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Parse that!

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April 24, 2018, 04:22
BobHale
Parse that!
From the website for obtaining an electronic visa waiver for the US...

You can apply if you...

haven’t been arrested for certain crimes, even if a criminal conviction didn’t result


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
April 24, 2018, 06:17
Geoff
Does euthanising a government worker count as one of those "certain crimes?"

That's a perfect example of governmentese!
April 24, 2018, 09:52
goofy
I’m not sure if the writer intended the second negative. But assuming they did, it does make sense.
April 24, 2018, 19:44
bethree5
Goofy, that sentence makes sense to me the way certain modern musical works do: if I listen several times, I begin to get the gist.

Needs to be positively stated: you will not be considered for an electronic visa waiver if you have ever been arrested for xyz crimes, even if the arrest did not result in a criminal conviction.

Perhaps this sentence was generated... electronically.
April 24, 2018, 21:33
BobHale
I agree with bethree5. The only way it makes sense as written is if NOT being arrested could potentially lead to a conviction AND if not being arrested AND still having a conviction would also lead to a waiver being issued.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
April 25, 2018, 09:36
goofy
quote:
Originally posted by BobHale:
I agree with bethree5. The only way it makes sense as written is if NOT being arrested could potentially lead to a conviction AND if not being arrested AND still having a conviction would also lead to a waiver being issued.


I don’t understand that. The original sentence is clear: you can’t apply if you have been arrested. Even if you were arrested and not convicted, you still can’t apply.
April 25, 2018, 18:39
BobHale
It doesn't. It says you can apply if you HAVEN'T been arrested, even if not being arrested didn't result in a conviction.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
April 25, 2018, 19:28
goofy
quote:
Originally posted by BobHale:
It doesn't. It says you can apply if you HAVEN'T been arrested, even if not being arrested didn't result in a conviction.


Again I don't understand.
I think I understand what you are saying. I’m not sure if I agree. My monkey brain is having trouble with these negatives.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: goofy,
April 25, 2018, 21:33
BobHale
Ignoring the second clause the first one clearly says in these exact words

You can apply if you haven’t been arrested for certain crimes

NOT

You can apply if you have been arrested for certain crimes


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
April 25, 2018, 21:38
BobHale
Obviously I know that they are trying to say that you can apply if you haven't been arrested for those crimes OR EVEN if you have as long as you weren't convicted.

That's not what it says though.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
April 26, 2018, 04:43
goofy
quote:
Originally posted by BobHale:
Obviously I know that they are trying to say that you can apply if you haven't been arrested for those crimes OR EVEN if you have as long as you weren't convicted.

That's not what it says though.


What does it say?

This is a sharks and New Yorkers sentence, isn’t it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: goofy,
April 26, 2018, 06:53
BobHale
I'll give it one more shot...

The first clause says that you can apply if you HAVEN'T been arrested for certain crimes.

The second clause then ADDS
"even if a criminal conviction DIDN'T RESULT"

Didn't result from what? As the sentence IS WRITTEN it must be "DIDN'T RESULT from NOT BEING ARRESTED".

That's it, I'm out of this discussion now.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
April 26, 2018, 11:57
<Proofreader>
quote:
Didn't result from what? As the sentence IS WRITTEN it must be "DIDN'T RESULT from NOT BEING ARRESTED".

Obviously.
April 26, 2018, 12:06
goofy
Bob, that’s a good explanation and I’m sorry if I upset you.
May 09, 2018, 12:59
<Proofreader>
AP headline

Prosecutor: Ex-mobster feared murder victim would testify against him

Do ead men tell tales?
September 09, 2020, 07:00
Geoff
From the local rag: Mayor appoints new Muncie Sanitary Board member

We don't want any unsanitary board members, I guess.
September 12, 2020, 20:22
Kalleh
I just love those headlines. I have read some funny ones lately - need to keep track of them.

This is one where I told Shu, "The media are always negative!"

"Daily US coronavirus deaths decline, but trend may reverse in fall."
September 12, 2020, 23:13
BobHale
Not board related but one thing about the UK response to the virus absolutely baffles me (many things in fact but one stands out)...

Why do they announce measures, such as the latest one about no more than six people to gather together but then say it will come into effect next week which just encourages the morons to throw a party before it comes into effect. Why not say "as of now"?


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
September 17, 2020, 15:07
bethree5
BobH Big Grin Big Grin Too true!

But only if you're in a conscientious society like UK or the Nordics - you guys are so law-abiding & attuned to the good of the general public these days [last 100 yrs Wink]! Over here in Don't-Tread-On-Me-Landia, it's just one big party all the time.
September 17, 2020, 18:02
BobHale
quote:
Originally posted by bethree5:
BobH Big Grin Big Grin Too true!

But only if you're in a conscientious society like UK or the Nordics - you guys are so law-abiding & attuned to the good of the general public these days [last 100 yrs Wink]! Over here in Don't-Tread-On-Me-Landia, it's just one big party all the time.


Don't be too quick to praise the UK. We have our fair share of idiots who refuse to believe the virus is real and refuse to wear masks, take any precautions or care about anyone or anything except the idea that THEY should all do as they please. Sadly, just as is the USA case, some of them are in the very highest posts in Government.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
September 22, 2020, 20:03
Kalleh
Yes, both our countries are in disarray these days. I just hope people will vote in our election!
September 23, 2020, 06:41
Geoff
I fear Donaldo Trumpolini has rigged the mail-in votes so he can steal the election. As proof I offer an item recently purchased from a place in Alabama which, according to the tracking number, sat in the post office in Montgomery for a week.

Wear full hazmat gear and vote in person!!!