The opinions of the Yemeni, Venezuelan, Libyan, Syrian, etc. members of EF would be sorely missed.

In this case all relevant bullshit(which didn't seem *that* bad tbf) had been completed and rubber stamped but when she turned up for her final interview, which we'd been told was a formality she was told all her paperwork was in order and normally she'd get the visa that day but they'd been told "no visas for Iranians"

Also Governor flipped, hail gerrymandering

I was a parrot, I'm not sure where that lies on the scale.

I don't see that people are 'talking politics' or 'shutting down the opposite argument' what I see causing critical comments is not someone holding an opinion but refusing or being unable to justify it. Such as when people post something contentious or easily disprovable falsehoods, then run away when called out on it, or when smileys, or CAPITALS! are used in lieu of argument or when gut instinct trumps fact.

Yep, that's correct. And I can't remember the last time I moderated this thread. It must have been months, maybe years ago.

I didn't even react to the "cretin", "simpleton" and "parrot" epithets, unless you consider "(not a) happy little bunny" to be name-calling -- which, for the record, it was not intended to be and which, I suspect, doesn't resonate with an American as it does with English-speaking people. (Yes, that was an insult. )

Keep in mind that not all Senate seats were up this time. There are two senators per state and they each serve 6 year terms. No state has both senate seats on the ballot at the same time.

I'm agree.

Sorta. Yes there's been some spectacular gerrymandering but voters are notoriously wishy-washy. I posted it somewhere above, but basically every sitting president has lost a chunk of the house in the mid-terms. Voters always seem to want change, but yet nothing really changes...

How ya figure? Allocation of seats and redistricting happens every 10 years after the census. Some states lose and some states gain seats depending on how the population has shifted. From 2010:
https://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010...h-states-lost/

Assuming there's no recount or that it comes out the same even with a recount, Walker has been ousted in WI. So that's good for the governor's seat. However both state houses have remained in Republican hands, so it could be a bit of a stalemate.

Agree on the 2nd comment.

How'd ya figure WI? The Wisconsin AG was a Republican. Now it will be a Democrat. The SOS is a Democrat, and he has been SOS since 1982. His family goes way back and odds are he will remain in office probably until he dies. Besides, in WI the SOS is largely a ceremonial position. Elections are overseen by the Elections Commission.

Well that sucks. Country of origin may be an issue. I think certain countries are more discriminated against than others, i.e., the very stupid travel ban. That is complete and utter bullshit. I’m not sure how banning a country of origin works....my husband is Dutch. This is a situation though where I’d be contacting my senator and House of Representatives, and probably media, aclu too- though i also see why they might not wish to, but anyway, that absolutely sucks.

Usually that's the case, yes, although IIRC the GOP did quite nicely under W in 2002. So there you have it, Trump just needs a nice, juicy war against some brown people if he wants to restore a Republican majority in the House next time around.

Clinton also did OK in the preceding election, in 1998.

ETA: And Google tells me that the Democrats did spectacularly well (especially in the Senate) under FDR in 1934, as well.

can a moderator please move this discussion on moderation into a separate thread? thanks?

It's got its own thread now.

Time to invade Australia!

Tom

arte had a four piece documentary on "Mission Wahrheit - Die New York Times und Donald Trump" last night.

arte does it's programs in German and French.

Under the Trump travel ban (supported by the Supreme Court) people from North Korea, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Venezuela do not get immigrant visas.

Wahrheit and Trump, in the same TV programme? Must have been a very short show.

Not a lot of brown people left in Australia. The British saw to that in the 19th century.

And before you mention immigration, most of the immigrants have come from Europe and Asia.

Oh look, there's 22 yards being disingenuous again.

British law in the 19th century decreed "free people of colour in the colonies" had legal equality with their fellow citizens. It was you shackle draggers whose first act having gained independence was to declare Aboriginies as "sub-human" and who removed their right to vote.

Yup very sucky, the poor girl was expecting to start her new life, there was a big house waiting for her with a dog and a new Mercedes on the drive. Everything short of aclu has been tried, there's been letters sent by the local mayor, personal meetings with the Congressman, even ambassadorial correspondence. So one doctor down but at least they kept an Iranian girl out, USA USA.

F**k Trump and his travel ban.

Disingenuous, eh? That accusation would have some weight if only it were even vaguely correct. Having some evidence would help, but sadly you have none, because you have absolutely no clue what you're talking about.

The British colonists were solely responsible for one of the world's most complete acts of genocide: the extermination of the Tasmanian aborigines. Not the convicts; not Australians (the colonies didn't federate until 70 years later); it was the British colonists. It is laughably easy to prove you wrong, Loz. In cricket terms, I guess you'd be my bunny. Not a very happy one, at that.

Quite apart from that, what you wrote about has nothing to do with the lack of brown faces in Australia. Widespread extermination at the hands of the British, on the other hand, does. Disingenuous, much?