The Caravan
 

I know this is the Trailer Park, but let's talk caravans. Central American caravans. Not sure what to think on this. Obviously Trump is leveraging this for political advantage, but it does raise big questions on economic migration. Troops at the border sounds ominous, but on the other hand, it's potentially quite a dramatic flouting of a border.

Re: The Caravan
 

So nothing to do with the Group? Now that goes back a few years.

Re: The Caravan
 

Oddly. I still have the LP 'In the land of grey and pink' .

Apologies Shard.

Definately

:focus:

Re: The Caravan
 

more than average numbers to process, but I see no evidence of "flouting".

Re: The Caravan
 

One news report tonight suggested that about 10% have valid asylum claims, but noted the system will struggle to process the large numbers that present.

Re: The Caravan
 

I wonder what percentage of the US population could claim asylum?

Re: The Caravan
 

Depends if their name is Edward Snowden or not.

Re: The Caravan
 

Or live in LA.

Etc.

Re: The Caravan
 

Overall, this seems like a classic October surprise. The politics of this are exasperating on all sides:
1. The "refugee" status claimed by some in the caravan is dubious if not downright false. Certainly the fact that they've passed through other countries already makes it clear that the US is the destination. Mexico has already offered many of then asylum, which was promptly rejected. That's hardly the behavior of a refugee, its the behavior of an economic migrant who wants to move to the US. These are different things.
2. The background of the caravan is suspicious. Pence's claim of "outside funding" is unproven but I don't think it can be rejected out of hand (as the media seems desperate to do). The caravan was clearly started by Honduran political activists and carries a clear political motive. Portraying this as a simple case of people looking for a better life (as the media has strained to do) is disingenuous.
3. Trump seizing on this as a sign of the "danger" of immigrants is ridiculous. Obviously this riles up his base but I don't think most Americans buy this line. The caravan is, in my mind, a political stunt. That's it. Sending troops to the border is beyond absurd, it's a both a terrible waste and needless escalation.

I'm so tired of childish, oversimplified Tweet-war politics like this. Can we please get some adults in government and the media. Please.

Re: The Caravan
 

Karma

Re: The Caravan
 

I no hijack this thread, honest, but I have and listen to that album, also 'For girls who grow plump in the night'.

Canterbury band, peaked when I was living 20 miles off In Ashford, saw them a few times.

I have another album, buggered if I can remember what it's title is... all together now "it's in a box somewhere".

Sorry. Get :focus:

Re: The Caravan
 

You are right about the origins of the caravan having a political motive. Also, consider the number of people involved. If they were just traveling alone, they'd be in a pickle really quickly, in terms of food and water.
Mexico is a poor country. Someone is paying for the food stations and the (on their way) buses.

Re: The Caravan
 

I hear you about the origins being political, but doesn't this in the end come down to economic migration?

I have little knowledge on this and would welcome more insight. :fingerscrossed:

Re: The Caravan
 

Someone mentioned the October surprise. What happened to the 700 refugees captured by ISIS - including US and European nationals? ISIS threatening to execute 10 a day.
Maybe this is another midterm surprise. If Trump sends in a successful special ops mission and it's a success. Or a huge Carter-esque disaster.

Re: The Caravan
 

Don't honestly see that given global interest.

There again, the guy is such a git, why not try it?

Non, mais franchement.