Americans on this forum

Denerick

The US politics forum is rapidly becoming my favourite place on boards.ie. Some really witty exchanges happen. I find it interesting that there are so many Americans on an Irish website... So why are you here? Do you have Irish roots?

I'm glad the likes of Amerika and Pope Urban knock about here. Its always good to have the opportunity to bitch about US conservatives to their face.

Call this the love thread. No Obama or Bushes allowed

Black Swan

Born Galway, but with dual citizenship. Have a free ride for the past 4 years at university (USC). So picture me with one foot in Ireland and the other in America. What a stretch across the pond. It's like doing the splits! :eek:

Killer Wench

Several generations back. I joined because I applied to Trinity College Dublin to pursue a Masters in Race, Ethnicity, and Conflict Studies. I want to research the interactions amongst the Irish immigrant, African Slaves, and Native Americans in the southeast during the early 1800s.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

southsiderosie

I'm from the US, but have been doing research on and off in Ireland. My mother can trace her family back to Clare, but that's not why or how I ended up here...although maybe that has something to do with why I like it so much and keep coming back.

cheesehead

Born in the US, but with dual citizenship now. Spent a year at NUI-Maynooth. Donegalfella and myself appear to share certain things in common: We both served time in what many fellow Americans would consider "the God-Forsaken wasteland known as New Jersey" (although it's dear-old home for me) and we also both have deep roots in what many fellow Irish would consider "the unspoiled gem of the island - County Donegal!"

metaoblivia

I honestly can't remember how I ended up on boards. I worked as a secretary for several years and would surf the net 7 out of 8 hours of the workday. Ended up on boards after following a link from somewhere.

I do have Irish roots, but they're all from the North. My father's family was from Armagh; the original family name was Haughey (it got changed because as a rule Americans can't pronounce "Haughey"). My mother's family also immigrated from Northern Ireland, but they're of Scottish descent.

Overheal

Born in Seattle. When I was 13 I moved to Clare and spent 8 years there. Last 2 were in Carlow - It was in the IT that I saw a lot of people using Boards and I checked out the website from curiosity. Back in the States since.

I don't think theres a drip of Irish in me; my dad worked a contract there post-divorce and met a pretty lady. The rest is a long story.

Le King

Born in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, NYC I moved to Ireland when I was 8. Have Dual-Citizenship. I lived in Thurles, Tipperary for 3 years then Dublin, then Kildare, then Dublin again.

Am I Irish? Yes. Although I'm half Irish (paternal), half Italian (maternal).

So I guess I'm Italian-American-Irish.

Manic Moran

I honestly can't remember how I ended up on boards

Good lord. All this time, I thought you were only making visits to the US on holiday.

Born in San Francisco of Irish and Greek parents. Spent 15 years in Ireland, to include my degree from UCD. Came back to the US about ten years ago.

NTM

Amerika

Dual USA and IRE citizenship here. Born in the US as an anchor baby (took years to get US citizenship back then for immigrants). Family hails from Clarinbridge, county Galway. Our US home was temp starting point for family immigrating (legally) to the USA.

US based politics boards are boring for the most part, and pretty much a free-for-all. At least this board has decent moderation. Also, the US Politics section at boards.ie is chocked choked full of passionate and lunatic progressives and liberals living in la la land... much in need of a dose of truth and reality . Keeps things interesting.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Amerika

Not quite sure why the confusion on your part. Notice I stated my family immigrated legally, and born to parent going through the legal US naturalization process. I have no problem with continued legal immigration. My beef with the current situation deals with illegal aliens.

Denerick

Amerika wrote: »

My beef with the current situation deals with illegal aliens.

I love the way Americans call illegal immigrants illegal aliens. It adds to much gravitas to the debate

Amerika

Denerick wrote: »

I love the way Americans call illegal immigrants illegal aliens. It adds to much gravitas to the debate

What is more disturbing is that some don’t seem to understand the difference between the two.

I bet if we loaded millions of our illegal aliens onto ships, and send them to storm the shores of other lands, with the "immigrants" shouting "I made it onto your land, now I demand you make me a citizen with all of the benefits that go along with it"... people would then see the difference.

Denerick

Amerika wrote: »

What is more disturbing is that some don’t seem to understand the difference between the two.

I bet if we loaded millions of our illegal aliens onto ships, and send them to storm the shores of other lands, with the "immigrants" shouting "I made it onto your land, now I demand you make me a citizen with all of the benefits that go along with it"... people would then see the difference.

Could Mexicans even say that? I was under the impression that you lot disliked them because they spoke Spanish.

Memnoch

Denerick wrote: »

I love the way Americans call illegal immigrants illegal aliens. It adds to much gravitas to the debate

No wonder Aliens vs Ninjas was such a hit at Fantasia 2010

http://twitchfilm.net/reviews/2010/07/fantasia-2010-alien-versus-ninja-review.php

A Primal Nut

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Dunno where the confusion lies there is an obvious difference between legal and illegal. She even emphasised "legally."

Amerika

Denerick wrote: »

Could Mexicans even say that? I was under the impression that you lot disliked them because they spoke Spanish.

"Our Lot" dislikes illegal aliens becasue they don't put any value on our immigration laws.

Denerick

Amerika wrote: »

"Our Lot" dislikes illegal aliens becasue they don't put any value on our immigration laws.

You do realise that many of your Irish descendants probably migrated to the US illegaly?

If not them, then their cousins, nephews etc.

Memnoch

Amerika wrote: »

"Our Lot" dislikes illegal aliens becasue they don't put any value on our immigration laws.

You sure it has nothing to do with them taking your jobs and your women, and you know eating babies and stuff. I hear there's a real over supply of those in the states, which is why all these aliens are flooding over there.

Amerika

Denerick wrote: »

You do realise that many of your Irish descendants probably migrated to the US illegaly?

If not them, then their cousins, nephews etc.

No. All my relatives came from Ireland legally. Execpt for one crazy uncle who I think is actually from Mars.

Denerick

Memnoch wrote: »

You sure it has nothing to do with them taking your jobs and your women, and you know eating babies and stuff. I hear there's a real over supply of those in the states, which is why all these aliens are flooding over there.

Amerika

Memnoch wrote: »

You sure it has nothing to do with them taking your jobs and your women, and you know eating babies and stuff. I hear there's a real over supply of those in the states, which is why all these aliens are flooding over there.

Absolutely sure!

Denerick

Amerika wrote: »

No. All my relatives came from Ireland legally. Execpt for one crazy uncle who I think is actually from Mars.

And you believe that, do you?

Amerika

Denerick wrote: »

And you believe that, do you?

Absolutely!

And what happened to your "love thread?"

Denerick

Amerika wrote: »

Absolutely!

And what happened to your "love thread?"

Ok ok, bring back the love thread. No discussion of partisan issues. Amerika is just such a ripe target, he brings out the pantomine in me

Amerika

Denerick wrote: »

Ok ok, bring back the love thread. No discussion of partisan issues. Amerika is just such a ripe target, he brings out the pantomine in me

Good word!

Well thanks alot thank you
Now Im the talk of the town
Of all the fools they drink to
I am the king of the clowns
I play the lonely joker
I take what fun I can find
I laugh when things arent funny
I throw away my last dime
Youre not mine so I waste my time in pantomine.
Its pantomine.

Im ready for lonely funtimes, yeah
Loud music may dull my mind
Black coffee and electric sunshine
Get set for this pantomine.

I-ay-ay-ay cry inside cause youre not mine
I-ay die-ay-ay-ay inside cause youre not mine
I pantomine.

Laughing when I feel like crying
Crying when I feel like dying
Youre not mine so I waste my time in pantomine
Bring on the girls and the parties, yeah
Guitars and drums beating time
Be merry, be gay and hardy, yeah
Im set for this pantomine.

Manic Moran

Denerick wrote: »

I love the way Americans call illegal immigrants illegal aliens. It adds to much gravitas to the debate

Check the chorus.

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/sting/englishman+in+new+york_20132036.html

The term is technically correct. Illegal aliens does differentiate from people like Sting.

You do realise that many of your Irish descendants probably migrated to the US illegaly?

I'm not sure that's possible, if he's a US Citizen by birth, possibly excepting if Amerika is a few decades older than I think he is, though I'm unsure about the multi-generational laws on unclaimed citizenship.

NTM

Killer Wench

I am rather surprised that a first generation American seems to be so unsympathetic towards those who want to come this country in order to better their lot. At the core of the immigration debate rests the fact that most of these "illegals" are Brown skinned. I have known of illegal immigrants from Germany and other European countries but I never heard a story involving them being questioned over their legal status.

Manic Moran

I think most of us first-generation Americans had parents who were in the country legally. I know mine were.

I'm also a first generation American who couldn't bring his girlfriend (w/ post-grad) into the country unless I married her. The country is very difficult to become resident in legally. I have little sympathy for those who ignore the immigration laws. From my perspective, they are most welcome to come into the country if they follow them. You will note that in the US a very large portion of legal 'brown-skinned' immigrants are also against illegal immigration for the same reason: They had to go through all sorts of hoops, why should their countrymen not have to go through the same thing?

There is a huge difference between being anti-immigration, and being anti-illegal-immigration.

NTM

Denerick

America has really tighetened up its border in the last decade though. Its getting harder and harder to enter legally. I think you should be proud that millions of people across the world still want to join the land of opportunity. I still have a soft spot for the USA. Its so diverse, big, loud, and capitalist.

Killer Wench

Denerick wrote: »

America has really tighetened up its border in the last decade though. Its getting harder and harder to enter legally. I think you should be proud that millions of people across the world still want to join the land of opportunity. I still have a soft spot for the USA. Its so diverse, big, loud, and capitalist.

Agreed. It appears that the legal process has to be completely re-worked; meanwhile, those who are attempting to navigate the legal process are finding that it is taking years to enter the country.

I know many "Brown" first generation Americans. Some were born here to parents who were illegally in the country; others were born to parents who were here legally. Some are Natives from the border region and to them, the border between Mexico and America is purely arbitrary. Overall, many of them are sympathetic towards those who come to this country to pursue a better life for the children and families.

This is probably its own thread but I think a lot of what defines their experiences probably has a lot to do with class.

lonestargirl

My husband studies medicine in Ireland and, for a variety of reasons, decided he would rather do residency in the US than train in Ireland. So he's a J1 alien physican and I'm the J2 spouse which gives me the right to work in the US. We've been here 1 year and will be a minimum 5 more but are limited to 8 in total before we must return home for 2 years before we can get any other kind of visa. In six weeks time I'm going to be starting a PhD @ Univ of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, hopefully giving me a good prospect of work when we return to Ireland.

I find that Americans usually don't have an understanding of how difficult it is to legally immigrate into the US, I've lost count of the times people have asked me 'so when can you apply for citizenship?' and they don't seem to grasp that we are not allowed to stay. Now that I'm pregnant people seem to think that that will make a difference but it doesn't. I am however, giving my child the benefit of dual-citizenship. btw I'm not complaining, I knew the rules/limitations when I applied for the visa

Amerika wrote: »

Born in the US as an anchor baby

But US citizens cannot sponsor their parents until they are 21, having a baby in the US does not prevent against deportation or give any legal status.

Manic Moran

I'm the J2 spouse which gives me the right to work in the US

Easy. Join the military, you have to have a capablity to legally work in the US first, which you seem to have. It's a bit Heinleinian, but service guarantees citizenship immediately. Sign on for National Guard, as a doctor, it would appear, so it's a bit of extra work, extra training, and so on, and you won't have to make it a full-time career. If you do get sent somewhere (a) it's interesting, and (b) doctors and chaplains have short tours. May also help pay for your education.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/immigrationnaturalizatio/a/milcitizens.htm

All immigrants who have served honorably on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or as a member of the Selected Ready Reserve on or after September 11, 2001 are eligible to file for immediate citizenship under the special wartime provisions in Section 329 of the INA.

NTM

lonestargirl

Manic Moran wrote: »

Easy. Join the military, you have to have a capablity to legally work in the US first, which you seem to have. It's a bit Heinleinian, but service guarantees citizenship immediately. Sign on for National Guard, as a doctor, it would appear, so it's a bit of extra work, extra training, and so on, and you won't have to make it a full-time career. If you do get sent somewhere (a) it's interesting, and (b) doctors and chaplains have short tours.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/immigrationnaturalizatio/a/milcitizens.htm

NTM

(a) I'm not the doctor, my husband is

(b) It seems to be expidited citizenship for those who already LPRs (green card holders), basically it removes the 5-year residency rule for naturalising. We are on non-immigrant visas.

Manic Moran

Ah, OK. I thought it was just 'legal ability to work in the US'. Sorry

NTM

lonestargirl

Manic Moran wrote: »

Ah, OK. I thought it was just 'legal ability to work in the US'. Sorry

NTM

No bother, I was excluded from a job I was qualified for in a VA hospital for the same reason.

Amerika

Let me prefice this with I’m on holiday, tall scotch and sodas at the resort comprise ¾ scotch to ¼ soda. 10 down so far, plus 3 jager bombs, and it’s not even dinner time. Appoligies fin advance or spelling and coherence. Few minutes to myself before dinner and karaoke (that has something to so with humiating yourself followed quickly by suicide… right?)

Manic Moran wrote: »

I'm not sure that's possible, if he's a US Citizen by birth, possibly excepting if Amerika is a few decades older than I think he is,...

Probably is the case. IRE law at the time time I was born makes me an automatic citizen. But living abroad, I have to reapply every 10 years. Let it lapse a few years ago. Contacted the Ireland embassy in NY and just got my paperwork from to reapply as living abroad. I can see needing a recommendation from an officer of the law, but a “priest” or “politician” is rather ironical over here.

lonestargirl wrote: »

But US citizens cannot sponsor their parents until they are 21, having a baby in the US does not prevent against deportation or give any legal status.

Kinda kidding with the anchor baby comment... but it did help with my mother in the event of problems. My father was already a US citizen when I was born, it took my mother another year to become nationalized after I was born.

Manic Moran

IRE law at the time time I was born makes me an automatic citizen. But living abroad, I have to reapply every 10 years. Let it lapse a few years ago. Contacted the Ireland embassy in NY and just got my paperwork from to reapply as living abroad.

Hmm. I missed that little detail. Can you point me to chapter and verse on that requirement?

NTM

Lockstep

Denerick wrote: »

You do realise that many of your Irish descendants probably migrated to the US illegaly?

Mine certainly migrated illegally. Although this was the generation before the ones who were deported for beating up cops/illegal poitín making.

stretchtex

My Irish ancestors settled in remote South Texas during the time in which Spain controlled current day Mexico and Texas. The leaders in Spain were interested in populating the area with people of the Catholic faith and they had to look no further than Ireland. Land grants were issued and Empresario's were named. My family lives there to this day and still go to the same small wood framed Catholic church that was built at the time of settlement. The gravestones in the cemetery indicate that most folks were born in County Leitrim.

Amerika

Manic Moran wrote: »

Hmm. I missed that little detail. Can you point me to chapter and verse on that requirement?

NTM

You got it kimo sabi, hope this answers it. When I contacted the Irish embassy in NY, they said I need to reapply every 10 years, and I need to apply as a citizen living abroad.

Entitlement to Citizenship

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for determining entitlement to citizenship in accordance with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956 to 2004.

Every person born on the island of Ireland before 1 January, 2005 is entitled to be an Irish citizen.

The citizenship of a person born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January, 2005 depends on the citizenship of the person's parents at the time of the person's birth or the residency history of one of the parents prior to the birth. An information notice explaining the changes that have taken effect since 01 January 2005 is available from the website of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956 to 2004, a person who was born outside Ireland is automatically an Irish citizen by descent if one of that person's parents was an Irish citizen who was born in Ireland.


Foreign Births Registration

A person born abroad to a parent who, although not born in Ireland, was otherwise an Irish citizen at the time of the person’s birth, can become an Irish citizen by applying for Foreign Births Registration, either to the Irish Diplomatic or Consular Mission nearest to where the applicant normally resides or, if resident in Ireland, to:

Consular Section
Department of Foreign Affairs
St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2
Telephone: (10.00-13.00) (01) 408 2555

http://www.embassyofireland.org/home/index.aspx?id=267

ynotdu

Amerika wrote: »

[/QUOTE}

US based politics boards are boring for the most part,

Amerika i don't agree with You there,In fact Your Partisan, humourous,sometimes informative, posts as well as your posts that stop just short of a Troll keep a lot of threads alive in the American Politics forum.

The fact that people will not give You credit for that just goes to show that the uniqe Irish concept of BEGRUDGERY is alive and well in anybody with even one blood cell that is Irish.

Now i have been nice to You.
Please remove that pic of Dubya or at least add some horns to his head:pac:

A Dub in Glasgo

Manic Moran wrote: »

service guarantees citizenship immediately.

Reminded me of the propaganda scene in Starship Troopers

'They're doing their part. Are you? Join the Mobile Infantry and save the world. Service guarantees citizenship.'

Manic Moran

A Dub in Glasgo wrote: »

Reminded me of the propaganda scene in Starship Troopers

'They're doing their part. Are you? Join the Mobile Infantry and save the world. Service guarantees citizenship.'

As I said, a bit Heinleinian.

NTM

Amerika

ynotdu wrote: »

Amerika i don't agree with You there,In fact Your Partisan, humourous,sometimes informative, posts as well as your posts that stop just short of a Troll keep a lot of threads alive in the American Politics forum.

The fact that people will not give You credit for that just goes to show that the uniqe Irish concept of BEGRUDGERY is alive and well in anybody with even one blood cell that is Irish.

Thanks. But watch yourself. You might just get tarred and feathered by the gang here at boards.ie for that bit.

Now i have been nice to You.
Please remove that pic of Dubya or at least add some horns to his head:pac:

You got it… it this what you mean?
|
|
\/

ynotdu

Amerika wrote: »

Thanks. But watch yourself. You might just get tarred and feathered by the gang here at boards.ie for that bit.

It would be a novelty to Me if i was not!:D.

I thank You for Your reply,but He ain't no Angel.

Now a Good friend of mine who is an Angel also wants to thank You!

He said He fully accepts that You are a Legal resident of the USA but still reckons You are an Alien:p

He went on to tell Me over a beer that He would like to follow You on Twit
er[or did He say He would like to have You followed]

Here is a pic of My buddy and the greatest man that ever lived.sadly He is so larger than life He is too Awesome for My sig:

Amerika

ynotdu wrote: »

Here is a pic of My buddy and the greatest man that ever lived.sadly He is so larger than life He is too Awesome for My sig:

LOL, if you like that pic, you'll love this vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVFdAJRVm94

ynotdu

Amerika wrote: »

LOL, if you like that pic, you'll love this vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVFdAJRVm94

My name is George Bush and i would endorse the above message if i could watch it on a pretzel:p

FatherTed

From Galway, moved 19 years ago to CT. Now a dual citizen, yankee wife, kids etc.