More Complaints from The Caribbean over US Passport Changes

The United States is changing passport requirements in an effort to deal with homeland security. Of course in places where tourism is more important than anything else such as the Caribbean, they are feeling the pressure.

Now it appears the Caribbean hotels are complaining that they have an unfair playing field vs. the cruise ship industry when it comes to passports.

Chairman of Carnival Cruise Lines, Mickey Harrison, has written to the governments of the Caribbean, requesting an urgent meeting with them and United States authorities in Washington, D.C., according to secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace.

The request follows a move by the U.S. Congress to delay the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) new passport requirements, until June 1, 2009, for cruise passengers travelling to the U.S. from the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada or Bermuda, but still requiring U.S. citizens travelling by air to these regions to have a passport by January 8, 2007. (Jamaica Gleaner)

US Lawmakers delay the passport plan at the Mexican & Canadian borders

It is important to note that this delay will only apply to travelers entering the U.S. over land borders from Canada and Mexico. Effective January 8, 2007, travel rules for people coming into the country by airplane or cruise ship will have to show their passports to Customs officials in order to gain entry.

WASHINGTON – A plan to tighten U.S. borders by requiring passports or tamper-resistant identification cards from everyone entering the country by land from Mexico and Canada has been delayed.

 House and Senate lawmakers agreed to push back the program by 17 months, saying they want to make sure new ID cards being developed by the Bush administration will better secure borders against terrorists without slowing legitimate travelers from Canada and Mexico. The new ID’s will be required for Americans and all others entering the U.S. (Yahoo News)

More Liberal Tolerance … This time its Columbia University while Minute Men trying to Speak

Its a funny thing how liberals far left whine about their free speech, but seem to forget about The First Amendment when it comes time for others to exercise their right. Such was the case at Columbia University when the Minute Men and Jim Gilchrist tried to speak. This is unbelievable. Columbia University, its President and alumni should be ashamed at the behavior of what makes up its student body.

At Columbia, Students Attack Minuteman Founder

Students stormed the stage at Columbia University’s Roone auditorium yesterday, knocking over chairs and tables and attacking Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the Minutemen, a group that patrols the border between America and Mexico. (New York Sun)

Also read a great live blogging account from The BWOG, (a must read)

7: 30 PM: In the biggest old-fashioned activist shindig Broadway has seen since Chris Kulawik’s last guest arrived in November 2005, hundreds of students and community members yelled and picketed outside Lerner to protest the arrival of Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minutemen. They had catchy slogans.

“Workers of the world unite! Same struggle, same fight!”

“Minutemen, Nazis, KKK! Racists, fascists, go away!”

What an amazing display from students who attend an Ivy League School. Let the President of Columbia let him know how you feel, here. Folks, take a good look at these videos and read the live blogging events that took place. Ever wonder what side of the aisle does not want you heard? It is amazing sometimes the intolerance of those who claim they are the the tolerance movement.

Michelle Malkin also has a great round up of events.

The Corner, Why Would Anyone Speak at Columbia After This?

Tiger Hawk, Universities constantly struggle with the question, who should be “allowed” to speak on campus?

Michael Curtis Reynolds … American al-Qaida Enemy Within, Charged with Helping to Blow Up Refineries

Michael Curtis Reynolds … The enemy within. Michael Curtis Reynolds was indicted by a federal grand jury for offering to help al-Qaida blow up fuel facilities in at least three states.

Michael Curtis Reynolds was charged in U.S. District Court in Scranton Tuesday with two counts of providing material support for a terrorist organization and two counts of seeking to take part in the destruction of property used in interstate or foreign commerce.

Michael Curtis Reynolds was arrested as part of a sting operation.

The FBI arrested Reynolds in December after authorities said he tried to meet a purported al-Qaida contact in a sting operation about 25 miles from a motel in Pocatello, Idaho, where he had been staying.

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They Are Elected to Protect, “We The People” … Its about Time … Senate Approves Mexican Border Fence

The US Senate last night passed legislation authorizing a 700 mile fence to be built on the US-Mexican border. The bill passed 80–19 in the Senate. Think illegal immigration and homeland security is not an important issue in the upcoming election? Earth to Republicans and George W. Bush … what do you think the American voters and namely your base want? How come so many Democrats crossed party lines to vote on this issue? Who do you think is on the right side of this debate?

Is it the only solution? No, but its a start in the right direction to begin to handle the Illegal Immigration issue and sure up our borders. Something is better than nothing and all things muct begin somewhere.

The Senate gave final approval last night to legislation authorizing the construction of 700 miles of double-layered fencing on the U.S.-Mexico border, shelving President Bush’s vision of a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration laws in favor of a vast barrier. (Washington Post)

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US Senate Passes Detainee Interrogation Bill

President George W. Bush wins another one on dealing with terrorism as the Senate passes the “Detainee Interrogation Bill”, 65–34.

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