Concentration camps, spying, and violation of rights--a mother's fear.

[Skidmore]

This is what frightens most. Some of you here will recall that I lived in the middle east for about a decade, both during the Shah's time and was caught there during the revolution and the Iran-Iraq war--couldn't get out. When I was eighteen--a few decades ago, I married an Iranian man, whom I subsequently divorced and who has been deceased for several years. After much hardship, I brought my 2 children out of Iran. Spent 2 years going through an impossible situation to divorce in two judicials systems. My daughter was a preteen when I brought the kids out, and my son was just 5. I raised them on my own, educated them (both completed college), and they are fine young adults. I have 3 beautiful grandkids and am very proud of all of them. I'm worried about this slide into hell accelerating. I'm worried that one day my kids will be snapped up and interred because of their paternity. I'm afraid that no one will care enough to intercede.

I'm sure there are other mothers out there like me. I never thought my nation would crumble into snivelling cowardice so quickly.

[400Years]

1. sadly your fears are justified

[Double T]

2. If we can get past the rigged voting machines and the 'swiftboat'......

type propaganda by the rethuglicans, you may not have to worry about such things. These dictator gestapo style tactics are a bushco original and if we can vote these 'political infections' out of office, we can put an end to their tyranny. There is getting to be a lot more motivation for the masses to vote against the rethugs with each new day.

[Trevelyan]

3. God bless and watch over you and your family. You and your children have

accomplished a lot and I hope you will join us in the Impeachment effort.

[kineneb]

4. I so hear you

My step-father is from Iran. I lived there in '70-71, and my parents stayed until the revolution. All of us had Iranian passports. We have lots of Iranian expat relatives and friends here. I am hoping that "they" don't come looking for all of us.

Deep irony time- stepfather is an R and voted (I would guess) for (un-)Glorious Leader.

[OneBlueSky]

5. you have good reason to worry . . .

ENDGAME: Office of Detention and Removal Strategic Plan, 2004-2012
U.S Department of Homeland Security
http://www.yuricareport.com/Civil%20Rights/Endgame.pdf

Civilian Inmate Labor Program - U.S. Army Regulation 210-35
http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r210_35.pdf

[Jose Diablo]

6. The attack on the 4th and 5th amendment is underway. I am sure

many people of middle eastern decent have disappeared. To maintain power, these monsters running the government, if they remain unchecked, will scapegoat some group. I imagine the first group in a long list would be those from the middle east.

However, it's not clear to me the reactionary elements will be able to keep the upper hand here. I hope not.

But sometimes just relying on hope is not enough. I think there is a saying that goes something like plan for the worst, but hope for the best.

You already know some of the best ways to survive, you have done so before. Thus, you do have a good chance to protect both yourself and your children.

In regards to plan for the worst, during upheavals it always helps to have already made a plan for escaping. If people from the middle eastern countries living here need to escape, there will be set-up clandestine routes for their escape to a safe haven. Make plans to be able to do this if the need comes-up. Maybe Canada or certain countries in Central America could be good places to plan on going to.

I know the border to Canada is porous. It would be literally impossible to effectively close that border, especially in blue states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. I would suggest a town like Detroit for example. A large city with a border that in a pinch could be crossed with a rowboat. There are other cities that due to their proximity to Canada would serve as well. Personally knowing many people in Michigan, even those that look like reactionaries, they aren't really. They would do the right thing and give shelter and move people along to safety.

But careful attention still needs to be maintained from those in Canada to prevent reactionary forces within Canada from collaborating with those here in the states and closing the border from Canada's side to refugees fleeing to freedom. So keep monitoring whats going on in Canada to be sure there is a safe haven there, if it gets really bad here.

The main thing I guess, is do what you are doing, staying aware of the situation and having in place a plan, a workable doable plan. And also hope for the best.

We will get through this, somehow.

[roguevalley]

7. I know what you mean. I live in Alaska. Most people don't know we

are part of the USA. If it gets bad, come north. We'll hide you. I mean it. We will.