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The Trump administration has rolled out a new questionnaire for U.S. visa applicants worldwide that asks for social media handles for the last five years and biographical information going back 15 years.
The new questions, part of an effort to tighten vetting of would-be visitors to the United States, was approved on May 23 by the Office of Management and Budget despite criticism from a range of education officials and academic groups during a public comment period.
Critics argued that the new questions would be overly burdensome, lead to long delays in processing and discourage international students and scientists from coming to the United States.
Under the new procedures, consular officials can request all prior passport numbers, five years' worth of social media handles, email addresses and phone numbers and 15 years of biographical information including addresses, employment and travel history.
Officials will request the additional information when they determine "that such information is required to confirm identity or conduct more rigorous national security vetting," a State Department official said on Wednesday.
The State Department said earlier the tighter vetting would apply to visa applicants "who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities."
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 03 2017, @08:27PM (28 children)
No.
I'm going to drop the political correctness and focus on the pink elephant behind all of this. That is of course Islamic immigrants. So the notion is if we just stop our militarism in the Mideast, perhaps they'd finally just leave us alone. Let's look at things realistically here. Muslims have been killing each other for about 1,400 years now. Why? A disagreement over succession that happened in the year 632. Literally, that is the one and only point of contention between Sunni and Shia. And that contention alone is seen as justification for one side killing the other. Even Islamic nations that people don't generally associate with radicalism like Indonesia can't seem to step away from radicalism. In the 60s as the US was going through its sexual revolution and civil rights movement, Indonesia was engaging in mass murders [wikipedia.org] of hundreds of thousands of its citizens seeking to kill off all "communist sympathizers, ethnic Chinese and alleged leftists." The death toll estimates range from 500k to 3 million. For comparison, in the entirety of WW2 and the holocaust it's estimated that about 6 million Jews were killed. Contrast that against our (from our perspective) absurd Red Scares which amounted to little more than some political witch hunts, deportations, and very limited imprisonment. For that matter even contrast it against our absolutely horrific lynchings and other sorts of violence. That is a massive stain on our past, yet it doesn't even remotely compare to the actions of this 'moderate' nation. It's only out of ignorance that we attribute positive characteristics to these nations.
If they haven't decided to stop killing each other after 1,500 years there is literally a 0% chance that anything we could ever do will make these countries stop hating us. I mean there are now terror attacks even in Germany. That country, perhaps more than any other, has absolutely gone to every single possible length to try to help and embrace these people. This does not mean I support our actions in the Mideast. Obviously, our militarism is stirring the hornet's nest. But these countries' and individuals' problems and issues go well beyond militarism. I don't know what the proper course of action is (or even if there is one...) but thinking everybody behaves rationally is, sadly, inaccurate.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Saturday June 03 2017, @08:38PM (22 children)
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 1, Troll) by TheGratefulNet on Saturday June 03 2017, @08:41PM (4 children)
christianity is NOT islam!
nothing like it. not even close.
some similarities, but only cursory.
islam has, as its ROOT mission, to convert the earth to their religion. PERIOD. if you do not understand that, you understand nothing about that religion and how it 'works' with the 'infidels'.
folks, this is not - by definition - winnable. they won't change and so nothing will get better.
perhaps SLOWLY, over 2-10 generations, they might mellow out. but in our lifetime? not a chance in hell.
"It is now safe to switch off your computer."
(Score: 5, Touché) by FatPhil on Saturday June 03 2017, @09:19PM
(And to the spectators out there, I'm sure he didn't expect that. Then again, noooooooone expects....)
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 4, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 03 2017, @09:20PM (1 child)
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
-- Mark 16:15-16
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
-- Matthew 28:19
(Score: 2) by AthanasiusKircher on Sunday June 04 2017, @01:24PM
Oops... sorry, this message was hidden and I didn't read it before I just posted. Sorry to duplicate info.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by AthanasiusKircher on Sunday June 04 2017, @01:23PM
Um... Jesus's last words [biblegateway.com] on Earth before ascending into Heaven after this resurrection:
Or, another gospel account [biblegateway.com]:
Now, we can argue about the methods modern Muslims to use for their evangelization vs. the MODERN Christians. (Historically, Christians were often happy to massacre pagans who refused to convert too.) But you cannot pretend that the FOUNDATIONAL message of Christianity wasn't the conversion of all people to that religion.
That was, perhaps more than anything else, what differentiated early Christianity from Judaism. Jews had a traditional "tribal" God, who belonged to THEM, not others. The Christian God instead insisted that the message be spread to the entire world -- and if it wasn't, those people would go to hell.
Islam inherited the evangelical mission from Christianity.
(Score: 1, Troll) by Runaway1956 on Saturday June 03 2017, @11:14PM (16 children)
You assume that the two religions are alike. One was established by a man who said to love thy neighbor, and turn the other cheek. The other was established by a man who said to cut off the heads of infidels. The first was established by a man who said to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's - the other doesn't recognize the authority of any Caesar. I could go on, but that is more than sufficient to demonstrate that the two are not alike.
In it's early days, Christianity spread almost spontaneously. Islam has never been established anywhere except at the point of a sword.
(Score: 5, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 04 2017, @02:41AM (6 children)
In it's early days, Islam spread almost spontaneously too. In fact it was often driven out at the point of a sword, just like christianity.
Yeah. all those arabs conquered Malayasia. ::rolleyes::
In fact Islam was spread through out africa and south-east asia almost entirely by traders. [oureverydaylife.com] When it was spread by force it was usually on the back of conquests by people who just happened to be muslim. They weren't fighting crusades, they were fighting for stuff like nearly every other war. Also muslim slaves traded by christians. Sometimes the christians forcibly converted their slaves to christianity, like the 20%-30% of slaves in america who were originally muslim. [theroot.com] But some times their masters did the christian thing and let them keep their own religion like the dutch in south africa.
And yet, by nearly 2:1 christians in america see themselves as christian first and american second. [cnn.com]
Ted Cruz even campaigned on that.
Meanwhile Mo made this promise to christians: [jewishpost.com]
I'm sure you could. There is nothing easier than running your mouth about something you don't know jackshit about.
(Score: 1, Troll) by Runaway1956 on Sunday June 04 2017, @12:15PM (5 children)
"In it's early days, Islam spread almost spontaneously too. In fact it was often driven out at the point of a sword, just like christianity."
Uhhhh, which part of "sword" do you not understand? Mohammed was a CONQUEROR. There is nothing "spontaneous" about driving a sword through a man's throat if he won't agree that your god is the only god. Please don't post such silliness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battles_of_Muhammad [wikipedia.org] 28 separate expeditions, made by Mohammed personally. Are you suggesting that he won all of those battles without a sword, and that his followers didn't carry swords for him?
Islam is more like Judaism than it is like Christianity, but it doesn't even resemble Judaism very much. The Jews killed a lot of people, but they never forced anyone to become a Jew.
"Meanwhile Mo made this promise to christians: [jewishpost.com]"
Promises? Yes, promises that the Christians would be used as Islam's tools - "Be good to the Copts of Egypt; you shall take them over, but they shall be your instrument and help. Be Righteous to God about the Copts."
How many different ways can you say that you intend to enslave a people?
Tell me something: Why do you feel it necessary to apologize for Islam? Are you a Muslim? Islam's actions speak far more loudly than it's words - just as is true of Christianity and Judaism. Islam respects no one, and nothing, that is outside of Islam.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 04 2017, @01:27PM (3 children)
> Tell me something: Why do you feel it necessary to apologize for Islam?
Tell me something: Why do you feel it necessary to constantly lie about people who aren't part of your tribe?
(Score: 0, Troll) by Runaway1956 on Sunday June 04 2017, @03:23PM (2 children)
I don't lie - I read history. You have been lied to, when people claim that Islam is a "religion of peace". Islam only knows the peace of the grave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV710c1dgpU [youtube.com]
Allahu akhbar!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 04 2017, @06:35PM
Half truths are just the lies of cowards and you buddy are one of the biggest cowards on this site.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 04 2017, @09:59PM
Yes, you misconjugating Runaway, you "read" it. Or at least something purporting to be history.
But most of what you link to is not history, it is fear-mongering propaganda, and is flat out wrong. So while you may read what you think is history, and doubtless some of it actually is, you do not understand it enough to distinguish the actual history from the attempt to manipulate your tiny brain. So please, please, just shut the fuck up on matters you understand nothing about.
(Score: 2) by AthanasiusKircher on Sunday June 04 2017, @01:34PM
"Never" is a long time [wikipedia.org]. But yeah, you're right that in general the message of Judaism is fundamentally different from Christianity and Islam: Judaism is a tribal religion. Christianity and Islam both express the idea that their religion MUST be spread as part of their foundation.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 04 2017, @03:00AM
Ahhhh, nothing like the smell of fresh crusading in the evening!!
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Sunday June 04 2017, @11:52AM (7 children)
Both attempt to control society through threats of damnation, promises of paradise, and belief in big angry sky fairies who tell them what to do, say, and believe.
> One was established by a man who said
"If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one"
What did "Saint" Erik use to bring Christianity to the Finns - yup, a sword. Pop over and visit Uppsala Cathedral some time, and see the glorious mural documenting the murder of the pagans who refused to adopt the religion that was being imposed upon them (it's on the wall to St. Erik's chappel, IIRC, a huge thing, probably 50m^2 you can't miss it). Your ignorance of the history of Christianity is palpable. And to be honest, quite painful to read.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 1, Troll) by Runaway1956 on Sunday June 04 2017, @12:29PM (6 children)
I did say "early days". Within the lifetimes of Jesus and his disciples, no form of force or coercion was ever used to spread Christianity. Within the lifetime of Moo, it seems that a couple million were killed. No - I don't intend to research his campaigns to see how many were killed. Suffice to say that he personally led 28 expeditions. That is one hell of a lot of soldiering. That's not 28 battles, that is 28 separate expeditions, each of which had at least one battle, and likely several battles in each expedition.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Sunday June 04 2017, @04:53PM (5 children)
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Sunday June 04 2017, @05:30PM (4 children)
You make a point - but, the most revered man in one religion actually taught peace, and the most revered man in the other religion was a warrior who taught war. Take your pick. Peace, or war. And, no, you don't get to go back to the Old Testament to make comparisons between Christianity and Islam. The Old Testament is Judaism. You're stuck with comparing the New Testament with the Quran. One teaches love and life, the other teaches death, slavery, and submission.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 04 2017, @06:39PM
Seems like you haven't read your own bible.
The Book of Revelation is chock-a-block with bloody, vindictive violence, more so than any book of the old testament.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Sunday June 04 2017, @08:15PM
Strange. All the (christian) bibles I have (about 6 different versions) have an old testament in them. In what way is the old testament not part of the christian canon? If they thought it wasn't part of their bible, like the protestants and the apocrypha, they'd not include it.
Your affinity for proposing losing arguments should be telling you something at this stage. Something about holes and digging.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 04 2017, @10:02PM (1 child)
The Prophet, peace be upon him, was no warrior, he was a merchant. What else do you not know about Islam?
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday June 05 2017, @03:01AM
And, AC is an outright liar. Moo commanded troops in the field. Merchants don't do that.
(Score: 5, Funny) by realDonaldTrump on Saturday June 03 2017, @09:34PM (3 children)
After what happened in Orlando, and we all know what happened in Orlando, I called upon President Obama to immediately resign in disgrace. Because he was afraid to mention the words radical Islamic terrorism. Now that I'm your President, I've gone to the Middle East and I've made a great deal for you, my American workers. It's a great deal for our fine defense industry. We've got great people working in defense. And it's a great deal for the Saudis. They're great people, the Saudis, one of the best in the Middle East. I also talked to the Sunni countries about the Shia problem. The biggest Shia problem, as you know, is Iran. They understand that too. The Sunni countries understand it. That Iran is a problem. And with the deal I've made with the Saudis, we're finally going to see some progress. Against the Shia. President Obama made a very bad deal with them, with Iran. And as bad as it is, they're not living up to the spirit. Not even living up to the spirit. Look at who they elected, in Iran. Well, that's going to stop. The Iran deal. I'm stopping it. Like I stopped TPP. I'm renegotiating NAFTA. I'm stopping the Paris accord or I'm renegotiating it. And I'm renegotiating the Iran deal. Or stopping it. And NATO. And that thing we're doing with the Koreans. Great people, but they're not paying their share. I like people who pay their share. U.S.A.
(Score: 2) by Entropy on Sunday June 04 2017, @07:01AM (1 child)
So what you're saying is Trump should be more xenophobic? I agree actually..but I'm surprised you do.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by realDonaldTrump on Sunday June 04 2017, @08:17AM
Every day I'm working to keep my promises to you, the American people. I've gone to the Middle East. I've gone to Israel. I've gone to the Vatican. And I've gone to Germany. Making the best deals for you. Because when I make deals, America comes first. Always, always first. And you know, folks, the deal we have with Germany is a bad one. Really bad. They're killing us on trade. Very unfair. That's going to change. That's going to stop. Or renegotiate, going to renegotiate. Like The Apprentice. I renegotiated and now I'm the President. Nobody can make deals like I can. I'm really, really great. Believe me. Look, we've got to get control over our borders. But judges are a problem. That Mexican judge in Indiana was a problem and so was that judge in Hawaii. On an island in the Pacific, I'm told. But he was a problem, somehow. Amazing! Very hard to ban Muslims, because of bad judges. I mean, not banning Muslims. It's not a ban. It's an executive order. Hard to do it, because of those judges. To do it legally. So we're doing this, the phones and the email. And the wall. To control our borders. Because if we can't control our borders, what are we? Look at what happened in Sweden tonight. They lost control of their borders, and look what happened. I think Islam hates us. There's something there that - there's a tremendous hatred there. We can’t allow people coming into this country who have this hatred of the United States. So we're checking their phones, and email. And their Twitter. I've got tremendous support on Twitter, over 60 million followers. Just a hint, for anyone wanting a visa. So we're using the phones, the e-mails, and the Twitters. To stop the hate. To stop it right at the border. To make the U.S.A. a safe place. To keep out the hate. #MAGA
(Score: 2) by Common Joe on Sunday June 04 2017, @07:33PM
I haven't laughed that hard in a while.
Very well done. Frighteningly well done. But well done. Great comment.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday June 04 2017, @01:05AM
Summary of parent post: "They do bad stuff too so we should not hold ourselves to a higher standard nor should we strive to be(come) better over time"