BZBee

I wish I had thought of that and it's not too late since I need my passport for business and I was told when I called today that it would be at least another 6 weeks....that would make 18 weeks (that's 4.5 months) total and that is only if my pictures are not rejected and they can get in touch with my guarantor, etc. and nothing else goes wrong. Who in their right mind would think it would take 18 weeks for something that was to take 10 weeks? Ridiculous!!! Even more ridiculous is that I would be questioned as to why I did not plan ahead for Passport Canada's incompetence. Why were they not prepared for the onslaught? I'm sure they had more than a year and a half to prepare for this.

You can still drive to the States without a passport. And it's not like you didn't have well over a year to figure it out. Do you think you could do some reading (my original post) before posting a sarcastic comment? First, I was not born in Canada so cannot prove my Canadian citizenship with my birth certificate....sooooo, cannot travel using my birth certificate and photo ID in lieu of a passport. AND, I also stated that I travel a lot for my job (with my passport) and was doing just that back in February of this year so I needed my passport. I thought sending my application in March would give Passport Canada enough time to get my passport to me by June 8 which is the original date I was supposed to meet with my potential clients....that would have given them 11 weeks and I was told it would take 10 for processing......it's been 12 weeks now and still no passport. I even sent the application in via UPS Express overnight at a cost of $32 and change....another waste of my money. And why would I apply for a passport a year or more before my current passport expired? Do you really think that well over a year ago I should have figured out that Passport Canada would not be able to deliver my passport to me in a timely manner? The US requirement had been going back and forth for 2 or 3 years and Passport Canada could not figure out that they would actually stick with January 2007 so how the hell was I supposed to figure it out? As sated before, stupid me had more faith in the Canadian bureaucracy than they obviously deserve. The yolks on me!!!

So, how does one go about recouping losses caused by Passport Canada? I'm still without a passport and, obviously, won't make my meeting tomorrow. After much discussion with my potential clients, I was given the ultimatum.....the meeting can take place no later than Monday. I can't get in touch with Passport Canada (I have no more time to sit at a desk continually dialing that number...time is money and I can't have them helping me to lose any more). With what is going on I know I can kiss that revenue goodbye and we're not talking pocket change either....it is well worth the 9 hour drive.

What goes into the processing of a pasport is of no concern to me; that is Passport Canada's concern and it seems they don't know what it entails either since they are obviously not handling it well. How many of you on this board would survive at what you do if you did what Passport Canada is doing? We all know that only a government can get away with this type of behaviour. So, everyone who has applied for a passport is an idiot? Right, that’s rational thinking. How can anyone be so presumptuous as to call all applicants idiots? I travel a great deal and, because I had to travel in mid-March, was unable to apply for my passport until the end of March…which I did. My last passport expired at the end of May. I have a travel date of June 8/2007 on my application but no one at Passport Canada cares about that; they don’t even look at it. To date, I have no passport and no documents to prove that I am a Canadian because Passport Canada has all of these documents. I rescheduled my business for June 15th…that is 2 days away and it is obvious that I won’t be receiving my passport any time soon. I called for 3 days before finally being able to get into the “hold” queue. Anyway, this person said she could not do anything to help me but gave me a fax number to send a written account of my situation….which I did. I’ve sent emails and tried calling again (can’t get through) and even sent another fax explaining that I cannot travel with my birth certificate and photo ID since I was not born in Canada. No one has called, faxed or emailed me because no one gives a crap about me and the negative effects on my business when I tell my potential clients that I cannot make the meeting as scheduled. I’ve worked on these potentials for months and months and that money and time is also down the drain because of their travel plans. So, one thing that can be done is LOOK AT THE DAMNED TRAVEL DATE on the application; why the hell is it on there if no one is going to look at it? If you tell me that they do look at it then I’ll know that they really don’t give a damn. If there is a problem with getting the passport to the applicant by the travel date…USE THE &*(#@^% CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION TO CONTACT THE APPLICANT.....some people may be able to change their travel date….SOME CANNOT. It’s not rocket science. I used to sing the praises of the Canadian Government for efficiency when compared to the US Government but now…..well, there’s egg all over my face.

I have XM, I pay for it but I don't listen to any of the shock jocks; as far as I am concerned they are just too disgusting to listen to. I listen to the comedy and the music of the 60's, 70's and 80's (and I pay for that because it is commercial free and I get enough of the commercials when watching TV). I hear about this stuff from other people and I read about it but not hearing it firsthand doesn't make it any less objectionable. If only the shock jocks were available on XM, you bet your butt I wouldn't be paying for it.

And your "funny as shit" reaction will solve the issue? Did you stop to think that people who laugh at their crap keep these idiots going? You're right though, it may be time to start protesting these shock jocks in avenues other than on boards and forums. If I tuned out everything I don't like in the world today, I'd be tuned out 90% of the time....I choose to have an opinion and to express it rather than walk around like I am clueless most of the time. Depending on the issue, I have expressed my opinion to authorities or others who may take action on my behalf. As Figleaf stated "rape just ain't funny." It takes a sick person to joke about it and another sick person to laugh. Rape is a crime, NOT a joke.

It's not only offensive but disrespectful as well. Unfortunately, there are people who pay to listen to these disgusting human beings...of course, the listeners are not much better than the a-holes they listen to. I work too hard for my money and choose not to use it to make those creeps rich.

I don't think they did at either the first or second.....because they feared revenge not because they didn't have the will. It's been many years people…I hope I remember my history correctly.

Amen....finally someone who understands the crux of the problem. Oh yeah? Canada doesn’t need people like that and if they hate it so much and think the grass is greener elsewhere, then they should leave. Won’t be long before they realize how good they had it in Canada. A good thing for the unilingual Francophone to realize. You see, as an English speaking individual, one can go just about anywhere and be understood. However, the choices are much fewer for a unilingual French Canadian. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the French to learn English than vice versa. (Heck, if you’re English and you hate Canada, you can just move across the border.)

Did you miss that males were also shot at Virginia Tech?

Ah, but a check for a million dollars in your name can exist; I can write you one....doesn't mean you can actually cash it but if I write it, it will exist.

Don't generalize "Quebecers." There are still many Anglophones (my family included) in Quebec who love Canada but retain a feeling of belonging in Quebec and live in harmony among the Francophone population. With a Francophone majority in Quebec how can you say that separation is supported when 2 referendums (while I lived there anyway) indicate otherwise? Maybe Quebecers rarely ever travel outside of Quebec to other provinces but park your car on the side of the US I95 in any given month (but especially in the Fall and Spring) and you will see just how many license plates contradict your statement that they only go as far as Ottawa. You're right about one thing though....smart Francophones realize that it is not feasible to be a separate country and still expect to use the Canadian dollar and have welfare, unemployment benefits, pensions, etc. supplied by the Canadian government/taxpayer. Not to mention having to give up all the other "extras" that Quebec apparently receives from the Federal Gov't.

And are you certain there is no afterlife? If you are, just how did you come to that conclusion? Not everyone who believes in an afterlife considers their present life dispensable. Many are not willing to blow themselves up to find out but hope there is something after this life. Some believe that hell is right here on earth so there must be something better. quote name='AndrewL'] I view all religious belief as radical, since any religious belief requires a suspension of logic and a leap of faith, it can only be radical in regards to rationality. Maybe those who believe in religion believe that disbelief requires a suspension of logic and a leap of faith and the disbelievers are radical and irrational? From personal experience, I can say that you don't have to be Jewish to be the recipient of excellent care at the JGH or to contribute. It is certainly a wonderful institution with brilliant doctors. My ex-husband worked there and thought it was the cat's meow. quote name='AndrewL' date='Apr 23 2007, 06:00 PM' post='211386'] I did read your post, and your argument comes across as if someone were singing the virtues of chemotherapy after it cured their lung cancer, when in fact they could have just avoided lung cancer and chemo altogether if they just didn't smoke. Andrew Off subject: Unfortunately, lung cancer is not exclusive to those who smoke so avoidance by your suggested method is not realistic; does that make singing the virtues of chemo more appropriate?

English?I gather the two official languages now are Canadian and French. JBQ, You're a smart man, so I know you know what I'm talking about.