Uncovered
Topple
Distraction
Fury
Sunday, April 13
Sample of U.S. Visa Questions.
A visa may not be issued to persons who are within specific categories defined by law as inadmissible to the United States (except when a waiver is obtained in advance). Is any of the following applicable to you?
1. Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?
2. Have you ever been refused admission to the U.S., or been the subject of a deportation hearing or sought to obtain or assist others to obtain a visa, entry into the U.S., or any other U.S. immigration benefit by fraud or willful misrepresentation or other unlawful means? Have you attended a U.S. public elementary school on student (F) status or a public secondary school after November 30, 1996 without reimbursing the school?
3. Do you seek to enter the United States to engage in export control violations, subversive or terrorist activities, or any other unlawful purpose? Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization as currently designated by the U.S. Secretary of State? Have you ever participated in persecutions directed by the Nazi government of Germany; or have you ever participated in genocide?
4. Have you ever violated the terms of a U.S. visa, or been unlawfully present in, or deported from, the United States?
5. Have you ever withheld custody of a U.S. citizen child outside the United States from a person granted legal custody by a U.S. court, voted in the United States in violation of any law or regulation, or renounced U.S. citizenship for the purpose of avoiding taxation?
6. Have you ever been afflicted with a communicable disease of public health significance or a dangerous physical or mental disorder, or ever been a drug abuser or addict?
While a YES answer does not automatically signify ineligibility for a visa, if you answered YES you may be required to personally appear before a consular officer. (!!!)
1. Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes?
2. Have you ever been refused admission to the U.S., or been the subject of a deportation hearing or sought to obtain or assist others to obtain a visa, entry into the U.S., or any other U.S. immigration benefit by fraud or willful misrepresentation or other unlawful means? Have you attended a U.S. public elementary school on student (F) status or a public secondary school after November 30, 1996 without reimbursing the school?
3. Do you seek to enter the United States to engage in export control violations, subversive or terrorist activities, or any other unlawful purpose? Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization as currently designated by the U.S. Secretary of State? Have you ever participated in persecutions directed by the Nazi government of Germany; or have you ever participated in genocide?
4. Have you ever violated the terms of a U.S. visa, or been unlawfully present in, or deported from, the United States?
5. Have you ever withheld custody of a U.S. citizen child outside the United States from a person granted legal custody by a U.S. court, voted in the United States in violation of any law or regulation, or renounced U.S. citizenship for the purpose of avoiding taxation?
6. Have you ever been afflicted with a communicable disease of public health significance or a dangerous physical or mental disorder, or ever been a drug abuser or addict?
While a YES answer does not automatically signify ineligibility for a visa, if you answered YES you may be required to personally appear before a consular officer. (!!!)
Wednesday, February 27
Lord Heseltine's Arboretum.
Taking on Tarzan
By Sue Cameron
Financial Times
Published: February 27 2008 02:00 | Last updated: February 27 2008 02:00
Tory Michael Heseltine, bete noire of Margaret Thatcher, has lost none of his acerbity. Lord Heseltine, 75 next month, was at Coutts' HQ in London last Thursday for the launch of a report about reputation as a business asset.
Hezza, former deputy prime minister and chairman of Haymarket publishing, featured in the report which was written for Coutts by Michael Hayman, chief executive of The Communication Group.
Later, someone asked about non-doms. The questioner warned that Britain's unfriendly attitude would lead him and other non-doms to "go home". "Where's home?" inquired Lord H. "Singapore," came the reply. "Hardly a liberal democracy," remarked Lord H. No, said the questioner, explaining proudly that Singapore was "a guided democracy." Lord H, at his driest, replied: "That's good news - for the guider."
Lord Heseltine, who owns an arboretum, says he will be remembered not for business or politics. "People will remember me for my trees," he says. And how did he cope with bad luck and attacks on his reputation? "I'd chop down some trees," he said.
By Sue Cameron
Financial Times
Published: February 27 2008 02:00 | Last updated: February 27 2008 02:00
Tory Michael Heseltine, bete noire of Margaret Thatcher, has lost none of his acerbity. Lord Heseltine, 75 next month, was at Coutts' HQ in London last Thursday for the launch of a report about reputation as a business asset.
Hezza, former deputy prime minister and chairman of Haymarket publishing, featured in the report which was written for Coutts by Michael Hayman, chief executive of The Communication Group.
Later, someone asked about non-doms. The questioner warned that Britain's unfriendly attitude would lead him and other non-doms to "go home". "Where's home?" inquired Lord H. "Singapore," came the reply. "Hardly a liberal democracy," remarked Lord H. No, said the questioner, explaining proudly that Singapore was "a guided democracy." Lord H, at his driest, replied: "That's good news - for the guider."
Lord Heseltine, who owns an arboretum, says he will be remembered not for business or politics. "People will remember me for my trees," he says. And how did he cope with bad luck and attacks on his reputation? "I'd chop down some trees," he said.
Sunday, July 29
The Little Prince.
". . . One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes. . . . It’s the time that you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important. . . . You become responsible for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose. . . .”
Sunday, June 24
Religion today.
I find it highly ironic that people who practice a religion based on love, understanding, rejection of dogma, forgiveness, and tolerance are in fact some of the scariest hatemongers out there today.
Wednesday, June 14
Sunday, June 11
Sunshine: boiling heat, wine, frappes, and strawberries...
Last Saturday was spent enjoying some British sunshine at the lawn outside the Tate Modern (after a brief trip to Borough Market), followed by a few mocha frappes, and more sunshine at the lawn at Lincoln's Inn. Sunday was spent nursing some burnt skin.
Monday, May 29
Posh wipe. This season's must have - the little black roll.
Renova, a Portuguese paper products company, is releasing an all black toilet paper. Last year, Renova debuted the product in Paris "to a select group of high-society women, and it was very positively received."
"Elegant, sophisticated, rebellious, alternative and eternally fashionable, black has become virtually synonymous with chic and style. But while this colour is often present in avant-garde creative work, no one has ever dared to use it for toilet paper until now. Black in the loo, how chic and sophisticated can you get?"
You can find le noir toilet paper in the bathrooms of places like celeb after-hours hangout Bungalow 8, Bette, Kittichai and the Four Seasons. This all-black toilet paper from Portugal is brand new, real, and mercilessly chic. And, as it turns out, 10 times more costly than the average Euro-wipe.
Is black the new black? Black jeans were the new rage last season. What's next? Band aids?
For the "chic and sophisticated", you can purchase a sample directly from the manufacturer. Renova can be found at http://www.renovaonline.net/
Talk about provocative advertising.
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