• Re: [OT] Trump passports for Americans

    From Peter Moylan@peter@pmoylan.org to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 09:20:15 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 07/08/26 07:46, Garrett Wollman wrote:

    I'm actually in a bit of a weird state right now because my passport
    expires next year, I'm traveling to Europe in March and Canada in...
    ummm, the summer some time (I really should put those dates on my
    calendar already), and if I understand correctly, ETIAS is tied to
    the passport, so if I want to get the full three years' registration
    for my 20 euros, I should renew my passport early this winter rather
    than waiting.

    Yes, you need some overlap. I gather that some airlines will refuse to
    take you if you have less than six months' validity on your passport.

    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the
    price has gone up to $422.
    --
    Peter Moylan peter@pmoylan.org http://www.pmoylan.org
    Newcastle, NSW
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Hibou@vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 06:50:47 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    Le 06/08/2026 |a 18:35, occam a |-crit :
    On 06/08/2026 08:22, Hibou wrote:

    I applaud Mr Trump for this, just as I'd applaud any other clown who
    made people laugh.

    Passports? Yes, good stuff! Let's have more of this sort of thing.

    You sound like you have been turned into a MAGAmaniac. Here's a few more
    items for you to explore:

    - Trump Bible (https://tinyurl.com/3rsrp2kx)
    - Trump watch (https://gettrumpwatches.com/collections/mugshot-suit)
    - Trump suit (piece thereof) (https://gettrumpwatches.com/collections/mugshot-suit)
    - Trump foreskin (piece thereof) - (sorry, I am informed that when he
    was circumcised, the doctor threw the wrong bit away.)

    Peruse the full list here: https://www.trumpstore.com/


    Can it be that you don't understand me? All that sort of thing is a
    distant pantomime - amusing, not annoying. Does the Trump Bible contain
    a new Gospel, that according to Saint Donald? If it does, I'm neither surprised nor bothered.

    It's when America's actions foul the rest of the world that I object.
    Then I may well start chanting MAGA: "Make America go away!"

    If only our ancestors had left the Indians and the buffalo-| in peace!


    -|Bison really.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From athel.cb@gmail.com@user12588@newsgrouper.org.invalid to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 05:52:25 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english


    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:

    On 07/08/26 07:46, Garrett Wollman wrote:

    I'm actually in a bit of a weird state right now because my passport expires next year, I'm traveling to Europe in March and Canada in...
    ummm, the summer some time (I really should put those dates on my
    calendar already), and if I understand correctly, ETIAS is tied to
    the passport, so if I want to get the full three years' registration
    for my 20 euros, I should renew my passport early this winter rather
    than waiting.

    Yes, you need some overlap. I gather that some airlines will refuse to
    take you if you have less than six months' validity on your passport.

    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the
    price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My
    French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.
    --
    athel

    Living in Marseilles for 39 years; mainly in England before that,
    with long periods in Singapore, California, Chile and Canada
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From occam@occam@nowhere.nix to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 08:15:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 07/08/2026 07:52, athel.cb@gmail.com wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:

    On 07/08/26 07:46, Garrett Wollman wrote:

    I'm actually in a bit of a weird state right now because my passport
    expires next year, I'm traveling to Europe in March and Canada in...
    ummm, the summer some time (I really should put those dates on my
    calendar already), and if I understand correctly, ETIAS is tied to
    the passport, so if I want to get the full three years' registration
    for my 20 euros, I should renew my passport early this winter rather
    than waiting.

    Yes, you need some overlap. I gather that some airlines will refuse to
    take you if you have less than six months' validity on your passport.

    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the
    price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.


    Hmm... you're being overly pessimistic. Every time I think like that
    (letting my passport lapse), I think of an exceptional circumstance
    under which the need for a British passport may arise. So it's worth
    the odd -u120 (online renewal) to hold on to the option.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From occam@occam@nowhere.nix to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 08:20:53 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 06/08/2026 21:38, Garrett Wollman wrote:
    In article <ndk2kpFfiteU1@mid.individual.net>,
    s|b <sb.nospam@belgacom.net> wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 07:48:29 +0200, occam wrote:

    The narcissist Trump has managed to put his orange face on US 'special
    edition' 25the anniversary passports. It's the first time the image of a >>> living president adorns US Passports.

    <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/31/trump-branded-us-passports>

    I bet, when Drumpf is gone, many people are going to "lose" those
    passports...

    Normal expiration is 10 years from issuance, but AFAIK this new design
    is not mandatory, and I bet we'll find that not many Trump-worshipers
    do that much international travel.


    Maybe Trump fans may not travel abroad, but I see it as a future
    investment for younger people - think eBay or Facebook marketplace. It
    will be a collectible passport, and worth more as time goes on.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From occam@occam@nowhere.nix to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 08:24:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 06/08/2026 22:25, Sam Plusnet wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 19:38, s|b wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 07:48:29 +0200, occam wrote:

    The narcissist Trump has managed to put his orange face on US 'special
    edition' 25the anniversary passports. It's the first time the image of a >>> living president adorns US Passports.

    <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/31/trump-branded-us-
    passports>

    I bet, when Drumpf is gone, many people are going to "lose" those
    passports...

    Or perhaps future (Democrat?) Presidents will follow the trend and put
    their image onto passports.


    What 'future Presidents'? You know he plans to be President-for-Life
    right? First his photo on a passport, next a third and fourth term.


    That should ensure all the MAGA people stay home in the US.


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Hibou@vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 09:09:30 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    Le 06/08/2026 |a 21:25, Sam Plusnet a |-crit :

    Or perhaps future (Democrat?) Presidents will follow the trend and put
    their image onto passports. [...]

    U.S. passports last longer (10 years) than U.S. presidents (4 or 8
    years). How about using e-paper for that page?

    If Mr Trump needs a new passport after leaving office, there's something pleasing in the idea of his carrying a picture of his successor -
    pleasing to me, anyway, perhaps not to him.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Alan Mackenzie@acm@muc.de to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 09:38:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    athel.cb@gmail.com <user12588@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:

    On 07/08/26 07:46, Garrett Wollman wrote:

    I'm actually in a bit of a weird state right now because my passport expires next year, I'm traveling to Europe in March and Canada in... ummm, the summer some time (I really should put those dates on my calendar already), and if I understand correctly, ETIAS is tied to
    the passport, so if I want to get the full three years' registration
    for my 20 euros, I should renew my passport early this winter rather
    than waiting.

    Yes, you need some overlap. I gather that some airlines will refuse to
    take you if you have less than six months' validity on your passport.

    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.

    Be aware of the British authorities' racial discrimination against those
    of dual nationality. They won't let you into Britain without a British passport.

    The rules changed in the last couple of years. My getting a German
    passport turned out to be a total waste of money, though at the time it
    was considerably cheaper (and less hassle to obtain) than a British one.

    --
    athel

    Living in Marseilles for 39 years; mainly in England before that,
    with long periods in Singapore, California, Chile and Canada
    --
    Alan Mackenzie (Nuremberg, Germany).

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Peter Moylan@peter@pmoylan.org to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 20:44:03 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 07/08/26 19:38, Alan Mackenzie wrote:

    The rules changed in the last couple of years. My getting a German
    passport turned out to be a total waste of money, though at the time
    it was considerably cheaper (and less hassle to obtain) than a
    British one.

    I once met a German who was doing business in East Asia. Now, it can be
    a problem entering China with a Taiwanese visa in your passport, and
    vice versa. The German government understood the problem, and gave him
    two passports.

    There came a time when EU passports were introduced, so they gave him
    two of those as well.

    One day he was entering China and pulled out the wrong passport. The
    border official said "What's this?" "Oh, sorry", he said. "Wrong passport".

    And he pulled out the other three. Bad move. I've forgotten what the consequence was, but it was not good.
    --
    Peter Moylan peter@pmoylan.org http://www.pmoylan.org
    Newcastle, NSW
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From occam@occam@nowhere.nix to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 13:42:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 07/08/2026 11:38, Alan Mackenzie wrote:
    athel.cb@gmail.com <user12588@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:

    On 07/08/26 07:46, Garrett Wollman wrote:

    I'm actually in a bit of a weird state right now because my passport
    expires next year, I'm traveling to Europe in March and Canada in...
    ummm, the summer some time (I really should put those dates on my
    calendar already), and if I understand correctly, ETIAS is tied to
    the passport, so if I want to get the full three years' registration
    for my 20 euros, I should renew my passport early this winter rather
    than waiting.

    Yes, you need some overlap. I gather that some airlines will refuse to
    take you if you have less than six months' validity on your passport.

    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the
    price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My
    French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably
    outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.

    Be aware of the British authorities' racial discrimination against those
    of dual nationality. They won't let you into Britain without a British passport.

    That last sentence is not true. In any airport, there are non-UK
    passport check-points. I have three nationalities, but strolled though e
    at Aberdeen airport (in 2024) with no problem. How does the customs
    officer know you have another passport in your pocket?


    The rules changed in the last couple of years. My getting a German
    passport turned out to be a total waste of money, though at the time it
    was considerably cheaper (and less hassle to obtain) than a British one.

    Please elaborate. If you live on continental Europe (e.g. Germany)
    surely you need a German passport to continue living there. Why was it a
    waste of money?

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From richard@richard@cogsci.ed.ac.uk (Richard Tobin) to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 11:52:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    In article <ndlukoFoh7hU1@mid.individual.net>,
    occam <occam@nowhere.nix> wrote:

    Be aware of the British authorities' racial discrimination against those
    of dual nationality. They won't let you into Britain without a British
    passport.

    That last sentence is not true. In any airport, there are non-UK
    passport check-points. I have three nationalities, but strolled though e
    at Aberdeen airport (in 2024) with no problem. How does the customs
    officer know you have another passport in your pocket?

    In the last few months the British government introduced a rule
    requiring people with both British and another nationality to show a
    British passport to enter Britain. This has resulted in numerous dual nationals who had left Britain without a British passport being unable
    to return.

    Presumably this is intended to somehow crack down on illegal
    immigration, but I'm not sure how it does that.

    -- Richard
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Alan Mackenzie@acm@muc.de to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 11:59:08 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    occam <occam@nowhere.nix> wrote:
    On 07/08/2026 11:38, Alan Mackenzie wrote:
    athel.cb@gmail.com <user12588@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:

    On 07/08/26 07:46, Garrett Wollman wrote:

    I'm actually in a bit of a weird state right now because my passport >>>> expires next year, I'm traveling to Europe in March and Canada in... >>>> ummm, the summer some time (I really should put those dates on my
    calendar already), and if I understand correctly, ETIAS is tied to
    the passport, so if I want to get the full three years' registration >>>> for my 20 euros, I should renew my passport early this winter rather >>>> than waiting.

    Yes, you need some overlap. I gather that some airlines will refuse to >>> take you if you have less than six months' validity on your passport.

    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the >>> price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My
    French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably >> outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.

    Be aware of the British authorities' racial discrimination against those
    of dual nationality. They won't let you into Britain without a British passport.

    That last sentence is not true. In any airport, there are non-UK
    passport check-points. I have three nationalities, but strolled though e
    at Aberdeen airport (in 2024) with no problem. How does the customs
    officer know you have another passport in your pocket?

    Because you won't get that far. As I said, the rules have changed in the
    last couple of years. To be allowed to board transport into the UK, you
    need either a UK passport or an electronic certificate (registered
    against your passport number). Doesn't matter whether it's an aeroplane,
    a train, or a boat.

    Dual nationality British/other citizens are barred from obtaining the
    requisite electronic certificate.

    The rules changed in the last couple of years. My getting a German passport turned out to be a total waste of money, though at the time it
    was considerably cheaper (and less hassle to obtain) than a British one.

    Please elaborate. If you live on continental Europe (e.g. Germany)
    surely you need a German passport to continue living there. Why was it a waste of money?

    I don't need the German passport; I've got an identity card confirming my German nationality. This is accepted as being equivalent to a passport
    in all EU countries (and used to be accepted in the UK, too).
    --
    Alan Mackenzie (Nuremberg, Germany).

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From athel.cb@gmail.com@user12588@newsgrouper.org.invalid to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 12:44:44 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english


    occam <occam@nowhere.nix> posted:

    On 06/08/2026 22:25, Sam Plusnet wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 19:38, s|b wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 07:48:29 +0200, occam wrote:

    The narcissist Trump has managed to put his orange face on US 'special >>> edition' 25the anniversary passports. It's the first time the image of a >>> living president adorns US Passports.

    <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/31/trump-branded-us-
    passports>

    I bet, when Drumpf is gone, many people are going to "lose" those
    passports...

    Or perhaps future (Democrat?) Presidents will follow the trend and put their image onto passports.


    What 'future Presidents'? You know he plans to be President-for-Life
    right? First his photo on a passport, next a third and fourth term.

    Yes, but god probably has other plans. He won't live long enough to get through four terms.


    That should ensure all the MAGA people stay home in the US.


    --
    athel

    Living in Marseilles for 39 years; mainly in England before that,
    with long periods in Singapore, California, Chile and Canada
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Silvano@Silvano@noncisonopernessuno.it to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 15:30:44 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    occam hat am 07.08.2026 um 13:42 geschrieben:

    That last sentence is not true. In any airport, there are non-UK
    passport check-points. I have three nationalities, but strolled though e
    at Aberdeen airport (in 2024) with no problem. How does the customs
    officer know you have another passport in your pocket?


    Your question becomes even more relevant when Mr. X does have two nationalities, but he carries only one passport with him.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From occam@occam@nowhere.nix to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 17:37:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 07/08/2026 14:44, athel.cb@gmail.com wrote:

    occam <occam@nowhere.nix> posted:

    On 06/08/2026 22:25, Sam Plusnet wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 19:38, s|b wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 07:48:29 +0200, occam wrote:

    The narcissist Trump has managed to put his orange face on US 'special >>>>> edition' 25the anniversary passports. It's the first time the image of a >>>>> living president adorns US Passports.

    <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/31/trump-branded-us-
    passports>

    I bet, when Drumpf is gone, many people are going to "lose" those
    passports...

    Or perhaps future (Democrat?) Presidents will follow the trend and put
    their image onto passports.


    What 'future Presidents'? You know he plans to be President-for-Life
    right? First his photo on a passport, next a third and fourth term.

    Yes, but god probably has other plans. He won't live long enough to get through
    four terms.

    Ahh, you forget that one of the perks of 'President-for-Life' is that
    you get to pick your own successor (cf. the Kim dynasty of N. Korea).
    The other perk is that your successor does not to have be your eldest
    son. (My money is on Barron. )




    That should ensure all the MAGA people stay home in the US.





    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From wollman@wollman@hergotha.csail.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 17:37:53 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    In article <ndli5rFmjsgU1@mid.individual.net>,
    Hibou <vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote:

    If Mr Trump needs a new passport after leaving office, there's something >pleasing in the idea of his carrying a picture of his successor -
    pleasing to me, anyway, perhaps not to him.

    If I recall correctly, a diplomatic passport is one of those things
    they let ex-presidents keep after leaving office.

    I do not know who will be the next president (surely not JD Vance,
    unless Trump kicks it some time between now and January 21. 2029) but
    the growing sense of revulsion even among the people who turned out in
    unusual numbers to put him into office makes it likely that the photo
    of the reigning president will be scrubbed as quickly as the gold
    paint.

    Which does remind me: in a lot of states, on major highways crossing
    the state line, there are large "Welcome to [state name" billboards. Traditionally, they would show the welcome as being in the name of the incumbent governor, which made a lot of work for the state highway
    sign crews when the corner office changed hands. Connecticut at least
    is smart enough to put the governor's name on an auxiliary plate below
    the sign, rather than mounting copy directly on the sign as was
    previously done.

    -GAWollman
    --
    Garrett A. Wollman | "Act to avoid constraining the future; if you can, wollman@bimajority.org| act to remove constraint from the future. This is Opinions not shared by| a thing you can do, are able to do, to do together."
    my employers. | - Graydon Saunders, _A Succession of Bad Days_ (2015) --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 20:56:55 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 07/08/2026 06:52, athel.cb@gmail.com wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:

    On 07/08/26 07:46, Garrett Wollman wrote:

    I'm actually in a bit of a weird state right now because my passport
    expires next year, I'm traveling to Europe in March and Canada in...
    ummm, the summer some time (I really should put those dates on my
    calendar already), and if I understand correctly, ETIAS is tied to
    the passport, so if I want to get the full three years' registration
    for my 20 euros, I should renew my passport early this winter rather
    than waiting.

    Yes, you need some overlap. I gather that some airlines will refuse to
    take you if you have less than six months' validity on your passport.

    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the
    price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.

    I read this one hour after (applying to) renew my UK passport.
    -u102, which makes it a bargain in comparison to Peter's Australian passport. --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From wollman@wollman@hergotha.csail.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 20:45:45 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    In article <bMqdS.5670$eq6e.4902@fx15.ams1>, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote: >On 07/08/2026 06:52, athel.cb@gmail.com wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:
    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the
    price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My
    French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably
    outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.

    I read this one hour after (applying to) renew my UK passport.
    -u102, which makes it a bargain in comparison to Peter's Australian passport.

    $130 for us, but there are all sorts of additional fees that are
    tacked on depending on the exact service provided. All paid by check,
    of course, unless you go in-person to a passport office (prior
    appointment required) where they accept cards.

    -GAWollman
    --
    Garrett A. Wollman | "Act to avoid constraining the future; if you can, wollman@bimajority.org| act to remove constraint from the future. This is Opinions not shared by| a thing you can do, are able to do, to do together."
    my employers. | - Graydon Saunders, _A Succession of Bad Days_ (2015) --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 23:38:49 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 07/08/2026 21:45, Garrett Wollman wrote:
    In article <bMqdS.5670$eq6e.4902@fx15.ams1>, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
    On 07/08/2026 06:52, athel.cb@gmail.com wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:
    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the >>>> price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My
    French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably
    outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.

    I read this one hour after (applying to) renew my UK passport.
    -u102, which makes it a bargain in comparison to Peter's Australian passport.

    $130 for us, but there are all sorts of additional fees that are
    tacked on depending on the exact service provided. All paid by check,
    of course, unless you go in-person to a passport office (prior
    appointment required) where they accept cards.

    The Gov.uk website accepts credit cards, so having obtained a suitable photo[1] the application process took me around 20 minutes.
    I now have to send off my old passport and await the new one (typical timescale is 2-3 weeks).

    [1] Taken in one of those photo booths in a local supermarket.
    I didn't get a copy of the photograph, I just got a reference code
    which, when inserted into the on-line passport application, called up
    the photograph on my PC so I could check it was the correct one.

    When I next have to renew my driving licence, that photo will be called
    up automatically and used on the new licence.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Peter Moylan@peter@pmoylan.org to alt.usage.english on Sat Aug 8 09:46:25 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 08/08/26 03:37, Garrett Wollman wrote:

    Which does remind me: in a lot of states, on major highways crossing
    the state line, there are large "Welcome to [state name" billboards.
    Traditionally, they would show the welcome as being in the name of
    the incumbent governor, which made a lot of work for the state
    highway sign crews when the corner office changed hands.
    Connecticut at least is smart enough to put the governor's name on an auxiliary plate below the sign, rather than mounting copy directly on
    the sign as was previously done.

    Interesting. If you cross a state border in Australia there is a sign to
    say which state you're entering, but it doesn't carry anyone's name.

    Maybe that will change when One Notion gets into power, and there are
    border guards to check for foreigners.
    --
    Peter Moylan peter@pmoylan.org http://www.pmoylan.org
    Newcastle, NSW
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Tony Cooper@tonycooper214@gmail.com to alt.usage.english on Fri Aug 7 19:51:43 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On Fri, 7 Aug 2026 23:38:49 +0100, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:

    On 07/08/2026 21:45, Garrett Wollman wrote:
    In article <bMqdS.5670$eq6e.4902@fx15.ams1>, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
    On 07/08/2026 06:52, athel.cb@gmail.com wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:
    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a >>>>> couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the >>>>> price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My >>>> French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably >>>> outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.

    I read this one hour after (applying to) renew my UK passport.
    u102, which makes it a bargain in comparison to Peter's Australian passport.

    $130 for us, but there are all sorts of additional fees that are
    tacked on depending on the exact service provided. All paid by check,
    of course, unless you go in-person to a passport office (prior
    appointment required) where they accept cards.

    The Gov.uk website accepts credit cards, so having obtained a suitable >photo[1] the application process took me around 20 minutes.
    I now have to send off my old passport and await the new one (typical >timescale is 2-3 weeks).

    [1] Taken in one of those photo booths in a local supermarket.
    I didn't get a copy of the photograph, I just got a reference code
    which, when inserted into the on-line passport application, called up
    the photograph on my PC so I could check it was the correct one.

    When I next have to renew my driving licence, that photo will be called
    up automatically and used on the new licence.

    I'm a bit confused by Garrett's statement. The US government website:

    https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html#how-to-pay-for-your-passport
    says you can use a credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or
    Samsung Pay to pay the fees if applying at a "passport agency". Online submissions can pay with a debit or credit card.

    In Florida, driver's license photos are taken at the DMV office. You
    can't submit a photograph. Passports are federal, driver's licences
    are state.

    Last time I renewed my license, the lady ahead of me asked for a
    retake. The agent allowed her one retake. The agent, however, will automatically re-take if the eyes are closed or the image is not
    clear. We are told not to smile.








    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Hibou@vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid to alt.usage.english on Sat Aug 8 08:00:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    Le 07/08/2026 |a 18:37, Garrett Wollman a |-crit :
    Hibou wrote:

    If Mr Trump needs a new passport after leaving office, there's something
    pleasing in the idea of his carrying a picture of his successor -
    pleasing to me, anyway, perhaps not to him.

    If I recall correctly, a diplomatic passport is one of those things
    they let ex-presidents keep after leaving office. [...]


    But not Mr Trump, surely. He's the least diplomatic person I can think of.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From occam@occam@nowhere.nix to alt.usage.english on Sat Aug 8 09:10:44 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 08/08/2026 09:00, Hibou wrote:
    Le 07/08/2026 |a 18:37, Garrett Wollman a |-crit :
    Hibou wrote:

    If Mr Trump needs a new passport after leaving office, there's something >>> pleasing in the idea of his carrying a picture of his successor -
    pleasing to me, anyway, perhaps not to him.

    If I recall correctly, a diplomatic passport is one of those things
    they let ex-presidents keep after leaving office. [...]


    But not Mr Trump, surely. He's the least diplomatic person I can think of.


    He will not need a diplomatic passport, which comes with automatic
    diplomatic immunity. He will have pardoned himself, all those around
    him, and a host of other turkeys for all we care.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Janet@nobody@home.com to alt.usage.english on Sat Aug 8 10:31:29 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    In article <ndo2fjF44d0U1@mid.individual.net>, vpaereru- unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid says...

    Le 07/08/2026 a 18:37, Garrett Wollman a ocrit :
    Hibou wrote:

    If Mr Trump needs a new passport after leaving office, there's something >> pleasing in the idea of his carrying a picture of his successor -
    pleasing to me, anyway, perhaps not to him.

    If I recall correctly, a diplomatic passport is one of those things
    they let ex-presidents keep after leaving office. [...]


    But not Mr Trump, surely. He's the least diplomatic person I can think of.

    Its hard to think of any country outside USA that ex-potus Trump
    could safely travel to

    Janet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Janet@nobody@home.com to alt.usage.english on Sat Aug 8 10:33:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    In article <1155g5p$k9a$1@usenet.csail.mit.edu>, wollman@hergotha.csail.mit.edu says...

    In article <bMqdS.5670$eq6e.4902@fx15.ams1>, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:
    On 07/08/2026 06:52, athel.cb@gmail.com wrote:

    Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> posted:
    You're lucky that you still have cheap passports. I let mine lapse a
    couple of years ago, and now it's not worth getting another because the >>> price has gone up to $422.

    My British passport expires next month. I have no plans to renew it. My
    French passport is good for another seven or so years. It will probably
    outlive me, but I doubt whether I'll have occasion to use it.

    I read this one hour after (applying to) renew my UK passport.
    -u102, which makes it a bargain in comparison to Peter's Australian passport.

    $130 for us, but there are all sorts of additional fees that are
    tacked on depending on the exact service provided. All paid by check,
    of course, unless you go in-person to a passport office (prior
    appointment required) where they accept cards.

    I renewed mine online and paid online.

    Janet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Peter Moylan@peter@pmoylan.org to alt.usage.english on Sat Aug 8 20:43:06 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 08/08/26 19:31, Janet wrote:
    In article <ndo2fjF44d0U1@mid.individual.net>, vpaereru- unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid says...

    Le 07/08/2026 a 18:37, Garrett Wollman a ocrit :
    Hibou wrote:

    If Mr Trump needs a new passport after leaving office, there's
    something pleasing in the idea of his carrying a picture of his
    successor - pleasing to me, anyway, perhaps not to him.

    If I recall correctly, a diplomatic passport is one of those
    things they let ex-presidents keep after leaving office. [...]

    But not Mr Trump, surely. He's the least diplomatic person I can
    think of.

    Its hard to think of any country outside USA that ex-potus Trump
    could safely travel to

    If he's convicted of war crimes, that will severely limit the number of countries he can visit. His friends Putin and Netanyahu already have
    that problem.

    But then, if the law takes its course, he might not be safe in the USA
    either.
    --
    Peter Moylan peter@pmoylan.org http://www.pmoylan.org
    Newcastle, NSW
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to alt.usage.english on Sat Aug 8 20:40:55 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 08/08/2026 10:31, Janet wrote:
    In article <ndo2fjF44d0U1@mid.individual.net>, vpaereru- unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid says...

    Le 07/08/2026 |a 18:37, Garrett Wollman a |-crit :
    Hibou wrote:

    If Mr Trump needs a new passport after leaving office, there's something >>>> pleasing in the idea of his carrying a picture of his successor -
    pleasing to me, anyway, perhaps not to him.

    If I recall correctly, a diplomatic passport is one of those things
    they let ex-presidents keep after leaving office. [...]


    But not Mr Trump, surely. He's the least diplomatic person I can think of.

    Its hard to think of any country outside USA that ex-potus Trump could safely travel to

    Even Saudi Arabia have discovered that Trump can be a liability, and not
    just the dumb chum they thought him to be.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Peter Moylan@peter@pmoylan.org to alt.usage.english on Sun Aug 9 10:45:08 2026
    From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

    On 09/08/26 05:40, Sam Plusnet wrote:

    Even Saudi Arabia have discovered that Trump can be a liability, and
    not just the dumb chum they thought him to be.

    It's very clear what is happening in the latest war negotiations. The
    Saudis and others have gone to Trump and said "Look, I think we can sort something out, but we need you to avoid doing anything anything stupid
    for the next couple of weeks." Trying to avoid doing something stupid
    must be awfully stressful for Trump.
    --
    Peter Moylan peter@pmoylan.org http://www.pmoylan.org
    Newcastle, NSW
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2