PUTIN'S GAS BLUNDER

Center for Defense Information ^ | Jan 11, 2006 | Peter Rutland

[BubbaTheRocketScientist]

The trouble is, where do we go from here?

Adding Russia to the visa waiver program would be a good start. It's hard to imagine US-Russian relations on the level you're talking about when it's somewhere between difficult and impossible for the average Russian to get even a tourist visa to come visit the States.

[GarySpFc]

I have a little knowledge of the Visa Waiver Program, and have had numerous discussions with Senator Brownback's office regarding it. The US government is not being arbitrary in excluding Russia from the program, rather it is based on a complex formula as to what percentage of tourist visa recipients return to their home country after a trip. Russia and Poland are both excluded from the program because they have a high percentage of tourists who overstay their visas or just do not return. My stepdaughter and several friends have made the trip to the Moscow Consulate only to be turned down. It's frustrating when the stepdaughter cannot visit us in the US.

[GarySpFc]

"There is nothing anti-Christian about the current Russian government. "

Yes of course there is all that buying and selling allowed these days.

Am I missing something here? Russia has a free market economy, and there is considerable buying and selling there. Indeed, you will find a considerable number number of new Galleria style shopping Centers and stores similiar to Wal-Mart. I saw one store in Moscow that appeared to have three times the checkout stalls as a big Target store. Here is a picture of the new Park House Center in Volgograd.

Park House Center in Volgograd

[GarySpFc]

And of course here is GUM's shopping mall in Moscow. Note, it was converted into a shopping center by Galleria of America. Click on each of the pictures.

GUM's Shopping Center-Moscow

[GarySpFc]

Now come on the POW's in N.Korea were not sent to China, but to the USSR, that would not have happened if China was calling the shots. There is no doubt that China had something to gain, they did send down 120,000 troops.

Wrong! The POWs were in North Korean and Chinese prison camps. "Dicky Krepps was among some 7,000 allied POWs taken by the North Korean and Chinese armies. Fifty-one percent of the prisoners died, according to records of the Korean War Veterans Association. Donnelly said many U.S. POWs died or were murdered as they were being marched to the POW camps near the Yalu River."

Remembering the Korean War

Communist POW Camps

[x5452]

We haven't tried to get my wife's brother [16] over yet but I'm wary. His parents got over with no problem but they have two apartments and a thriving business. Her brother doesn't have much in the way of 'things the state feels will make you return'.

[BubbaTheRocketScientist]

The US government is not being arbitrary in excluding Russia from the program, rather it is based on a complex formula as to what percentage of tourist visa recipients return to their home country after a trip. Russia and Poland are both excluded from the program because they have a high percentage of tourists who overstay their visas or just do not return.

Seems like a reasonable position to take; however, in light of the enforcement (or lack thereof) at the southern (and northern) border, I find current policy to be capricious and arbitrary.

[GarySpFc]

I have brought this up to Senator Brownback many times.

[GarySpFc]

BTW, a large percentage of the illegal aliens originally came here on tourist visas, and failed to return.

[FreeReign]

Interesting read for later.

[BubbaTheRocketScientist]

BTW, a large percentage of the illegal aliens originally came here on tourist visas, and failed to return.

Doesn't seem like a compelling reason for keeping "almost everybody" out. A better way would be to severely punish and deport the illegals - total forfeiture of stateside property followed by deportation and a 10-year or lifetime ban on lawful reentry. Of course, a plan like this would require the existence of substantial political will. Both ethnic politics, and certain business (cheap labor) interests would oppose it, so I doubt it'll happen anytime soon.

[x5452]

The Mafia would love easy to get Tourist Visas. It'd make sex trafficing a lot easier.

[spanalot]

Don't shoot the mesenger - I just report the facts:


"The interrelation between spiritual and physical ill health of the nation explains why people die so frequently here. So, a theory of soul rejection arose. As Professor Igor Gundarov says, some time ago souls of Soviet people were oriented at equality and community. But this soul was amputated with a sharp scalpel of political reforms in the 1990s. And philosophy of our life radically changed at the same time: people began treating each others like enemies; some of us traditionally think that cheating is inevitable in everyday life and helps us survive, etc. But this new soul failed to get acclimatized, and human body rejected it, the same way like transplanted organs are sometimes rejected. This is the explanation to the question why the nation is dying away. Professor Gundarov thinks that it's time for Russia to reanimate moral principles and even base the national economy on moral and fair principles."

[x5452]

You wouldn't know a fact if it grabbed you from behind choked you to the ground and informed you who it was.

[spanalot]

"This is the explanation to the question why the nation is dying away. Professor Gundarov thinks that it's time for Russia to reanimate moral principles and even base the national economy on moral and fair principles.""

My, this would be a refreshing change after 500 years of despotism.

[x5452]

Moral government, ah yes you show yourself as the socialist you are. Unless they are giving away natural resources and everyone is on welfare you folks continue to call them immoral. Further I've seen you defend gays and muslims on other forums. You're clearly a troll.

[spanalot]

"Further I've seen you defend gays and muslims on other forums."

That is a lie - but what else is new in the land of x5452

[x5452]

Click your name then click in forum, it's quite clear what stances you were taking.

[spanalot]

"Click your name then click in forum, it's quite clear what stances you were taking."

jb6 I can understand that is what you need to do to keep your storyline straight.

I do not need to consult with a table to to know my position on anything - and it antigay and antiIslamofascist and antirussian despot.

[x5452]

Maybe you should because your words are pretty clear.

As for you're idiotic accusations.