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Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 12:01am.
The United States government issues Green Cards every year through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery. Applicants are selected randomly by a computer generated drawing. If selected, the main applicant, spouse and all unmarried children under 21 years of age will have a chance to apply for permanent resident status in the United States. The Diversity Visa Lottery 2007 (DV-2007) had 50,000 available visas with over 5.5 million qualified entries received during the 60-day application period. See http://www.usagcls.com/ Over 5.5 million people apply for 50,000 visas. Might that be an indicator that a chance of living in the United States is very attractive to many people of this world. Seems like it to me! |
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Yes.
Submitted by The Original Yoda on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 1:36am.Babylon is attractive...
...isn't she?
So...
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 8:44am.Are you going to move to Aruba or some other place now that you have labled the US as "babylon"?
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -Ford Prefect
You're not offering me and the family a ride are ya, six?
Submitted by The Original Yoda on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 4:17pm.Babylon is a state of mind, brother!
Depends
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 4:18pm.On how many of you there are... and if you can put up with my dirty socks!
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -Ford Prefect
Why does that website smell to high heavens????
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:01pm.It's owned by
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:05pm.Mydomain Inc.
A check of whois.domaintools.com gives this result....
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -Ford Prefect
Looked it up
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:08pm.It's owned by Mydomain Inc.
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -Ford Prefect
Additional information
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:12pm.USAGCLS is a private entity and is not a governmental agency.
* Winners of DV 2009 who processed their winning Green Card Lottery application through USAGCLS and received their green card as a result will receive a refund (up to $500 value) for their airline ticket to the USA. Used airline ticket and a green card copy have to be mailed to USAGCLS to claim a refund.
Who issues the green card?????? This has all the credibility of Betty Bowers.
Here you go, Larry!
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 7:38pm.Here is some of the same info from the Department of State.
See http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/69146.htm
Try to do at least a little research before screwing up your accusations!
Jeff Brigham
mean
Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 7:44pm.Look Again !
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:02am.Robert,
You need to investigate Larry's commenting habits before you try accusing me of being mean. Take another look at it.
Jeff Brigham
Jeff...
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:10am.I concur.
Robert need not protect me from the likes of you. I can handle you with the same distain that you deliver to me.
I noticed on security_six's thread about Evergreen that you had some rather poinient statements about Olyblog and its participants. Just one question - if you fell so negative about Olyblog at its participants, why do you blog here?
Would you go to a barber and then complain about getting your hair cut?
I'm glad to see you know what Betty Bowers is, Jeff
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 7:25am.My statement was made for two reasons:
1. I wanted to demonstrate a "flip" statement - in other words, just saying something without regard to facts or the feelings of others. Kinda like "Isreali Bulldozers" being blessed by God. There is no sense in the statement and it has no regard for the feelings of others. I'm sure glad that "freedom of speech" protects my right to make a statement regardless of correctness - political or otherwise.
2. You use something like a "lottery" as a demographic study as to how "desireable" the United States is. Herpes is "desireable" as opposed to rectal/colon cancer. US Military recruiters make the military sound "desireable" (Hey kids, take a chance at getting blown apart so that you can go to college). Someone living in a foreign land that didn't know everything about the US might say "what the hell....it's worth a try". Hell, I dream about owning my own island in the Southern Hemisphere. Why isn't there a lottery for that? I'll bet millions of Americans would jump in for free.
Of course, ultimately the US State Department issues the green card. That was a given (I'll have to work on my sarcasm inflection in writing skills). My point was that the website WASN'T the US Government and I find that ANYONE allowed to monkey with green card statis of immigrants in any form whatsoever speaks to part of the problem that we have in this country.
I'd give up my birthmark to know who is REALLY behind this.
Oh.....and.....
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 7:30am."Natives of the following countries were not eligible to participate in DV-2007: Canada, China (mainland-born, excluding Hong Kong S.A.R., and Taiwan), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam"
Laaaaaaaaaand of the Freeeeeeee...and the Hoooooome of the Braaaaaaaave!
Why would Canadians be not eligible? Etc. etc. etc.
I'm telling you....something about this whole program smells to the high heavens. Of course, I'm reminded of who the Secretary of State (Federal) is.
Did I read enough?
comparative analysis
Submitted by enpen on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 7:17am.Hey Jeff. I was wondering if, for the sake of accurate reporting, you could please provide like numbers for some other countries. As it currently stands the numbers you're providing exist in a vacuum with no basis for comparison. Thanks.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
No Other Similar Program Found
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 9:57am.I did a google search on "immigration lottery" and did not find any comparable program from any other country. There was one site in Canada pretending to be an immigration lottery but turns out it was a private company offering "assistance" in immigration to Canada.
I did find out the following info:
Total immigration to the United States in 2006: 1,266,264
Total immigration to Canada: 251,469 (Canada's immigration laws tend to be even more liberal than the US. Canada is also generally regarded as being a very attractive country for immigration)
Census 2000 measured a US population of 281.4 million, 31.1 million (or 11.1 percent) of whom were foreign born. The foreign-born population in the United States increased by more than half between 1990 and 2000. Between 1990 and 2000, the foreign-born population increased by 57 percent, from 19.8 million to 31.1 million. http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/c2kbr-34.pdf
Jeff Brigham
KNow one doubts that the USA attracts
Submitted by Guglielmo on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 7:27am.Of COURSE they're flocking here
Submitted by OlyDowntowner on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 4:32pm.At least
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 4:35pm.One can create and carry such tasteless signs and be protected by the law, courts and constitution. Let's face it things aren't all that bad here. There are a lot of things that can be fixed but we do enjoy a pretty good bunch of freedoms compared to other places.
Heck where else can you walk down the street wearing a gun and then get the local cops (finally darn them) to worry about a lawsuit if they hassle you over it again? Try THAT in China. Or England.
If you can quit looking at everything that is wrong and start looking at what we have to work with, we are light years ahead of some other nations...
Don't like "God Bless Israeli Bulldozers?" Come up with your own. "Conservatives. Poster children for abortion rights" or some such like that...
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -Ford Prefect
Lowering my own standards is a lousy solution
Submitted by OlyDowntowner on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:09pm.Will that make things better, lowering the common denominator? I think not. Furthermore, insults don't pack quite the same punch when you're not flaunting them in the face of grief-stricken parents, which certain exceptionally cruel individuals take pains to do.
Not what I'm saying
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:10pm.What I'm saying is at least we have personal liberties. This does include the tasteless, but I would rather suffer a thousand tasteless and offensive displays rather than allow any government agency to limit them.
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -Ford Prefect
Liberties are great.
Submitted by OlyDowntowner on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:14pm.Such is your right
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 5:17pm.And such is their's to carry a tacky sign. I'm certain I have offended (not worried, but offended) a few people because of how I generally choose to carry my firearm... OTOH, I have been offended by others who exercise their rights. All I ask is for a free chance to exercise my rights and I will not stop another from doing so.
Funny thing about openly wearing a gun, I have become a lot more tolerant of late.
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so." -Ford Prefect
OlyDowntowner, That's a Bad Attitude for You !
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 8:11pm.With that attitude, you are going to be very frustrated. It's too bad for you that you have so much problem with me. I plan on being involved in Olyblog conversations for a long time. An attitude adjustment on your part would probably help your blood pressure level.
You should also work on your name calling. Try reading the Social Contract at http://www.olyblog.net/social-contract-0
Thank you,
Jeff Brigham
And...
Submitted by Rick on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 9:59pm....the next time you begin a sentence with "Try...", maybe you could start over and say something more helpful.
> It's OK to be nice. <
enpen's social contract
Hey, Jeff.....
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:45am.I guess we know that you're motive is to piss people off by posting on Olyblog, huh?
I can't wait for your denial.
By the way
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:46am.Differences
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:48am."I successfully resist the urge to hit or shoot the terrorist supporters"
The difference being that I don't have the urge to hit or shoot anyone. You might want to check into that.
That really is an illuminating statement
Submitted by Guglielmo on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:50am.Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.! --John Maynard Keynes
Look to Your Own House First !
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 7:45pm.OlyDowntowner,
It is surprising that you did not catch a group of Oly PMR “protesters” who came over to the corner where the Pro-Troop people were standing and deliberately tried to obstruct our signs and intimidate our people. (or were you one of them?) They did the same thing on that Tuesday and Wednesday nights. This is when they had already occupied three corners of that intersection vs. one corner with the pro-troop people. I successfully resist the urge to hit or shoot the terrorist supporters; I use peaceful, non-violent methods to combat their harassment and intimidation. You may not like my sign but I definitely did not violate the rights of my fellow citizens. I did not violate the rights of fellow citizens by illegally blocking access of public roads to legal traffic. That’s Oly PMR!I did not bring infants and young children into the street and deliberately place them in front of large trucks to stop those trucks. That’s Oly PMR!
I did not throw trash and push dumpsters into public streets and arrogantly interfere with public access to public streets. That’s Oly PMR!
I did not throw rocks at Police Officers performing their duty of keeping public roads open for lawful traffic. That’s Oly PMR.
You should observe Oly PMR’s culture of violence, hate, oppression, arrogance, and demonstrated lack of respect for the rights of their fellow citizens. Do that before throwing stones and accusations over in my direction
Jeff BrighamObserve this
Submitted by Guglielmo on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:28am.Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.! --John Maynard Keynes
Wow, congratulations, Jeff...
Submitted by Phil Owen on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:35am....on your discovery that you are, in fact, more mature than a lot of black-clad twenty-something protesters. That's quite an accomplishment.
I myself, when looking for examples of moral stature, would prefer not to choose between those throwing rocks at cops and those behaving disreputably in front of grieving parents. But that's just me.
The Canaanite's Call
Yes, Phil
Submitted by Guglielmo on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:39am.Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.! --John Maynard Keynes
Hey man.
Submitted by The Original Yoda on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 8:49pm.You're not being nice with all that 'successfully resisting your urge to shoot terrorist supporters' rant.
Terrorist supporter? Andre the Giant told me to tell you, "I don't think that means what you think it does." or something like that.
But I guess you kinda don't care...
It makes me unsuccessfully resist telling you that you seem like an artless, beef-witted dewberry. ;)
ps. what happened to that last exclaimation mark in your enlightened soliliquy? premature exclamation?
Yeah
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 8:52pm.What Gug said! That is not a proper thing to be saying, especially if you do pack. It gives the rest of us a bad name...
Imagine if I started shooting off my mouth like that... (no pun intended)
I keep traveling around the bend/There was no beginning, there is no end/It wasn't born and never dies/There are no edges, there is no sides/Oh yeah, you just don't win/It's so far out - the way out is in-George Harrison
What I Care More About!
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 8:53pm.I keep hearing and seeing a lot of that kind of stuff from people who keep using the term "pro-war" to describe me and other troop supporters. Fine. I care more about NOT violating the rights of my fellow citizens. Sure wish Oly PMR would do the same.
Jeff Brigham
I see your perspective
Submitted by enpen on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 10:19pm.Now I'll reciprocate and share mine. What if some Oly PMR members regard the human right to live to be of greater import than the rights of fellow citizens to use a public thoroughfare?
I saw a lot of people at those protests who feel responsible as American citizens to oppose a war they regard as unjust being carried out in their name. In such a situation it becomes a moral issue, and I believe the members of Oly PMR who participated in the civil disobedience did so on the grounds that the deaths in Iraq are of greater moral concern than the inconvenience of a blocked road.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
What if
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 10:24pm.Someone died because they couldn't get medical aid as quickly as possible because roads were blocked?
If the issue is so high minded and morally superior, take up arms. Oh wait, that's okay in Palestine, but not here. If not arms, get a D-9 Cat and drive on some government building. I'm sure you can find all sorts of strange and ironic symbolism with that one.
The story so far: In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people mad and been widely regarded as a bad idea. -The Restaurant at the end of the Universe
again?
Submitted by enpen on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 10:31pm.What if? What are the odds of somebody in Iraq dying tomorrow as a direct result of a confrontation with a U.S. soldier?
What you describe is revolution and/or suicide bombing. There are of course exceptions, but for the most part people do not want to die and attempt to live in a way to ensure the next five minutes. Desperate times call for desperate measures, rarely does anything else. Americans aren't desperate yet.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
It's also
Submitted by security_six on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 10:40pm.Easier to block traffic in a sleepy little town at the unfashionable end of the Puget Sound than to make a more meaningful statement to government. How about instead of blocking cars (and winning few, if any friends that way) they all and block things at the Captitol? I really don't think the time for arms is now, I was being grumpy. Things are not desperate enough. Although I have always got a kick out of this picture.
The story so far: In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people mad and been widely regarded as a bad idea. -The Restaurant at the end of the Universe
to my mind and understanding
Submitted by enpen on Tue, 02/12/2008 - 10:54pm.How about instead of blocking cars (and winning few, if any friends that way) they all and block things at the Captitol?
This is a particularly good thing about Oly PMR, their meetings are open to the public and they encourage community participation and idea sharing.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
I can't help myself...
Submitted by Anonymously Larry on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 8:42am."Someone died because they couldn't get medical aid as quickly as possible because roads were blocked?"
I wonder the same thing when I watch people squeeze into position on I-5 during rush hour and not leave any space in between cars so that emergency vehicles could get by.
Maybe we should arrest all of them too.
How about parades? Should we never hold another parade in case an emergency vehicle needs to use that route?
As usual, the actions of a few people (the illegal actions) at the Port protests are spread as smooth as cream cheese over the entire group, regardless of how legal their protesting was.
As to the children in the street with their parents holding up the trucks - I'm not thrilled about children being at these events, but if the trucks stop, no one gets hurt, right? No adults get hurt, no children get hurt.....catch the drift? Of course, we want to make sure that no children were brought to the protests to "welcome the troops home" (true case senario, recorded in The Olympian).
It would appear...
Submitted by Rick on Wed, 02/13/2008 - 9:23am....that constructive conversation on this topic has been exhausted. If you have more to say, start another thread.
> It's OK to be nice. <
enpen's social contract