Domestic goddess Martha Stewart banned from the UK! Is it FAIR?
Good God your majesty, GET A GRIP! Martha has done her time and seriously shouldn't pose any threat to the common good wielding pot holders or hot scones. I say she should be allowed to enter. What's your take?
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16 Comments:
Martha Stewart Banned in UK - Her loss...or ours? I can totally answer that: Yours.
chiff0nade at 3:29PM on 06/20/08
It's beyond ridiculous (and I am a) an expat, b) not a particular fan of Ms. Stewart's...at least not until last week's eppy of TNFNS:-)).
brooke29 at 3:43PM on 06/20/08
If it means she stays there and doesn't come back here? By all means, let her in. :)
clemon79 at 3:53PM on 06/20/08
Oh this is like when Amy Winehouse was denied a US visa for her known abuse of narcotics, but then some calls were made and a visa came through, albeit too late for her to attend the Grammies. I bet if Martha's people and all those corporate entities that have something invested in this trip start making some calls, it'll happen.
wookie at 3:56PM on 06/20/08
I don't know that enough information has been released to form an objective opinion on this obviously sensational news story.
Is the fact that she is famous causing them to exercise more scrutiny and therefore unfairly denying her entrance?
Or...are they simply fairly applying the same scrutiny (and application of law) that would be used to determine whether or not you or I were allowed into the country?
My immediate reaction was "This is unfair!"....but what if it wasn't Martha?
What if it was a non-celebrity, someone without millions and fame, who was being denied entry.....would anyone care?
I'd like to see the standards used to deny entry....and if she does not meet the criteria to enter the country, then too bad....and if she does meet the criteria, then hopefully this is resolved.
2qrs at 4:04PM on 06/20/08
Obviously some bloke in the Department Of Proper Etiquette DOPE) stumbled across this nifty prerequisite for entry and thought his tea had been spiked. With glee he danced his way to the proper authorities and proclaimed his monumental find. PERHAPS this is payback for refusing Ms. Winehouse entry for the Grammy's! How very sad indeed.
Spicelord at 4:38PM on 06/20/08
They only way this could be an issue is if she applied for a work permit or visa of some type. Because Americans don't need a visa to visit the UK.
But lets be clear here - all countries deny people entrance to their countries. All bets are off at the borders. Canada and the US routinely deny people for even minor offenses committed decades ago.
bravian at 5:03PM on 06/20/08
Checking the UK website - Americans don't even need Visa for work unless they are going to spend more than 6 months there. So I am having doubts about this story.
bravian at 5:08PM on 06/20/08
She used to fascinate me. At one point, years ago, I even thought she was sexy.
But as Martha has started looking more and more like a Man over the years, I find her to be much less interesting. So I really don't care either way.
However, I wonder how many drug dealers, wife beaters, or muggers are denied entrance, or have their backgrounds known or made public.
Seems an odd target to make an 'example' of.
FastFoodCritic at 7:14PM on 06/20/08
Hey, we should send Richard Simmons over there.
A couple weeks of that -- they will be begging for Martha Stewart.
FastFoodCritic at 7:16PM on 06/20/08
Per the AP:
"In 2004, Stewart was convicted in federal court of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and making false statements related to a personal sale of ImClone Systems Inc. stock. She got a five-month prison sentence, and also served an additional five months and three weeks of home confinement.
A Home Office spokeswoman, however, refused to comment about Stewart's entry to Britain, but added: "We continue to oppose the entry to the U.K. of individuals where we believe their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good or where they have been found guilty of serious criminal offenses abroad."
British and U.S. citizens generally enjoy visa-free travel between their countries. However, people with certain convictions must apply for visas."
holdthemayo at 9:14AM on 06/21/08
What a crock!
They won't let Martha Stewart in, but kept the war-monger, Tony Blair, in office for what seemed like forever... THAT should say it all.
Brownie at 9:32AM on 06/21/08
@FFC - When I stop LMAO, I may check back in with a comment. Right now I can't think straight! I am literally mopping the tears from laughing.
izatryt at 9:43AM on 06/21/08
OK FFC, I am trying to wrap my brain around your comment. Let me get this straight- questions of legal entry to foreign countries are only important if you find the person in question attractive? Does this also hold true for say, chefs, politicians, professors?
The whole thing is so ironic, since I only take posters on the Serious Eats boards seriously if I find them attractive, or, at least used to. Could you please direct me to a photo of you so I may decide how much credence I should attach to your posts? Thanks in advance!
In closing, Martha would crush you under her beautifully shod foot like an insolent yet also inconsequential bug. That is all.
HeckTate at 11:44AM on 06/21/08
@FFC - LOL!
chiff0nade at 3:58PM on 06/21/08
Maybe they don't want to piss off Nigella Lawson.
gnomatic at 3:10PM on 06/22/08