ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInternational Freight shipping services in Russia
Am I understanding this correct; she is not going to take advantage of bringing as much as she can in checked baggage?
Maybe she is under the impression she will be dragging it every where she goes during her flight?
For the cost of a small (or even large) tip the taxi driver will bring the bag into the airport to be checked and she will not see it again until she lands.

Almost all luggage has wheels now, it would seem that little bit of effort would save a lot of shipping fees and that hassle. I think the airports still have those little carts as well for rent.

The last box I sent was maybe a little bigger than a shoe box and I think it cost like 50 bucks, I cant imagine what a 50 pound suite case would cost to ship.

Funny thing was, My fiance suggested the same thing when we discussed what she wanted to bring.
I told her, I would bring her a suite case with wheels on it on my upcoming trip and leave it with her, If there is anything she wants to bring when she comes, she better put it in the suite case and bring it.
After I explained how much it would cost to ship that same suitecase, she saw the logic of bringing what she could even if she did have to roll it a little bit.

Fortunately she is a even bigger tight wade than me. I sent her a visa card over to help pay for her english lessons and internet card. So far she has only used it once... she took out 2 dollars!

After I explained it probably cost me $5 dollars for her to get the $2 dollars, she said
"why you did not tell me!"
A: "because I had no idea you would only take out $2.

(shrugs)
0MaleRussia2007-08-13 23:15:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusComputer - Russian Language
Wow all this talk reminded me of the struggle I have to do anything on my Girlfriends computer.

In the first place, the only time i have ever used windows is at the library to check my mail, I started out on a mac and thats all I know (and not a whole lot of it either).

It is so frustrating to try to figure out what I am doing on her XP while all these boxes with cyrillic warning keep popping up every two minutes.


Then I had the other problem where I could not get my "white-book" to connect on her dial up.
Finally the otherday I went to an Apple message board on Craigslist.org and somene helped me to change the ringer setting so this time ... hopefully I will be able to use my own computer.
Actually the only reason I even bring my "ebay-special" notebook is to unload my camera and video recorder onto it.
That worked out real well, I might add.
I bought this little video camera for like $50 on a close out sale at Comp USA (usually $150), it's about the size of an electric razor. The brand is Aiptec, Target now sells two models.
It uses an SD card and you can put Mp3's on it as well as record sound and of course take pictures and vids.
One other pretty interesting thing about it is you can record off TV or even from a VCR and then it will be stored on the SD card to be burned to disc. I will convert my family vhs tapes to digital this way.


Sure I can make small vid clips from my regular camera but the file is so big, a four minute clip is like 400 Meg. I think there are ways to compress them but, I am not into buying all these programs since computers are not a hobby ... more like a lame-### tool.

If anyone has a simple solution to compress vids, I would be glad to hear it. I tried to put it on my iMovie program but it seemed to take over an hour to even up load it.
0MaleRussia2007-08-20 21:52:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarussad weekend
I find it way hard to believe that 75% of ladies looking for a foreign guy are only interested in a green card. I admit I don't have much direct experience with visiting agencies but I have gottten to know a number of ladies who were listed in them.

While there are tons of girls, (or guys pretending to be girls) who are scammin men into sending money, I would be surprised if the actual number of ladies actually only looking for a mule to immigrate her is no more than 15%

Just do the numbers, all a woman would have to do is get the first guy to do a K-1 and then she would be off to america. If the agencies would be empty in no time because trust me guys do write and guys do visit, if the lady is only looking for a ticket she will not have to wait long.

Some one posted up stream that they only saw one drunk Russian man even though they have been there several times.
I think the "Bad russian man" line is greatly over played but to deny Russian men drink more and have a wife and a girlfriend is much more common there than in the USA.

The last time I was in St Petersburg I was walking to a Birthday party when I saw a 4 or 5 year old girl walking around near a play area carrying a Bottle of beer, drinking as she walked. The Russians with me kinda acted like it was sad and funny at the same time.

If you are the kind of guy that has ever been "duped" by an American girl.... you will get your ### tore up in Russia. If you are observant, perceptive and a good judge of character, you can find a real gem over there.
0MaleRussia2007-06-02 16:37:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHelping her with forms
QUOTE (Satellite @ Aug 20 2007, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (novotul @ Aug 20 2007, 05:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife and I have this division of labor: if the bureaucracy concerns her country, it is her problem (such as registration of my visas) and if the bureaucracy concerns my country, it is my problem.. This has helped me out in some sticky situations -- and it will help her out, too.
I completely agree. Í've been preaching this for years. Every time the smart American traveler thinks it would be best to not inconvenience his fiancée who is making $200 a month from taking a day off to investigate how to get a private visa, buy trip packages within Russia, rent a flat at rates affordable for Russians, how to register his visa, etc., he usually ends up paying through the roof and getting into sticky situations.

QUOTE (slim @ Aug 20 2007, 11:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If I'm going to visit her, shouldn't I be the one to get my own visa?
If you follow the law then no. Because you are going to Russia to be with your fiancée, not for business or pure tourism. Your fiancée’s ability to navigate her own country's beauracracy will go along way in showing how well she will eventually navigate ours.



And I don't recall ever having to do a visa application to Russia in the native language of that country.
Big difference.
0MaleRussia2007-08-20 23:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHelping her with forms
QUOTE (novotul @ Aug 14 2007, 10:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
DS-156, DS-230, and DS-156K come to mind. The DS-156K must be filled out in Russian for some odd reason. The DS-156 must be filled out and printed while at a computer capable of handling recent versions of Adobe Reader. The form creates a fancy bar code that encodes all of the answers in some machine-readable format -- which reduces subsequent govt transcription errors.

Will you take a computer with you? Does she have one with an internet connection, a reasonably recent operating system, and a modern printer? If she has, or you can bring these creature comforts, you can help her out a lot.

Oh, and you should plan on filling out the I-134, and provide her with recent bank statements, employer letter, payroll stubs, preferably dated after (or at least straddling) your NOA2 date. And 3 years of 1040 (with all W-2's, Schedules, etc.)

Good luck!


I have heard that the DS-156K is to be filled out in Russian but I don't see on the form where it
says anything about it. Is that a Moscow directive?
0MaleRussia2007-08-20 23:19:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHelping her with forms
QUOTE (slim @ Aug 15 2007, 09:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
On K-1 visas, children are covered under the mother. It's a "package deal" so to speak. Thus, one I-134 is all that's necessary. (Someone who's sponsored children also, correct me if I'm wrong here. Additional copies may be needed for each kid, but I don't think so because regardless of how many children there are, they're still all going to be sponsored by you because you're sponsoring their mother.)

As for the other questions and forms..... I'll say here what I said in the other thread, this is "her" part of the paperwork. Let her do it. There are instructions, in Russian, in the packet and there are also several websites out there with detailed instructions on how to fill them out, in Russian, if she has any questions. Keep in mind she's going to be sitting in the interview "without" you, so she should be able to answer what's on her paperwork when they ask her verbally.


Slim I think she will do fine in the interview, my main concern was her having to read the instructions or questions on the forms as it seems at least some are in english. 90% of the forms I have filled out myself were something any 9th grader should be able to do but a few questions are confusing such as;
The directions on the i-134 say to fill out a form for "each person", never mentions anything about minor children, if they are included or not on the parents... yet they are a "person".
Question 10 on the i-134 left me wondering if it applied to the current fiancee or some past situation wacko.gif

Anyway we will be together for over two weeks so I thought why not look over to documents she will have to fill out and see if there are any areas of confusion or question.
My fiancee was not in an agency and knows knows no one to even ask for help or advice.
She is even a little green on the use of the internet. For me to send her helpful links in English might or might not be good if she misunderstands something important, and since I read no Cyrillic I don't know anything in her language which would help.
0MaleRussia2007-08-20 00:08:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHelping her with forms

DS-156, DS-230, and DS-156K come to mind. The DS-156K must be filled out in Russian for some odd reason. The DS-156 must be filled out and printed while at a computer capable of handling recent versions of Adobe Reader. The form creates a fancy bar code that encodes all of the answers in some machine-readable format -- which reduces subsequent govt transcription errors.

Will you take a computer with you? Does she have one with an internet connection, a reasonably recent operating system, and a modern printer? If she has, or you can bring these creature comforts, you can help her out a lot.

Oh, and you should plan on filling out the I-134, and provide her with recent bank statements, employer letter, payroll stubs, preferably dated after (or at least straddling) your NOA2 date. And 3 years of 1040 (with all W-2's, Schedules, etc.)

Good luck!

-------
She has a computer running XP so when I get there, I will refer back to this thread and locate the documents suggested here.
Tonight I filled on the i-134 although I am getting contrary guidance.
Some say Mother and child each need a i-134 filled out others say the child is on the mothers document... yet the directions plainly says one i-134 per person.

Also on question.... (or line) 10, not sure if that is including who I am doing the K-1 on or if that is for previous persons I might have sponsored.
0MaleRussia2007-08-14 22:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHelping her with forms
In one short week, I will be back in St. Petersburg with natalia (finally).

As I expect my 2nd notice to arrive about this same time period, I thought I should take with me or do what ever I can to keep things moving.

I have the i-134 filled out though it seems to suggest it is not needed at the Moscow web-site.
Reading over some of the documents that Natalia will be told to fill out when she gets her package, I am more than a little concerned how she will be able to do that when I have had to get help to fill out the documents myself.

I thought if I could go ahead now and make copies of those forms and either fill them out with her while I am there or at least fill out one that she can copy off of later (I see one has to be done On-line).

PLease, if anyone can offer any documents numbers I should take and fillout with her, or Ideas that might be helpful in this regard please throw them out here.
0MaleRussia2007-08-14 21:27:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusMoving to Russia
QUOTE (CityCat @ Jul 24 2007, 10:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jewel12 @ Jul 23 2007, 09:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (CityCat @ Jul 23 2007, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Life is horrible by definition, people are born into misery and die in misery

Wow, CityCat, you must be a Buddhist! good.gif


It is a quote from some religious book, Christian, but I am not particularly sure, Catholic or Orthodox or maybe something else, don't remember. It's a good quote - it has helped me a lot in life.

============
Kinda has that same spirit that the Book of Job is loaded with.
In some way it's a little depressing to face the true emptyness of life yet it is also like walking on the
empty beach... as you watch those waves roll to the shore, endlessly, knowing they have been doing it for millions of years, you realize how insignificant your moment on the beach... or even your life really is, yet somehow that walk on the beach adds more meaning or connects you to something big, bigger than yourself and it feels good.

Which reminds me, I need a trip to the beach!
Danny
0MaleRussia2007-08-20 00:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusI-134 question
Whats all this talk about going to the IRS to get an official record of your taxes?

When the instructions said; for self employed to furnish a "copy" of recent taxes, I figured they just wanted me to print one off my desk-top smile.gif

Am I fixin to screw up?
0MaleRussia2007-08-19 23:44:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusPeople who try to speak Russian to me
How do you say "chip on the shoulder" in Russian?

blink.gif
0MaleRussia2007-09-19 15:29:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusOnce again.....
Of course there are visas for Religious reasons and perhaps cultural exchange.
... Just a thought.
0MaleRussia2007-10-31 00:36:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusWhat Are Your Experiences With Language Issues
I send a big welcome to the OP too and thanks for an interesting topic.
I wish I had one tenth his motivation to learn, to be honest most of my motivation came when I was "looking" :) ... now that I have found her I can see where it will be of little importance down the road.
Don't get me wrong, I still have a list of new words on my desk all the time I glance at to help me recall them and in conversations I take notes too.
Before, in conversation we would speak mostly in Russian (as limited as mine is) now we are 75% english.

I would agree with others who believe The lady would benefit the most from all this energy to learn a new language. My Fiance goes to lessons at least twice a week and we work on her home-work in every conversation.

At first she wanted to wait until she got here to learn but I explained for a number of reasons she would really be at an advantage to start right away.

1. It would have to be easier to learn to speak English (especially in the beginning) from someone who can explain it in her language. I think most ESL classes are taught by someone who might not even speak Russian.


2. Where I live, there is no public trans, it might be difficult to get to and from ESL until she can drive.

3. While I have heard of some very cheap or free classes in USA... to hire a tutor in Russia is much cheaper than to hire one here.

4. I think the OP is dedicated enough to languages where he might be able to actually teach the new wife "principles of the language" in most cases just picking up from conversation at home could start bad speak habits.

From all reports I have heard.... the kids will learn lightning fast , no need to worry there.

As for me, I only want to speak enough Russian to make my point known, I am not interested in learning all the variants to words, if I were to live in Russia, it would be a different goal for me.

I agree we all have different methods we respond to best, as for me if I listen to Pimsluer while driving, I can absorb it ten times faster than if I try to do it at the house, I just get distracted to quickly.
It sounds like the OP girl already knows a little english, it might be helpful for her to get a good book and them two work on her lessons over the phone. I call St. pet for about 2 cents a minute.
This would help both with her learning more and with "hearing" english spoken better.

One thing we did to help both of us... I would speak russian and she would try to speak english, then we would correct each other.

As I side note; when I returned from my first visit, I recorded her and I speaking on the phone for about an hour. I thought it might be interesting to listen back to it some day after she is speaking fluent.

Good luck,
Danny
0MaleRussia2007-07-29 17:31:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
Well I got some good news today,
I called NVC and was told my package is on the way to moscow, it was sent on the 7th of Nov I think.

I would add if anyone wants to actually TALK to a person on the phone at the number they give at NVC,
(603-334-0700) your best bet is to call before 10;oo am East coast time. Got right through each time.....well not "right through" but within a 5 min wait.

I was given a "case number" starting with MOS.

So how will I know when the case arrives to Moscow? The guy on the phone said it could take up to two months.
0MaleRussia2007-11-09 11:01:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
QUOTE (Buck and Natalia @ Nov 7 2007, 07:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 6 2007, 06:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Buck & Natalia I am glad your paperwork went on to the next step, I am of course still waiting on mine.
Do you have a projected time-line when you expect visa to be in-hand?


If everything stays on track, then VISA in hand will probably be somewhere between mid-January and mid-February 2008. good.gif


I guess if there is a bright-side to all this, the airline ticket will be at the lowest price of the year.
0MaleRussia2007-11-08 09:49:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
Buck & Natalia I am glad your paperwork went on to the next step, I am of course still waiting on mine.
Do you have a projected time-line when you expect visa to be in-hand?
0MaleRussia2007-11-06 21:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
Well I got this in my Email today.
The letter pretends they are doing all these checks when in fact they don't even have my file yet.

Boy I tell you, "sept 11" has become a catch-all excuse for everything now, I need to some how work this angle in my job as well to cover up what I am not doing or didn't do right.

----------------------------------------

Good Afternoon,

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

As part of the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, there are
additional security check requirements for visa applicants. While it is
not possible to predict when the clearances for this case will be
finished by all involved Washington agencies, please be assured that as
soon as the results are received the NVC will be able to schedule this
case for an interview at the assigned US Embassy or Consulate General.
As soon as an interview is scheduled notification will be sent to the
designated agent by mail.

Regards,
National Visa Center
OH2
0MaleRussia2007-11-05 17:52:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
Russ, I used your same housing to income rational some 17 years ago when I (along with many others) departed from the North-East too.
It was one of the reason I have grown to embrace strong local Government on domestic issues.
1. States can each experiment with various programs, Methods of Governance and shape themselves to local appeal.
People can then decide if they like it or not and leave or stay. Almost like a freeMarket.
2. When the Fed Govt rolls out it's big "one size fits all" plan, no matter how disastrous it is there is no escaping it.

Sure the state by state Method is not without weak spots too but overall it has worked pretty well.
0MaleRussia2007-11-05 01:20:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
Are there any known ways to track how long it is taking to get from NOA2 to NVC
getting the info?
I wonder if the delay Buck and I are having are now typical?
0MaleRussia2007-11-03 14:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
What is the average cost of a 4 yr university these days?
How could the guy working 35 hours a week afford that?
Why not have the Govt pay for this too?

I am sure if getting my teeth cleaned is a responsibility of the Federal Govt. My complete education
must be as well.

How in the world do young couple just starting out, buy a first home in NYC or many other parts of the country?
Certainly Housing is a "basic human right". Why is not the Govt helping these people get safe affordable housing?
How do we allow the rich to have three car garages when some of us don't even have a house?

It's amazing people even survived the first couple of hundred years in this country without the Govt doing it's "Fair-share" for them.
0MaleRussia2007-11-03 14:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
QUOTE (Satellite @ Oct 31 2007, 04:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 30 2007, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My friend, I am 45 years old and I have NEVER seen a sick person on the street... that was sober smile.gif
I'm not talking about the sick people in the streets. As I doubt there are 50 million people in the streets. I am talking about the working folks who work several part time jobs or even a full time one where medical benefits are not offered. Hard to imagine right? So what are those people to do? They can either choose to buy health care, food, or pay for rent each month. They can have only two of these three each month based on their salary and the cost of the latter. Yet they are too far above the federal poverty guidelines to receive assistance for either three!

--------------------
First of all your 50 million number suggests that 50 million people actually want insurance. There are a lot of healthy (usually young people) who are not interested, I know I wasn't at 25 either. (no matter how affordable it was)
Of course if "someone else" is going to pay for it... sure they would I guess sign up for it and I guess that is what you are suggesting... "someone else" pay for your trip to the doctor.

I bet if you compared the percentage of people without health insurance today and compared it to 10 or even 5 years ago, I bet you would see every year this percentage grows smaller and smaller.
It's amazing really, even people like me who goofed around in school instead of doing what I should have are able to get jobs which offer health insurance. But back when I had no health Insurance, I never looked at everyone else to provide it for me. After all we make our own bed in life (with a few exceptions). When others we hitting the books, I was playing guitar or watching TV.


The biggest problem with socialized medicine is not just the financial boondoggle it would quickly bring about but, rather "It" opens the already cracked door of the Govt having the right to control your life in ways you never could believe... and one step at a time.
I mean after all, if "we" are all paying for your healthcare, ...what you eat, how much you weigh, how often you exersize, what activities you par take in are no longer just your biz, it's "ours" too.

At any rate, my friend if you get sick, feel free to mosey on down to the emergency room they will treat you... it's the law. (just ask any illegal)

Edited by Danno, 31 October 2007 - 10:52 PM.

0MaleRussia2007-10-31 22:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
Yeah, if only we could pick n choose what our tax dollars were spent on.
I would have a whole long "Do not spend" list.
0MaleRussia2007-10-31 22:25:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
I called the NVC again this morning and again was told they should have received it by now but
it can take up to 90 days.
I explained to her the Approval expires in 4 months. How could the system reasonably expect to complete the process if it took 3 of those months to simply transfer documents from one department to another.

I called back to the California center to ask why they have not forwarded the paperwork, .. they did a "report" and will get back to me in a month.

In a week or so, if nothing shows up at NVC, I will contact my rep... and why not, they are the ones which voted an increase in the fees with the understanding that it would make the system run faster and better when in fact it has gotten worsex2.

I am usually a pretty patient person but this failure to transfer Documents is BS.
0MaleRussia2007-10-31 10:47:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
QUOTE (Satellite @ Oct 31 2007, 12:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Danno @ Oct 30 2007, 08:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It amazes me how anyone who has been involved in dealing with agencies of the Govt would ever sign on to the Govt. Running something as complex a Health-care wacko.gif
When you become one of the 50 million uninsured people and growing in this country you too will want the government to provide you with some kind of health care. Especially if you had to choose between rent, food, and health care each month because of the out of control prices for the latter.


You think you have it bad now, just wait smile.gif

I think Ronald Reagan said it best,

Government is not the solution, it's the problem.
-----------------
My friend, I am 45 years old and I have NEVER seen a sick person on the street... that was sober smile.gif
0MaleRussia2007-10-30 23:43:00
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus6 WKS FROM CSC TO NVC?
My Noa 2 was oct 5, it's been like 4 weeks and today I called, the guy said it has not arrived yet.
He said it could take up to 90 days.
That soundds like BS, why would my NOA2 tell me to contact them if I did not hear anything in 4 weeks?
The Approval notice is only good for a few months, if I burn up 3 waiting on them to get it, it could expire before completion, especially if there were to be any problem or delay at Moscow.

If I don't hear something in 2 more weeks, I am going to ask my Congressman for help simply because of the fact the approval notice has an expiration date. Why should it take 4 or 6 weeks to send a package from one agency to another?

It amazes me how anyone who has been involved in dealing with agencies of the Govt would ever sign on to the Govt. Running something as complex a Health-care wacko.gif
0MaleRussia2007-10-30 23:23:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusHi
QUOTE (skii @ Nov 20 2007, 08:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
WoW, It didnt even cross my mind about filing as married yet and weve been married 7 months already. Looking foward to that tax return already. biggrin.gif


Looks like I will miss that bit of change due to the bog down in processing of my K-1.

Could have really used it to as the down stairs gas-pack went out, thankfully the weather has been nice which gave me time to wheel and deal.

Edited by Danno, 20 November 2007 - 09:45 AM.

0MaleRussia2007-11-20 09:41:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
QUOTE (mox @ Nov 18 2007, 11:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 18 2007, 05:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If they did all these rock stars would have gotten together to raise money for causes benefiting the Military or their families.

Ah yes, because if there's anything our military needs, it's more money. smile.gif (kidding)

Actually there are many charities that benefit our military veterans and families. The Yellow Ribbon Fund is the one that comes to my mind first, but there are many others. There's another group where you can send care packages to soldiers. I can't remember the name of it off-hand, but I've sent several care packages that way.

Also, the money these "rock stars" raise typically goes to children and other civilian victims of war. If you want our military and their families to be taken care of, you should demand it from our government. National Guard soldiers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with their Army/Marine counterparts have their VA benefits turned off after 12 months. The VA is constantly understaffed and underfunded, (Walter Reed anyone?) and of course there's the infamous "you go to war with the army you have" line that pretty much summed up why our troops were sent into combat with inadequate armor. of course the I'd like to see some of the "rock stars" of Washington step up to the plate (and I include the Democrats who lied when they said they were going to change directions) and start really caring about the troops as other than photo ops.

Well you can swallow the "we care about the troops" ploy being used but the proof is in the action, not the bumper-stickers.
We have a group locally which reach out to help families in many small day-to-day ways such as minor auto repair, help with home repairs, childcare and a number of other ways. I have asked several "peace loving friends of the military" to join and only one actually seemed interested.
Sure there could be some Govt. program to do this as you suggest but I doubt it would be as effective.



QUOTE
It galls them that huge numbers of troops there Joined the military After the war started and continue to join.

No. It galls them (the peace movement) that huge numbers of troops continue to be killed and maimed over a war about oil and egos.

Oil and ego? when was the last time you walked to work?
Unless your sitting at a hand-cranked computer, your whole life-style is provided by oil.

Also, recruiting for the Army has dropped off to dangerous levels. The reason you hear that they are meeting and sometimes exceeding their quotas is because 1) they have "adjusted" recruiting targets to much lower levels than pre-war and 2) they have drastically lowered the requirements for entry into the service. Talk about Vietnam all over again. I just heard a report on Friday that the Army is facing a huge shortage of West Point graduates, because most graduates are resigning their commisions after their obligation is up. This is potentially devastating to an all-volunteer Army because they depend on this pipeline for future leadership.

QUOTE
From the voices I hear, this is the opinion I have drawn anyway.

You should get new voices. smile.gif (sorry, couldn't resist... smile.gif )
Ok, I'll swing by moveon.org and get all the FACTS.

0MaleRussia2007-11-18 12:59:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
<<<Um...what?!?! We are talking about the Vietnam war, right? If you were talking about Korea, I'd agree. But nobody's forgotten Vietnam. I mean, nobody except the people running the Iraq war. Everyone else remembers.>>



Actually, I was talking about The slaughter that took place after we pulled out.


It's a small point but the "The killing fields" was no more about the Khmer Rouge than "The Pianist" was about Hitler.


I suspect we will unfortunately be in Iraq for a long time to come. Especially when you consider the top teer candidates Running for 08 have said as much.
0MaleRussia2007-11-18 09:07:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
QUOTE (russ @ Nov 17 2007, 11:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 17 2007, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Great movie on the true life story of one Vietnamese who lived through it and made to to america (only to be killed on the streets in California) was The Killing fields.


Sorry to challenge your history, but "The Killing Fields" was not about Vietnam. It was Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge. The man who ultimately escaped became a New York Times photographer, and was ultimately killed in a car crash.

It had absolutey nothing to do with America or our military.

We watched it in my 8th grade geography class, I'm quoting this from memory (but I'm fairly certain that I am correct)


Thanks for the correction of detail, but I "thought" I had Read he was killed in front of his Apt in Cal. Oddly enough I cant seem to find mention of the cause of his death, even at http://www.dithpran.org... not even a mention of his death but this detail is irrelevant to my point.

While I am quite certain even today debate goes on as to the events of Political/military actions, I think my main point still stands (at least I hope) and that is, JFK and later two more Presidents sent or oversaw the military action to combat the spread of Communism in that part of the world.
When we pulled out of that part of the world one of the biggest human loss of life took place, and all those who claimed to care so much for the people in that part of the world just kinda lost interest, they seem to trade their CS&N albums for James Taylor smile.gif
I am quite certain if this were to happen AFTER Bush heads back to Crawford, we would get the same response.
It's all about Politics (domestic) not only do these phonies not care about Iraq, they don't really care of about our Soldiers either. If they did all these rock stars would have gotten together to raise money for causes benefiting the Military or their families.
It galls them that huge numbers of troops there Joined the military After the war started and continue to join.
From the voices I hear, this is the opinion I have drawn anyway.
0MaleRussia2007-11-18 08:53:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
I spent 6 months in the Middle East, and completely agree with you. The problem is complex on so many levels, but most Americans think it's just about a magnetic ribbon on their SUV. Kinda goes back to the other posts where I was saying Americans have no sense of their own history. In actuality, Americans (in general) have no sense of any history whatsoever. And so we keep repeating not only our own mistakes, but the mistakes of others.
[/quote]

-----------------
It's absolutely complex with no good options.
I am stunned at people who claim to care so much for the Iraq people (not referring to Mr.Slim) and without hesitation want total troop withdraw.
When the blood flows, what will they do... probably the same things the Nam protesters did when we Pulled out of Viet-nam... Silence, while slaughter began and continued on.

No more songs or marches, no more student demonstrations, no nothing. Most people did not even know about it until years later, even the News packed up and moved on. Meanwhile something like a million were killed. Meanwhile the "give peace a chance" bumper-stickers began to curl at the edge and fade away.
They didn't care about yellow people anymore than anyone else did.

Great movie on the true life story of one Vietnamese who lived through it and made to to america (only to be killed on the streets in California) was The Killing fields.
0MaleRussia2007-11-17 20:50:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
QUOTE (slim @ Nov 15 2007, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Danno @ Nov 14 2007, 11:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thats a lot of friggin people, I think Iraq is right around 4000.


4,000 people, or 4,000 Americans?

I guess we're not counting Iraqis and others as people anymore. Too bad, because they sure count themselves as people.


-------------------
Sure people are people.
We can count civilian deaths in Iraq as well, only problem is, the "numbers" are hard to know because groups at both end of the spectrum seem to be adding or minimizing according to their
political goals.

Since 5 American wars were mentioned here ... why is it you only feel the need to count civilians when "Iraq" came to the table? unsure.gif

Someone with more time than me please post civilian casualties for some other wars.

Edited by Danno, 16 November 2007 - 09:17 AM.

0MaleRussia2007-11-16 09:14:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
QUOTE (moxcamel @ Nov 14 2007, 10:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (russ @ Nov 14 2007, 04:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (moxcamel @ Nov 14 2007, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Agreed but we have no "institutional" memory of either of these wars. For most Americans the Civil War is all about the Gettysburg Address (which most Americans have never read or even know what it's about) and Gone with the Wind. I read a survey sometime back where 70% of responding high school kids believed George Washington fought in the Civil War. That's sad.


Over 500,000 died during the civil war, it was hardly a trivial event.

Um...I didn't say that it was.



Actually, I believe it was more like .........................600,000.
Thats a lot of friggin people, I think Iraq is right around 4000.
0MaleRussia2007-11-14 22:52:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
QUOTE (moxcamel @ Nov 14 2007, 05:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
As far as global warming goes, <snip> some of the brightest climatologists in the world, and I can tell you that they're convinced that global warming is real, .........



I don't doubt they do believe it's real, in fact this type of group-think backed up with "science of the day" has, historically happened over and over on down through time yet we always have the utmost confidence in the latest round of science... as if we have "finally arrived."

Perhaps this time they will be correct, but I can promise you if they are not, there will be no public flogging, no one will ask "how they could have been so certain and yet so wrong".... Nope, it will be on to the next Doom and Gloom story line.
0MaleRussia2007-11-14 20:51:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
Your comments about the "certainty of a nuclear exchange" and how few voices were available to add calm is one reason, I am 80% certain in a decade we will be amazed the whole world (actually the .. just the western world) were certain that Global warming was going to destroy us all.

For some reason the voices of doom and gloom always seem to have the microphone.

My G_d, could you imagine if the Global warming experts were around during the years of the Dust bowl era, they would have charged us all a ton of money (taxes) implemented their plans and then took all the credit with Nobel prizes and magazine covers a few years later after the weather normalized.
0MaleRussia2007-11-14 17:16:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
As I have said before, it is a little far-fetched to be foreseeing a time in the near future where people are cut off from travel between the USA and the USSR... err I mean Russia.

However, I don't think you can rule anything out due to SOME people making money off our relationship now.
'Idealogy" always trumps money and as Russia assumes more and more industry under the wing of the Govt, that factor becomes more diminished.
Under Putin certain wealthy businessmen were jailed chased out of country and had their (ill-gotten) industries taken from them.

It is for this reason I say anything is possible.

These things usually take years to fully shift, when you see the country shifting, it would then be the time to start the process to get out.

It even took Years for Nazi germany to evolve into its full self, many Jews did see the coming storm and left homes and businesses. Others stayed at great cost.
0MaleRussia2007-11-12 18:10:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusClosed Borders
I am trying to think of countries which have closed their doors to Americans..... I can't think of one. Even in an almost worst case future event, family members would have legit reasons to travel in and out of Russia.


If I were to be inclined to worry about anything.... it would the political future of Russia.
(many forecast a much more Authoritative Regime is on the horizon).
I rather think Russia in general and Putin in Specific sees the weaknesses of Democracy and wants to build a Hybrid style system.
0MaleRussia2007-11-09 11:12:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusOff Topic
And one more.

http://www.russianfl...es/Russia.shtml
0MaleRussia2007-11-27 21:01:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusOff Topic
I looked around and found this list.

http://russianwomend...dex.php?Flowers
0MaleRussia2007-11-27 20:42:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInterveiw dates @ moscow and Passport ??
QUOTE (slim @ Dec 1 2007, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
#2- Photocopy should be fine. I think I sent a copy of mine as well. (I know I didn't send the actual passport and visa.) As far as "proof" of meeting, it's more or less to show that you have actually met each other (recently) and aren't engaged in one of those arranged marriage type deals where you're going to marry someone you've never even met before. It's also to show that you didn't just click on a profile and say "add to cart."


Thanks for the reply guys,

"Add to the cart", that might sound interesting... but I would check-out the return policy, I bet there would be one hell of a "restocking fee" involved.
0MaleRussia2007-12-02 09:04:00
Russia, Ukraine and BelarusInterveiw dates @ moscow and Passport ??
When I went back and looked at it, I realized my mistake (Thanks to you).

Okay I nominate myself for the JACK-### ward on that one.


Now for my second question, did anyone use their travel Visa to Russia as evidence of a meeting,, if so did you present the actual passport, a certified copy or just a copy?
0MaleRussia2007-11-30 23:03:00