Cleared in

The worst is really the Office of Management and Budget. To get into the building for a meeting, you have to telephone in your identifying information within the 24 hours prior. It can’t be 2 or 3 days prior, either. Twice I’ve been denied entry because I failed to use the satellite phone on an airplane the day before to send in my clearance information. At the World Bank, they take your photo and print it out on a paper name tag for you to wear. Very high tech. At the State Department, even if you have sent your information in properly, it’s not likely to be available to the receptionist when you arrive. This happens frequently. The saving grace is that the desk staff is most diplomatic. They don’t blame you, they don’t blame the meeting organizers, they don’t blame the system. The fingers just fly, the calls are placed, the directories shaken down; if you have legitimate business at the State Department they will let you through. Curiously, non-official Washington apes the practice. My apartment building accepts cleared lists of guests and checks ID’s. I’ve known doctor’s offices building to do the same – say goodbye to the anonymous nose job. Even the Vice President’s hair plugs were outed to the press.