Ana

i have been thinking since i read jason's computer simulation. whether or not this simulation is accurate, it does seem clear that by using a randomized system, the last august case will only be cleared many months down the road, especially since new names get added to the pool every day. from reading this board, it also seems clear that many people find randomness to be illogical and unjust. therefore, i think we might want to call for an end to randomized clearances and demand that cases be processed according to date of interview. i realize such a request might run counter to the interests of some people, especially those who had later interviews, such as in november or december. however, it is a more fair way, and december folks might find themselves backlogged in the future if dos/fbi/cia (whoever) continues to employ this inefficient method.

good idea! let us know who you are contacting, when, and what addresses you used, and maybe others will follow suit.

i just read the paper shredder story. i feel like i am going to throw up. we are so vulnerable. these people have complete control over our lives, and can literally tear them to shreds.

does anyone else find it scary that non-criminal immigrant visa applicants are being targeted for this kind of scrutiny?

i called dos today too. nothing.

i think we should use this. if some other computer-minded people could double check the simulation, or come up with their own models, we could use this as evidence. this could be part of all our new letters/faxes to the state department, the media, etc. using this as support, we could demand that the clearances be done in order and that we believe the problem is related to the current system they have in place. what do others think of actually using a model like this to make our point?

Great! But I think it was JoninDenver who posted the story about having a meeting with Adams and getting stood up...(in Our Stories)...so don't be surprised...although it seems a good sign that he contacted you guys again. But Mick is right, show up or not, it is a victory. And I DO think such a visit is useful, even if ultimately it is not in GZ's hands. At least we can accumulate more information. If GZ feels pressured, they will complain to their higher-ups. We need to apply pressure everywhere!

Sending the Jimmy Hoffa address asap over pm. please keep alert.

whoops. i guess his bad language is something i must be blamed for. gotta keep that boy in line.

leading him through the sign up process over yahoo messenger was more exhausting than trying to get him here! woo! im pooped.

thank you!

i'd like to introduce my husband

I am trying to put together a list of contact information of gz, dos, etc. numbers/email addresses. if you would like to add some information you dont think i have (non-obvious numbers), please pm me. if you would like a copy of the list, pm me your email address and ill send it to you as an attachment.

president@whitehouse.gov

it's quite true: you can't be both completely safe and free.

theyll never pay any attention to us as individuals. it is only as a group that we have any power.

the only real way to do it is to call

I'm so happy that he is responding to us. I just got another email, and he is also communicating with Owen, trying to figure out a time. It is great that someone is finally willing to talk to us!

I just right now got an email from r. adams. it is 8:22 pm EST. owen and mick, you might want to email him or call his office right now, because he is in. i responded and thanked him for the email. great!! Here is what he said: Sure, they can come and see me. They should contact > me themselves, though, > to arrange the time.

fax number: 1-202-647-0341 you can also use this number to fax kathryn cabral, just write: ATTN: Kathryn Cabral on the cover letter. you can call the consular affairs office at: 1-202-647-7948 if you want to write colin powell, (same agency, but why not?) his fax is: 1-202-261-8577 phone: 1-202-647-5291 hell, while you're at it, fax the president: 1-202-456-2461 email: president@whitehouse.gov good luck!

emailed adams and donahue 1/28 faxed adams 1/29 havent gotten through to the donahue number yet. try tomorrow

i called the dos hotline today. no clearance (what else is new) i asked the woman if she had seen anyone else getting cleared lately. she would not answer this question. i also called last friday, and that woman told me that she really hadnt seen many clearances lately. i then asked if there was anyone else i could contact about the status of my case and she said no. i could only contact the state department, and the state department must wait until it is contacted by the fbi/cia. the state department cannot contact the fbi/cia and ask about the status of my case. no one had ever told me outright that the fbi/cia are the agencies actually carrying out the name check. also, no one ever told me that dos doesnt have the power to find out the status of our cases from the fbi/cia. as with all information received from this hotline, take it with a grain of salt. maybe its true, maybe its not. personally, i think the people who anwer those phones are just as confused as we are about what is going on.

i tried to fax gz today, and it seems their numbers have changed. Richard Adams: 011-86-20-8121-9001 Linda Donahue: 011-86-20-8121-8341 please note it, because you never know when you are going to want to fax them!

tell me about it. i might be in for some more fun in china after this semester ends. i was thinking, maybe my husband and i will just move to guangzhou? its as good as anywhere else, and then we can always hang out at the consulate!

also, there are 2 numbers: 202-663-1291 202-663-1225 so you might want to try both