state did, which is to go to Copenhagen and lobby. Obama did Tony Blair, Putin and Chirac did before him, which was to lobby for their country.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Heads of state have been instrumental in recent votes, creating somewhat of a new precedent.
Tony Blair helped London win the 2012 Olympics by traveling to Singapore to meet with IOC members ahead of that vote, and Russia’s Vladimir Putin went to Guatemala to lobby in support of Sochi’s bid for the 2014 Winter Games.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be in Copenhagen to make the case for Rio. King Juan Carlos of Spain and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will be there, too, boosting Madrid, and new Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama will be on hand for Tokyo.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Obama went because it would look really bad for him if he had not gone. He would have been open to more criticism if he had not gone and lobbied. People here would be demonizing him for not doing his job.
If Obama did not go, the righties would be screaming: Obama hates America. Obama was too lazy to go and lobby for America, as did the other heads of state. Obama is a traitor, a communist, a Nazi, a socialist, anti-business, anti-capitalist.
I can hear it now in the right wing echo chamber, Drudge, the liars on Fox, Limbaugh, Beck: Obama hates America and his absence is the reason why Chicago didn’t win. He’s a loser, a one term moron! Remove him immediately by military coup or assassination! He’s a flim flam man! A dork! A buffoon! He has the political sense of an aardvark. He’s a child sent to do a man’s job. Stan Laurel of World Politic. Isn’t that a Kenyan flag I see hanging out of his pocket?
Obama would be crucified by the right no matter what he did and what the outcome was, he would be demonized regardless.
Geez Louise. Never under estimate the intelligence….
IMO, the games were awarded to Rio, one of the most corrupt and dangerous cities on the planet, for two reasons, one, it was time that SA was awarded the games, Brazil had pledged $14 billion to Chicago’s $5b with guarantees from the Brazilian government to help finance the games. Chicago had no, none, zero federal backing.
It all comes down to location and funding.
It is no shame nor does it weaken Obama that the games will be held in Brazil, no more than a shame brought to the other heads of state from Spain, and Japan. It is what is it, folks. Quit trying to play Fox news anchors and demonize Obama for just doing his job.
Anti-Obama folks would be flinging their shit like monkeys no matter what he did.
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
@investorinpa
Don’t get CNBC Sucks get started now
He hearts Liz clayman.
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
how can’t you heart this-
http://neef2606.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/claman.jpg
philipat-
still making it to Singapore for some ice cold Tigers?
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
If you look at only monetary benefits then hosting the Olympics is probably a net loss. The (hard to measure) benefit comes from advertisement of the country. God knows we could use a positive change in world opinion. That of course requires actual change on our side. It’s probably better that we didn’t get a chance to prove the naysayers right…
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
ahab,
speaking of ICE, and border-crossings, you might want to clear your ‘bookmarks’ if traveling w/ lappie..
see: “..Is a laptop searchable in the same way as a piece of luggage? The Department of Homeland Security believes it is.
For the past 18 months, immigration officials at border entries have been searching and seizing some citizens’ laptops, cellphones, and BlackBerry devices when they return from international trips.
In some cases, the officers go through the files while the traveler is standing there. In others, they take the device for several hours and download the hard drive’s content. After that, it’s unclear what happens to the data.
The Department of Homeland Security contends these searches and seizures of electronic files are vital to detecting terrorists and child pornographers. It also says it has the constitutional authority to do them without a warrant or probable cause.
But many people in the business community disagree, saying DHS is overstepping the Fourth Amendment bounds of permissible routine searches. Some are fighting for Congress to put limits on what can be searched and seized and what happens to the information that’s taken. The civil rights community says the laptop seizures are simply unconstitutional. They want DHS to stop the practice unless there’s at least reasonable suspicion…”
http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2008/07/10/us-defends-laptop-searches-at-the-border/
ya know, some things could be misconstrued..
~~
MA,
re: 3rd World, see: http://clusty.com/search?input-form=clusty-simple&v%3Asources=webplus&query=lesser+developed+countries
there’s a kinder, gentler terminolgy..
maybe the ICE/DHS could take a page, assuming, of course, that it isn’t being done on Purpose–too further alienate the ROW from the U.S., and, in the process, Professionially diminish the, remaining, + Brand Equity that We may have had..
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:56 pm
One does not go into a major meeting expecting major decisions to be made. Major decisions are made beforehand and the meeting ratifys matters already decided. Obama didn’t do his homework.
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:10 pm
MEH-
unconscionable- anyone should flat out refuse to “unlawful search and seizure” – but i understand- “well i have nothing to hide”-
but it doesn’t make it right- and i would refuse on principle alone
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Does Chicago even have slums anymore? Last I heard they’d torn down all their projects. I guess they just didn’t want to have to look at their poor anymore.
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:52 pm
@ Ahab “still making it to Singapore for some ice cold Tigers?”
I’m actually up there again the week after next. Best to wash down the Singapore Chilli Crabs at East Coast or Newton Circus. It’s only a 2 hour hop from Bali.
Oh, and I don’t need a Visa!!
October 4th, 2009 at 12:03 am
It’s too easy to blame the administration on this one unfortunately.
Passport and Immigration control at US airports has always been unfriendly, period. Additional ’security’ such as fingerprints leaves one wondering what sort of probes will come next, but at the root of it all you are struck with the uneasy feeling that there is a significant portion of US Immigration and law enforcement personnel that get off on the increasing powers the government has bestowed upon them over the years.
October 4th, 2009 at 12:07 am
[...] Did Customs & Immigration Cost US 2016 Olympics? | The Big Picture [...]
October 4th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Thor, you’re on the right track. A good deal of the public housing high rises have been “reduced”. Thanks to the recent housing craze, we now have landlords offering stainless steel appliances, marble baths and countertops for Section 8 applicants.
October 4th, 2009 at 12:26 am
@V
Yes but why do I have be re-fingerprinted and photographed EVERY TIME I enter the US. Surely a Passport scan should access a database, find my previous access history, se my photo and fingerprints?. So why do it all over again EVERY time? The suggestion is that whatever database they use simply isn’t capable of matching against a central database. And if it isn’t, what is the point of the whole system?
October 4th, 2009 at 12:53 am
I just returned from Europe(back to Canada). What a lovely trip. US is off my list, last 8 years.
Finger-printing, photographing, chance of seizing of mp3/music devices, phones, laptops ( specially my laptop, are you kidding me?)
Long live Europe! Luckily I’ve seen all in US except New Orleans before 2000.
October 4th, 2009 at 1:06 am
@philipat
Well you would think Customs and Immigration could streamline the process as you suggest, why the administration has to get involved in what is essentially an operational detail is beyond me. Do the heads of these government departments actually get to the front line to see what is going on?
October 4th, 2009 at 1:47 am
CNBC Sucks
“For years, all Europeans and other foreigners did was bitch, bitch, bitch about President Bush”
Bitch? no it’s called disagreement, not approving of Bush’s policies.
Bitching is whining about one disagreeing with you.
“and how they pined for an intellectual liberal President who understood the world and was willing to work with other countries. Well, they finally got him in November 2008. And what do the Europeans and the foreigners do? Reject him and his home city on the first round of voting for the 2016 host city.”
Americans voted for Obama, not foreigners or Europeans if there is a difference.
Reject him and his city?
WTF are you smoking dude?
And showing the world how great we really are.
There isn’t one world versus the US, it is all broken up into small pieces called countries, and guess what, they’re all America.
Get over yourself man, a Serb is a proud Serb, a German is a proud German, a Serb will never be a proud American, you are not unique in any shape or form, check your history.
October 4th, 2009 at 1:51 am
Ahhh, the Bush administration: The gift that keeps on giving . . .
What’s hard to understand? If you had a choice between going to Rio or going to Chicago, what would you do?
Also, why all the America hating rhetoric? We have tougher security because of ‘9-11′! Our freedoms allow jihadists to enter our country to live, and plan (and carry out) attacks in this country. Look what was just prevented in New York ? Does Najibullah Zazi ring a bell?
Putting the TSA under Federal Government control didn’t help. Name a government agency run by the Federal government that is profitable and is efficient? Now, you want them to run your health care as well? How about shorter lifespans?
October 4th, 2009 at 2:16 am
I so agree. US lost out worthy. They deserved to lose and if one of the issues that was raised was about immigration, then I believe that was an important and credible issue. US immigration believes in ultra painful processes to protect their already falling apart economic and political system
October 4th, 2009 at 2:32 am
You guys are killing me with the Chicago violence video. The crime and violence in Rio make Chicago looks like child’s play. But go ahead and argue with politics until you are blue or red in the face, you’re not convincing anyone on the other side.
October 4th, 2009 at 2:35 am
A hugger http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VOLUNTEERS+NEEDED+FOR+SPECIAL+OLYMPICS+ORGANIZERS+OF+ANNUAL+EVENT…-a0114953154
is someone associated with Special Olympics, who gives participants the true reward they are striving for, a simple hug.
How many among us would not want such a wonderful and rich reward, the reward of self-worth and respect, a hug. There is NO monetary value that can be placed on a hugger and a huggie.
Barak Obama, comes from a family back ground that most of us would envy, yet he pleads for sympathy for his roots from Chicago.
He campaigned as the president of change, yet sides with “The Big Boys” and fails at that. His grasp of Engrish and his thoughts and ideas is no worthy of many high school graduates I know, yet he keeps trying.
People with special needs are worthy of Olympics and hugs, people like Barak who claim false truths embarrass us as Americans and I truly wish a hug would help, but I will never sign up as a hugger for this president elect, now matter how special he may be.
October 4th, 2009 at 2:49 am
I enter the U.S. about 200 times per year. In my experience things have improved since 9/11. Things can still be kinda rough, especially for anyone with darker skin, unusual accent or someone who doesn’t know the drill. And if you don’t cross alot how do you know what the drill is? Lately, the guards seem to have undergone some kind of sensitivity training – “kindler, gentler border guards” I call them. Before 9/11 it was like the wild West, no rule of law at all. They would make up rules and laws on the spot. They would hear on the radio, say, that there was avian flu in Hong Kong and then suddenly they would start to confiscate everyone’s chicken sandwiches, and then pork too because somebody said that people eat a lot of pork over there, and while we’re at it why don’t we confiscate all the meat, and anything that meat might have touched, including the containers which are likely contaminated. It would be like that for a few days, and then suddenly the chicken is ok, but maybe there is a problem with the grapes or the kiwis. It was really a problem for people who have little understanding of English (probably still is) because the guards had a habit of screaming at them, then taking their non-response as proof that they were hiding something, that they were engaged in some illegal plot. I’ve witnessed some horrible, horrible scenes. Crossing the border was like entering a no-man’s land where bandits and thugs had filled some kind of power vacuum. You always felt like they could let you pass or they could kill you, just depending on their mood.
In general, I agree with the commenters above that crossing into the U.S. can be nasty. Just in my experience it is a little less nasty than it used to be. The most trouble I’ve had is at U.S. customs and immigration at YVR -Officer Schellenberg is one nasty little prick – had him a few times.
October 4th, 2009 at 3:39 am
beaufou wrote: “Americans voted for Obama, not foreigners or Europeans if there is a difference.
Reject him and his city?
WTF are you smoking dude?”
People outside this country wanted a liberal U.S. President like Obama. They were happy we finally elected one last November. Obama flew to Copenhagen on Thursday to convince Europeans and others to vote for Chicago, Obama’s adopted hometown. On Friday, they rejected Obama and Chicago on the first round of voting, to the shock of just about everyone concerned.
I know complex sentences and ideas are difficult for you to comprehend, beaufou, so I tried to break it down for your educational level. Which words don’t you still understand?
October 4th, 2009 at 5:26 am
The global financial crisis played a role, and any American who thinks that much of the rest of the world isn’t blaming that crisis on US subprime, ratings Agency & Wall St deception & corruption, is sadly out of touch.
October 4th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Our freedoms allow jihadists to enter our country to live, and plan (and carry out) attacks in this country. Look what was just prevented in New York ? Does Najibullah Zazi ring a bell?
————
There are probably more people who die each year because of processed and other unhealthy foods sold using hundreds of billions in marketing gimmicks.
Many more people die in car accidents (subisidized industry) on congested and badly maintained roads.
Once again, we witness a misallocation of resources.
Once again, paranoia has led Amercians to lose focus on the real danders that face their country.
October 4th, 2009 at 9:46 am
I d’ know Barry…
I agree with you 110% percent on what a joy it is to arrive at a U.S. customs desk. Time and time again I’ve been witness to the most enthusiastic of visitors being greeted by these highly unqualified, walkie-talkie toting, pseudo-policers of freedom. …barking orders and making them feel about as welcome as a perp at booking.
From my perspective as temporary resident in the socialist hell that is southern Europe… I say that the overlying point of view on this side of the Atlantico is that the only thing the U.S. deserves these days is a good Kick in the Ass. …perhaps THAT’s an event the world would turn up and tune in for. The displays of greed, unaccountable leadership , and the regression of reason and sanity have become the overriding view from across the pond.
( …they have their share of Sunday talk shows over here as well, ya know)
I feel bad for the country and the folks of Chicago, and I can’t for fnckin’ life of me understand how some of these ideologues could stand up and cheer along with many of these european bastardos!!
I’m glad for Brazil, but personally I think the growing economy is the real lure. …along with the fact they know how to party hard! …A boost in enthusiasm is long over due. I’m in advertising, and know Brazilian creative talent is quite impressive. …I’m expecting gold medals for their promotional efforts.
October 4th, 2009 at 9:47 am
beaufou – CNBC posts are almost ironic- complete satire-
look at him as the Stephen Colbert of the posting world- his real views are almost the opposite of what he states
October 4th, 2009 at 10:05 am
@Chief Thomahawk
Let’s try to demonize the poor a little more. How pathetic. I have two family members who live in Section 8 housing in Chicago and I would consider both the of the apartments as barely livable, ancient, crime ridden, and depressing. Both of my relatives are on federal disability because of medical conditions and they would be out on the streets without even this meager substitute for “housing”.
The hyperbole around here gets to be a bit nauseating.
October 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Man, I am so glad we didn’t get this thing!
We don’t have the money and I don’t want to pay for it in higher taxes. Obama was hoping to get this in order to pour millions and millions of dollars into Chicago as political payback to the politicians and the voters there.
Again, I am so thankful we didn’t get this thing. My God, it would have cost up some mind-boggling amount of money we don’t have. I am sure Obama would not have held back one iota. It would have been his one opportunity to dump money from planes over Chicago with the political cover of the Olympics.
Not getting it made my week!! We can’t afford it and I am thrilled we didn’t get it!
October 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
dss-
chief tomahawk posted actual listing form Chicago several months ago for sec 8 housing showing some of the features he described in his above post-
his observation at that time was that RE was so bad that many of the condos have been converted to section 8 housing-
that was his only point then- not sure of his current motivations in his current post however
October 4th, 2009 at 10:20 am
In regard to the issue with Customs and Immigration, there is no other Country on the face of this Earth that is more hated or despised than the US. This issue really does present big problems now and forever more.
You drop your guard and you get “blowed-up”.
Are we more concerned about being politically correct or keeping our asses in one piece? That is really the only question to be answered.
Security is another great reason that I am so happy we did not get this sucker! I am so happy and so relieved that this is one thing that will not being hanging over our heads in the future. Thank Goodness!!
October 4th, 2009 at 10:31 am
For the same reason, Tel Aviv will never be awarded the Olympic Games.
October 4th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Pete from CA at 10:07 pm “It’s probably better that we didn’t get a chance”
ya I think your right .. and best of luck RIO .. do your best playing the cash flow method that this world provides
this house is rotting from within and the cockroaches and termites are taking over … and imo this flavor is because control of the government is the best path to prosperity for the corporatists
ps – CNBCsuxs .. that was an interesting take on this whole thing
October 4th, 2009 at 10:49 am
on the economy you are certainly great but you are not good on geopolitics.
October 4th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Thor no facts just my eyes – IL took in alot of Katrina victims .. the projects were deemed a concentrated problem – I guess the GOPs method came about – dispurse so begging has a chance at working
dss – tell the tribe – that as much as some of us try – its an ocean above water too – big fish eat small fish – its the game – get the right education (best of luck) – is the right education street fighting ? .. not in my eyes
and BG – I see this thing your way about 48% .. the other 52% is cash flow .. whats your pyramid project in the works?
October 4th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Thank you, Ahab. Dss should indeed check into the rental listings in the Chicago Sun-Times to find his relatives a better place. Some were located around the United Center as I recall.
October 4th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
and MEH – note seriousness here – I’ve been searching for files to copy/paste – they may not exist anyway (the story will reveal why) – I’ll type a few lines from paper printouts for u all … on 13Apr04 I sent an email to the 9-11Commission dotgov ebox .. Director Tenet had just finished his testimony – and would return for round 2 tomorrow.
“Dear 9/11 Commission:
After Sept 11th I looked at past issues of Time and Newsweek magazines in the Summer of 2001. Life in the media was all about Condit, Wall Street thievery and not to forget the 2000 Vote. This notion of looking at facts in a pre 9/11 and after 9/11 perspective: I belive President Bush had a personal agenda pre 9/11.
Agenda:
Get Americas defense engine into Iraq.
To hoist his personal status in America.
I would like:
You to superimpose the day after 8/6/01 disemination brief with actual 8/6/01 PDB with above bias in an unbiased way. I remember tv facial expression changes on our President in those days. His day in history had arrived after 9/11. I suppose … he was just energized by events and not actually thrilled with his personal agenda success.
Respectfully submitted for your consideration.”
I got an immediate thank you back from the National Commission on Terrosist Attacks Upon the US.
The Next morning – 2 ICE agents and my police chief paid a visit (I had a walk-in policy then). I was told my computer was used by hackers for money laundering. Would I mind allowing a couple nights useage in a sting operation. I offered up my laptop too. (ya BR that one). I said ok for a day or two tops (I may be a small business but 3 days without my mainframe). Well my roomie uses the machine too, and there was supposed pictures of children in porn positions. I was never charged*, my roomie was never questioned. My hard-drive was returned erased, after about 11 months. They returned my equipment in a week (short 1 hard-drive). I begged to get my data back. On 5/13 made a trip to Chicago for disks of my documents (area where all info goes). Bought a bigger hard drive (needed it anyway) and loaded all my software and data provided from the ICE disks.
It gets more interesting TBP readers. I had (in the machine) an idea that we had concerning cell phones inside buiding walls that was being showed in a couple places. In a quick sentence .. an answering machine like device that your cell phone is placed in – that pair of devices becomes the interface to the outside world – delete’g telephone pole wires but the inside wall wires to your existing instruments are energized. I saw on the Today Show with Matt & Katie the thing invented (at least a prototype) at the 2005 CES. Never took off in the stores tho, don’t know why.
Disclaimer Conspiratorists – 3 other things could have happened besides what is inferred .. I wasn’t the only one who thought of it / my contacts ran with it / their contacts ran with it .. I had a bit of a contract (but run’g that way – nope).
Now .. conclude this event confession … would Cloud Compute’g be better or worse – depends on the sensitiveness of your stuff.
* coda – am I worried now I hit *Refresh* .. ya a little .. maybe a bit more in 2012 too
ps – here is the idea by PhoneLabs (Americas Telephone Company) its called Dock-N-Talk (search the web archives)
October 4th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Greg0658,
simply, “Cloud Computing” is, from a ‘data-security’ POV, at the minimum, a sad joke.
past that, stories similiar to yours are legion..
these guys http://www.eff.org/ will give anyone that can Read, and possesses the minutest Spirit of Inquiry, more than most would ever care to know..
also, here: http://epic.org/ the same, as above.
and, from a mildly different perspective http://www.spychips.com/
LSS: any thought of anonymity when using computer networks (and, yes, your cell phone, and soon to be ‘Smart Grids’, are compNets–to name, just, two others) is, in reality, a Primitive Pipe Dream.
October 4th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
>We have tougher security because of ‘9-11′! Our freedoms allow jihadists to enter our country to live, and plan
>(and carry out) attacks in this country.
Well, that’s ironic! Freedoms?
http://web.archive.org/web/20010815210951/http://www.usembassy.state.gov/riyadh/wwwhvzxp.html
Bush’s little gift to Saudi terrorists – let your travel agent apply for your visa for you.
Even certified wingnut Michelle Malkin was onto it… http://www.jewishworldreview.com/michelle/malkin110701.asp
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/terror/articles/visa011212.htm
But keep sipping that koolaid, my friend.
They don’t hate you because you’re “free” (cough, hack).
I stopped transiting through the USA in 2003. I’ll fly twice as long and pay 4 times the ticket price to avoid getting grilled by the US Gestapo just for wanting to sitting in a transit lounge at LAX for a few hours.
If you freedom-loving airheads cared to look at the facts you would realize that a significant proportion of Europeans avoid the USA for the same reason.
Likewise antipodeans visiting the UK – they now by default choose to fly through the middle east (on Emirates) rather than doing what they used to – a shopping stopover at LAX.
October 4th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
The bottom line here is that there is a nedd for a minimally intrusive system, implemented with a human face. Is that asking too much for a country that says is wants to welcome visitors? (OK, it also says it wants a strong dollar!)
I actually had the “Insolence” once to ask one of the frontline angels WHY it was necessary to take my fingerprints and photo every time I entered the US, wouldn’y my Passport scan link to my file on a Central database? I was, of course, told that “I can’t discuss our systems with you for security reasons.” Now, in this context, security can be used both for security reasons but also to cover up a bloated inefficient system that doesn’t work and is implemented by improperly trained goons who want to make their little bit of authority in this world noticed.
Meanwhile, whilst all these resources are wasted, the REAL terrorists apply for Visas in “friendly” countries such as Saudi OR simply drive over the border from Canada.
October 5th, 2009 at 12:22 am
so when it comes to immigration, customs is too lenient, but when it comes to the Olympics its draconian……
oh that’s right I forgot, its all Bush’s fault
Rithotz can you possibly move on from blaming Bush or Cheney for EVERYTHING ?????
~~~
BR: I do not blame them for everything, just the bad decisions and foolish policies they made. Just as I blame Obama for his bad decisions and appointments.
I don’t know why you political junkies have a problem with Pols taking responsibility for their actions. Your objectivity and analytical ability is so blinded by bias that your commentary is worthless.
This isn’t a political site where your partisdanship counts for anything, its an objective critical site that calls it as it is.
If you look at the “Previously” posts, they are about blocking grad students and intellectual capital from coming into the US. The Customs and Immigration issues are an extension of those foolish policies:
Is the balance of scientific power shifting? (January 16th, 2004)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2004/01/is-the-balance-of-scientific-power-shifting/
Economics, Security, and the Decline of the US Creative Class (October 6th, 2004)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2004/10/economics-security-and-the-decline-of-the-us-creative-class/
Losing Our Intellectual Edge (December 22nd, 2004)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2004/12/losing-our-intellectual-edge/
Global Competition for Talent (June 5th, 2005)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2005/06/global-competition-for-talent/
U.S. dominance in science and engineering at risk (July 23rd, 2005)
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2005/07/us-dominance-in-science-and-engineering-at-risk/
October 5th, 2009 at 9:43 am
BR: …………..;-)