Comments on: Cultures of Corruption: Diplomatic Parking Tickets http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/cultures_of_corruption_evidence_from_diplomatic_parking_tickets/ Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:13:17 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Cernig http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/cultures_of_corruption_evidence_from_diplomatic_parking_tickets/comment-page-1/#comment-88935 Cernig Thu, 06 Jul 2006 15:48:03 +0000 http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2006/07/cultures_of_corruption_evidence_from_diplomatic_parking_tickets/#comment-88935 Hi James, <i>The basic findings are that there is a â??tremendous persistence in corruption normsâ?? and that â??officials from countries that survey evidence indicates have less favorable popular views of the United States commit significantly more parking violations.â?? I suspect, however, that these two findings are essentially the same.</i> You mean like <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4359566.stm" rel="nofollow">this</a>? <i>US diplomats who refuse to pay London's traffic congestion charge are guilty of an "abuse of hospitality", the city assembly's transport spokesman says. Embassy staff are ignoring the £8-a-day charge, claiming they are immune from taxation in the UK under the terms of the relevant international convention. But London Assembly transport spokesman Murad Qureshi said the charge was for a "service", rather than being a tax. Embassy staff reportedly owe £157,000 in unpaid fines dating back to July. </i> I agree with you that this proves the Bush administration's "culture of corruption" and would add that it also shows their ability to reinterpret any legislation they like so as to suit themselves. But I'm unsure whether you are saying US Embassy staff in London hate America or hate the UK. Can you clarify? Regards, Cernig (with tongue in cheek) Hi James,

The basic findings are that there is a â??tremendous persistence in corruption normsâ?? and that â??officials from countries that survey evidence indicates have less favorable popular views of the United States commit significantly more parking violations.â?? I suspect, however, that these two findings are essentially the same.

You mean like this?

US diplomats who refuse to pay London's traffic congestion charge are guilty of an "abuse of hospitality", the city assembly's transport spokesman says.

Embassy staff are ignoring the £8-a-day charge, claiming they are immune from taxation in the UK under the terms of the relevant international convention.

But London Assembly transport spokesman Murad Qureshi said the charge was for a "service", rather than being a tax.

Embassy staff reportedly owe £157,000 in unpaid fines dating back to July.

I agree with you that this proves the Bush administration's "culture of corruption" and would add that it also shows their ability to reinterpret any legislation they like so as to suit themselves.

But I'm unsure whether you are saying US Embassy staff in London hate America or hate the UK.

Can you clarify?

Regards, Cernig (with tongue in cheek)

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