[Happygal]

There are something like 10,000 special visas set aside just for the Irish.

Yup....certainly. But ALL those Visa's will be taken up by Irish immigrants to the US who are currently illegal. Not Al-Queda, not Arab fundamentalists...mainly young building workin' young lads, or bar maid lassies who want to find something bigger and better for themselves.

I turn 30 on Saturday...the USA doesn't really want, or need me. Well, (A)..I'm reasonably successful over here (b)..I want to go to the US for a lot of fun and new opportunities, but not necessarily to better myself, and improve my life. I can do that here. So I should be on the back heel of visa applications, not at the front.

I want to go to the US because I love the people mainly. I love their get up and go, and I love the way they laugh at the 'lazy' Irish, who run rings around them in conversation, craic, and work too in many respects. I love that.

And I love the US verve. Why the hell do I spend so much time on FR, for cryin' out-loud. And why do I cringe when I see the ``Europe hates the US'' threads, when I know, me, as a little ol' European bucks that ingrated stereotype?

But thanks Reaguswuzthebest...(actually, I'm 30 pages off finishing ``When Character Was King'...and yes (apart from his like of Maggie Thatcher ~Irishness shinin' through~ Reagan was, THE BEST~) *S*

[FITZ]

I want to go to the US because I love the people mainly.

You should come to the US ----but legally. That's always an option.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Just saw one of the local NY congressman on tv recently (not mine), but his name is Jim Walsh out of the 25th district. He's the one who set up the program. According to him, they're begging for takers. If anything, many Irish immigrants here are going back home. You should contact his office if you're serious about getting a visa. Even so, I think Ireland is one of 29 countries where you can get a visa waiver. It's very easy for you to visit here if you want.

As far Europe, it's sort of a love/hate thing with them we have. Most of us with ancestors from that part of the world haven't forgotton the old countries. It's just they're always whining about us over there. Makes me wonder if they're a little envious sometimes.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

BTW, happy birthday. Have a toast to the Free Republic, the USA, and to Ireland for me.

[FreedomFriend]

Trust me, very few dislike the Irish. As it stands, it is probably the most Conservative of European nations, despite it not being connected to the mainland.