To Texthejhawk,

No, I am not bitter nor do I have angst. I was just merely trying to explain why passports are now necessary and what people from other countries has to go thru on entry to the USA.

(and by the way, Norway is actually on Al Quaida's list too).

And thanks to everyone who understood the point I was trying to make and thank you for your support.

Perhaps the way to look at this is:

How many times have you traveled with just your Birth Certificate?
Just think of the money you've saved!

Also this isn't the country you are traveling FROM that has this initiative: - this it's your own government that requires you to have this document before it will allow it's citizens to enter the country of their birth.

Welcome to the real world :-)