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The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

ashie62 Oct 28 2020 11:13 AM

=Fman99 post_id=49121 time=1603843597 user_id=86] Boy, I am hoping that Batmags is cherry-picking the news that is most terrifying to folks like myself, who want this four year shit show to end and continue to believe that the best chance we have to come out of this national coma is a popular and electoral ass kicking next week. Because the alternative, honestly, is to appreciate the first 47 years of my life, and to feel awful for the world my children are inheriting.

Truer words have not been spoken. I have a relative who lives in Belize and has invited me. If this goes Trump, I go. Might be the only Mets fan on the island.

whippoorwill Oct 28 2020 11:15 AM Re: Politics 2020

Not if you take me with you

Edgy MD Oct 28 2020 11:29 AM Re: Politics 2020

Your friend lives not just in Belize, but on a Belizean island? Them's some tiny islands.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 28 2020 11:34 AM Re: Politics 2020

I too have been exploring the steps required to expatriate.

Lefty Specialist Oct 28 2020 12:59 PM Re: Politics 2020

I'm well into the process of applying for an Irish passport. Keeping my EU options open, just in case. You elect one authoritarian, you might elect two.

Chad ochoseis Oct 28 2020 03:36 PM Re: Politics 2020

In the expat world... My GF, who never knew her biological father and had grown up being told that he'd been a Danish merchant marine, did some genetic testing and research and found out that her mother had hidden the truth her whole life. Her father was actually an Italian immigrant named Cuomo (distantly related to Andrew/Chris/Mario) who owned a bar and was killed in a mob hit in the 70s. We've traced him to an unmarked grave in Staten Island, and she's seriously thinking of having him exhumed so she can prove paternity and qualify for Italian citizenship. Me, I bought a small apartment in Montreal last year. It's my favorite city in the world, and the cost of living is dirt cheap, particularly on the French side of town. The limit on expat time in Canada is six months out of any twelve, and immigration is basically impossible for someone in my profession at my age and with my fair-to-middling French skills, but I figured I could go there temporarily and wait out any Trump-related storms. The one thing I didn't anticipate was a pandemic closing the border.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 28 2020 03:46 PM Re: Politics 2020

I'm also looking at Italian citizenship through ancestry, both for me and my GF. From what I've learned so far, Italy doesn't factor in genetics, just documentation. (Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and naturalization certificates.) I think if you were able to prove that the dead guy was her father through DNA, you would then have to get her birth certificate amended. I don't know if it would matter that she was born out of wedlock. The process, and the rules, are pretty arcane. I've submitted a form for both of us to an agency that facilitates Italian dual citizenship and should hear back in a couple of weeks what our chances are.

Edgy MD Oct 28 2020 04:43 PM Re: Politics 2020

Do I correctly assume that Cuomo the Publican didn't leave her any potential brothers and sisters to compare her DNA with? And yeah, Montreal is a terrific city.

Chad ochoseis Oct 28 2020 06:32 PM Re: Politics 2020

He was born in 1908...was 57 when my girlfriend was born (and her mom was 22; this was definitely unsavory and probably not consensual). There are nieces and cousins, which is how she knows parts of the story, but probably not good enough to prove anything to the degree she understands is needed to demonstrate heritage. And based on what BG said, even conclusive proof might not be good enough.

Johnny Lunchbucket Oct 29 2020 06:54 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Wifey Bucket is all about Portugal as a potentially get-into-able foreign country. The reality is we're stuck here like my dad's family has been since the 1600s

Benjamin Grimm Oct 29 2020 07:07 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

For Portugal you need to invest 500,000 Euros. You can buy yourself a 500,000-Euro house, or you can buy two 250,000-Euro houses and live in one and rent the other. Spain has the same requirement. What makes Portugal a little easier is that you can cut the 500,000 Euro requirement down to 350,000 Euros if you buy an older home that's in need of refurbishment. As you can see, I've been looking into this! (Greece is also worth looking into. The investment requirement is lower than in Portugal.) And Chad, don't be overly discouraged about what I posted above. It's just based on my current understanding, which is informed but still limited. There are agencies you can contact who will give you a free consultation. They'll know more about this than I do. But I'm pretty certain that once you get the DNA results, you would have to use that to get the birth certificate amended. And I have NO idea what's involved in that!

kcmets Oct 29 2020 07:27 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

As an American mutt, I think I'll stay put. My options would be limited anyways. My birth father was adopted and didn't raise me so I know little about his sorry ass and it's origins. As I probably mentioned in some DNA thread or wherever the only thing he left me was, like Lunches ancestors, they were here as very early settlers. There's a town in Germany with my Mom's maiden name. I like German food and beer but after that, who the hell wants to move to Germany? Too many consonants. I could go fuck Lithuania! My great Granny hailed from there...

Frayed Knot Oct 29 2020 08:02 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

I ain't runnin' from little Donnie Trump

TransMonk Oct 29 2020 10:06 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

I agree with FK.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 29 2020 10:15 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

I probably won't either, just exploring the possibility. But I look at it less as "running away from Trump" and more like not wanting to live in a country that would elect him twice. (Once is more than bad enough.)

Frayed Knot Oct 29 2020 10:17 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Considering some of the folks [fill in the blank nation] has elected, it's not like one can escape voter idiocy anywhere.

whippoorwill Oct 29 2020 11:04 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Since I can't find my social security card I'm stuck

Benjamin Grimm Oct 29 2020 11:48 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Frayed Knot wrote: Considering some of the folks [fill in the blank nation] has elected, it's not like one can escape voter idiocy anywhere. I know. I've thought about that too. I wonder if I would feel less invested in the internal politics in some other country that I'm living in. I might be better able to shrug off things that don't affect me directly. Or maybe not. I can't know for sure.

Frayed Knot Oct 29 2020 12:26 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Silvio Burlesconni (sp?) leapt to my mind since you mentioned Italy. There's also the familiarity breeds contept theory at work. I read a piece recently opining on how much more popular Justin Trudeau is SOUTH of the 49th parallel than he is north of it.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 29 2020 12:30 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Italian citizenship wouldn't require living in Italy; it would give access to all of the EU countries in the "Schengen Area". We've been talking about Spain. For the climate, not for the politics.

Chad ochoseis Oct 29 2020 04:07 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Frayed Knot wrote: I ain't runnin' from little Donnie Trump No shame in running. Other than Native Americans, we're all descendants of runners here.

Lefty Specialist Oct 29 2020 04:20 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Trump's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about the fascist that follows in Trump's footsteps. Our institutions have been so easily corrupted by an incompetent narcissist. Think of what might have happened if he was sharp as a tack. There are a number of Republicans out there who were taking notes and won't make the same mistakes next time. That's my worry. Hopefully Joe and Kamala can keep them at bay for 12 years. But my options will be open.

Frayed Knot Oct 29 2020 05:23 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Chad ochoseis wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: I ain't runnin' from little Donnie Trump No shame in running. Other than Native Americans, we're all descendants of runners here. Not saying that there's any shame in it. And certainly if one wants to live abroad (or next door) then they're certainly free to go for it. It's just that Donnie isn't important enough to will me to change anything in my life and particularly not to feel I have to pull up stakes and change homelands. P.S. Native Americans are the descendants of runners too - even if not all of them admit to being so.

metsmarathon Oct 31 2020 11:14 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Chad ochoseis wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: I ain't runnin' from little Donnie Trump No shame in running. Other than Native Americans, we're all descendants of runners here. African Americans might disagree

Benjamin Grimm Nov 05 2020 06:56 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

I now have a clearer understanding of the rules, arcane as they are, and I do qualify for Italian citizenship and so does my girlfriend. It looks like we're going to go ahead with pursuing the citizenship. It doesn't necessarily mean that we're moving to Europe. There are, literally*, 140 billion agencies that offer to assist with the process. Some offer turnkey service, which can be pretty expensive. Others offer guidance, as needed, for a much lower fee. I think we're going to try the do-it-yourself route and bring in the services of translators as needed. (You need to get officially authorized translations of vital records issued in the United States, so there's no doing this for free.) I've never been a turnkey kind of guy anyway. I like figuring this stuff out myself. I've done genealogy as a hobby, now I have an actual practical reason to do it. *I mean "literally" in a figurative sense. I'm doing this ironically.

Chad ochoseis Nov 05 2020 12:54 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Wow. We might just have to dig up Antonio if this election doesn't play out the way it should. African Americans might disagree Yeah, that hit me a few minutes after my post about being descended from runners. Apologies to anyone who was offended, because marathon is 100% correct.

kcmets Nov 05 2020 01:03 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Guess becoming a Lithanian is easier than I imagined. I hear late spring in Vilnius is quite grand! Lithuanian nationality law operates on the jus sanguinus principle, whereby persons who have a claim to Lithuanian ancestry, either through parents, grandparents, great-grandparents may claim Lithuanian nationality.. Citizenship may also be granted by naturalization.]

Frayed Knot Nov 05 2020 02:40 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

My closest connection to a heritage country is the U.K. (Go Wildcats!) via Northern Ireland; one set of great-grands left Belfast 115 years ago. But seeing as how there are walls built down the middle of blocks in that city to keep the Catholics and Protestants apart, it's safer here even if occasionally forced to dodge BLM/Antifa vs Trumpians. But at least I'd have the ability to make myself somewhat understood by the natives there.

Johnny Lunchbucket Nov 05 2020 03:27 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Gotta say, this is at once sad and fantastic but 14-y-o Lunchpail in a shocking move is taking it upon himself to take online French lessons (he's enrolled in Spanish at school) that he believes might aid a future attempt to bail on the US of A, at least as an option. --that he takes it upon himself to do anything is the shocking part but still

Benjamin Grimm Nov 05 2020 03:33 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Is he thinking about France? Or Canada?

Frayed Knot Nov 05 2020 03:50 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Is he thinking about France? Or Canada? Haiti

Johnny Lunchbucket Nov 05 2020 06:50 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Is he thinking about France? Or Canada? Versatility is key!

Edgy MD Nov 05 2020 07:29 PM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Gotta say, this is at once sad and fantastic but 14-y-o Lunchpail in a shocking move is taking it upon himself to take online French lessons (he's enrolled in Spanish at school) that he believes might aid a future attempt to bail on the US of A, at least as an option. --that he takes it upon himself to do anything is the shocking part but still Self-motivated 14-year-old boys are a rarity. He could turn into a real Ted Cruz!

Centerfield Nov 06 2020 04:18 AM Re: The Emigrant Song (split from Politics 2020)

Latvia is nice.