OldCoastie @ 71

you think it is a consequence of the neighborhoods where each bus is picking up the kids?

but why would that be? can’t people move where they want?

We’re all free to buy a Lexus or a Hummer, but going into the show room doesn’t mean you’re gonna walk out with one.

We’re all free to live anywhere we can buy a house (or rent), but that doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen.

Plus, there are actually some people who may be uncomfortable living in a neighborhood of people who are different than themselves. Fortunately it’s becoming more rare.

New thread! Late Late Nite FDL: Overpowered

U.S. accepting far fewer Iraqi refugees than pledged.

WASHINGTON — Last fall, with an estimated 2 million Iraqi refugees swamping the small countries of Syria and Jordan, the U.S. State Department pledged to take in at least 7,000 in the coming year.

During the next 12 months, though, just 1,608 Iraqi refugees were admitted to the United States.

This summer, the State Department set a goal of 12,000 for the coming fiscal year. In October, though, just 450 made the cut, less than half the 1,000 needed to start the year on track.

“Four hundred and fifty is not a thousand, but it is 450 people who have been resettled in the United States rightly as refugees,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said this week. “We’re going to do everything we can to meet that target.”

The United States requires Iraqi refugees to be interviewed by a Homeland Security Department agent before being admitted, as a safeguard against the admission of potentially dangerous militants. It’s a time-consuming process.

Before even entering the U.S. vetting process, most Iraqis must first register with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Many refugees are reluctant to register, for fear of being sent back to Iraq or tracked down by those who might do them harm.

peanutbutter @ 272

I’m not sure if I’d call that “balls” or “sheer stupidity.”

Hmm. That observation applies pretty generally, I’d say.

:-P

I’m a strong believer in the empiricism. “When it doubt, check it out.” To me, former Acting Assistant Attorney General Daniel Levin is a hero. God bless him, he checked it out and made a definitive pronouncement. An honorable deed, by an honorable member of the “reality-based community.”

:-)
I might be more impressed, if there weren’t already a wealth of data and precedent regarding waterboarding!

It strikes me a little like dropping a canon ball on your foot to verify that it is, indeed painful.

Still, I too like the “more balls than a christmas tree” phrase, and will doubtless make use of it myself at some point :-D

Act Blue is on it. (Rest well, Jane.)

The Los Angeles Times reports that a right-wing cabal of out-of-state Republican donors and consultants — with strong connections to Rudolph Giuliani — is reviving the “Electoral College Reform Initiative,” a craven right-wing power grab to steal 20 electoral college votes and the White House in 2008.

Petrocelli @ 284

Soon as I can … I would have loved to meet all of you tomorrow …

Fly on down to Texas for a picnic lunch Sunday.

LOL … one day soon, Betsy … if only to get a photo with the future President !

Loo Hoo. @ 280

Good night, katymine. And please post them here, not just on FB.

Petrocelli, when are you bringing that family and coming down? You don’t have to eat fish tacos or sushi if you don’t want to…

Soon as I can … I would have loved to meet all of you tomorrow …

Fly on down to Texas for a picnic lunch Sunday.

Good night, katymine. And please post them here, not just on FB.

Petrocelli, when are you bringing that family and coming down? You don’t have to eat fish tacos or sushi if you don’t want to…

Soon as I can … I would have loved to meet all of you tomorrow …