A quick heads up for American citizens. Just read an article about the impending *possible US government shutdown over the budget issue. One of the service affected by this shutdown would be passport services. Since all application for new/renewal passports received by the consulates are processed in the States, you will not be able to receive you passport until a budget is passed. Since adding pages is done on the premise of the consulate, it remains to be seen if the consulate will provide this service during the shutdown.

The preceding is hearsay and not based on first-hand knowledge, proceed with caution.

Here is the link to the article:
news.yahoo.com/[...]

Cheers~

So want the gov't to shutdown now...from yahoo article:

"Because trash collection in the District of Columbia will probably be suspended temporarily if the government shuts down. This one would only affect D.C. residents - an unfortunate consequence of living in a district with a budget that must be approved by Congress. In 2011, the last time a government shutdown appeared imminent (though it ultimately was avoided) a Facebook event called "If Boehner shuts down the government I am taking my trash to his house" racked up over 7,000 attendees."

The govt must threaten and frighten the people so they can continue giving money to their bankster friends. As soon as the rich get more money then the little people can be rewarded with their petty services.

Shut down an entire government because a few manchildren cannot agree on what to do with trillions of dollars. Brilliant.

Politicians have to feel their power somehow because most of the time the corporations who sponsor them tell them what to do!

I had a passport application in the LA passport office in 1995. It was delayed until the Feds went back to work, they were paid for not working during the shutdown.

BTW, best I can tell, we Americans expats are also required to buy Obamacare insurance even though it will not cover us outside the US, or, pay the fine/tax for failing to buy.

Great! Shut down the govt and blackmail the populace until we are all forced to buy useless Obamacare. This way the USA can use that money to make more WMDs and kill people of color. Wonderful!

At times, trying to have an intelligent debate on GK forum feels like having a debate between Republicans and Democrats on the House floor.

Marketwatch.com says visa services outside the states will be closed

pay for obamacare whilst here, but if you can go back for surgery, would you trust local hospital?