the *real* deterent to legal working immigration in the u.s.

The Bruised Romantic Glee Club: [Jakko, from the 21st Century Schizoid Band]

Here's a cost that I'm sure most people would be unaware of. In order to play in the US, you have to have a work visa. These cost £1000 per member. So with 3 UK based band members and 2 crew, things mount up pretty damn quickly. The process is also dull and lengthy. You have to book an appointment with the US embassy in London. This can take months and often it gets perilously close to the leaving date. No visa and it's all off. This can be speeded up for an extra £200. You have to be there and line up from 7:00 am and wait. Car parks are very costly indeed for this part of town and the congestion charge is £8 each. So before we have even arrive in the US, what with flights, transport and work days pay for the crew, were heading towards costs of £10,000. That’s before we've secured accommodation for all once we're out there, rehearsal facilities, equipment hire, van hire and internal flights for everyone.

[...]

Incidentally a close pal’s band who tour the world regularly take an American player with them. He, apparently, just has to turn up at a local consul, fill in a form and pay $70 to work in the UK and Europe. It's that old special relationship of ours.

to the ignorant jerk critic...

...who decided to say that Simpsons was the "best animated film ever!" as a quote to be put onto the latest tv commercials:

May the Ghost of Walt Disney and 8 of his Nine Old Men strike you down with lightning so that Ollie Johnson can dance on your grave singing Halleluia!

I'm pretty sure Lasseter would approve.