Author Topic: Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...  (Read 530 times)

Offline Seagoon

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« on: June 30, 2005, 10:26:56 PM »
Well after almost 30 years in the USA, I've decided to become a naturalized US citizen. I think I realized it was time when my Greencard expired recently and I realized that being deported to the UK would be rather like the headline in Johnny Dangerously (I'm going from memory here) "Moroni Deported to Sweden - Says He's Not From There."

The truth is I'm not really British anymore. Sure I like winegums and dark beer at room temperature and the Britcoms and I still feel stirred by tunes like "The British Grenadier"

(Some talk of Alexander,
And some of Hercules,
Of Hector and Lysander,
And such great names as these.
But of all the world's great heroes,
There's none that can compare
With a tow-row-row-row-row-row-row,
To the British Grenadier!
etc.)

But all in all, I've realized my worldview has become totally alien to Britain and my feelings of loyalty to the US grow even as my alienation from Britain increases. I can honestly say, I've been all over the world, and yet I love America best. Sometimes I marvel how most Americans don't realize how privileged they are to be from this country compared to literally billions of other people. I'll probably never fit in perfectly anywhere (I'm the proverbial fish that only feels comfortable swimming upstream) but here feels the most like home should. I not just a resident, I am an immigrant.

Anyway, anyone else gone through the process of naturalization, and any advice?  

- SEAGOON
SEAGOON aka Pastor Andy Webb
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion... Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." - John Adams

Offline Saurdaukar

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2005, 10:32:05 PM »
Great thread!  :aok

Offline Lizking

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2005, 10:34:18 PM »
Apparently, all you have to do is know how to use a lawn blower, not believe in automobile insurance, and refuse to learn  (American style, in your case) english, and you are set for life.

Offline Toad

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2005, 10:35:12 PM »
:)

Welcome!

You're a great addition; wish we could get more like you.

Remember, we're all immigrants here. Even the Native Americans came over from somewhere else. ;)

My maternal grandparents were Italian. My paternal great grandparents were Irish.

Welcome home!
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!

Offline Hangtime

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2005, 10:35:13 PM »
Welcome to America!

;)

Grandad once told me the definition of 'home' was "the place you can go to and they have to let you in".

Hope your application and naturalization goes well.. no idea how it's accomplished, but I'm sure you'll fine the process both interesting and enlighting.. and keep us posted on how it progresses.

Again, 'Welcome Home'.

The price of Freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle, anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness...

...at home, or abroad.

Offline NUKE

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Re: Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2005, 10:38:54 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Seagoon
Well after almost 30 years in the USA, I've decided to become a naturalized US citizen. I


Well, I don't think a "welcome" is in order, but a big congratulations is!

Offline Maverick

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2005, 10:40:04 PM »
Welcome to the decision you made. You were already an American by choice, you just hadn't realized it yet. ;)

This will make this 4th of July a bit more special for you then.
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
Author Unknown

Offline Masherbrum

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Re: Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2005, 10:52:48 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Seagoon
Well after almost 30 years in the USA, I've decided to become a naturalized US citizen. I think I realized it was time when my Greencard expired recently and I realized that being deported to the UK would be rather like the headline in Johnny Dangerously (I'm going from memory here) "Moroni Deported to Sweden - Says He's Not From There."

The truth is I'm not really British anymore. Sure I like winegums and dark beer at room temperature and the Britcoms and I still feel stirred by tunes like "The British Grenadier"

(Some talk of Alexander,
And some of Hercules,
Of Hector and Lysander,
And such great names as these.
But of all the world's great heroes,
There's none that can compare
With a tow-row-row-row-row-row-row,
To the British Grenadier!
etc.)

But all in all, I've realized my worldview has become totally alien to Britain and my feelings of loyalty to the US grow even as my alienation from Britain increases. I can honestly say, I've been all over the world, and yet I love America best. Sometimes I marvel how most Americans don't realize how privileged they are to be from this country compared to literally billions of other people. I'll probably never fit in perfectly anywhere (I'm the proverbial fish that only feels comfortable swimming upstream) but here feels the most like home should. I not just a resident, I am an immigrant.

Anyway, anyone else gone through the process of naturalization, and any advice?  

- SEAGOON


The United States of America is the best country in the World.  

<> Seagoon

Karaya
FSO Squad 412th FNVG
http://worldfamousfridaynighters.com/
Co-Founder of DFC

Offline lasersailor184

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2005, 10:58:23 PM »
I actually had a friend and his family decide to go for citizenship.


They asked me to help them to learn some History that would be important.

Just general stuff.


Like the constitution was not written in 1922.

The civil war was not fought over women's rights...


General stuff like that.
Punishr - N.D.M. Back in the air.
8.) Lasersailor 73 "Will lead the impending revolution from his keyboard"

Offline Gunslinger

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2005, 11:28:33 PM »
Good for you Seagoon :aok

I only wish my wife would do the same.  It would make my life just slightly easier.

Offline StarOfAfrica2

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2005, 02:01:11 AM »
Congrats Seagoon!  Welcome!  Glad to see that your status as "long term visitor" will become "resident".  

Offline Heiliger

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2005, 05:52:50 AM »
Seagoon!  :D

Offline Nilsen

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Re: Re: Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2005, 06:07:32 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Masherbrum
The United States of America is the best country in the World.  

<> Seagoon

Karaya


I'm glad you enjoy your location on the big round thingy :)

Offline rshubert

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My (cuban) wife went through the process...
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2005, 06:44:55 AM »
A few years ago.

Don't bother with a lawyer or anything, they're just trying to get their "share" of the pie.  Study the books.  They will ask questions.  It will take a couple of years, total.  

You do have permanent residency, right?  If not, you will wait five years after getting residency for naturalization.

Offline oboe

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Finally Decided to Bite the Bullet...
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2005, 07:05:25 AM »
The UK's loss is our gain, by quite a substantial margin I would say.   Welcome and congratulations on your decision to become a US citizen!