jope

^^^ Do the German people have elections and actually choose these people like Mer, Mer, Merkel? Really? Then they deserve what they get.

Cheers.

I do agree that "we" deserve what we get. I simply doubt that it will be as bad as some people on this forum hope or at least predict.

We might see a downturn even a recession (what nobody in Europe who is in his right mind would want to happen) but we will come out of it. I remember a time some years ago when we had more than five Mio. people unemployed. We did not collapse. Some unpleasant reforms (yet moderate, I'd say) and, surprise, we are still here.

Whatever is happening right now, "we" will get it under control (that includes the refugee crisis).

A couple of Movies you might consider passing over...

400 Days

Low budget sci fi/thriller style movie. A group of wanna be astronauts agree to spend 400 days locked up in a space craft in a simulation exercise for a private company. But is it really a simulation?? After about 5 minutes of this movie you are unlikely to care. Poor script, poor acting, though it has a few recognisable fringe actors,. a movie budget built on the goodwill of friends and a few thousand dollars... 2/10

The Last Witchhunter

Vin Diesel shows us his lack of versatility as an actor and plays the same character he has played in nearly all his other movies. He is just getting older and seemingly taller. It was a run off between him and Tom Cruise for the Jack Reacher role, with Tom winning through his superior height. Anyway, in this movie, he was cursed by a witch about 800 years previously and cannot die. Now he is the policeman of witches and must stop the evil witch from resurrecting and taking over the world. I'd recommend this one for any long haul flight where you like to fall asleep while watching a movie. 1/10

Thanks for that. 1/10? I'm shuddering...

What a gift...I am sure the asylum seekers will do well once they vote themselves into office and change all the rules...feel sorry for the German villagers...chances of this ending badly are very good...

No chance for votes in Sumte, have to be a resident for a number of years to be granted voting rights.

According to authorities, the offices will be used as a refugee centre for a up to a year and refugees will stay while their asylum requests are processed.

Dirk Hammer, a Sumte resident, told the New York Times, the situation in Sumte could offer “an ideal platform for the far right".

Holger Niemann, a member of Sumte’s council and on the board of Die Rechte, a far-right party with strong links to neo-Nazi groups, said: “It is bad for the people, but politically it is good for me.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sumte-german-village-with-100-residents-and-zero-infrastructure-told-to-take-in-750-refugees-a6717591.html

BTW...

In order to seek asylum in Germany, you must stay in the Federal Republic of Germany and undergo asylum procedures. It is not possible to apply from abroad. The website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees details the exact asylum process.

Let's hope that it does not come to the worst: that the "invaders" are gone after a year and nothing had happened.

Ash v the evil dead,an American cosmic book? Guy fighting zombies,just watched the first episode, not sure but will give episode 2 a go ,strange to say the least but could be ok,also thanks to whoever gave the heads up on series 2 of the detectorists, nearly missed it

Ash had a few amusing moments but it seems more like teen-horror-comedy. I hoped for more but will give it another shot. I'm afraid that now with "Blunt Talk" gone the TV-Saturday has descended back into a black hole with nothing decent to watch.

In the sea of opinions a piece of information:

In 2009 the Italians sent a ship with Somali and Eritrean refuges back to Libya. In 2012 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that this practice violates the European Convention on Human Rights. In short: Refugees cannot be sent to countries where they would be in danger of torture or degrading and inhuman punishment or treatment, refugees have the right to appeal any measures taken against them ("effective remedy before a national authority") and each case of each refugee must be handled individually ("collective expulsion of aliens is prohibited").

So, the Australian "approach" to the problem is no option for Europe.

The issue is a little more complex than that. The European Court of Human Rights does not concern itself with national security issues and this situation is quickly becoming a security issue. The Court also does not have direct control over the military.

Unless/until these people reach the shores or territorial waters, return not be correct, but it should be possible.

No, this ruling is binding to all states that signed and ratified the European Convention on Human Rights (the European Union and all European States except for Kosovo and Belarus). Of course, "the states" include their military. If the military of one of these states violate human rights as set out in the convention, the victims of such violation can bring their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (after legal action in the state that committed the violation has been exhausted and the respective highest domestic court has decided).

The decision of the court also makes clear that the convention applies in international waters (for the states that signed the convention).

So, what happens, if a signatory state simply did not accept the judgment? The court would have no means to force this state to follow the decision, but (almost) all other states would put enormous political pressure onto the violator. But that is grey theory, at least all EU member states will always (!) follow a court decision!

Except France who continue to "repatriate" Romanian gypsies ?

Do they request asylum in France? Are they facing torture or degrading or inhuman treatment in Romania? Do they have access to the French courts? Are they treated and sent back as a group? These questions must be answered to know whether the above mentioned judgment applies.

In the sea of opinions a piece of information:

In 2009 the Italians sent a ship with Somali and Eritrean refuges back to Libya. In 2012 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that this practice violates the European Convention on Human Rights. In short: Refugees cannot be sent to countries where they would be in danger of torture or degrading and inhuman punishment or treatment, refugees have the right to appeal any measures taken against them ("effective remedy before a national authority") and each case of each refugee must be handled individually ("collective expulsion of aliens is prohibited").

So, the Australian "approach" to the problem is no option for Europe.

The issue is a little more complex than that. The European Court of Human Rights does not concern itself with national security issues and this situation is quickly becoming a security issue. The Court also does not have direct control over the military.

Unless/until these people reach the shores or territorial waters, return not be correct, but it should be possible.

No, this ruling is binding to all states that signed and ratified the European Convention on Human Rights (the European Union and all European States except for Kosovo and Belarus). Of course, "the states" include their military. If the military of one of these states violate human rights as set out in the convention, the victims of such violation can bring their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (after legal action in the state that committed the violation has been exhausted and the respective highest domestic court has decided).

The decision of the court also makes clear that the convention applies in international waters (for the states that signed the convention).

So, what happens, if a signatory state simply did not accept the judgment? The court would have no means to force this state to follow the decision, but (almost) all other states would put enormous political pressure onto the violator. But that is grey theory, at least all EU member states will always (!) follow a court decision!

In the sea of opinions a piece of information:

In 2009 the Italians sent a ship with Somali and Eritrean refuges back to Libya. In 2012 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that this practice violates the European Convention on Human Rights. In short: Refugees cannot be sent to countries where they would be in danger of torture or degrading and inhuman punishment or treatment, refugees have the right to appeal any measures taken against them ("effective remedy before a national authority") and each case of each refugee must be handled individually ("collective expulsion of aliens is prohibited").

So, the Australian "approach" to the problem is no option for Europe.

To jobe, we told you so.

Too much, too early.

For the time being, let's stick to "we so like to tell you "we told you so" as soon as it happens". But it never will. Sorry (no, not really).

And I forgot to mention: we have a rather good public administration in Germany. We'll manage.

Am I the only one who can remember the daily news about drowning refugees in the Mediterranean? Am I the only one who can remember last year's situation in Italy and Greece? The crisis started way earlier. And Merkel (stupid or naive or pragmatic?) simply said that we have to deal with the situation and we do not determine a limit. So, to relieve EU-states under pressure she agreed to let them through.

And I repeat myself by saying that Germany alone has 80 Mio. people. The EU has more than 500 Mio. people. How can 1 or even 2 Mio. refugees (or however you want to call them) take down the Occident?

A few more figures: in 2014 (everything was still harmless) more then 20.000 people who had to leave Germany left voluntarily, a bit more than 9000 were forced to leave. These numbers will increase now. Why should they not? Around one third of the people now seeking asylum in Germany come from the West Balkans. Almost all of them will be sent back and they will leave one way or the other.

I am under the impression that quite a few people actually hope for Germany to fall (and Europe inevitably afterwards) for the only reason that they can say "I told you so".

Lieutenant, I mean really!

But the actors look good, dress fashionably and have an edgy look about them?

The undercover agent, soon to be promoted to Lieutenant:

And here's the guvnor from the excellent UK crime drama, Unforgotten.

That's why, IMO, the UK shows in the main, are vastly superior to the US ones.

Yes! She is very calm and quiet but also very authentic and believable. And make no mistake, in reality police are very motivated to solve a murder case, even when the case is decades old. I think Unforgotten is a great show (thanks for reminding!) not least because of Nicola Walker who plays the leading investigator. I already liked her very much as Assistant Commissioner in "Babylon".

The undercover agent, soon to be promoted to Lieutenant:

But of puppy fat around the waist.

A demotion back to Sarge in my book

Yes, because LA's Finest should be exactly that: the finest, particularly when it comes to female officers (by saying that I am probably committing various crimes in the US and some European states ).

Before I forget:

the actress who is playing the character of the undercover agent is Karolina Wydra.

Tv series - Wicked City

Unfortunately, the best thing I can say about this one is that it has a killer soundtrack.

IMDB: A pair of LAPD detectives track down serial killers terrorizing the Sunset Strip.

Completely agreed. It's just another cop-show that recycled the dialogues and the plot of numerous cop-shows from the past. Wit or originality: not existing. Even the Billy Idol songs could not save the whole thing. It's simply very very bad.

But the actors look good, dress fashionably and have an edgy look about them?

The undercover agent, soon to be promoted to Lieutenant:

Tv series - Wicked City

Unfortunately, the best thing I can say about this one is that it has a killer soundtrack.

IMDB: A pair of LAPD detectives track down serial killers terrorizing the Sunset Strip.

Completely agreed. It's just another cop-show that recycled the dialogues and the plot of numerous cop-shows from the past. Wit or originality: not existing. Even the Billy Idol songs could not save the whole thing. It's simply very very bad.

i claudius post # 5052

Just watched the latest episode of DR Who , i was amazed in the crowd scenes ,which by the way was supposed to be in the middle ages in Britain there were as many black and Asian faces as white ,i never realised that even back then we were so multicultural. still this is the BBC and they keep pushing the left wing agenda ,i was just suprised that there were no transgender people in the crowd , the only problem is that kids are going to grow up really believing that this is what it was like in the UK in the middle ages . sad really

You need to remember that the Romans ( note your nic ) had a very mixed racial base within their legions and of course a bit of the old rumpty tumpty with the then local lasses in Britain leads to somewhat off white descendants in later years,.

There is evidence of the presence of people from Romanised North Africa in Roman Britain. Archaeological inscriptions suggest that most of these residents were involved with the military. However, some were in the upper echelons of society. Analysis of a skull found in a Roman grave in Yorkshire indicated that it belonged to a mixed-race female. Her sarcophagus was made of stone and also contained a jet bracelet and an ivory bangle, indicating great wealth for the time. In 2007, scientists found the rare paternal haplogroup A1 in several living British men with Yorkshire surnames. This clade is today almost exclusively found among males in West Africa, where it is also rare. The lineage is thus thought to have been brought to Britain either through soldiers that were enlisted during Roman Britain, or via the slave trade. Some of the individuals that arrived through the slave route attained a very high social rank and married into the general population.

Historical records indicate the presence of a small Black population in Britain dating back at least as far as the 12th century. In 2013, a skeleton was discovered in Fairford, Gloucestershire, which forensic anthropology revealed to be that of a sub-Saharan African woman who died between the years 896 and 1025

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_British

http://originalpeople.org/history-of-blacks-in-britain-elizabeth-i-kicks-moors-out-of-england

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/blackhistory/intro/intro.htm

http://naomipicks.blogspot.com/2013/09/tidbit-about-british-royal-family.html

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/12/race-monarchy

How many per mill of the population were of off-white descent then? I guess, Dr. Who met them all and at the same time.

For us few, us very few, who care about The Leftovers: the surviving (and even a non-surviving) characters from season one are back and all receive their own little episodes to show how they move on. Main question right now: will "it" or did "it" already happen again? Nicely done so far, keep up the good work, people.

And for those who were not into season one: do not bother to watch! You would not understand...

Finally. Working together instead of finger pointing and isolated (understandable) desperate measures. Maybe, after all Europe is not lost.

It's lost.

And now imagine that next year everything is under control. Just imagine it. With all these "the world is coming to an end"-predictions, wouldn't that be terrible?

Bridge of Spies

Showing in Thai Cinemas now

Not too bad, but at 2 hours, is too long, and some passages had me staring into my popcorn cup for long minutes, determining whether i was selecting Caramel or Original flavoured pieces. My Thai friend was completely lost and spent half the movie, with her phone inside the shelter of her handbag checking facebook

Tom Hanks puts in another good performance, but the movie itself holds few surprises. Bad Russian. Good Americans. 6/10

Thanks for that. Was wondering what it is but to lazy to look it up. Moving on...

Finally. Working together instead of finger pointing and isolated (understandable) desperate measures. Maybe, after all Europe is not lost.

It's reported the lovely Ankela also said the gateway from Turkey to Europe was the key to the issue but of course nothing about how she personally ripped the gateway off its hinges.

Like many people I was not very happy about the "we can make it". But now we must and will deal with the situation. And, of course, broader (German) shoulders must carry more than others. The question I would ask is: does "we" mean Europe or does it mean Germany (and Sweden)? For those who hate the idea of a united Europe anyway the answer is easy, but I like to think that Europe is more than an ATM.

German politics is doomed to success. If measures fail, there will be "alternatives" beyond the democratic spectrum and (almost) nobody in Germany wants that.

In 2014, when the world was more or less in order, from those who had no right to stay in Germany 21000 people left voluntarily, around 9000 were forced to leave. And people think Germany will not be able to increase these numbers massively?

What I do find surprising though: quite a few people seem to hope that Germany will collapse.

Sicario

I was surprised by this one, not following a typical storyline or script. . A few minor blemishes, but overall, engrossing and enjoyable. 7/10 from me

Showing now in Bkk, but might finish this week.

Liked it very much. I was pleasantly surprised that they did not turn Emely Blunt's character into "wonder-girl with superpowers". And I found the conflicts that her character had with the old guys, who clearly crossed all lines, rather believable. Not to mention the action scenes. Great stuff.

Once I see a copy with subtitles, which will let me understand the conversations in Spanish I might give it even a 9/10.

As a heads up, Amazon Prime is dumping all of Alpha House season two on Oct 24th.

If you haven't watched season one, highly recommended, hoping season two lives up to my expectations

That's a bit disappointing. I was hoping for season 3 this year. Not gonna happen, though. Well, maybe another time. One can hope, can't one?

In case somebody missed it: Dr. Thackery from The Knick is back for a second season. I liked the setup. There are some graphic scenes and on a side-note: the music is still very "individualistic". Meets the standards of season one, I'd say.

Germany not having much luck lately, refugees, VW diesel-gate and now this.... what's next?

But this one is probably the most devastating of all the recent disasters.

getting up to speed and after a tremendous season one jane the virgin series 2 is looking promising

Seriously? I must admit, you did not strike me as a person who watches "Jane the Virgin" (I gave up after three failed attempts to like it, I watch other Girls Shows instead: "The Good Wife" and I also liked "Sex and the City" very much)