I don't think that some politics on this board is a bad thing at all.  If it was taking over then yes, but that is not what SOWNY is about, and politics is far from taking over the site.  Also whether we want to admit it, a bit of politics (which often has a media connection anyway) makes SOWNY a more interesting place. We can only talk about the weather and what radio commercials we hate so many times...  

And whether some on here like it or not, politics and media/broadcasting are often hard to separate.  Trump is a very media focused politician, he talks about broadcasting, media, ratings, even showbusiness all the time, and he mixes all of this with regular politics and government. 

Even though politics in Canada isn't as media focused as in the US, it is always good to compare the two styles of government and politics. Our election earlier this week is an example of how different the two countries really are concerning government and how politics is handled by media and the voter.

What I don't like that has happened a bit is when we get someone posting extreme positions or outright lies, or feel the need to use profanity which seems to be filled with anger.  Mean spirited personal attacks are always a no-no and anyone who routinely goes over the line should be banned.  Any routine offender should be given a chance to apologize once or twice.  If that doesn't happen and they continue to cross the line...See ya..  

 

RadioActive wrote:

67GreenRambler wrote:

'Have I forgotten anything?'

Yes. This is a SOWNY radio forum.

Agreed. I'm also guilty of feeding into it (see the 60 Minutes thread) but at least that's about broadcasting.

Still, the fact that this thread has attracted an astounding 10,000 page views alone shows that it's of interest to people. So I've pretty much left it alone. Hopefully, the local election stuff will die down and this will eventually follow. 

RA, you are a wonderful moderator with an even hand.
I think there is room for some political discussion as long as the entire board isn't devoured by it. This is one of only a few threads talking politics and I really appreciate some of the insights expressed here. What's happening in  the U.S.  does affect us.

Being one of very few threads that have turned political, it should be easy enough to skip if it offends someone.

Last edited by RayDeeOh (May 3, 2025 9:58 am)

From: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJjrjsfOCz_/

Applicants for US Visas are now required to list their social media handles on the application

The U.S. Department of State has mandated that visa applicants provide their social media usernames used in the past five years on application forms DS-160 (nonimmigrant visas) and DS-260 (immigrant visas). This policy aims to enhance national security by allowing consular officers to review applicants’ online presence for potential security threats.

As of April 2025, the U.S. government has expanded this scrutiny. Immigration authorities now actively review public social media posts for content deemed extremist or affiliated with flagged groups. This includes applicants for student visas (F-1, J-1, M), work visas (H-1B), green cards, and even tourists.travel.

It isn't to look for security threats. It's a continuation of the new US policy to only allow in those who are pro-Trump and his government.

 

Binson Echorec wrote:

^I wonder what the reaction would be for anybody who stated they had no social accounts or marked them as N/A. I've never had a Twitter/Instagram/TikTok/BlueSky account and my Facebook account is covered in cobwebs.

Your Palantir-generated Social Credit score will be negatively affected. Maybe not enough to be sent to the camps, but you'll notice it.

In this day and age, unless you are aged 60 and up, they would probably assume you are lying about not having a social media account and deny the VISA. It's sad that I have to suggest this, but if you don't have one right now, set up a burner account on one of the popular platforms and just post a few random things over the next year (obviously none of it can be anti-Trump).

This way, you can present it as your "real" social media account if you ever need to travel into the US for any reason, because they will ask to see it. You have to do it sooner than later since posts are time-stamped and they'd likely check your earliest post to verify this isn't some burner account set up to hide your real social media account.

Meanwhile, speaking of social media:


He's already hung up a huge, creepy banner of himself outside the Dept of Agriculture:


I'm still waiting for confirmation that he's really going to hold a $90 million military parade to honor himself after gutting Veteran Affairs and firing a ton of vets who work there.