Immigration Scandal

[Brian]

Some immigration officials in Huelva are being accused of demanding bribes and sexual favors in exchange for residencias and work permits.

Link (http://www.elpais.es/articulo/espana/Desmantelada/Huelva/red/facilitaba/papeles/inmigrantes/cambio/sexo/dinero/elpporesp/20060927elpepunac_7/Tes/)

[gary]

Some immigration officials in Huelva are being accused of demanding bribes and sexual favors in exchange for residencias and work permits.

Link (http://www.elpais.es/articulo/espana/Desmantelada/Huelva/red/facilitaba/papeles/inmigrantes/cambio/sexo/dinero/elpporesp/20060927elpepunac_7/Tes/)

They should fit in well with New Labour - theres a vacancy at the top you know!!

[Brian]

This is undoubtedly corruption at its worst, humanity at its most base. I hope they string these people up and make an example of such blatant disregard of civility.

[gary]

This is undoubtedly corruption at its worst, humanity at its most base. I hope they string these people up and make an example of such blatant disregard of civility.

Is that the British Government or the Immigration officials?

[Brian]

Is that the British Government or the Immigration officials?

I was referring to the Immigration officials. I take it that you're unhappy with the direction of New Labor? ;D

[greytop]

This is undoubtedly corruption at its worst, humanity at its most base. I hope they string these people up and make an example of such blatant disregard of civility.
The other side of the coin is the Canaries where the immigration (& other) officials are working with minimal resources to tend for the poor immigrants arriving in a poor state by the hundred every day. There have been many touching pictures and stories in the Spanish press describing these events.
Unfortunately it only takes one rotten apple to taint the barrel!

Currently to my knowledge there are investigations under way in Torrevieja (http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_6266.shtml) into local police behaviour, Marbella (http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_6541.shtml)into councillors corruption, Alicante (http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_6516.shtml)& Orihuela (http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_6491.shtml)into mayors' behaviour re property and land development and so on. This could mean Spanish officaldom is rotten but more likely to my mind it means they are doing something about the few cases that do exist. Remember too that mud slinging seems a common way for local Spanish politicians to carry on and often the facts do not bear out the initial furore.

Every city, town and village has its own layers of administration, several police forces and laws from national and regional parliaments to observe. Little wonder there are opportunities for a little self enterprise! Even in the UK it certainly used to be the case that local business men were always well represented on the town council. Coincidence? ;)

[Brian]

Greytop makes excellent points. I'm very glad that these rotten apples are being brought to justice, and hopefully, it will bring political reform with it.

Here in the States, we have corruption in the form of the "good old boy" network, where positions are meted out by pure favoritism rather than by merit. Sound familiar? It should be. It's corrupt human behavior at its most typical.

[gary]

I was referring to the Immigration officials. I take it that you're unhappy with the direction of New Labor? ;D

politicians in general - these days theyre all self serving sycophants and only really interested in re-election and image. Blunket + Prescott cant keep it in their pants, more than one or two have employed rent boys, theyre giving grace and favour out, even john major had a mistress (rumour has it that Gordon Brown will buy a new bed if he ever gets into number 10 cos theres a feint whiff of Curry in the old one) Thetre all holier than thou till they get caughtr with their hand in the til or someone elses knickers....

On the other hand clinton seemed like a nice guy - must have been the sax!

(I did not have sax with that woman)!!

If you look at the whole politics thing a a soap opera its very amusing - the civil service run the country anyway

[Brian]

The story of the day here is about a mayor in backwater Arkansas who just resigned over a sex for water scandal. In other words, he traded favors for payment of local residents' water bill.

The world isn't so different, is it?

[ValenciaSon]

Isn't Dubya supposed to be having takeout (Condi) Rice these days?:rolleyes:

[Brian]

Isn't Dubya supposed to be having takeout (Condi) Rice these days?:rolleyes:

Heh, that's wrong on soooo many levels. ;D

[Edith]

Greytop makes excellent points. I'm very glad that these rotten apples are being brought to justice, and hopefully, it will bring political reform with it.

Here in the States, we have corruption in the form of the "good old boy" network, where positions are meted out by pure favoritism rather than by merit. Sound familiar? It should be. It's corrupt human behavior at its most typical.


I have been told corruption is a world-wide phenomenon, even though we prefer to think it doesn't exist in 'our' country. ;D

[Brian]

I have been told corruption is a world-wide phenomenon, even though we prefer to think it doesn't exist in 'our' country. ;D

The Dutch aren't exempt from corruption?!? ;)

[richardksa]

Edith, remember Lockheed and your royal family!!!!!

[Edith]

Edith, remember Lockheed and your royal family!!!!!

Yes, that greedy príncipe Bernardo von Lippenstift! ;D ;D ;D

[Edith]

The Dutch aren't exempt from corruption?!? ;)

LOLOLOL

In a country where people may have to wait five years or so to qualify for subsidized housing, some will do anything to jump the line/queue! ;)