Nigella Lawson

Consistency would be a starting point feetlebaum. I suppose you could say it was consistent with the treatment of Nigella, when a close friend of mine was refused entry to the US. Like Nigella, she'd employment waiting for her and had previously visited the US a number of times. On arrival, she was asked if she'd ever taken an illegal drug. Yes she said, smoked cannabis when at Uni several years earlier. That was enough for them to send her back.
I find some of the harsh comments here about Nigella surprising. It makes me wonder if those making them are like Mary Poppins, simply perfect in every way.

The point is that these rules are not applied consistently.

Celebrities are so full of themselves. Why can't they see that regulations mean them as well. The airport authorities were correct in not allowing her in.

absent well said.

Is this thread a Mash-Up??

Domestic goddess or any sort of goddess my foot. She's let her fame go to her head, like so many, and has behaved in a thoroughly stupid manner for the last year or so believing that somehow the rules don't apply to her. If she can't be bothered to check and abide by the visa rules for entering the US (however daft and inconsistent they may be), then of course she will have to collect her checked-in luggage and slink off home. The only person who has humiliated her is her silly self.

Are there two threads running here?

That's interesting, Nonu. I didn't care for Chicago much and wished I hadn't gone up the John Hancock building as it terrified me!

DD1 got married in Denver so we spent a few days there and did loads of walking. There were some lovely museums (one of which had an exhibition of artefacts from the Titanic when we were there). We also enjoyed visiting Molly Brown's house, and took a tour to the Red Rocks amphitheater which was amazing. Also saw dinosaur footprints in the rocks, and had a trip to Buffalo Bill's grave. Beautiful countryside, though very cold and snowy when we were there. We loved it.

I agree with this article.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2596565/JAN-MOIR-Why-does-U-S-ban-Nigella-let-Russell-Brand-in.html

I have to agree with you VEGA, what were her advisors thinking of ?
Did they think because she was so high profile , she would be "shooed"
through.
Pays not to take anything for granted , IMO

Hilda Chicago , brilliant city , so very vibrant and multi-cultural, been there three times , loved it ! Navy pier eh !
Denver , not really impressed , suppose because it is a HI TECH City not much history, we really struggled to find an attraction, really the only reason we were there was because it is a hub airport so got us onto where we wanted to be

Apparently, JessM you can be refused entry if you are known to be a drug abuser, or have admitted such, even if you have no conviction. As Nigella admitted drug use in open court, I am puzzled as to why her legal adviser did not tell her to apply for a visa, even though there is no guarantee she would get one. You can also be refused entry if you have ever been arrested, even though the arrest did not leave to a conviction!

I don't think the visa waiver form asks " have you ever used illegal drugs" does it? I think it asks if you have any convictions (noun? You're always going to the states? What have you been signing to?)
It's the wording jingle "war on". Whatever you think about drugs, it is clear that the "war on drugs" is being lost and badly. Many states awash with heroin. Crack cocaine and other nasty drugs like oxytoncin (is that right?) are rife. Not just talking about a bit of dope smoking.
And the "war on terror" seems to have been an excuse to start two badly judged wars in Iraq and Afghansitan. And grow the US secret services. And infringe human rights. And at the end of it all, is America less of a target for terrorism than it was then?

I'm rather surprised that Nigella wasn't better advised in this matter of her entry to the USA. Years ago, all visitors to the US had to apply for a visa, and this applies still to the residents of many countries. The UK was amongst those for whom this rule was relaxed in that the visa was replaced by the green visa waiver form, which was then replaced by the online ESTA. This form of visa waiver is intended for the vast majority of travellers who do not have criminal convictions of have not declared drug use. in those latter circumstances, would be visitors can apply for a visa, indeed they are advised to. This is what Nigella will need to do - there will be no guarantee that she will be issued but this is the procedure, which is clearly stated on the notes that accompany the ESTA.

I would think the planes hitting the twin towers would have been a pretty good reason for the "war on terror".

Nonu, Thanks for hints. No, we have been a few times to the US. Always on organised trips with a company called Titan. We are just so fascinated by the differences in the US. We have a great time (once I've got over the airport stress and the flight). So far I've particularly enjoyed Chicago, Santa Fe, Denver and just generally chatting to the lovely people we meet.

Hilda sounds good to me , if you are going to Dallas you will almost certainly be taken to the Book depositary which is opposite the grassy knoll where JFK was assignated.
We found it very moving as indeed all the Americans who were there did 1
You go up iron staircases , it is quite bleak but then the whole affair was very bleak . I can remember hearing the news of his death as if it were yesterday.
Strange how some things stay in one"s mind.
on another more cheerful note , Do enjoy your holiday , is it your first time over there?

Oh yes. The Vietnam war where most of the American army were on drugs.

To be fair to Nixon, JessM he was responsible for putting a stop to a real flesh and blood pointless war.

Yes absent Nixon kicked this "war on" thing off by declaring War on Cancer and though it would need just a few million dollars to fix it. And the War on Terror ... well that was just an excuse to go to war wasn't it?

GillT57 Possession, even in your own home and up your own nose, of a Class A drug (e.g. cocaine) is illegal and the penalty may be up to seven years in prison. Dealing, of course incurs greater penalties.

Come on – the US invented the daft and pointless War on Drugs and will continue to prosecute this absurd exercise rather than admit its mistake.

Nonu, oh its an organised trip......a bit tame but so much better to leave the organising and driving to a professional in our view (not hugely adventurous)

Hilda are you driving yourselves or going on a coach ?
Don"t eat too much, easier said than done over there .

Rose, Colorado , seems you can buy over the counter .
Although did read the demand has been so great that they are rationing it .
Thing of the States is that each State have their own laws , so you can pitch up in some States and find they are "Dry" so can"t buy alcohol in Walmart --irritating!