... like where Tim and I live, the war on tourism means that it is far more hassle flying into the US than it is flying into many other countries (such as Canada) ... and direct flights to Montreal from London, I don't think KC can match that ...
... if the US makes it difficult for their own citizens to get a passport, then there's nothing we can really do about that (the UK is certainly making things harder over there (I'd say "over here" but I'm in Japan at the moment!) except encourage fans to get a passport and experience that "sense of wonder" that comes with encountering a foreign culture (especially a city with more than one major language, not counting Miami, New York or similar!)
Seriously, I'm sure KC would have run a fine convention, but I'm glad to be going to Montreal, and if it turns out that there is a filtering of US fandom which stops those who won't get a passport (or can't afford one) from attending, then I'll just have to be happy partying with those that do want to step outside of their own country, I think I can just about live with that ... (sorry if this annoys/offends anyone) ... plus it means those of my friends that refuse to travel to the US because of the hyper-sensitive security restrictions (that some consider will do little to prevent terrorism but everyday inconvenience tens of thousands of people to provide a false sense of security) will be able to come to Canada (assuming restrictions don't get more stringent there too)
While for the rest of the World ...
... if the US makes it difficult for their own citizens to get a passport, then there's nothing we can really do about that (the UK is certainly making things harder over there (I'd say "over here" but I'm in Japan at the moment!) except encourage fans to get a passport and experience that "sense of wonder" that comes with encountering a foreign culture (especially a city with more than one major language, not counting Miami, New York or similar!)
Seriously, I'm sure KC would have run a fine convention, but I'm glad to be going to Montreal, and if it turns out that there is a filtering of US fandom which stops those who won't get a passport (or can't afford one) from attending, then I'll just have to be happy partying with those that do want to step outside of their own country, I think I can just about live with that ... (sorry if this annoys/offends anyone) ... plus it means those of my friends that refuse to travel to the US because of the hyper-sensitive security restrictions (that some consider will do little to prevent terrorism but everyday inconvenience tens of thousands of people to provide a false sense of security) will be able to come to Canada (assuming restrictions don't get more stringent there too)