Looking for Information? Fichiers Publics Américains en Ligne

Have you ever tried to locate some long lost friend or cousin? Well, if they are in the United States, you just might be able to achieve that in a few clicks.
Same thing if you are looking to check on a business parter— or on a partner's marital status.

At a time when so many, here in France, are worrying about being on file, secretely, for various more or less palatable reasons, I've just discovered what an awful lot you can learn about neighbours or total strangers from perfectly public records, on the web— with a little patience and perseverance.
I've just found out about this site, called Public Records Database, that has just about everything you need if you want to make a public records search, nationwide or within one state, through state, county and city records.
Their connection to various USA public records databases allows you to search for someone and for information through Court records, Marriage and Divorce records, Real and personal property records, Birth and Death records, Jail and inmate records, Sex offender records, Wanted persons records, Professional license records, Voter records and even Unclaimed property records. To name but some of them!

The site claims to have "the largest public records search database on the World Wide Web", but they also provide direct links to a number of public records sites, such as http://www.staterecords.org, which allows you to enter a name and then access a list of corresponding people, including their age, which helps when you have dozens of potential correspondances...

I still have to figure out how much an actual complete search would cost— and what I would actually need to search for, but I really find the possibilities of the tool quite fascinating.

AWE: the Argue With Everyone Discussion Forums

What with the next American presidential election being so close, many people in the world are interested in American politics. Even more than usual, I mean.
I Know that some people in France watch and discuss the American campaign with as much interest and passion— or even more, in some cases— as they did the French elections last year. To listen to some of them, you'd think they vote in it. Well, many obviously wish they would.
But anyway.
The point here is that I just discovered this great site for anyone who is interested in debating politics. It's called Argue With Everyone, at www.arguewitheveryone.com, and is really for everyone who wants to discuss politics. From what I have seen, all the hot topics concerning American home and foreign policies can be discussed there.
Being an American site, it's obviously very US-oriented, but I think it is a great opportunity for anyone who is not a citizen of the United States to "meet" some of these American voters whose choices, we often feel, will influence our lives too.

"The site is generally unmoderated, designed with very few rules to promote open, free debate about whatever topics members are interested in" (I quote), and as a consequence, there is quite a bit of ranting and raving, but there are bound to be people who are really there to discuss and exchange ideas too.

I would definitely advise a visit to any French political student with a better than average level in English, as well as to any student of American society and history— they are bound to find this site enlightening!
Do not stand in awe of AWE!... Sorry about that... Couldn't help it...