London too dangerous for high school students!
Mar 31st, 2006, 11:20 PM
#21
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You can find government advice on safety in Britain if you set Google for State Department Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, Britain. This tells you:
SAFETY AND SECURITY: The United Kingdom is politically stable, with a modern infrastructure, but shares with the rest of the world an increased threat of terrorist incidents of international origin, as well as the potential for occasional and isolated violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom). On July 7, 2005, a major terrorist attack occurred in London, as Islamic extremists detonated explosives on three Underground trains and a bus in Central London, resulting in over 50 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Following the attacks, the public transportation system was temporarily disrupted, but quickly returned to normal. A similar, but unsuccessful attack against London’s public transport system took place on July 21, 2005. UK authorities have identified and arrested people involved in these attacks.
The British Home Secretary has urged UK citizens to be alert and vigilant by, for example, keeping an eye out for suspect packages or people acting suspiciously at subway and train stations and airports and reporting anything suspicious to the appropriate authorities. Americans are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution. For more information about UK public safety initiatives, consult the UK Civil Contingencies Secretariat website at http://www.ukresilience.gov.uk.
Political demonstrations are well-policed and generally orderly. The political situation in Northern Ireland has dramatically improved since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and the announcement by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on July 28, 2005, that it would end its armed campaign. Within Northern Ireland, flash-points for sectarian confrontations still exist, but they are generally removed from areas where tourists congregate. The potential remains for sporadic incidents of street violence in isolated areas in Northern Ireland during the summer marching season (April to August), with tensions heightened during the month of July, especially around the July 12th public holiday. As a result, American citizens traveling in Northern Ireland could experience delays and disruption.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, can be found. Recent communications from U.S. Embassy London to the local American citizen community, called “Warden Messages,” are located on the embassy’s website at http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new...ges/index.html. (But in fact my software can not find this page – BH)
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet “A Safe Trip Abroad.”
Welcome to London
Ben Haines
[email protected]
SAFETY AND SECURITY: The United Kingdom is politically stable, with a modern infrastructure, but shares with the rest of the world an increased threat of terrorist incidents of international origin, as well as the potential for occasional and isolated violence related to the political situation in Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom). On July 7, 2005, a major terrorist attack occurred in London, as Islamic extremists detonated explosives on three Underground trains and a bus in Central London, resulting in over 50 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Following the attacks, the public transportation system was temporarily disrupted, but quickly returned to normal. A similar, but unsuccessful attack against London’s public transport system took place on July 21, 2005. UK authorities have identified and arrested people involved in these attacks.
The British Home Secretary has urged UK citizens to be alert and vigilant by, for example, keeping an eye out for suspect packages or people acting suspiciously at subway and train stations and airports and reporting anything suspicious to the appropriate authorities. Americans are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and to exercise caution. For more information about UK public safety initiatives, consult the UK Civil Contingencies Secretariat website at http://www.ukresilience.gov.uk.
Political demonstrations are well-policed and generally orderly. The political situation in Northern Ireland has dramatically improved since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and the announcement by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on July 28, 2005, that it would end its armed campaign. Within Northern Ireland, flash-points for sectarian confrontations still exist, but they are generally removed from areas where tourists congregate. The potential remains for sporadic incidents of street violence in isolated areas in Northern Ireland during the summer marching season (April to August), with tensions heightened during the month of July, especially around the July 12th public holiday. As a result, American citizens traveling in Northern Ireland could experience delays and disruption.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, can be found. Recent communications from U.S. Embassy London to the local American citizen community, called “Warden Messages,” are located on the embassy’s website at http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new...ges/index.html. (But in fact my software can not find this page – BH)
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet “A Safe Trip Abroad.”
Welcome to London
Ben Haines
[email protected]
.
Mar 31st, 2006, 11:54 PM
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PatrickLondon, are you saying this is an April Fools joke? I read the website that P_M posted, it certainly sounded "real". If it is an April Fools Joke it is the best one I have ever heard of.
Apr 1st, 2006, 02:13 AM
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As a member of the Inner Circle and one who has been posting here for donkey's, Patrick is notorious for his April Fool's jokes. He pulls this every year. I am surprised that you novices have fallen for it.
Marc Jacobs Jokester
Marc Jacobs Jokester
Apr 1st, 2006, 04:10 AM
#30
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What was Patrick's prank last year? It something to do with Americans having to get a visa to visit Europe (or something like that). Don't you remember, Ira?
Don't hide your lightbulb under a bushel.
Balenciaga Bimbo
Don't hide your lightbulb under a bushel.
Balenciaga Bimbo
Apr 1st, 2006, 04:35 AM
#31
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While I did think there was a possibility this whole thing was an April Fools joke, I am beginning to think not so.
Take a look at:http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs..../60401002/1075
I got the article off a yahoo search...all I can see is that these people running the Ft. Myers schools are imbeciles...as I said I was in London on 7/7, as a matter of fact, I was on a tube train 3 or 4 trains before one that was blown up but the next day, I had no trepidation riding the tube and have made several other visits to London and ride the tube...I ride the subway in NYC and have no problems with it either.
In London, there is indeed a heightened security presence but that unfortunately is the world we live in today. For these idiots to say what they are quoted as saying in this article, leaves me questioning what kind of people they have running their schools in Ft. Myers.
London, don't take these morons as indicative of all Americans. They are just lack a little intelligence.
Take a look at:http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs..../60401002/1075
I got the article off a yahoo search...all I can see is that these people running the Ft. Myers schools are imbeciles...as I said I was in London on 7/7, as a matter of fact, I was on a tube train 3 or 4 trains before one that was blown up but the next day, I had no trepidation riding the tube and have made several other visits to London and ride the tube...I ride the subway in NYC and have no problems with it either.
In London, there is indeed a heightened security presence but that unfortunately is the world we live in today. For these idiots to say what they are quoted as saying in this article, leaves me questioning what kind of people they have running their schools in Ft. Myers.
London, don't take these morons as indicative of all Americans. They are just lack a little intelligence.
Apr 1st, 2006, 05:35 AM
#33
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OK, today is April Fools. If this is a joke, the local news stations are still reporting it. When I turned on the TV this morning it's what I was getting. Most of the discussion has turned to what affect the cancellation will have on UK tourism in Southwest Florida -- a very big business here. The London parade officials are offering to come to Ft. Myers and meet with band members and parents.
Apr 1st, 2006, 05:49 AM
#34
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...and the imbeciles running the Lee County, I believe, schools say they won't meet with them...that their decision is made and won't be changed.
As I said, is it any wonder American education is in the sorry state it is with imbeciles like these folks running our schools.
As I said, is it any wonder American education is in the sorry state it is with imbeciles like these folks running our schools.
Apr 1st, 2006, 05:58 AM
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Amen, xyz123.
I guess it's equally funny that it took the school board members so long to suddenly find out that there might be some sort of "terrorist threat in London". Too bad no one there ever picked up a newspaper or turned on the news to find out about these problems they seem to think are suddenly important. I mean if it is an issue to them, why did their concern suddenly erupt this week?
I guess it's equally funny that it took the school board members so long to suddenly find out that there might be some sort of "terrorist threat in London". Too bad no one there ever picked up a newspaper or turned on the news to find out about these problems they seem to think are suddenly important. I mean if it is an issue to them, why did their concern suddenly erupt this week?
Apr 1st, 2006, 06:02 AM
#36
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OH, and for those who scoff that this is anything but a very minor issue and who have suggested that it won't even be noticed in Britain or by officials there, here is the morning report in the Ft. Myers News Press:
http://tinyurl.com/oj3sa
I'm not sure why some people are so naive as to think such a "little" thing won't become a major political football -- it won't be the first time.
http://tinyurl.com/oj3sa
I'm not sure why some people are so naive as to think such a "little" thing won't become a major political football -- it won't be the first time.
Apr 1st, 2006, 11:03 AM
#37
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Oh well, I take it back. Actually, I can understand the idea of a public official playing it super-safe when it comes to responsibility for other people's children, even if in this case it seems to fly in the face of what we think of as common sense. There are plenty of cases in the UK of people in similar positions becoming much more cautious about taking responsibility for school trips, because of so much finger-pointing if and when something goes wrong (and there have been some terrible catastrophes), hugely increased insurance premiums and so on.
But here's a thought: why doesn't Fort Myers use the money they've saved to pay your Embassy's congestion charge fees?
But here's a thought: why doesn't Fort Myers use the money they've saved to pay your Embassy's congestion charge fees?
Apr 1st, 2006, 11:19 AM
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hmmm, Patrick, there must be a story behind that last comment. More info?
Incidentally, I was at the New Year's Parade in London this past time and I was surprised how many of the bands and marching groups were American. Why is that? Are marching bands not a big thing in the UK?
Meanwhile one evening we attended a West End production of Otherwise Engaged. We were surrounded by a high school band group from the US, all nicely dressed for their night of traditional British theatre. They got very silent during the scene when the lady takes off her blouse and does the entire scene totally topless. Clearly the school officials hadn't checked out the show they were seeing. God forbid the Ft. Myers school board should hear about that faux pas! I've often wondered about the reports that made it back to the parents and teachers --obviously there were a number of chaperones in attendance as well.
Incidentally, I was at the New Year's Parade in London this past time and I was surprised how many of the bands and marching groups were American. Why is that? Are marching bands not a big thing in the UK?
Meanwhile one evening we attended a West End production of Otherwise Engaged. We were surrounded by a high school band group from the US, all nicely dressed for their night of traditional British theatre. They got very silent during the scene when the lady takes off her blouse and does the entire scene totally topless. Clearly the school officials hadn't checked out the show they were seeing. God forbid the Ft. Myers school board should hear about that faux pas! I've often wondered about the reports that made it back to the parents and teachers --obviously there were a number of chaperones in attendance as well.
