I think the quotes were to point out the previous commenter’s use of Dr. Smethurst’s first name in that way could be considered diminutive. Unless Dr. Smethurst prefers to be known as Dr. Becky or the commenter has a personal relationship justifying the familiarity, it may be impolite to use “Dr. Becky.” If she does use that form, antiquemule may have been unaware of it or may consider it impolite nonetheless.

> So give me your one good reason any passport should ever be mistakenly destroyed, let alone 40

One hypothesis: The hotel routinely collects sensitive documents to be shredded by a service. The front desk clerk put the passports in a large envelope, and another employee, possibly new in their position, mistakenly sent the wrong envelope to be shredded. Nobody knowingly shredded passports.

That wording could be sticky, as OP’s presence in Massachusetts is not casual, isolated, or inconsequential. It is frequently recurring and consequential, as they do it twice a day and could not do the work without the truck. The tax agency and courts could be obstinate about it.

Poké Spot / 655 South Willow Street / Manchester.

> Again, it is semantics.

Semantics is meaning. When you say it is semantics, you are saying it is meaning. Yes, the meaning of some words is correct, and the meaning of some other words is incorrect. Meanings matter. When you say it is semantics, you are acknowledging that what you said is incorrect and what the other person said is correct.