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Will President Obama Attend CES 2010?
In the article titled "U.S. Needs to Rethink How It Treats International Guests," Shapiro refers to the challenges he faces getting international business executives to attend the Consumer Electronics Show.
He also says "our nation's visa policies work against us in attracting the world to our country." He elaborates:
Consider the challenges faced by a Chinese buyer who wants to visit the CES to buy products made by U.S. companies. The buyer must first travel to a Chinese city with a U.S. embassy or consulate. He must wait in line and pay a $131 fee (USD). He must buy a pre-paid phone card to call and schedule an interview and return months later for that interview with his personal financial statements in hand. But to get to that interview he may wait more than two hours in line — all this for an encounter that could last just five minutes. Afterward, the buyer will be informed whether he will receive a visa. A U.S. business executive would not suffer this treatment.
He concludes by saying "we need a dose of humility" and invites President Obama to come to CES to help "change the tone and extend the welcome mat to international visitors. I urge him to make a high-visibility appearance at a Las Vegas or Orlando trade show (Mr. President, please consider this an invitation to participate in the International CES in January 2010)."
I know that part of Shapiro's intent is to get exposure for CES. But I also agree with him.
I was in the airport the other day waiting for luggage when I overheard a family talking about how they just spent two weeks overseas telling everyone they were Canadians so they wouldn't face any backlash.
What do you think?
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6 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
So Shapiro, by the very nature of his comments regarding American’s “shabby treatment of foreign business people” is showing his cards. He is an apologist, just like Obama. You know, before this administration, I never knew that America needed to apologize for anything (sarcasm here). While we’re on the subject, I would like to say that if I have offended any nation or its citizens in any way at any point in my past, I am sorry. You know I am just an arrogant American after all, so please cut me some slack.
Right on Ranger! The only good reason to invite Obama to CES 2010 is to see how many of us he would be willing to bail out.
The President turned down an invitation to go to Germany for the 20th anniversary of the Berlin wall coming down in November of 1989. This was an incredible historical event of our life time and something that allot of people never thought they would see. If the President has not time to go to that event, why would he bother with an annual trade in Las Vegas?
OMG, you Kool Aid drinkers really don’t have a clue do you….you really buy into Obama’s rhetoric.?... and no, I am NOI a Republican.
First a Nobel Peace Prize and now this, maybe he will bail out the electronics industry and tell the CEO’s how much they can make.
I have travelled abroad MANY times and am treated with respect. While the world may not like our politics, they certainly dont hate the US citizens. I say shame on those that claim citizenship from a country other than their own. They should not be allowed to travel. Shame shame shame! I am disgusted by those actions. If they have no pride, dont let them back in this country. Bet a dime to a dollar they were far left bozo’s that are clueless.
Given he wrote for the Huffington Post leaves one to believe Shapiro’s interest may at all not be in the same interest as most Americans. Why did he choose that worthless rag to write an article? Was it to reach an audience or fulfill an own personal desire to feed a mad minded political ego? Nothing wrong with reaching an audience even if it is extremely radical, off base, wrong and not in best interest of this nation.
I doubt Obama gives a rats patooty about us or the industry but it certainly would bring awareness. I say hats off to this effort regardless where one writes an article.