Questions for our American friends

[scoundrel]

Originally Posted by blueballsdc

I don't think Puerto Rico will become a state. At least not on its own.

How could we add just one star to the flag? It would completely unbalance the current star field.

If the star field can be re-designed in an aesthetically pleasing way around the extra star?

I must say I never thought that Puerto Rico could be turned down on aesthetic taste grounds.

Originally Posted by palo5

You could give Alaska back to Russia - problem solved

Would you care to admit Wazilla and Ms Palin to the Russian Federation, Palo?

[winebeavis]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_...,_2012#Results
* * * in a turnout of almost 80%, has voted yes to change and yes to statehood. It seems to me that it is far from an overwhelming majority, * * * the people of Peurto Rico actually want to their home to be a US state. It is possible that some elements in Congress will argue that Puerto Rico ought not to be a state anyway.

What will happen now, do you suppose?

Some people would consider anything over 60% a big majority.

As hinted in an earlier post, congress technically holds all of the power in admitting a territory as a state whether or not PR becomes a state. The have absolute power over the issue and get to make the rules as each time the matter comes up. The referendum, although nice, really was never required as a technical legal issue. But the practical implications would be huge at this point. I get the impression there is no hurry to add other states. That might change now after this result. We will have to see. My guess is somebody will draft a bill at a minimum in the current legislature.

Adding stars to flags has never been a big deal. And never been an obstacle toward admission. Many times there's been a little bit of a period when the numbers don't match up. Hell, there were even 15 stripes at one point. Historically (relatively recently) a second territory would be added. Sometimes it's to balance out the power in the number of seats in the senate.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

...Would you care to admit Wazilla and Ms Palin to the Russian Federation, Palo?

Yes, we can take Palin - it's easy to keep her off the TV, so she shouldn't be a problem. Maybe we can get some better pics of her. If so, I'll post them

(Do you think she'd say something smart like "I can see Russia from Russia"?)

I didn't know who or what Wazilla was until I googled it. Wiki says it's spelled Wasilla, and it used to be Russian with the name of Vasilij. But the US americanized it, and now it's Wasilla

Sure, we can take it, why not?

[Mal Hombre]

Of course You could keep Alaska,After all You did buy it,Instead You just give Texas back to Mexico.....

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by scoundrel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_...,_2012#Results

I wonder if this will put the cat among the pigeons. Even if we count the spoiled ballots (nearly 5%, a very significant number) as "No" to statehood, the population, in a turnout of almost 80%, has voted yes to change and yes to statehood

{snip}

What will happen now, do you suppose?

Well, the Governor of Puerto Rico, who was a member of the pro-Statehood party (the "New Progressives") lost his election to a candidate from the Popular Democratic Party -- and that party is pro-Commonwealth; and favors more sovereignty than a US state. In effect, they're a "limited independence" party.

So the situation remains as confusing as ever. With a New Progressive Governor, I doubt that Puerto Rico will seek statehood.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Mal Hombre

Of course You could keep Alaska,After all You did buy it,Instead You just give Texas back to Mexico.....

Or New York to the Dutch

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by palo5

Or New York to the Dutch

They're excellent at seawalls . . .could come in handy

[9876543210]

deepsepia,

Originally Posted by deepsepia

They're excellent at seawalls . . .could come in handy

Hah! Good point. Looks like NYC is going to be needing some of those sea walls.

[blueballsdc]

Originally Posted by palo5

Yes, we can take Palin - it's easy to keep her off the TV, so she shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, you lot are good at making people disappear.

[deepsepia]

Originally Posted by 9876543210

deepsepia,



Hah! Good point. Looks like NYC is going to be needing some of those sea walls.

You know, even though the Republicans like to mock the idea, spending stimulus money on disaster preparedness infrastructure would be a great investment.

What would tide gates for New York like those on the Thames cost? Think of how many people would be put to work. Earthquake preparedness on the West Coast, and levys on the Mississippi would be the same.

The Dutch built giant sea walls after their floods of 1953, so its very mature technology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Works