Hi, Dave. Good morning from Kansas.

Welcome to the group.

Welcome Dave (I'm in Asia as well).

october2014, ThoughtAsWeak, thank you for the welcome, and a pleasant night from here in the Philippines on the 22nd!

DSmom12345, hello! where are you, I mean what country, if you can/want to tell me? I've lived here in the PH since 2008, before that I lived in Wan Chai, Hong Kong for 11 months.

I've been active with RSOL since about '08-'09 I think, and with other groups, CFC America for one (wasn't that a fun ride!).

Right now, as it stands, I'm eligible for a CA Certificate of Rehabilitation in 2015, 'cept with the slight problem of not having been a resident of CA since 2007. There's no drive for me to go back to the US to live, only to visit friends and family.

The America i knew no longer exists, and I don't recognize what the country has become. I don't see see things changing, not in our lifetimes, and when it does, I think there's going to be a civil war or revolt. I see this as needed, to return to what we once enjoyed. However, I see things in place that almost guarantees it's already too late. I compare the US to ancient Rome, militarily powerful, able to resist any attack, but weak and rotten from within.

My hope (at 50 years of age now), is to come off somehow, and be unchained and left alone to live my life abroad. I think EVERYONE needs to do whatever they can to advance the cause, while still being mindful and responsible for and to their own situation, and to their family if that applies.

Anyway, glad to be here, and hopefully I'll learn lots, and become an even more effective advocate/activist!

Dave in the Philippines

Hi Dave! I'm in Missouri. Nice to meet ya.

Hi Jen827! I have a Filipina sister-in-law named Jen (Jennifer)! Seems like a lot of things in the movement are happening there in MO, good! I THINK I have kinfolk there, where I'm not sure, on my Dad's side.

Originally, I'm from Arizona, born in Phoenix. I have state pride, again, from growing up there, though now AZ is one of the states with the most draconian, lifetime registries. Nothing to be proud of..

Dave in the Philippines

Hi Dave, I'm not too far from you (but would rather not say). I've been overseas for a bit longer, the early 90's.

Ditto on your opinions of America. I have no intentions of ever living in the US. I disliked it before but after this happened I'm downright angry at what the US has become.

Kudos to you for escaping overseas. I keep reading that it's tough to do now (getting tougher).

Hi DSmom 12345, well, I'm now residing in Daraga, Albay, Bicol Region. I much prefer Hong Kong to live, though you need to be sponsored by an employer to live there. But I like the modern, clean infrastructure, the work ethic, the anonymity I feel from the HK Chinese. I think my 'history' shows up in employment databases they check for foreign applicants, thus I never get hired, plus the fact I'm now 50, and there's age discrimination here in Asia. I can live her in the PH due to the fact that I'm married to a Filipina.

Dave in the Philippines

Dave, do you know when they first started accessing the databases? Or what countries are signed up for them? From what I've read (I'm new to this) the noose seems to be closing.

Welcome Dave !

DSmom12345, it seems to be a mixed bag. Don't have any specific dates, but as far as employment goes, most all the employers hiring foreign/expats have access to databases, which are tied/linked to the US for a US citizen of course, so whatever a persons history shows, it WILL come up. I know Japan and other countries also use a cross referenced immigration database now. Once your passport is run on arrival, you are denied entry into the country, you can't even exit the airport. You have to leave the country on another flight.

Dave in the Philippines

Dave, I read that Japan is tough - even their policemen have handheld scanners hooked to the database. Other countries in SE Asia are also signing up for entry. When I was in Cambodia last there were no immigration slips to fill out. They took digital fingerprints (I'm assuming they are also hooked into the US criminal database).

Do you get hassled when you fly back to the US?

Hey DSmom, I'll let you know when that happens:)! Seriously, I have no doubt, as long as I'm on the registry, I'll be taken aside for a little 'chat' in a small white room at Immigration in the US. That's why I'm in no hurry to go back now. As far as living, fulfilling the 'reside in CA for at least 3 years' requirement for a CA COR, well, I'd LOVE to live under a bridge and be hassled and harassed so some CA politician can get elected/re-elected, but you know what, I'll pass..

I'll have to see what sort of changes Janice and CA RSOL can bring about before I go back. NEVER once had a problem with the Philippines, Hong Kong, or the Mainland (CH).

Dave in the Philippines

bagger7, Howdy! Thanks for the welcome!

Dave in the Philippines

Welcome Dave, I bet people might have a lot of questions for you, like me, LOL..

Any hassle on coming back to the states for a visit?