I'm out of here.

[FightingIrish]

I have known since the G.W. Bush presidency that I am eligible for Irish citizenship because my maternal grandmother was born in Ireland. My cousin obtained Her Irish citizenship through that route and now lives in Ireland. Leaving the U.S. was kind of an idle threat and a diversion from my anxiety about what this country was becoming.

I gave it some more thought after the 2016 election. My wife and I looked into emigrating to Canada which is just a few miles up Interstate 5 from where we live. We quickly learned that we were too old to be welcomed into Canada. We were in New Zealand when this virus madness erupted and thought it would be an ideal refuge from Trump’s America. That too was not possible.

Now we are very seriously preparing to abandon the country in which I have lived for seventy-five years and whose uniform I once proudly wore. I would be leaving my family and friends far behind, probably never to see many of them again. My sister thinks that’s selfish and not a great idea. Why would I do that?

I’m in reasonably good health and have no real idea how many years I have left. No matter how many, I won’t spend them in a country that would not reject Trump’s failed presidency. We get daily glimpses of the ugliness that empowers Trump. If those goons are the real Americans, I am no longer an American. I don’t belong here.

I feel like I’ve already lost three and a half years of my life from having Trump in my face every God damned day. He’s a cancer on my soul. My first waking thought every day is how much I want him gone from this planet. I’m perpetually outraged. If I look away for an instant, I open my eyes to some new horror he has perpetrated while I wasn’t paying attention.

By November, I hope to have my Irish citizenship. We will be making plans for a new life and that will make the coming months bearable. If Trump stays in office by whatever means, we will be on our way to a new life, an uncertain life but one free of possession by the ugliest creature that ever claimed to be a human being.

[Freedomofspeech]

1. Lucky you...

All the best!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. Okay.

[Yavin4]

3. The election this fall is a referendum on the America people not Trump.

We all know how rotten Trump is, and if this country puts him back into power, that says more about us than it does him. I don't want to hear about cheating from Russia. The margin should be big enough to overcome any cheating.

[the_sly_pig]

77. A referendum on civil war... imo

Moscow Mitch doesn’t feel blue States need representation. F him and F the stars and bars.

[Ilsa]

4. We'll miss you. Kind of hope you'll stay until the election.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May good luck be with you Wherever you go, and your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.

May your days be many and your troubles be few, May all God’s blessings descend upon you, May peace be within you, May your heart be strong, May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.

May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been
the foresight to know where you’re going
and the insight to know when you’re going too far.

[Mike Nelson]

5. Good luck...

... in whatever you decide.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. Sure can't blame you.

Hope you have no reason to leave, but glad you have the option!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

7. I don't blame you, and best wishes!

I think that I’m stuck here.

[gibraltar72]

8. Can you adopt?

[Jamastiene]

65. I want to be adopted and taken to Ireland too.

We could be siblings.

[AllTooEasy]

70. I'm 49, have a great job, and will make you a proud Dad!

I've been to Ireland, Dublin and Galway. Ireland is awesome. I dearly miss my Irish friends, and I regularly Facetime with them.

I'm Black, and I grew up in one of Maryland's predominantly Irish-American suburbs at the time - New Carrollton. I can honestly say that the Irish generally treated me with more respect and welcoming arms than Irish-American have treated me here.

Adoption aside, I know that you will be happy. Best of Life to you!

[orangecrush]

108. Me too!

We can be siblings!

[Frustratedlady]

114. My relatives live in Inverary Castle. Does that qualify me?

Two of my many "great" grandfathers were Earls or Dukes, so I should think that would buy me something...maybe a room in the castle? However, I think one of them might have been beheaded over religion...not sure on that one.

Canada won't let me in and Mexico is too hot.

Grasping at straws, here.

[JudyM]

9. Hope you stay to vote, at least!

I feel like abandoning ship too...

[FightingIrish]

11. We'll definitely vote and campaign like hell for Biden and

I won’t be leaving DU.

[sprinkleeninow]

103. I could go for an older version of Niall Horan. 😍

All the best to you and yours, plus a safe journey if y'all do really go!
Sláinte! 💚

[lunatica]

10. I wish you and your wife the best of luck

You’ve obviously wanted this for a very long time and I hope Ireland welcomes you and that it turns out to be the best thing for you and your wife.

[CanonRay]

12. Stay and vote, then go

I looked into Italian citizenship but I don't qualify

[smirkymonkey]

20. I could probably get Italian citizenship since my Grandfather wasn't naturalized until after my

father was born, however it would be a very long, difficult process (I looked into it years ago) and I don't know how I would support myself over there since I don't speak the language other than a few words and would have a hard time finding a job at my age. If I had a nice nest egg, I would seriously look into it, but I don't.

[shanti]

13. Lucky!

Wish my Irish ancestors were that recent, but they came here during the Potato Famine.

[Cha]

14. Good on you, FightingIrish! Best of Luck in your

journey!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

15. Can't blame you.

Can't tell you how tempting that southern border looks at times.

[Jim__]

16. "If those goons are the real Americans, I am no longer an American."

I agree about the goons. But if I were you, I would do some careful research about the country I was moving to - my grandparents were also born in Ireland, so there is no ethnic insult intended - if my reason for moving was to have a smaller proportion of goons among my countrymen. I'm not sure that these goons are a particularly American phenomenon. Racism, xenophobia, and a general stupidity seems to be a fairly common occurrence in most sufficiently large groups of people. Trying to address that problem where we find it may be the best possible approach.

[yonder]

66. +1.

[Doreen]

17. You will stay with us on DU? I hope you will.

I wish I was allowed to move to another country. I am only a poor disabled nobody who can not give anything to a society anymore.

Please stay just long enough to vote. As you know we need everybody.

[cwydro]

42. I thought you were moving with your boyfriend?

Germany, I think?

[Doreen]

84. Nope, he is long gone. Sociopath.

[Glorfindel]

18. Godspeed and all best wishes. I'd already be gone if I could

from your fellow Vietnam vet.

[coeur_de_lion]

19. I've considered Ireland too

If he wins in November I may have no other choice.

[smirkymonkey]

21. I can't say that I blame you, but I hope you will vote before you go.

And I hope you continue to stay on DU and let us know what your new life is like!

[Paladin]

22. Glad to hear it, FightingIrish.

It's the right thing to do. God help us all.

[HipChick]

23. Good for you..

[bluestarone]

24. A big TY for staying to vote! We need every vote for sure

When Biden wins i hope you stay and fight the fight!! Best of luck to your wife and you!!

[mercuryblues]

25. Can you promise me 1 thing?

wait until after you vote?

[Patterson]

26. Go and enjoy life. Even if we win in November...

the next several years will be contentious as all get out. Just to get away from all the idiocy and hate would be worth it.

[McKim]

27. How Wonderful!!!!

How wonderful!!!! Godspeed. I envy you as I am too old to move and adapt. We will have massive brain drain of people in Science and Medicine for sure if Trump is selected again. Work like hell for Biden or we are all sunk!

[sinkingfeeling]

28. You are so lucky. I'm like 98% English.

[Soph0571]

29. Och that is grand, so it is

Welcome to sanity

[Kaiserguy]

30. I can't blame you

if Trump wins again America is all but done. It will be a 24/7 hate fest from Trump and the RW.

[Lonestarblue]

31. Good for you. I wish you the best.

After 2016, I fantasized about moving to another country but just couldn’t see a way to do it. I sometimes wish I had because Trump has been a cancer on my soul.

I did travel to southern Portugal—the Algarve region—to check it out because gets high reviews as an affordable place to live. Perhaps it was the very foreignness , but I just could not see myself living there. I might change my mind if Trump is reelected. I truly refuse to live through another four years of this maniac destroying our country.

[vapor2]

32. The Irish are lovely peopl

and I am with you. I am ready to leave also and it will take decades to undo the damage he has done.

[DFW]

33. It's not a move one makes lightly. I know. I did.

At least you won't be disgusted by the weather, coming from where you do.

But even in an English-speaking (sorta) country, there is some culture shock to get used to. That having been said, as one who moved years ago to a non-English-speaking country, you CAN get used to almost anything if you want/need to. I am married to the friendliest of natives, so that helped with the residence permit. I told them (and furnished proof) that I would never ask them for a dime (they are expert at asking for all of mine). I also passed the language test without even having to take it, which helped speed things along. BUT--there are all the little things to get used to, and despite what all the armchair website experts tell you about what paradise the EU is, they are not fluent in the local languages, and they have never lived here. It CAN be done, and you CAN feel right at home, but nothing is free, and you have to work at blending in. As long as you keep ALL that in mind, and are still determined to do it, come on over. You'll do fine.

[KatyMan]

56. This is very true

We lived in the UK 2 different times for a total of about 6 years and Ireland for 2, 2000-01. It's a beautiful place and the people are the nicest you'll ever meet.
But--
You don't realize how much you don't know about a foreign country even one that speaks your language. How do you rent a place? How to get a driving license? What are taxes like or insurance? Where do you buy furniture? When we were in Ireland, there were no big stores like Rooms to Go or anything, you had to find the tiny furniture stores in town (unless you're in Dublin). And delivery takes for ever. We always referred to it as "Irish time". Make an appointment on Tuesday for them to come fill your propane for heating and they say they'll be there Thursday. They mean next Thursday. We bought some furniture and they told us it would be 7 weeks for delivery. The order was placed on a Friday. So, on the Wednesday seven weeks later I called them and they said "well, it hasn't quite been 7 weeks yet has it?"

The weather: Wet. 1000 shades of green? No, 1000 shades of gray. Slate gray skies from Sept to probably April or May. In fall and winter, sun comes up around 9 or so in the morning and it's dark by 4pm. On the plus side, in the summer the sun doesn't set until about 10 and doesn't get dark until 11. It rains a lot, but they call it a 'soft' rain, very misty. And cold.

Driving: Learn to drive a stick. You have to have a car unless you live in a place like Dublin or Cork where they have buses. The roads can be narrow--two way roads that are barely big enough for one car. Plus you're on the other side of the road on two lane streets. That's not hard to get used to though--always make sure when turning your passenger side is toward the curb. But, you'll likely still have to learn to drive, as the bus and train systems aren't quite what they are in the rest of Europe. May have improved some, but we looked into moving back a year or two ago and things seemed mostly the same.

If you have pets, there are restrictions on bringing them over. It may be different now, but back then they had to quarantine in the US for 6 months before they could be shipped over. And airlines only fly pets at certain times of year ao timing is important.

Money: if you're working, prepare for a salary shock. They don't pay near the same amount there as here. Mrs KM is retiring soon and we were thinking of going back to Ireland. I would still be working. For my position, the salary was less than half. Not giving my numbers, just as an example, if one makes say $50k, here, over there the same job would probably pay 20k in euros. And everything is way more expensive.


I'm not trying to dissuade you at all, just want to reiterate what DFW was saying--it's really really different over there. It's not easy to move countries, but it's an awesome experience, and to tell you the truth Mrs KatyMan and I would move back there tomorrow and never look back!

On another note, I though you had to be in country to get your citizenship nowadays? In 98 I did mine by mail, but I thought it changed. It was hard to chase down all the docs but this was before everything was online.

Good luck, all the best, and if you can be easygoing about the changes to lifestyle and all, you'll absolutely love it!

[littlemissmartypants]

34. Bon Voyage. nt

[johnthewoodworker]

35. We took a family vacation in Dingle, Ireland two years ago. It was delightful.

But be careful driving, those roads are narrow.

[mcar]

36. My family missed it by a generation

[SammyWinstonJack]

37. Lucky you!

😁

[Peacetrain]

38. My family came from Ireland.. and have been there a number of times

and some of my family still lives in England.. and honestly FI.. they have some really big issues of their own. But I love it there.. and we really thought about retiring there.. Go for the gold. That is what I would say..

[riversedge]

39. You are lucky that you can follow your dream. Best wishes to you and your family.

[Joinfortmill]

40. Good luck. Know you're not alone in your feelings.

[Leith]

41. I tried to talk my mother into doing that

Both her father's parents immigrated from Ireland. My plan was to use her citizenship to facilitate leaving for the Emerald Isle.

But, doggone it, she didn't want to. Oh, well.

[KatyMan]

58. You wouldn't have been able to.

If you get citizenship by descent, already born children aren't eligible to apply.

[George II]

43. Good luck. If I were younger I'd be in Canada already.

[Dagstead Bumwood]

88. Same here.

Damn Justin and his high standards.

[rufus dog]

44. Nice. What part of Ireland? NT

[lark]

45. I've always thought that the Germans who left as Hitler was consolidating his power were smart.

I think you are taking the smart route. If our grown kids didn't live here, we'd be seriously considering doing the same, only with NZ. We have an "in" there and Jen and Ray swear it would be no problem, that the mayor is their friend and he's approved it. We were going to book in Feb. but CV19 was coming up so we didn't go. We agreed that as soon as it's safe, we're coming there for a visit and vacation. They think drumpf is trying to kill us, that it's unsafe here and we need to come there where they are trying to save lives not destroy them.


But my kids

[OnDoutside]

46. If you need any tips or advice, let me know.

I live in Ireland, and would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

One great government site to look at first is

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/ and https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/

As regards property

www.daft.ie

and

www.myhome.ie

[FightingIrish]

48. Thanks, I'll look at those

My cousin has done a lot of the documentation already. We were in Ireland two years ago and fell in love with the country.

[OnDoutside]

49. Ah yes, I forgot that bit !

As DFW said, everyplace has their issues, but we're doing ok and we're a pretty liberal country now. Most people see being liberal as a repudiation of the Conservative, Catholic Church ruled past.

Is there a part that interests you ? I'm in Cork.

[FightingIrish]

67. My grandmother was from Connemara. We loved the west coast.

It will be kind of like closing a circle. I think she would approve. I’ve been tracing my roots and would love having the time to walk in my ancestors’ footsteps.

[Native]

87. I got my Irish citizenship and passport around 5 years ago

It was a fairly simple process. It takes time gathering all the docs, but the process was seamless for me, and I was able to have an ongoing conversation via email with the woman who ultimately approved me. My grandmother was from Roscommon, and I have a ton of relatives over there that I've never met. If my husband and I weren't still working, we'd be seriously considering a move as well. I wish you all the best, and if you have any questions about the process, I might be able to help - I saved copies of all my paperwork.

[OnDoutside]

119. Mayo especially is wonderful, much better than the over commercial Kerry IMO. We stayed at the

Mulranny hotel last summer, and can't wait to go back. Make sure you are in a good broadband area though, if you are interested, you can get lots of US tv through the net.

[True Blue American]

111. My maternal

Ancestors were from Cork. Paternal Grandparents from Hanover, Germany.

But I guess my thinking is, This too shall pass. After all they came here to make a better life, and pretty much succeeded.

But good luck, Bon Voyage to those who choose to go. I wish you well.

[Victor_c3]

47. I've daydreamed of moving to mainland Europe ever since I was stationed in Germany

I lived about 40 minutes outside of Nuremberg, Germany between 2003 and 2007. I absolutely loved living there, it was a different pace of live, the cities felt safer and cleaner, culture and history abounds, and it is absolutely beautiful.

If my two daughters were full-grown, I’d move to Germany in a heartbeat. Financially, it doesn’t matter where I live and I have enough that I could live nearly anywhere.

I say do it and take the plunge. Life is an adventure and only what you make of it (coming from a guy who just turned 40)

[Warpy]

50. I have a cousin who did that when Dubya got reelected

She's still here because moving from sunny southern CA to chilly, damp Ireland was too tough a sell for her husband. I imagine that if he goes, so will she. You can interpret that several ways.

Unfortunately, I'm spoiled by the high desert. I don't think I could cope with Irish weather, not even on the south coast. I honestly don't mind heat all that much. I loathe humidity.

Maybe high altitude on the edge of the Atacama would suit.

[GetRidOfThem]

51. I was born in Germany, both of my parents were German...

...my father got me naturalized when I was 16, along with him and my mother. She is now back in Bonn, my father passed away suddenly in 1983.

I am now trying really hard to get my German citizenship back, trying to have dual. My wife is American (liberal). I, too, want a back way out of here... Hired lawyers and everything...

[appalachiablue]

52. Sounds like the best thing for you & all the best.

Europe has many fine places, I've lived in and seen England, visited Dublin briefly one time and really liked it. Great people and culture, esp. the music and dance. I have several close Irish friends. Good luck!!

I've tried to get young ones to look at Canada, w/ little success. For me it's stay put here in the Old Country at this point.

[jalan48]

53. Good for you. Ireland sounds like a wonderful place to live.

[calimary]

74. One thing we know for sure is wonderful about Ireland:

trump isn't too involved over there. Other than owning a golf resort that isn't doing that well right now.

[cwydro]

54. Good luck getting out.

You haven’t got your Irish citizenship yet. What part of Ireland do you plan to move into?

I have a dual citizenship, but the pandemic is making it difficult to make plans.

[Aristus]

55. Sounds like you're doing the right thing.

I envy you. I visited Ireland once, both Ulster and the Republic. It's a beautiful country with wonderful people, good food, great beer, heavenly music, etc.

Safe journey to you. Happy days in Ireland!

In the future, if you think of us, remember us as a good country that went mad one bright September morning, and was never the same again...

[Alliepoo]

57. Good for you!!!

I looked into Irish citizenship but my ancestor was a generation too far for me to qualify. I wish you the very best and sure wish I could go with you!!!

[LuckyCharms]

59. Good luck and best wishes. n/t

[cornball 24]

60. Slainte! I would move to Donegal in a heartbeat. My German/Polish ancestry husband loves it

as well. I am 78 and Hubs is 84 so.....! Get Irish Post online and lifts my spirit each day. My heart yearns for Ireland!

[lillypaddle]

61. Best of luck to you and your wife

Can't you vote before you leave?

ETA: just read that you are staying to vote. Thanks!

[sdfernando]

62. I don't blame you one bit

I was born in Munich but to U.S. citizens so can't claim anything there. If I could I'd be doing it now and if the orange pustule got another term I'd be outta here just like you.

Good luck and stay with us here on DU!

[debsy]

63. We are staying for the election.

I did the same thing in 2014 to prepare for the worst. It took about 8 months to get registered and get my Irish passport. I've had dual citizenship since then. If dumpster cheats his way into another term, my husband and I will be similarly departing.

[Jamastiene]

64. Will you adopt me and take me with you?

I want to go too, but cannot afford it and do not know how to talk either Canada or Ireland into letting me in. I despise the fact that nothing ever gets done while Republicans do whatever they want, which is always horrible stuff. If we want to do something about them, everyone around us pulls us back and says we cannot. Those of us who want to find a way to fight them back are discouraged by those who want to just take that abuse. I'm sick of it too. I wonder how much of our life is shaved off by the stress of living under Republican rule. It cannot be good for our health to live under that stress for 8 years at the time like that and that is what I predict we will be under with Trump, just like the rest. Even if more of us vote against him, he'll still steal his way in or Putin will just reinstall him. Either way, four more years of him sounds like Hell on Earth to me. I feel like so much of my life has been wasted dealing with the stress of living under Republican rule. I wish adults could adopt adults.

[BlueJac]

68. Good luck!

[Sloumeau]

69. I'm at least one eighth Irish. My mother's mother's father was an Irish cop in Brooklyn named...

O'Connor. My parents and my older brother went to Ireland for the first time last September and they took a thousand pictures. They saw all kinds of cool stuff, and they visited many pubs. I am glad that you are escaping Trump and going to such a wonderful land. Have pity on those of us who remain. Send in an early ballot for Biden before you go if ya can!

[iluvtennis]

71. So happy for you, go for it. And you'll still be able to keep in touch with family and friends here

with technology - What's App, FaceTime, Skype, etc. And internet is cheap there -- think my daughter pays 9 Euro per month for 32 GB in Italy.

[FakeNoose]

72. If you do leave, please stay in touch on DU

I mean this, I want to read regular posts on here about how wonderful it is in Ireland!

Best of luck to you!

[JGug1]

73. Out of Here

Yes. I am entitled to Argentinean citizenship. The problem is that I have such deep roots here. I'm going to put my money on us kicking Trump out in November.

[peacebuzzard]

75. I have always admired Ireland.

had an overnight in Dublin once, and was more than impressed. I felt at home.
I think it is a great and rational decision you have come to, don't blame you at all.
Will look forward to hearing more about the new life you are taking on, you will only be a click away from DU.
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.

Plus, the Irish approach to a pandemic has just got to be far more rational than what we are experiencing in the U.S.

God Speed, FightingIrish!

[Hortensis]

76. Wish you were doing it for a positive reason.

Could be a wonderfully life enriching move.

But you may not have noticed that our problems are happening in many nations, and running away from trouble is all too liable to turn into running toward. You're not worried about serious economic instability, RW political damage, climate change including drought, drastic cuts in social services, maybe being required to turn over most of your wealth to receive elder care, growing civil unrest, and so on, so sounds like you believe you will always have the means to rise above and not depend on a social safety net you haven't paid into over your lifetime.

Hopefully, you leave no one who needs you behind here, will become positive additions to your new nation, and that Ireland is the better for you. Becoming wise voters is of course critical. But, maybe also tuck away some money in case you need to run again while you're still physically able.

Otherwise best wishes for making the most of your new life. I'd love to try living in Ireland.

[a la izquierda]

78. I'm starting law school in either England or Ireland in October. I cannot wait to leave.

I'll be able to stay for the length of my program. And my partner is English, so hopefully we'll get married once both of our divorces are finalized.

But FYI, unless you've already filed your citizenship paperwork, be prepared to wait. A long time. Brexit has delayed everything in Ireland.

[AllTooEasy]

79. If Trump wins, I'll send you a postcard from Australia or New Zealand

Hopefully.

Your post has perfect timing. I videochatted with high school friends on Saturday. We discussed how the US gov't has progressively deteriorated in the US during our lives, with little hope in site. We asked ourselves "How could even %47, of any country, vote for Trump? Or elect and re-elect W after Clinton? Or, elect Trump (over Hillary!) after Obama? Finally, "why would we want to stay in a place like that?"

Don't get us wrong - we're not trying to move to Russia, Zimbabwe, or China? On the other hand, there are several great options out there.

[tiredtoo]

80. Living within 100 miles of Canada

I have considered the same thing. However, I did not know about the age thing. Wait until November, we need your votes and hopefully things will get better.

[DownriverDem]

117. 10 miles for me

from Canada (Windsor Ontario). My grandmother moved here, but never became a US citizen. Too bad my Dad was born in Detroit.

[yonder]

81. Now good luck to the both of you.

I was going to attach a reel "Around the World for Sport" but that title doesn't really fit your reasons, so here is a wonderful old song describing the reverse of the journey you are about to make, Andy Irvine of Planxty with his unmistakable vocals:

Heck with it, here's the reel too. Since most dance tunes have several different names, here's a slower version of this fine reel along with several other names for it. Call it as you like:

Around the World for Sport a.k.a. Conlan’s Dream, Conolon’s Dream, The Cork Lasses, The Little Pig Lamenting The Empty Trough, The Rambler In Cork, Round The World For Sport, Sally On The Shore, The Sporting Boys Of Summer, The Sword In Hand, With Sword In Hand, Wynnie Flynn’s.

And above all, good luck!

[Maeve]

82. Wish I could join you

But my family has been here too long...if I had the option, I probably would have taken it, too. You'll find better housing prices in the middle of the country (yeah, we've looked!) and there is some comfort in NOT living where your politicians can destroy the world on a whim. And there is still magic there...but enough about Killarney

Safe home wherever home ends up being.

[Lucky Luciano]

83. I've thought about doing the same.

My grandparents on my father’s side are from Ireland, but met and married in the Bronx in 1917! I’m 47 and my grandma is 130!

[warmfeet]

85. Good on ya, mate.

I tried, but I have never made the grade.

Get outta here!

Have some fun. Make a difference.

[denvine]

86. I completely understand your entire reasoning for getting the hell out of here!

We've thought about that since 2016 and looking back on the misery of the last 3 1/2 years, I wish we would have. I also do not want to live in a country where a majority of the people approve of this total annihilation of everything that is good about our country. I hope that we see a total rejection of everything Trump and republican in November so you don't have to leave and we don't have to figure out a way to get the hell out of here. Best of luck to you.

[Tiger8]

89. I'm Irish and want out of here too.

When voters choose the same candidate who supports and encourages marchers with Nazi flags and assault rifles, I don't want to wait around to see what's next.

[Iggo]

90. I don't blame ya.

[soldierant]

91. If you're in a position to do so, I certainly can't blame you.

I want to thank you for staying as long as you did. I recognize that ribbon and know you have served. And I'm confident you have given much more than just that. Thank you for all of it.

[UpInArms]

92. Stay safe and well

And always stay with DU ...

[Demovictory9]

93. but not out of DU right?

[FightingIrish]

98. Never

[Lulu KC]

94. May we join you?

[jimlup]

95. I am sorry - I wish we had your vote in November. Otherwise, I totally understand.

Cheers

[eppur_se_muova]

96. Good luck to you. I'd probably do the same if I could.

I realized a while back that not only isn't this my country anymore, but that maybe it never was.

[Aussie105]

97. When the country you were born in turns ugly

and you can escape, do so.

Despite what we were taught as children, there comes a time that loyalty to your country is just a millstone around your neck.

Flee, be free. And good luck!

[elleng]

99. Lucky.

I have no such place to go, and 4 young grandchildren make it not feasible.

[Upthevibe]

100. I absolutely understand and support your decision.....

I'm thankful that you're going to stay to campaign and vote for Vice President Biden. I think you and your wife are doing the emotionally healthy thing by having a plan in case the worse happens. If I could get out, I would too.

I'm glad that you'll still be an active member of DU.

This is the last scene in The Sound of Music when the Von Trapp's have to flee their country:

[kskiska]

101. How wonderful for you!

I looked into it once, but my great-great-grandparents came from Ireland, which means I don't qualify. My grandparents came from Hungary and never became U.S. citizens, but who wants to go there now, even if it were possible. Best wishes to you.

[Laurelin]

102. Good luck to you

I admit, I'm really glad I left the US. I worry about my kids and friends there.

[luvallpeeps]

104. Best of luck to you.

As happy as I am for you, I feel sad losing another D vote.

[47of74]

105. If I could I'd leave tomorrow

[raccoon]

106. Wish I had an Irish grandmother. Best to you. Nt

[Granny M]

107. Let me know when you get here.

We came in 1993. Dual citizens now. This is our forever home. Don’t even like to visit the US anymore.

[mopinko]

109. dont tell my youngest about this.

she is pissed at me, cuz i have 2 irish born grands, and all 4 great grands. dna is 93% irish. but my citizenship is still hangin round my to-do-list.
i started looking at citizenship under w, as i had 2 draft age boys.

i looked again in 16, and it's a lot easier now. i really should get off my ass, but since i have no intention of leaving, safely nestled here in the bosom of the blue, it never quite climbs to the top of the list.
kiddo is trans and has really been so in fear.

i would feel worse about it except that her step mom was born in donnybrook, and they are thinking they will end up there. plus, mom actually has family here, and could likely even find a place for kiddo to stay.

rly got to do it, tho. after this shit, i am hoping that the sibs and i can visit.

[Tracer]

110. Americans are lucky to be able to choose where they live.

Others are not always so lucky. Good luck to you on your move to Ireland.

Just a note: I've had Irish citizenship for about 11 years (my mother was born in Ireland) and my son has an Irish passport too. You will need to spend time on the phone or in city/town halls in order to gather up more documents than you ever knew existed, fill out complicated forms, make copies of every darn document, pay a stiff fee and wait for a long time.

I actually had to apply twice. I was rejected because I missed xeroxing ONE document! Fun times.

[FailureToCommunicate]

112. Any chance of you voting first, before you leave? We will need ever one.

After that, happy trails to the Emerald Isles.

[pamdb]

113. damn

My grandmother was born in Ontario and they no longer have that. Used to, but now it has to be a parent. rats

My husband is German and he keeps saying he could get it but I'm like, your family's been here since the late 1800's
so I don't think so.

Good luck

[generalbetrayus]

115. I feel your pain, FightingIrish. Unfortunately for me, my Irish ancestors came to America in 1845

and before the Revolutionary War.
Just one word of caution: I have a number of Facebook friends in the UK, including Ireland, and they post about and comment on Trump on Facebook almost as much as my American friends. He appears to be on the news in the UK almost as much as he is here, and you'll probably have to stop watching the news and reading newspapers there if you want to leave him totally behind.

[OriginalGeek]

116. Irish and Scottish

both many generations ago. I don't think I'd be eligible and I'm not useful enough to be wanted for anything other than tourism.


A friend of mine and his wife moved to Ireland about 7 years ago and love it there. But they got to go because she got a job there and her company paid for everything.

[MrsMatt]

118. vote before you leave.n/t