BronzeTurtle Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 SOrry for stepping on toes in the political realm, but I the scapegoating definitely got me riled. Sort of funny because I thought I'd get in trouble for getting irate with another poster which definitely went on longer than I intended with my first response. Is the politics group a different website? Is there a link? Is the politics rule not mentioning any politcal leader at all? I admit I may have slipped and mentioned names, definitely tried to keep it generic to previous and current to avoid...I don't know, attaching party politics to the whole thing because switch any of the parties around and the function/role is still the same as far as I can see. Not sure how to even discuss what's going on and the catastrophe without the role of higher government agencies and offices. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BronzeTurtle Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 1 hour ago, ktgrok said: Especially when they are agreeing! Both are saying mistakes were made by current and outgoing leadership. They both messed up. Both posters have said this, and are starting to sound like my mom at Thanksgiving when she's had too much wine and is arguing with one of us even though we already agree with her. Except there is no pie this time. No not too much wine, none at all sadly, but definitely not agreeing with most of anything, although I did grant a few premises just to try to get off the one subject and on to the actual issue. Could go for some pie, though! 😂😂😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 (edited) 10 hours ago, Fritz said: If that is true then it makes this mess even more inexcusable. Why did the administraion not get the 11,000+ American citizens, allies (including the Afghanis that risked their lives helping us), and the weapons that are now in the hands of the taliban out before leaving? Total incompetence and disregard for human lives, IMO! The visa program that would have let people get out was shut down by the previous administration, for nearly four years. The current administration had less time to get them out than the previous one did. That's not partisan politics, just facts. I do think the current administration didn't reinstate it quickly enough but even if it had been done on January 20th the logistics still would leave people behind. Edited August 20, 2021 by Lady Florida. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BronzeTurtle Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 11 hours ago, Lady Florida. said: The visa program that would have let people get out was shut down by the previous administration, for nearly four years. The current administration had less time to get them out than the previous one did. That's not partisan politics, just facts. I do think the current administration didn't reinstate it quickly enough but even if it had been done on January 20th the logistics still would leave people behind. I have read in various places that visas were being slow-walked as far back as 2018. I haven't heard anything about the program being shut down other than here, but as far as I knew it was a legislative program with the number of visas being approved by congress. Actually, take that back, I googled, this atlantic article talks about problems as far back as 2013 with getting things approved in the 9 months that is required by law. Can you link to where it was shut down? The article talks about application approvals going from 10k in 2017 to less than half that a year later? Wouldn't this be within the 4 yrs you're talking about? I am confused by this and would like to know more.https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/07/trump-immigration-crackdown-visas/565949/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 15 minutes ago, BronzeTurtle said: I have read in various places that visas were being slow-walked as far back as 2018. I haven't heard anything about the program being shut down other than here, but as far as I knew it was a legislative program with the number of visas being approved by congress. Actually, take that back, I googled, this atlantic article talks about problems as far back as 2013 with getting things approved in the 9 months that is required by law. Can you link to where it was shut down? The article talks about application approvals going from 10k in 2017 to less than half that a year later? Wouldn't this be within the 4 yrs you're talking about? I am confused by this and would like to know more.https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/07/trump-immigration-crackdown-visas/565949/ It wasn't officially shut down but the purposeful slow walking of applications meant is was as good as shut down. https://www.npr.org/2019/05/01/718927688/no-visas-for-afghan-and-iraqi-interpreters https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-admin-broke-law-visa-delays-afghans-iraqis-who-worked-n1057846 From Stars and Stripes https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us-plan-to-fix-visa-delays-for-interpreters-who-helped-troops-deemed-offensive-1.622149 “The government’s plan is downright offensive,” IRAP said Friday in a statement on Twitter. “It has no timelines and no commitments. Only proposals to make the process harder for applicants that won’t actually help with the delays.” From Military.com https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/02/11/veterans-hail-biden-ordered-review-of-visa-program-iraqi-afghan-military-interpreters.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 1 minute ago, Lady Florida. said: It wasn't officially shut down but the purposeful slow walking of applications meant is was as good as shut down. https://www.npr.org/2019/05/01/718927688/no-visas-for-afghan-and-iraqi-interpreters https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-admin-broke-law-visa-delays-afghans-iraqis-who-worked-n1057846 From Stars and Stripes https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us-plan-to-fix-visa-delays-for-interpreters-who-helped-troops-deemed-offensive-1.622149 “The government’s plan is downright offensive,” IRAP said Friday in a statement on Twitter. “It has no timelines and no commitments. Only proposals to make the process harder for applicants that won’t actually help with the delays.” From Military.com https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/02/11/veterans-hail-biden-ordered-review-of-visa-program-iraqi-afghan-military-interpreters.html That still does not explain not getting, the now reported to be 15,000+, Americans out, or our allies. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Fritz said: That still does not explain not getting, the now reported to be 15,000+, Americans out, or our allies. Right. Because seven months is much longer than four years. 🙄 There's still a process, which if it had been moving all along would have made it much easier to get people out. They couldn't just grab people willy nilly and throw them onto a plane. Edited August 20, 2021 by Lady Florida. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BronzeTurtle Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 5 minutes ago, Lady Florida. said: It wasn't officially shut down but the purposeful slow walking of applications meant is was as good as shut down. https://www.npr.org/2019/05/01/718927688/no-visas-for-afghan-and-iraqi-interpreters https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/trump-admin-broke-law-visa-delays-afghans-iraqis-who-worked-n1057846 From Stars and Stripes https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us-plan-to-fix-visa-delays-for-interpreters-who-helped-troops-deemed-offensive-1.622149 “The government’s plan is downright offensive,” IRAP said Friday in a statement on Twitter. “It has no timelines and no commitments. Only proposals to make the process harder for applicants that won’t actually help with the delays.” From Military.com https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/02/11/veterans-hail-biden-ordered-review-of-visa-program-iraqi-afghan-military-interpreters.html Ah, I read some of those in my search but was confused how it could have been shut down without legislation or eo which I couldn't find. That atlantic article talks about the non-profit to speed up apps going back to 2013, which is weird. I am absolutely positive that trying to put in an app was/is a bureaucratic nightmare both to put in and to process and verify. It's is shameful that those things would be slowed down for political reasons. Thanks for the information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 1 minute ago, BronzeTurtle said: Ah, I read some of those in my search but was confused how it could have been shut down without legislation or eo which I couldn't find. That atlantic article talks about the non-profit to speed up apps going back to 2013, which is weird. I am absolutely positive that trying to put in an app was/is a bureaucratic nightmare both to put in and to process and verify. It's is shameful that those things would be slowed down for political reasons. Thanks for the information! No doubt it's been a problem for years but got worse under the last administration. Then the timeline, about which the previous president bragged he made it impossible for his predecessor to get out of, made it worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BronzeTurtle Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 8 minutes ago, Lady Florida. said: No doubt it's been a problem for years but got worse under the last administration. Then the timeline, about which the previous president bragged he made it impossible for his predecessor to get out of, made it worse. I figured out the reason why the article refers back to 2013. It's because that's when legilsation was passed to mandate the 9 month processing time in reaction to the slow-walking of apps taking actual years. honestly, looking at all the steps required, I'm not sure how anyone could get it done in 9 months, especially considering family members, etc. Even with covid restricting in person work for most all of 2020...it seems like it never got back up to speed after that, and before wasn't great either. Maybe 2017 was the last good year of processing more than 10k applicants? I'm having a hard time finding numbers beyond that or what it was ramped up to once administrations changed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BronzeTurtle Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 (edited) I found this to be an interesting listen. It all sounds like too little to late, and the embassy is gone now right so...?https://www.npr.org/2021/08/16/1028198510/u-s-special-immigrant-visa-program-faces-criticism-over-slow-speed https://www.lawfareblog.com/special-immigrant-visas-united-states-afghan-allies-lessons-learned-promises-kept-and-broken Edited August 20, 2021 by BronzeTurtle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 These sites have some of the SIV data you’re looking for, regarding Afghanistan and Iraq. Keep in mind that fluctuations in numbers can depend on circumstances at the time, so it’s hard to understand trends simply by looking at charts. https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Immigrant-Statistics/SIV/SQNumbers_062021.pdf https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Immigrant-Statistics/SIV/SINumbers_062021.pdf IRAP has been advocating for years for potential SIV recipients. https://refugeerights.org/news-resources/irap-publishes-new-report-on-recommendations-on-the-reform-of-the-siv-program Go to page 12 of their 2020 report to begin to learn more about delays. There’s lots more information about delays and problems throughout the report. https://refugeerights.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IRAP_SIV_Report_2020.pdf But again, those who qualify for SIVs are not the only people who deserve help in Afghanistan. I’ve been so disheartened to hear Americans who support only SIVs and not other refugee admissions. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 38 minutes ago, Amira said: But again, those who qualify for SIVs are not the only people who deserve help in Afghanistan. I’ve been so disheartened to hear Americans who support only SIVs and not other refugee admissions. Yes, that's sad. I do think that SIVs should get priority treatment but they shouldn't be the only ones eligible. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 On 8/18/2021 at 11:35 PM, Amira said: And it wasn’t entirely a waste. Yes, things are very bad now, but they were better for a while for many people. Not for all Afghans, of course, but for many of them. That’s certainly worth something. I think that Americans sometimes get overly focused on long-term change or solving problems, but sometimes it’s just worth making sure someone gets a chance to go to school today or gets a decent meal today even if you can’t make sure they’ll get that tomorrow. But it's hard to sell your constituents on a war that provides only a bandaid. People can get behind sacrificing the lives of their young people if that either prevents harm to their own country or creates sustainable change. They won't send their kids into a war that is only a temporary improvement. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 9 minutes ago, regentrude said: But it's hard to sell your constituents on a war that provides only a bandaid. People can get behind sacrificing the lives of their young people if that either prevents harm to their own country or creates sustainable change. They won't send their kids into a war that is only a temporary improvement. I completely agree. My comment only refers to hindsight in this war and whether any good at all came from it, not what should or shouldn’t have happened at any point before this. I have my own thoughts about the origins of this war or whether anyone should have supported or opposed it. I’ll never forget where I was sitting and what I was thinking on Sunday, October 7th, when this war began. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 3 hours ago, Fritz said: That still does not explain not getting, the now reported to be 15,000+, Americans out, or our allies. Yeah, the 15,000 or more Americans don’t need special visas. They need safe passage., even if that means retrieving them with soldiers and marines from where ever they are. The US should not be in the position to rely on a terrorist organization to “allow” Americans to go to the airport. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 (edited) It’s actually not uncommon for American citizens to get trapped in a country when things get dangerous quickly. Sometimes the US government can help, sometimes it can’t. Nearly always, the US citizens knew that things were getting bad. The US government issued a level 4 warning about Afghanistan at the end of June. Anyone who was there knew it was risky to be there. We’ve had this type of discussion multiple times on these boards over the years. None of that means that it’s okay for the US government to abandon its citizens in any country, but there comes a time when it can’t do much to help you, whether it’s weather, a pandemic, terrorism, war, an infrastructure breakdown, a coup, or any number of other things that put Americans in danger. What do you expect the State Department and US military to do when you’re stuck and it can’t get to you? I said the same thing in March of 2020 to lots of friends who were debating whether to return to their passport countries too. It’s not about politics, but the resources that the State Department actually has available to assist US citizens overseas. Edited August 20, 2021 by Amira 18 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idalou Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 (edited) The former Whitehouse Homeland Security adviser to the former VP is on Twitter as Olivia of Troye. Moderator, is it alright to link her thread here? If not, then I would hope people would look at her Twitter to read what her experiences were concerning the SIV issues being discussed in this thread. https://twitter.com/OliviaTroye/status/1428740865665679361?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1428740865665679361|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforums.welltrainedmind.com%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FOliviaTroye%2Fstatus%2F1428740865665679361%3Fs%3D19 Edited August 20, 2021 by Rosie_0801 To replace the graphic with a link 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildflowerMom Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 Why am I not surprised Stephen Miller comes out as a d-bag once again? I think he's one guy that no matter what 'side' someone is on, we all can't stand him. (I hate saying 'side', it sounds so juvenile, but that's what it's become.) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 Reports of Americans being beaten by Taliban https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/20/lloyd-austin-taliban-america-defeat-506475 Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers Friday that Americans trying to leave Afghanistan have been beaten by Taliban fighters, according to several people who participated in a briefing call with Austin and other top officials. Austin’s remarks to House members appeared to directly contradict President Joe Biden’s assessment from minutes earlier, in which Biden said the U.S. was not aware of Americans having trouble getting through Taliban checkpoints and to the airport in Kabul — the only evacuation point in the country for Americans and Afghan allies. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 There seemed to be a lot of activity round Kabul airport last night on the flight tracker. Did someone manage another flight out? I’m wondering how we’re handling it here with Covid and the borders being basically shut. I know people are getting to taken to 3rd party countries but then what? As much as I’m loath to suggest it maybe they need to reopen some of the offshore detention centres as quarantine centres to help get more people in faster once they’re out? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 9 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said: There seemed to be a lot of activity round Kabul airport last night on the flight tracker. Did someone manage another flight out? I’m wondering how we’re handling it here with Covid and the borders being basically shut. I know people are getting to taken to 3rd party countries but then what? As much as I’m loath to suggest it maybe they need to reopen some of the offshore detention centres as quarantine centres to help get more people in faster once they’re out? Take this for what it is worth…this was including a halt of flights for many hours bc there were no destinations available Taylor said that 16 C-17s and one C-130 left Kabul over the last 24 hours, carrying some 6,000 passengers and a "couple of hundred" American citizens out of the country. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted August 20, 2021 Share Posted August 20, 2021 AP reporter James LaPorta is reporting that US military members in helicopters have successfully evacuated 96 Afghan allies out of harm's way from inside Kabul. Kudos to our brave troops. Bill 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 God Bless them & I hope for safe evacuation for many more. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeartString Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 (edited) Does anyone here have a good explanation for why we signed a peace treaty with the Taliban and circumvented the Afghani government? Saudi Arabi couldn’t come to the US and sign a treaty with the Crips or 3%ers, so how did that work? ETA: I’m not being snarky, just curious why we would go around a legitimate government. Edited August 21, 2021 by HeartString 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa Louise Posted August 21, 2021 Author Share Posted August 21, 2021 I can't imagine the responsibility service people must feel trying to get people out. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 2 hours ago, Spy Car said: AP reporter James LaPorta is reporting that US military members in helicopters have successfully evacuated 96 Afghan allies out of harm's way from inside Kabul. Kudos to our brave troops. Bill As an update, reports are that U.S. forces in military helicopters also scooped up 169 Americans. Bill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage81 Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 I don’t know if any of you have seen CNN’s Clarissa Ward, who has been reporting from Kabul, but she tweeted out that she was on a plane flying out. I was glad to see that because she looked to be in some very unsafe situations when she was reporting. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 49 minutes ago, HeartString said: Does anyone here have a good explanation for why we signed a peace treaty with the Taliban and circumvented the Afghani government? Saudi Arabi couldn’t come to the US and sign a treaty with the Crips or 3%ers, so how did that work? ETA: I’m not being snarky, just curious why we would go around a legitimate government. Bc the Afghan government was not fighting with the US and coalition. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, HeartString said: Does anyone here have a good explanation for why we signed a peace treaty with the Taliban and circumvented the Afghani government? Saudi Arabi couldn’t come to the US and sign a treaty with the Crips or 3%ers, so how did that work? ETA: I’m not being snarky, just curious why we would go around a legitimate government. Bill Edited August 21, 2021 by desertflower Political Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Now Americans are being advised to stay away from the Kabul airport. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-vow-be-accountable-probe-reports-reprisals-afghanistan-2021-08-21/ "Because of potential security threats outside the gates at the Kabul airport, we are advising U.S. citizens to avoid travelling to the airport and to avoid airport gates at this time unless you receive individual instructions from a U.S. government representative to do so," the U.S. Embassy advisory said. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Many of the approximately 9 million U.S. Citizens who do not live in the USA are not enrolled in the "STEP" program of the Department of State. One of the many issues at this time is that the U.S. Government has no accurate number on the number of U.S. Citizens who are in Afghanistan now. Colombia, where we live, is going to take approximately 4000 Afghani citizens, temporarily, until they can get the paperwork they need to continue to the USA. The USA will pay for that. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faith-manor Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 1 minute ago, Lanny said: Many of the approximately 9 million U.S. Citizens who do not live in the USA are not enrolled in the "STEP" program of the Department of State. One of the many issues at this time is that the U.S. Government has no accurate number on the number of U.S. Citizens who are in Afghanistan now. Colombia, where we live, is going to take approximately 4000 Afghani citizens, temporarily, until they can get the paperwork they need to continue to the USA. The USA will pay for that. Yes, too many Americans do not take advantage of STEP, and even those just doing tourist excursions can register their travel so that if the fur hits the fan, the home country has an idea where in the world you are. We register all of our international trips. But I think statistics have shown that most Americans do not. Very short sighted. Bless Columbia for taking Afghanis! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Thank you, Colombia! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 I'm sort of expecting (hoping) that a fair number of Afghans could end up living near me. We already have the nucleus of an Afghan community in a nearby neighborhood (the neighborhood where I was raised). There is not a huge "presence" now--and there is a diverse mix of immigrant groups--but I've gotten to know a fair number of local Afghans over the years and expect that the small community that's in place will draw more people. The best independent hardware in the area is owned by an Afghan. If I need advice from someone who knows his stuff, I head there (spoken as a guy whose son just had his first job working at the rival Ace hardware). Bill 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 On 8/20/2021 at 11:41 AM, Lady Florida. said: Yes, that's sad. I do think that SIVs should get priority treatment but they shouldn't be the only ones eligible. Yeah, they are actively hunting Christians there, for example. (And I am not saying that refugees or are concern should only be about Christians-I am also appalled by the Chinese treatment of the Uighurs and Tibetans and Christians and many other religions plus all kinds of people who just want democracy plus the Myanmar appalling treatment of the Rohinga, and on and on) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 On 8/20/2021 at 2:02 PM, pinball said: Yeah, the 15,000 or more Americans don’t need special visas. They need safe passage., even if that means retrieving them with soldiers and marines from where ever they are. The US should not be in the position to rely on a terrorist organization to “allow” Americans to go to the airport. I believe I saw a news report about some Americans that were rescued by British Special Forces. Where are our Special Forces to rescue Americans, etc? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 21 hours ago, pinball said: What is this a photo of? Because I hope it is Allied Forces, not the Taliban who have taken to wearing American uniforms that they absconded with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 3 hours ago, Lanny said: Many of the approximately 9 million U.S. Citizens who do not live in the USA are not enrolled in the "STEP" program of the Department of State. One of the many issues at this time is that the U.S. Government has no accurate number on the number of U.S. Citizens who are in Afghanistan now. Colombia, where we live, is going to take approximately 4000 Afghani citizens, temporarily, until they can get the paperwork they need to continue to the USA. The USA will pay for that. I don't know if my dd2 ever enrolled with STEP when she was doing study abroad in New Zealand. I had told her to do it and then she got very ill, and then she recovered and went on a trip where her purse was snatched that had her passport, regular glasses, credit cards, epi-pens, etc. That was a real mess and not even happening in a pandemic, natural disaster or war. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 6 minutes ago, TravelingChris said: What is this a photo of? Because I hope it is Allied Forces, not the Taliban who have taken to wearing American uniforms that they absconded with. I believe it is the baby that was hoisted up and over the airport walls and into the hands of US service members. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 52 minutes ago, Spy Car said: I'm sort of expecting (hoping) that a fair number of Afghans could end up living near me. We already have the nucleus of an Afghan community in a nearby neighborhood (the neighborhood where I was raised). There is not a huge "presence" now--and there is a diverse mix of immigrant groups--but I've gotten to know a fair number of local Afghans over the years and expect that the small community that's in place will draw more people. The best independent hardware in the area is owned by an Afghan. If I need advice from someone who knows his stuff, I head there (spoken as a guy whose son just had his first job working at the rival Ace hardware). Bill So I first saw a tweet about the 10 of the Afghan Girls' Robotic Team getting out = they are now in Qatar. And then I saw an interview with an OK 60 year old mom of 11 with a master's in International Relations and Space Policy who flew into Qatar on Aug 9 and started working on rescuing them. She is trying to rescue 25 more. https://www.foxnews.com/world/oklahoma-mom-rescues-afghan-all-girls-robotics-team They had in interview with her and NBC does too. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 4 minutes ago, Spy Car said: I believe it is the baby that was hoisted up and over the airport walls and into the hands of US service members. Bill Yes, that is what I think it is too but sure don't want to do things like LIKE Taliban trick photos, whether here or on Twitter or Facebook or wherever. Last night, a US Census person calledmy cell phone asking about my dd2's phone # or how to reach her. Verizon had labeled it potential spam and I didn't think US Census called people. (I am very cautious because I have bad brain fog at times and he called after 8 (calling from Phoenix where there office is). I don't do complicated things at that hour because I am very fatigued by then. This morning, I listened to the message and know remember that this call has to do with a follow up on my dd2. She was selected several years ago for a College Students survey or maybe College Graduates Survey and did fill out the survey when I told her then that it was a requirement of the US Govt (like Census surveys are). Called her this morning but she is quite ill with COVID or something- needing nebulizer every 4 hours and on high dose of steroids so I will discuss this with her another time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeartString Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 53 minutes ago, TravelingChris said: Yes, that is what I think it is too but sure don't want to do things like LIKE Taliban trick photos, whether here or on Twitter or Facebook or wherever. Last night, a US Census person calledmy cell phone asking about my dd2's phone # or how to reach her. Verizon had labeled it potential spam and I didn't think US Census called people. (I am very cautious because I have bad brain fog at times and he called after 8 (calling from Phoenix where there office is). I don't do complicated things at that hour because I am very fatigued by then. This morning, I listened to the message and know remember that this call has to do with a follow up on my dd2. She was selected several years ago for a College Students survey or maybe College Graduates Survey and did fill out the survey when I told her then that it was a requirement of the US Govt (like Census surveys are). Called her this morning but she is quite ill with COVID or something- needing nebulizer every 4 hours and on high dose of steroids so I will discuss this with her another time. I was a census worker last year and we did call people. I was also directed to ask people about contacts. We even asked neighbors for information on households if that address was troublesome to make contact with for whatever reason. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 2 hours ago, Spy Car said: I believe it is the baby that was hoisted up and over the airport walls and into the hands of US service members. Bill I've read that the baby has been reunited with parents after getting health care. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 On 8/19/2021 at 5:12 PM, ktgrok said: Especially when they are agreeing! Both are saying mistakes were made by current and outgoing leadership. They both messed up. Both posters have said this, and are starting to sound like my mom at Thanksgiving when she's had too much wine and is arguing with one of us even though we already agree with her. Except there is no pie this time. Ohmigosh. Your mom is my dad. I ADORE the man, but yes, doesn’t realize when we’re agreeing even. Carry on. I just had to recognize the kinship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 On 8/19/2021 at 6:12 PM, ktgrok said: Especially when they are agreeing! Both are saying mistakes were made by current and outgoing leadership. They both messed up. Both posters have said this, and are starting to sound like my mom at Thanksgiving when she's had too much wine and is arguing with one of us even though we already agree with her. Except there is no pie this time. 1 hour ago, BlsdMama said: Ohmigosh. Your mom is my dad. I ADORE the man, but yes, doesn’t realize when we’re agreeing even. Carry on. I just had to recognize the kinship. And when I read Katie's post I thought, "Ohhhh. That's me... " (except I don't drink -- it's just kind of how I am all the time, especially with my husband and kids.) Well, one more thing for me to work on. Sigh. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted August 22, 2021 Share Posted August 22, 2021 Afghan Mother gives birth on a C-17 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El... Posted August 22, 2021 Share Posted August 22, 2021 1 hour ago, pinball said: Afghan Mother gives birth on a C-17 This is beautiful. My great grandma, I'm told, was born on the boat from Poland. Her name was Marina. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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