I don't know.  That is controlled information.

I was just qualifying your comment.  I know next to nothing about Dubai (other than how to go bankrupt by building a building).

I lived there. I know what a real dictatorship is like, and what it is to live in a country where some people can act regardless of the laws.

Dubai, It's nice if you have cash, almost anything you want (with the exception of normal rainfall). That's were the Saudis go to drink and do other things they can't do in Saudi Arabia. Lots of Russian, Filipina (or Pinay), Indian, and Pakistani women there. Foreigners are the lower level workforce with a smattering of business people on the high side.

Even if you have cash, you are still treated like a 2nd-class citizen when it comes to the law. Locals can violate speed limits and smash into your car, you will be held responsible.

On the other hand, yhea. The Paki/Indi/Pinos are treated like 3rd-class citizen, so I guess I should be grateful. I am just not used to a cast system.

It may be coming to a place near you. When you have the government mandate one insurance plan to you while they have quite a different one for themselves, both paid by the taxpayer, you're well on your way. More to come.

That isn't even close to a cast system as I've seen it. Stop creating chimera. the USA are still a very bright and free democracy.

Note my usage of "may" and "on your way". If you need further clarification I'd be happy to oblige.

The USA used to have a strong cast system. Hell, it still might have one, depending on how the hispanics are treated in many areas.

But the Gov vs the people? nah.

We shall see. Seems a few of those cases gearing up right now.

Hispanics?  I will grant you racism, but there was never a caste system there.  The only caste system was with slavery and that was abolished 150 years ago (except in the democrat party).

Well, when you have a portion of the population that is relegated, by racism or economics, to sub-par jobs and constant povrety, that laws apply differently than them, you have a cast system. Technically, Indians in Dubai are supposed to be treated as well as I. But they weren't.

And discrimination still existed by law in many states until the 60s regarding the blacks. That is a soft- cast system that endured. Technically, even if officially abolished, the cast system still remains in India (but is degrading slooooowly)

Edit: technically, you could say that until the 60's, French-Canadians were a sub-cast of the Canadian society. English-canadians will deny it at all cost.

Granted, it wasn't as bad as the blacks in the USA, but it still wasn't very fun and quite humiliating. You always remember when you have been told "speak white".

I didn't realize the French were not white. What language did they force the Native Americans (living in Canada that is) to speak. Or is that just a problem in the US, because Canada was uninhabited when the French arrived?

1) Canada was inhabited, obviously. Come on, you really thought it was just an emtpy land while the USA were buzzling with natives?

2) Yes, they forced the natives to speak english. Specially in what is now Manitoba, as there was a lot of Natives and Metis who spoke french. They have been all slaughtered and assimilated by the Canadian Mounties. Their leader, Louis Riel, has been hanged.

3) I never understood why they told us that. Yes, "Speak White" is kinda stupid when we were white too, but maybe it was taken from the American's south.

Or maybe it was to push the point that because we spoke french, we were of a lesser race than them. Anyway, you would be treated like any other person until the moment you opened your mouth and spoke french, or with a french accent. If you want more information about that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speak_White

I suggest we declare all illegals 'legal', give them free healthcare, and send the bill to Mumble.  He's quite happy to pay for someone else's needs.  Won't affect his lifestyle at all.

I need to tell that to my BIL - he will get a kick out of it!  Especially since he is of Mexican descent and is an officer in a major corporation.  In California.  Maybe I will tel lthat to Bill Richardson.  Governor of New Mexico?

I agree with both points.  However, unlike the jim Crow laws of the US, India, while socially still embracing the caste system, at least legally have repudiated it.  I give them a lot of credit for it.  You cannot change minds with laws, but it is a start.

You chould have moved south with my ancestors.  Down to the bayous of louisianna.