We're so lucky...

[meauxna 15]

Hi there,

You are indeed very lucky. My husband and I are having an awful time with Pittsburgh. The interview has taken a dislike to my husband. Good luck

Chris

Chris, I think you are misstating your case, which could be harmful to your outcome.

The officer in your case doesn't have personal feelings about your husband one way or another (professionally). Your husband has some serious issues in his background that the officer needs to resolve.

I don't think you should lead newcomers to believe that they have to personally win over their interviewer in order to succeed.

Queen Becca, you ARE lucky.

[rebeccajo 14]

Hi there,

You are indeed very lucky. My husband and I are having an awful time with Pittsburgh. The interview has taken a dislike to my husband. Good luck

Chris

Chris, I think you are misstating your case, which could be harmful to your outcome.

The officer in your case doesn't have personal feelings about your husband one way or another (professionally). Your husband has some serious issues in his background that the officer needs to resolve.

I don't think you should lead newcomers to believe that they have to personally win over their interviewer in order to succeed.

Queen Becca, you ARE lucky.

Eh, mo, I know you're right. We're very fortunate to have an open communication channel with our office. A rarity (I believe) from my readings.

It's just that the open channel isn't getting us any results. Hence my grumbling.

[Yodrak 7]

rebeccajo,

But perhaps someone else with a name or other identifying information very similar to your husband's is not Protestant and does have some IRA connections, or some other unsavory attributes. Figuring out that your husband is not that person may not be quick and easy to do.

You are lucky that you were given personal contact information so that you could keep in touch with the case officer. My wife also had to wait for FBI clearance following her AOS interview before her application could be approved. The interviewing officer told her it could take anywhere from weeks to over a year and appologized that he was not permitted to give us his contact information so that we could make follow-up inquiries, we'd just have to wait however long it took. Turned out to be about 2 months in her case.

Yodrak

... dr lha, you should note that my husband is protestant. He can't be in the IRA.....

[isleta521 5]

Good luck Rebecca

[Sheriff Uling 3]

It must be very refreshing to work with someone who is responsive and is really working your case. The entire process would be a lot easier to swallow if the entire process was handled in the same manner. I hope that your name check comes back soon. Good luck! Cheers!!! - Sheriff Uling

[rebeccajo 14]

Yodrak -

In the North, there were (and I'm sure still are) just as many protestants with unsavory attributes as catholics. They'd just be in some 'other' club than the IRA.

Becca

rebeccajo,

But perhaps someone else with a name or other identifying information very similar to your husband's is not Protestant and does have some IRA connections, or some other unsavory attributes. Figuring out that your husband is not that person may not be quick and easy to do.

You are lucky that you were given personal contact information so that you could keep in touch with the case officer. My wife also had to wait for FBI clearance following her AOS interview before her application could be approved. The interviewing officer told her it could take anywhere from weeks to over a year and appologized that he was not permitted to give us his contact information so that we could make follow-up inquiries, we'd just have to wait however long it took. Turned out to be about 2 months in her case.

Yodrak

... dr lha, you should note that my husband is protestant. He can't be in the IRA.....

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

It's funny because my grandmother (I'm USC) was connected to the IRA in the late 50s/early 60s -- my cousin had problems getting a high-level security clearance in the US Marines because of it. I do wonder if this is the reason we are waiting, though obviously the issue is me and not my UKC spouse.

[aidan80 9]

HAHAHAHAHA! Jen, dr lha's point doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact we have wondered it ourselves and indeed I would almost expect it.

Nonetheless, dr lha, you should note that my husband is protestant. He can't be in the IRA.....

If only everything back home was that black & white we’d all be happy.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. Being a protestant does not necessarily exclude someone from being associated with or being a member of a republican/nationalist organization, either political or military. The same can be said for Catholics being associated with loyalist/unionist organizations.

I must point out the foundation of Irish republicanism as being founded and initially lead by.. emm.. a bunch of prods! I’m sure even today there are nationalist Protestants and some unionist Catholics out there.

That statement is much like saying Catholics were not in the former RUC, there were Catholics in the now defunct RUC small in number and I’m sure as loyal to the british crown as their protestant colleagues but they where there.

I’m sorry if this sounds wrong but your statement came across as most offensive to me and borderline sectarian.

I half way expect to get held up with an FBI name check myself, as I’m from the north.

Edited September 12, 2006 by aidan80

[rebeccajo 14]

HAHAHAHAHA! Jen, dr lha's point doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact we have wondered it ourselves and indeed I would almost expect it.

Nonetheless, dr lha, you should note that my husband is protestant. He can't be in the IRA.....

If only everything back home was that black & white we’d all be happy.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. Being a protestant does not necessarily exclude someone from being associated with or being a member of a republican/nationalist organization, either political or military. The same can be said for Catholics being associated with loyalist/unionist organizations.

I must point out the foundation of Irish republicanism as being founded and initially lead by.. emm.. a bunch of prods! I’m sure even today there are nationalist Protestants and some unionist Catholics out there.

That statement is much like saying Catholics were not in the former RUC, there were Catholics in the now defunct RUC small in number and I’m sure as loyal to the british crown as their protestant colleagues but they where there.

I’m sorry if this sounds wrong but your statement came across as most offensive to me and borderline sectarian.

I half way expect to get held up with an FBI name check myself, as I’m from the north.

Oh Aidan, you must surely realize I meant no harm. As I try to understand the troubles, I often find myself saying the wrong things. I guess it goes to what Wes' friend said to me once - feelings run deep. Please forgive me if I was ignorant.

Also try to understand that my perspective of the Troubles may be a bit different from yours, as Wes is older than you. He lived through some of the worst parts of it and has shared those bits with me. They aren't a pretty picture as you might imagine. I'm by no means saying you are too young to remember as I know better - it's just that Wes experienced 'more' of it by virtue solely of his age.

Of course the paramilitary groups have members from both faiths. Of course they cross over into one another. Imagine my confusion as an American hearing people talk about Catholics and Protestants the way I heard people discuss black and white when I was growing up in America in the 60's. It's also hard for me to imagine feeling like a 'second class citizen' by virtue of ones faith alone. But I know there were times Wes felt that way. At least as far as the element of danger went.

Again I apologize. I was trying to say I wasn't offended by dr_lha's post by making a joke, as he referred to a particular group that is, you must admit, largely dominated by members of one faith. I guess I did so in poor taste.

[aidan80 9]

HAHAHAHAHA! Jen, dr lha's point doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact we have wondered it ourselves and indeed I would almost expect it.

Nonetheless, dr lha, you should note that my husband is protestant. He can't be in the IRA.....

If only everything back home was that black & white we’d all be happy.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. Being a protestant does not necessarily exclude someone from being associated with or being a member of a republican/nationalist organization, either political or military. The same can be said for Catholics being associated with loyalist/unionist organizations.

I must point out the foundation of Irish republicanism as being founded and initially lead by.. emm.. a bunch of prods! I’m sure even today there are nationalist Protestants and some unionist Catholics out there.

That statement is much like saying Catholics were not in the former RUC, there were Catholics in the now defunct RUC small in number and I’m sure as loyal to the british crown as their protestant colleagues but they where there.

I’m sorry if this sounds wrong but your statement came across as most offensive to me and borderline sectarian.

I half way expect to get held up with an FBI name check myself, as I’m from the north.

Oh Aidan, you must surely realize I meant no harm. As I try to understand the troubles, I often find myself saying the wrong things. I guess it goes to what Wes' friend said to me once - feelings run deep. Please forgive me if I was ignorant.

Also try to understand that my perspective of the Troubles may be a bit different from yours, as Wes is older than you. He lived through some of the worst parts of it and has shared those bits with me. They aren't a pretty picture as you might imagine. I'm by no means saying you are too young to remember as I know better - it's just that Wes experienced 'more' of it by virtue solely of his age.

Of course the paramilitary groups have members from both faiths. Of course they cross over into one another. Imagine my confusion as an American hearing people talk about Catholics and Protestants the way I heard people discuss black and white when I was growing up in America in the 60's. It's also hard for me to imagine feeling like a 'second class citizen' by virtue of ones faith alone. But I know there were times Wes felt that way. At least as far as the element of danger went.

Again I apologize. I was trying to say I wasn't offended by dr_lha's post by making a joke, as he referred to a particular group that is, you must admit, largely dominated by members of one faith. I guess I did so in poor taste.

There is no harm done, I can understand how someone could stumble over a subject such as the troubles. I don’t feel you weren’t ignorant, if anything you should be congratulated for attempting to get your head around the subject and doing it without jumping on one band wagon or another! I sometimes get a sore head just thinking about it all sometimes.

I can certainly understand your perspective of the troubles being different than mine; I can imagine your husbands experience being different than my own. I might not have lived through the “worst” parts of it and I’m glad I didn’t, I’ve heard enough stories about it. I did grow up in it, surrounded and trapped by it in a border area full of us second class citizens.

There is no need for an apology, its way too tricky a subject. I do admit he did mention a largely popular group that is largely made up of one faith.

Anyway to the point of my post.. good luck I hope all is well!

Edited September 13, 2006 by aidan80

[rebeccajo 14]

HAHAHAHAHA! Jen, dr lha's point doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact we have wondered it ourselves and indeed I would almost expect it.

Nonetheless, dr lha, you should note that my husband is protestant. He can't be in the IRA.....

If only everything back home was that black & white we’d all be happy.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. Being a protestant does not necessarily exclude someone from being associated with or being a member of a republican/nationalist organization, either political or military. The same can be said for Catholics being associated with loyalist/unionist organizations.

I must point out the foundation of Irish republicanism as being founded and initially lead by.. emm.. a bunch of prods! I’m sure even today there are nationalist Protestants and some unionist Catholics out there.

That statement is much like saying Catholics were not in the former RUC, there were Catholics in the now defunct RUC small in number and I’m sure as loyal to the british crown as their protestant colleagues but they where there.

I’m sorry if this sounds wrong but your statement came across as most offensive to me and borderline sectarian.

I half way expect to get held up with an FBI name check myself, as I’m from the north.

Oh Aidan, you must surely realize I meant no harm. As I try to understand the troubles, I often find myself saying the wrong things. I guess it goes to what Wes' friend said to me once - feelings run deep. Please forgive me if I was ignorant.

Also try to understand that my perspective of the Troubles may be a bit different from yours, as Wes is older than you. He lived through some of the worst parts of it and has shared those bits with me. They aren't a pretty picture as you might imagine. I'm by no means saying you are too young to remember as I know better - it's just that Wes experienced 'more' of it by virtue solely of his age.

Of course the paramilitary groups have members from both faiths. Of course they cross over into one another. Imagine my confusion as an American hearing people talk about Catholics and Protestants the way I heard people discuss black and white when I was growing up in America in the 60's. It's also hard for me to imagine feeling like a 'second class citizen' by virtue of ones faith alone. But I know there were times Wes felt that way. At least as far as the element of danger went.

Again I apologize. I was trying to say I wasn't offended by dr_lha's post by making a joke, as he referred to a particular group that is, you must admit, largely dominated by members of one faith. I guess I did so in poor taste.

There is no harm done, I can understand how someone could stumble over a subject such as the troubles. I don’t feel you weren’t ignorant, if anything you should be congratulated for attempting to get your head around the subject and doing it without jumping on one band wagon or another! I sometimes get a sore head just thinking about it all sometimes.

I can certainly understand your perspective of the troubles being different than mine; I can imagine your husbands experience being different than my own. I might not have lived through the “worst” parts of it and I’m glad I didn’t, I’ve heard enough stories about it. I did grow up in it, surrounded and trapped by it in a border area full of us second class citizens.

There is no need for an apology, its way too tricky a subject. I do admit he did mention a largely popular group that is largely made up of one faith.

Anyway to the point of my post.. good luck I hope all is well!

Thanks.

[Karenm 0]

Hi Rebecca! I'm following your case and I'm here w/ my fingers crossed for you! Hopefully you'll receive a good notice before you have to send another AOS!