Help Tanith Belbin get her US Citizenship!!! :D

[jazzpants]

We want her and Ben at the 2006 Olympics!!! :mrgreen:

http://www.usfsa.org/event_story.asp?id=31603

Edited to add:

http://www.usfsa.org/event_story.asp?id=31640

[dbny]

Thank you, Jazzpants. I was wondering why no senator was trying to help! I've sent my input to both of my senators and also sent an email to all my friends who might be remotely interested.

[Vicki]

I emailed both of my Senators as well. It was really quick using the link on USFSA's website -- you select a senator and then select a form you can fill out with your message.

[Lark]

I live in Indiana, so I e-mailed Evan Bayh. He is a Democrat.
I never thought to e-mail the Republican, something Lugar, I guess I can do that too.

[jazzpants]

Strangely enough, not as easy for me to reach Barbara Boxer. She does not have that email form or email address. You have snail mail to one of her offices. There's like four of them! (C'mon Sen. Boxer. Get w/the program!!! This *IS* the 21st century!!!) :P

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (formerly our "Da Mayor" from way back when...) OTOH was easy... email form! :mrgreen:

[Vicki]

Jazzpants, I found a form for Sen. Boxer. I think I had to dig a little to find it, though.

There's an update to this story on USFSA's website -- the bill made it past the first step.

[dewey]

I emailed both of my Senators as well. It was really quick using the link on USFSA's website -- you select a senator and then select a form you can fill out with your message.
:?: I've already e-mailed one senator and one (House Approps Comm) representative. If there's a quick way to communicate with additional congresspeople, I'll be glad to do it. Where's the link from USFSA site? I can't find it.

[MQSeries]

I'm kind of indifferent to this issue. Nothing personal against T&B, but it seems like there are other more important issues Congressmen should be dealing with than trying to get an athlete to the Olympics.

[jazzpants]

I'm kind of indifferent to this issue. Nothing personal against T&B, but it seems like there are other more important issues Congressmen should be dealing with than trying to get an athlete to the Olympics.I think this is one of those issues that it's gonna get voted no matter what other "more important issues" we have on the table. Besides, if we just focus on "more important issues", chances are good that nothing will get done... they'll be too busy debating and nothing will get passed. :P :lol:

This is not a slam dunk but it should be easy to deal with.

[noavail]

when is this bill going to be voted on? anyone know?

[Lark]

I'm kind of indifferent to this issue. Nothing personal against T&B, but it seems like there are other more important issues Congressmen should be dealing with than trying to get an athlete to the Olympics.
Uhm, I am sure that the Amendment affects a LOT more than just Olympic eligibilty. It is not that cut and dry.
It will affect millions of "normal" folk too.
Does that make it "worthy" to you?

[Vicki]

:?: I've already e-mailed one senator and one (House Approps Comm) representative. If there's a quick way to communicate with additional congresspeople, I'll be glad to do it. Where's the link from USFSA site? I can't find it.

The original story (which has since been changed) had a link to the U.S. Senate website. Here's the link:

U.S. Senate (http://www.senate.gov)

Here's a link to the House of Representatives: House of Representatives (http://www.house.gov/writerep/)

[MQSeries]

Uhm, I am sure that the Amendment affects a LOT more than just Olympic eligibilty. It is not that cut and dry.
It will affect millions of "normal" folk too.
Does that make it "worthy" to you?

Nope, and I'm sure a many of you don't think twice about citizenship issue either except that this situation involve a popular figure skater and posters here are obviously devout figure skating fans. I'm not trying to tell people what they should worry about, just saying that this issue seems so trivial to me.

[dbny]

Nope, and I'm sure a many of you don't think twice about citizenship issue either except that this situation involve a popular figure skater and posters here are obviously devout figure skating fans. I'm not trying to tell people what they should worry about, just saying that this issue seems so trivial to me.

Citizenship is not a trivial issue, especially these days, when so many are running scared, that a permanent resident who has lived in the US virtually all of his life can be expelled for committing a misdemeanor.

[Lark]

Nope, and I'm sure a many of you don't think twice about citizenship issue either except that this situation involve a popular figure skater and posters here are obviously devout figure skating fans. I'm not trying to tell people what they should worry about, just saying that this issue seems so trivial to me.

Why are you here exactly?
This is a skating board with skating fans. Did you think this was Soapnet?

[MQSeries]

Why are you here exactly?
Because I want to. Good enough? If not then too bad.


This is a skating board with skating fans. Did you think this was Soapnet?

This isn't my first post, so I'm perfectly aware what type of board this is. Thank you very much.

I guess you expect everyone in this board to only have positive thing to say about figure skating and figure skaters, right? If you really think that then maybe you're the one who should be asking yourself if you know what kind of board this is.

There, that's my smart alecky remark for the month.

[dewey]

I agree that the citizenship requirement is out-of-synch with the apolitical spirit of the Olympics. Alas, it is a requirement and Tanith Belbin has more than met its (current) terms. I think it's only fair that she be allowed to go to the Olympics. I talked briefly to Ben Agosto about this at Skate America and told him I'd write to my Congresspeople in support of "Tanith's Bill". So I'm doing it.
:giveup:

[loveskating]

I agree that the citizenship requirement is out-of-synch with the apolitical spirit of the Olympics. Alas, it is a requirement and Tanith Belbin has more than met its (current) terms. I think it's only fair that she be allowed to go to the Olympics. I talked briefly to Ben Agosto about this at Skate America and told him I'd write to my Congresspeople in support of "Tanith's Bill". So I'm doing it.
:giveup:

In virtually every area of human endeavor in our country, from computers to ballet, people get fast tracked as to citizenship etc. to serve our national needs and intersts ALL THE TIME.

This is not "unfair" in any way whatseover -- its common place. Bill Gates gets it done ALL THE TIME only you don't hear about it.

[Isk8NYC]

Bill Gates gets it done ALL THE TIME only you don't hear about it.

You're absolutely right. Getting people into the country so they can "take work home" is part of the reason enrollment in technology programs is so low. Info Tech firms don't even call it "outsourcing" anymore -- it's called "offshoring." Meaning, companies here hire programmers elsewhere. At the last PCexpo I went to, fully half the exhibitors were overseas contractors from India, China, Russia, Ireland, and other countries. Tough audience though: most of the attendees were displaced/laid off IT workers. Your only role now is to act as business analysts and QA professionals for development. Very upsetting to those of us who had satisfying careers in that profession.

If Tanith qualifies under the current rules, I'm all for her citizenship. Frankly, the national lines in skating are weak at best. How many skaters from one country train year-round in another country? Their coaches are from where ever. I don't think there are any citizenship requirements for their participation on the team.

[miraclegro]

I absolutely love to watch them, but i was just wondering how long they truly had been here in U.S. And i don't fully understand how it all works with training in one country and deciding if you will represent your country or the U.S. Any input on this?

[Lark]

I absolutely love to watch them, but i was just wondering how long they truly had been here in U.S. And i don't fully understand how it all works with training in one country and deciding if you will represent your country or the U.S. Any input on this?

This is a touchy subject with me and I am gonna start a new thread just for this topic, thanks for the inspiration! :)

[Reckless]

I absolutely love to watch them, but i was just wondering how long they truly had been here in U.S. And i don't fully understand how it all works with training in one country and deciding if you will represent your country or the U.S. Any input on this?
Tanith has truly been here since 1999. She and Ben teamed up in 1998. Her family moved here permanently in 1999. Under various different circumstances, a person who started the citizenship process in 1999 could have become a citizen in time for the 2006 Olympics. And that was even without the processing changes that occurred later to streamline the residency process for people like Tanith. Those changes are the justification for the legislation. If Tanith's application had been processed in the manner such applications are now being processed, she would almost certainly be eligible for naturalization by now.

[Samskate]

Basher, did you just join today in order to get your dislike for Tanith off your chest or what? What did that woman ever do to you to make you hate her so much? :roll:

[garyc254]

Basher, when you can skate as well as she does then you can criticize.


:idea:

[dbny]

Please don't feed the trolls :lol:.

[Jim D]

basher – Personal attacks on skaters or other posters are not tolerated on this board. … Make your vacuous comments elsewhere.

[SkateFan123]

Tanith has truly been here since 1999. She and Ben teamed up in 1998. Her family moved here permanently in 1999. Under various different circumstances, a person who started the citizenship process in 1999 could have become a citizen in time for the 2006 Olympics. And that was even without the processing changes that occurred later to streamline the residency process for people like Tanith. Those changes are the justification for the legislation. If Tanith's application had been processed in the manner such applications are now being processed, she would almost certainly be eligible for naturalization by now.

While all of that is true, what bothers me is that she is still a Canadian too. Unlike Rena, who is no longer a Japanese citenship, it seems like Tanith is not really an American but a skater who just wants to go to the Olympics. That just doesn't sit well with me.

Speaking of Rena, at their interview after winning again, John said when asked about wedding plans that "weddings are the #1 cause of divorce". I felt so bad for Rena, who gave up so much at his insistance. After all, she's been to the Olympics. She gave up her citizenship to Japan so he could realize his Olympic dream, then he makes a crappy comment like that. He has no class.

[ProPokerPlayer]

Speaking of Rena, at their interview after winning again, John said when asked about wedding plans that "weddings are the #1 cause of divorce". I felt so bad for Rena, who gave up so much at his insistance. After all, she's been to the Olympics. She gave up her citizenship to Japan so he could realize his Olympic dream, then he makes a crappy comment like that. He has no class.

here's a male perspective...

aren't weddings just a formality these days?

i mean, say you have a couple who's been married for 2 years... aside from a marriage certificate, what makes that (married) couple different from another couple who's NOT married but are also living together for 2 years?

it's one (outdated) tradition we should ALL get rid of!