[geeks] Retiring-in/Visiting the USA (was: FS: iPhone 4)

[Jonathan Patschke]

On Mon, 19 Dec 2011, Mouse wrote:

>> [...].  That leaves me seriously questioning if I want to retire
>> here.
>
> _Retire_ there?  I won't even _visit_ there, much less live there, in
> its present state.
>
> Of course, if you're already living there, the activation energy for
> leaving is a higher barrier than for someone not there refusing to go
> there....

Exactly.  I was born here, and I have parents to care for while they're
around.  Beyond then, I just don't know.  Everywhere else I've visited on
the planet seems happier, at least.

The US media and politicians scream about "terrorism" from people half a
world away, but my visits to Taiwan have been devoid of any such culture
of fear[0], even with their tenuous relationship with China (which is big,
powerful, and Right Over There).  Even in the wake of the 2005 attack in
London, it was nowhere nearly as locked-down and paranoid in 2009 as New
York City and DC are even today.

With this NDAA and SOPA nonsense likely heading for the President's desk,
I have even more reason to plan future schooling/employment/retirement on
foreign shores.  It makes me really sad, as I have a farm and lots of
friends here.


[0] The annual air raid drill is a bit discomforting if you've not been
     through it before, and they are really cautious about colds and the
     flu (makes sense, given the population density in the north part of
     the island).  But they're so much more relaxed and calm than
     Americans, on the whole.
-- 
Jonathan Patschke    |    "It is easier to build two chimneys than to
Elgin, TX            %     keep one in fuel."
USA                  |                            --Benjamin Franklin