341–350 of 355 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
They're supposed to be God-given rights
Except they're not, they're man-made laws. (I don't believe in any deity or religion but arguing on delusions is beyond the point.)
Whatever happened to 'those who would trade liberty for security deserve neither', America?
That was just a feel good message like “All men are created equal” or separation of church and state
separation of church and state
Earlier quoted context omitted.
And yet it received basically no bipartisan support in Congress. The Romney stuff is a talking point, not a reasonable way to pursue bipartisan progress on healthcare (which is still a mess).
It received just enough to pass, don't forget that. And also don't forget that nowadays it receives just enough support to stay on the books. Also. Talking point or not, it pretty much showcases that policymaking today is not a deliberate good faith iterative process what it should be. It's just a front in the culture wars.
It received just enough to pass,
Earlier quoted context omitted.
It received just enough to pass, don't forget that. And also don't forget that nowadays it receives just enough support to stay on the books. Also. Talking point or not, it pretty much showcases that policymaking today is not a deliberate good faith iterative process what it should be. It's just a front in the culture wars.
> It received just enough to pass, don't forget that. Kind of. One version passed the House, another the Senate ( ), and a questionable reconciliation process created a unified bill. My point is that I don't find the "Obama nobly lost to the Swamp" narrative all that convincing. He could have required, say, 10 republican senators agree before (unsuccessfully) overhauling one of the largest parts of the economy. That*…
Arlen Specter, who switched parties mid-term
Earlier quoted context omitted.
To be honest - that's sort of off the beaten path (speaking for a lot of Americans). From the SE asian island-ish countries, I can think the ordering of "who goes where" would look something like this - Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, Phillippines, Malaysia - just based on country marketing + anecdotal conversations alone. This is coming from someone who was nomad-ing around for 2 1/2 years too.
My flight from New York to KL cost less than my flight from Orlando to NY. Most Malaysians also speak English very well, especially compared to the rest of SE Asia. I have spoken to Americans back home who couldn't even point out Malaysia on a map, and even more who just write it off as a "Muslim country" despite it being secular and very diverse. I would say it has less to do with accessibility, and more to do with…
couldn't even point out Malaysia on a map, and even more who just write it off as a "Muslim country"
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Anecdotally, I've had several negative, but inconsequential experiences with the customs people in Germany.
I had a security guy that checked for drugs telling me "This is Germany, why don't you speak German!" when I told him if he could explain what he wants me to do in English. (put down my bag on the table and show my phone so they can check it for chemicals) Yep, this happened. In Airport. International Berlin airport. I didn't say anything because I did not wanted to be detained for longer and miss my connection fligh…
These three words are incompatible with each other.
That being said, Berlin pretty much is Germany's asshole, and they are rather proud of it, too (see: "Berliner Schnauze")
Earlier quoted context omitted.
So... easy to get a visa if you're a highly-skilled migrant. That's not everybody. That's not most people.
Sorry...where did I imply that anyone could get one? Most anyone who graduates and finds a job sure can; and from what I gather it's a far easier and less Kafkaesque process than in the US, too. I was primarily responding to the point that 5 year visas are unheard of in Europe (which is plainly false). I'm not really sure what you're trying to say.
It was "relatively straight forward" because you are a highly-skilled migrant.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
It received just enough to pass, don't forget that. And also don't forget that nowadays it receives just enough support to stay on the books. Also. Talking point or not, it pretty much showcases that policymaking today is not a deliberate good faith iterative process what it should be. It's just a front in the culture wars.
It received just enough to pass, Only Democrat votes. Republicans and rank-and-file Democrats were not allowed to even see the final bill before the vote.
Hm, I looked it up, this is pretty funny, that one Republican voted with the Dems, but 39 Dems voted against.
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll887.xml
Probably some voted against because it did not go far enough?
The Senate vote is (exactly?) split on party lines: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_...
60-to-39, so they probably had the magic 60 to pass despite filibuster.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Highly-skilled migrant. Then, after that, permanent resident also renewable every 5 years.
So... easy to get a visa if you're a highly-skilled migrant. That's not everybody. That's not most people.
So even this is a noteworthy point of distinction between NL and here.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
My flight from New York to KL cost less than my flight from Orlando to NY. Most Malaysians also speak English very well, especially compared to the rest of SE Asia. I have spoken to Americans back home who couldn't even point out Malaysia on a map, and even more who just write it off as a "Muslim country" despite it being secular and very diverse. I would say it has less to do with accessibility, and more to do with…
couldn't even point out Malaysia on a map, and even more who just write it off as a "Muslim country" I'd be very interested in meeting this population that "couldn't even point out Malaysia on a map" but know that it is majority Muslim .