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No smiles please, we're British
Reuters ^ | 8/6/04

Posted on 08/07/2004 6:18:30 AM PDT by jalisco555

LONDON (Reuters) - The fight against terrorism has wiped the smile off the face of British passport holders.

The UK Passport Service (UKPS) said on Friday it would forbid open-mouthed smiles on passport pictures, one of several rules introduced to comply with strict new U.S. standards.

Smiles are forbidden -- along with sunglasses and hair slanting across the eyes -- because they may confuse security cameras used to scan faces and verify the passport is authentic.

"These new guidelines are an important step in the development of the new biometric e-passport and use of facial recognition technology that will be introduced in 2005 as part of the ongoing fight against fraud and international terrorism," UKPS Chief Executive Bernard Herdan said in a statement.

New British passports will also be fitted with a chip containing the facial image and other data, hi-tech measures introduced to help stamp out passport fraud.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: passports; scowling; terrorism
Sneering, however,is permissible.
1 posted on 08/07/2004 6:18:30 AM PDT by jalisco555
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To: jalisco555

Gee, I hope that the new facial recognition technology works well on the Mexican boarder.


2 posted on 08/07/2004 6:20:35 AM PDT by Viet-Boat-Rider (KERRY IS A NARCISSISTIC LIAR, GOLDBRICKER, AND TRAITOR!)
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To: Viet-Boat-Rider

So... if you get a sober looking picture all you have to do to defeat the cameras is smile all the time?


3 posted on 08/07/2004 7:30:26 AM PDT by TalonDJ (wanted: witty and insightful tag line)
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To: jalisco555
one of several rules introduced to comply with strict new U.S. standards

When I got my first passport 25 years ago, I was told not to smile in my photo. Had nothing to do with terrorism.

4 posted on 08/07/2004 7:54:00 AM PDT by GVnana
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To: GVgirl

Passport photographs as a rule are hideous!


5 posted on 08/07/2004 8:18:44 AM PDT by Happygal ('No one works harder for his money than the man who marries it.')
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To: jalisco555
they are just tired of being laughed at around the world because they all have Austin Powers teeth
6 posted on 08/07/2004 8:55:23 AM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: jalisco555

Would have no problem with not smiling. Don't come from a family that ever smiled a lot. Now that I have almost no teeth, have permanent frown on the face.


7 posted on 08/07/2004 9:28:58 AM PDT by tob2 (Old fossil and proud of it.)
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To: Chode

Nice that you aren't prejudiced


8 posted on 08/07/2004 10:15:49 AM PDT by FreeReporting
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To: Chode
Teeth

English Teeth, English Teeth!
Shining in the sun
A part of British heritage
Aye, each and every one.

English Teeth, Happy Teeth!
Always having fun
Champing down on bits of fish
And sausages half done.

English Teeth, HEROES' Teeth!
Here them click! and clack!
Let's sing a song of praise to them -
Three Cheers for the Brown Grey and Black.

-- Spike Milligan

9 posted on 08/07/2004 10:19:05 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: Chode

GOOD ONE!!!


10 posted on 08/07/2004 10:20:46 AM PDT by NEBO
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To: FreeReporting
the point iz... they get FREEE dential care and they get just what they pay for
11 posted on 08/07/2004 10:56:08 AM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: AnAmericanMother
Mother, just damn... tooo funny

you know you have problems when Eastern Europe has better orthodontiure than you do... and they use an alloy type of STEEL for their fillings too

12 posted on 08/07/2004 11:04:52 AM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: Chode
Kinda like that guy Jaws in the James Bond movie?

I love Spike Milligan. When J"F"K called the Republican protesters "goons", he must not have known about Milligan's group. Goons rule!


13 posted on 08/07/2004 11:13:45 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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