USA

The USA is a strange place.

A Democracy that has some un-democratic quirks.
Because they don't have a proportional system - only them and the UK left?? - they can get people elected with a minority of votes.
Obama is now said to have less popular votes than Hillary.
GW Bush won the 2000 election on a minority. Crazy!!
And some idiots here want to go back to that type of 'democracy'. Crazy!!

Then again we have seats allocated on a racial basis. Crazy!!

The US is probably one of the most open as regards censorship, yet also one of the worst at having open speech hindered by 'big money' corporations and the fundamentalist right.

A great video on the Internet of a TV station interviewing the Head of PR saying there is no ban on taking pictures at Union Railway Station. While the filming is taking place they are interrupted by a security guard, telling them they must stop filming, as they are not allowed to take photos!!

The look on the guy being interviewed just being made out as a liar is priceless. Especially as they had applied and got written clearance - clearance as they point out, the guy being interviewed says is not required!!

Talk about the left hand and right hand. They could never find out what the rules were after several attempts. A real contradiction.

Yet, as I like to say after a few visits there - I have yet to meet an American I didn't like.

But will we ever visit again? They are now to introduce a policy that Visa free tourists must log their details online at least 3 days before they visit. Nobody will ever want to go there at this rate. And how long before the site is hacked? Of course getting a Visa is more difficult and very expensive as we have to go to Auckland for a face to face interview.

Obama - he is claiming victory, but it has been his for weeks.
She just couldn't (and at today still can't concede) overcome her own sense of ego for the benefit of their Party.