NationStates Jolt Archive

After watching endless "Be Alert, but not alarmed" commercials clawing their way back onto tv every couple months I've decided it's my partiotic duty to report myself.

I am a card-carrying member of the Australia Youth Resistance (literally, I have the card in my wallet), The Australian Socialist Party, Liberals Unite and the most infamous of all, Michael Moore's mailinglist. As such I believe I qualify as a possible risk to the Australian government's goal of turning us into an American coloney.

Wish me luck! :)

It doesn't take much to become a terrorist.

Just ask Timothy McVeigh.

It doesn't take much to become a terrorist.

Just ask Timothy McVeigh.
I'm too much of a pacifist to become a terrorist, but just to be on the safe side...

Hey, I'm officially on the books with INS as a 'political dissident'.

It takes next to nothing to register on American political radar.

Hey, I'm officially on the books with INS as a 'political dissident'.

It takes next to nothing to register on American political radar.
The INS? How on earth did you get in trouble with the INS? And what would they care about political dissidents anyway? Or are you trying to get citizenship or something?

I'm willing to bet that somebody, somewhere, has tracked my former membership in the Communist Youth League... kinda chilling, isn't it?

It doesn't take much to become a terrorist.

Just ask Timothy McVeigh.


Indeed, a substatial portion of all the people in the US killed by terrorists were killed by small-government pro-gun anti-tax social conservatives.

I'm willing to bet that somebody, somewhere, has tracked my former membership in the Communist Youth League... kinda chilling, isn't it?
Indeed, but I have a feeling the fact all of my family friends know me as "Conservative, kid's church teacher, come moderate" will help to counter-blance my radical connections... unless it makes me look like more of a terrorist for living a "double life".

Why is this something you're so eager to do?

The INS? How on earth did you get in trouble with the INS? And what would they care about political dissidents anyway? Or are you trying to get citizenship or something?

At the tender age of 12 I persuaded my father to accompany me to NYC for the largest march/rally against nuclear proliferation that ever happened. The bus we travelled on was one of three chartered for the journey. At the US border, each and every person was taken off the bus and processed by the border guard and INS, on their then brand-new computer system. A handful of people were turned away. The rest were all allowed in, but had the phrase 'political dissident' input to their just-created case files.

This created some difficulties on a subsequent visit to the US wherein I was detained and questioned about my political activities, and my involvement in the anti-nuke movement.

All of this happened in the 80s. With the help of strategic haircuts, I was able to pass through unmolested on a number of subsequent visits - but damned if I'll bother anymore. I haven't even tried post 9-11.

I'm far enough from the border that being hauled out, questioned, and returned to sender would take eight or nine hours - a whole day, shot. Why bother? Ditto air travel. Why bother getting to the airport 3 hrs ahead of time, with an hour's travel just to the airport, only to be treated like shit and sent home - I'm no glutton for mistreatment. And I wouldn't want to upset the travel plans of the people around me. So I no longer even think of the US as a possible travel destination, not even a layover point. To me, it's become just something I read about...except for all the recent Ameican emigres I'm now encountering lately. Hello, America.

My SO is planning a trip to Massachussetts with friends this spring - and I'm not going, much as I like Massachussetts, having been there before. The chance of being turned back are just too much for me to bother considering it.

It's okay, though - I'm really not missing anything, if my last few trips southbound were any indication. You're welcome to it. Just keep it to yourselves.

At the tender age of 12 I persuaded my father to accompany me to NYC for the largest march/rally against nuclear proliferation that ever happened. The bus we travelled on was one of three chartered for the journey. At the US border, each and every person was taken off the bus and processed by the border guard and INS, on their then brand-new computer system. A handful of people were turned away. The rest were all allowed in, but had the phrase 'political dissident' input to their just-created case files.

This created some difficulties on a subsequent visit to the US wherein I was detained and questioned about my political activities, and my involvement in the anti-nuke movement.

All of this happened in the 80s. With the help of strategic haircuts, I was able to pass through unmolested on a number of subsequent visits - but damned if I'll bother anymore. I haven't even tried post 9-11.

I'm far enough from the border that being hauled out, questioned, and returned to sender would take eight or nine hours - a whole day, shot. Why bother? Ditto air travel. Why bother getting to the airport 3 hrs ahead of time, with an hour's travel just to the airport, only to be treated like shit and sent home - I'm no glutton for mistreatment. And I wouldn't want to upset the travel plans of the people around me. So I no longer even think of the US as a possible travel destination, not even a layover point. To me, it's become just something I read about...except for all the recent Ameican emigres I'm now encountering lately. Hello, America.

My SO is planning a trip to Massachussetts with friends this spring - and I'm not going, much as I like Massachussetts, having been there before. The chance of being turned back are just too much for me to bother considering it.

It's okay, though - I'm really not missing anything, if my last few trips southbound were any indication. You're welcome to it. Just keep it to yourselves.

Where is he/she going in Massachusetts?

As a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism I know I've got a line in some FBI or other security file. For those not in the know, the SCA is a historical recreation group (think Civil War re-enactors, but very diferent) who focus on the period of the middle-ages and the rennaisance. One of the big draws in the SCA is the heavy weapons fighting. These heavy weapons fighters are a bunch of guys (and girls) who make their own armor (leather and metal mostly) and, honorably, beat the hell out of each other with rattan (solid bamboo) swords. An oversimplification but that's the gist of it.

Anywho, there are tens of thousands of these weekend warriors out there, and the FBI has this organization listed on its watch lists as a private armed force or free standing army or some such nonsense. Yeah, big threat to national security. Your tax dollars at work, my fellow Americans.

Where is he/she going in Massachusetts?

Salem, Boston, points-in-between.

*sigh*

I used to love going to Boston...it's so much more a living city than say, L.A. or Atlanta. With a more 'human scale' to the place than say, New York City.

Salem, Boston, points-in-between.

*sigh*

I used to love going to Boston...it's so much more a living city than say, L.A. or Atlanta. With a more 'human scale' to the place than say, New York City.

It's the greatest city in the world.

*notices location*

And I'm not biased in any way.

When is he/she coming, and is he/she doing anything in particular while here?

Indeed, a substatial portion of all the people in the US killed by terrorists were killed by small-government pro-gun anti-tax social conservatives.
I suppose I should be use to this sort of wild, unsupported, unsubstantiated allegation, but just for the record ... hard data, statistics, even substantial allegorical information, please.

I suppose I should be use to this sort of wild, unsupported, unsubstantiated allegation, but just for the record ... hard data, statistics, even substantial allegorical information, please.

Timothy McVeigh.

A substantial portion of terrorist attacks on US soil were perpetuated by a small-government pro-gun anti-tax social conservative.

I don't really know, it just came up as a possible future excursion this past weekend. My SO is a Pagan, so had planned for many little detours in and around Salem, with other activities in Boston.

I'd thought of returning to see the UUA offices on Beacon Hill - I remember that was a particularly nice part of town, reminded me of some parts of Montreal.

I'm not giving my SO's gender, btw...not that I'm uptight, I just want to keep my NS-life separate from my Real-life...and my SO also is an NSer, so...there I am. Sorry 'bout that.

DT.

After watching endless "Be Alert, but not alarmed" commercials clawing their way back onto tv every couple months I've decided it's my partiotic duty to report myself.
:)

Hehehe funny :D

I don't really know, it just came up as a possible future excursion this past weekend. My SO is a Pagan, so had planned for many little detours in and around Salem, with other activities in Boston.

I'd thought of returning to see the UUA offices on Beacon Hill - I remember that was a particularly nice part of town, reminded me of some parts of Montreal.

I'm not giving my SO's gender, btw...not that I'm uptight, I just want to keep my NS-life separate from my Real-life...and my SO also is an NSer, so...there I am. Sorry 'bout that.

DT.

That's fine. I was using he/she because I don't know your gender either, and I didn't want to make any assumptions (other than that he/she is in fact a he or a she, I suppose) that may offend you.

I always recommend getting a taste of the real culture of Boston, not the landmarks. Go to Quincy Market; go see a baseball game; visit the North End. Too many people come here just to see the American Revolution monuments and miss the real Boston.

It doesn't take much to become a terrorist.

Just ask Timothy McVeigh.


American Born and bred :D

That's fine. I was using he/she because I don't know your gender either, and I didn't want to make any assumptions (other than that he/she is in fact a he or a she, I suppose) that may offend you.

I always recommend getting a taste of the real culture of Boston, not the landmarks. Go to Quincy Market; go see a baseball game; visit the North End. Too many people come here just to see the American Revolution monuments and miss the real Boston.

Ahh. I've revealed my own gender on previous threads, but I don't generally make mention of it unless it's relevant...anyway, I wouldn't necessarily be offended, I usually just use the oblique 'SO' in response, whether someone's guessed correctly or not.

I remember Quincy Market, vaguely. I haven't seen a Red Sox game, that might be something to do, though I tend to watch the crowds more than the teams. Would Beacon Hill be considered a touristy place? Should I not bother?

Oh, and do they still make pizza with cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella?

Oh, and do they still make pizza with cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella?

I'm sure they do somewhere, although I couldn't point you in any particular direction. I remember having it a couple of times when I was younger and I remember not really caring for it.

I guess I'm already buried somewhere in those files, with my constant presence on all boards of political discussion as a member of the left, and with my political blog on top of it (that's not a joke: http://www.livejournal.com/users/anniesj/331112.html). Who am I to know if one of those "Liberal Webrings" I signed up for isn't on the SS's watchlist? Or even secretly established by them?

I do have a US passport, but I live overseas and see no reason to change that. It's likely I wouldn't have too hard a time checking in in a US airport... but I won't risk it. Guantanamo must have nice weather, but it's not my choice vacation spot this time of year.

I'm sure they do somewhere, although I couldn't point you in any particular direction. I remember having it a couple of times when I was younger and I remember not really caring for it.

yeah, I actually really loathed it but wasn't sure if that was some kinda Bostonian custom, not easily circumvented or not...!

yeah, I actually really loathed it but wasn't sure if that was some kinda Bostonian custom, not easily circumvented or not...!

Not that I'm aware of. I know you can get it in most pizzerias if you ask for it, but usually pizza is made with mozzarella.

At any rate, you're eating the wrong food if you're only getting pizza here.

Not that I'm aware of. I know you can get it in most pizzerias if you ask for it, but usually pizza is made with mozzarella.

At any rate, you're eating the wrong food if you're only getting pizza here.

Well, yeah I know - I've mostly eaten seafood in Boston, lobster, crab, clam everything, scallops 'til I felt like I was fit to burst, but one night...cheddar pizza. We didn't realize it when we ordered it.

*shudder*

Clam Chowdah!

The proper kind.

yeah...I had that like every other meal it seemed. You boys really love your chowder, don't you? Not That I'm complaining, I liked it too.

yeah...I had that like every other meal it seemed. You boys really love your chowder, don't you? Not That I'm complaining, I liked it too.

Did you eat in the North End as well?

Lemme see...I remember. Or rather, I don't. It's been close to 20 years since I was there...I can remember these gorgeous red-brick buildings that curved along little curving streets...and being told that these amazing houses were all due to be torn down, which made me sad...

But my memory of the local geography is sketchy and two decades short of current, so who the Hell knows? Maybe!

Sorry.

Lemme see...I remember. Or rather, I don't. It's been close to 20 years since I was there...I can remember these gorgeous red-brick buildings that curved along little curving streets...and being told that these amazing houses were all due to be torn down, which made me sad...

But my memory of the local geography is sketchy and two decades short of current, so who the Hell knows? Maybe!

Sorry.

It's no problem. Just think of it as another reason to come visit the city again!

Of course, you said you can't anymore, so that just kind of sucks....

It's no problem. Just think of it as another reason to come visit the city again!

Of course, you said you can't anymore, so that just kind of sucks....

I had been considering trying it post-Bush regime, but that kinda got derailed. And anyway, I don't see the border getting looser any lifetime soon.

Honestly, I figured the overall response to the threat of Terror (with a capital 't') was going to be a James-Kirkesque, 'Danger is our buisiness', Devil-May-Care attitude, a prideful shrug - not this crazy new veneration of all the nation's Needermeyers. Not this coccooning, all airbags and rounded corners and total blanket security. I thought there'd be more of an unwillingness to forgo personal freedoms to supposedly ensure greater safety.

Gimme danger!

Dobbs Town, you think you have problems? Try being registered as a potential security threat with Israeli security. Now that can be fun.

Meh .... I'm a Liberal Democrat Muslim ... I'm sure I'm already on the various lists.

Meh .... I'm a Liberal Democrat Muslim ... I'm sure I'm already on the various lists.

I'm pretty sure that puts you on ALL the lists :D

Meh .... I'm a Liberal Democrat Muslim ... I'm sure I'm already on the various lists.

Plus, you quote Yasser in your siggie. Watch out for liver failure.

Wait a sec. There's a registration process for terrorists? If they're all registered, what's all this "war on terror" crap?

After watching endless "Be Alert, but not alarmed" commercials clawing their way back onto tv every couple months I've decided it's my partiotic duty to report myself.

I am a card-carrying member of the Australia Youth Resistance (literally, I have the card in my wallet), The Australian Socialist Party, Liberals Unite and the most infamous of all, Michael Moore's mailinglist. As such I believe I qualify as a possible risk to the Australian government's goal of turning us into an American coloney.

Wish me luck! :)

Question - Who are the Australia Youth Resistance? Never heard of them.

Dobbs Town, you think you have problems? Try being registered as a potential security threat with Israeli security. Now that can be fun.

Well, I never thought they were BIG problems, really. Just silly problems.

But when every molehill becomes a mountain, count me out on the great American outdoors.

Besides, I have all the outdoors I could need right here.

Go figure.

Question - Who are the Australia Youth Resistance? Never heard of them.
Small group of young socialists who occasional protest varius acts of government tyranny, I guess. I normally forget to go to meetings, they're on on the same nights as "The West Wing"... :p

Wait a sec. There's a registration process for terrorists? If they're all registered, what's all this "war on terror" crap?
That sounds like liberal-commie-homo-terrorist-talk to me boy*!


*Notice how I use an intentionally gender-specific, politically-incorrect term to hide my own liberal agenda! :cool: