Grapevine: A billion dollars for one online form
Just a single immigration form is online with 94 others still on paper
And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine…
A Very Expensive Form
A billion dollars -- for one online form.
The Washington Post reports -- that's what your taxpayer dollars have bought -- over the past decade -- in an effort to modernize the immigration system.
So far -- just a single form is online -- with 94 others still on paper.
The project was originally budgeted for a half-billion dollars to digitize records -- place applications and forms online -- and ultimately be finished by 2013.
Instead it is now projected to cost $3.1 billion -- and finish in another four years.
Mind Your Manners
China seems to be having much more success with its online credit rating system.
The Daily Caller reports -- a newly-implemented social credit system -- will link national ID cards to a score that analyzes social media postings and financial transactions.
Things that can adversely affect a score -- unpopular political opinions -- certain hobbies -- including playing video games -- even the behavior of a perceived friend.
There are incentives to the social credit system.
A good score can get you an instant loan or an easily acquired travel permit to Singapore.
A bad score can result in the government pulling the plug on your internet connection.
PDA Is Not OK
A compassionate eighth-grader is learning a tough lesson -- PDA is not A-OK at her school.
An Orlando TV station reports -- the girl -- who had an almost-spotless record -- was sentenced to morning detention -- for giving a hug -- to a male friend having a bad day.
The Seminole County School District prohibits inappropriate or obscene acts -- and since it's up to each principal to interpret what that means -- this particular school has banned hugging -- holding hands -- linking arms and kissing.
The girl's punishment was justified as a second public display of affection.
She was warned last month -- after that same boy -- put a hand on her head.
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