The Day Sam Got the Franchise or Adding A Dash of Lime to the Melting Pot.

Well, after 4 years of paperwork, check writing & waiting (mostly in reverse order of shown), Sam Negus became a citizen of the the good ol' US of A yesterday. It was a morning like any other, except that we woke up really early.

We then motored up the freeway with large quantities of E-quadrant drones to the USCIS office up near the airport. The man on security was exceptionally jovial. We took our seats in the big room, myself on one of the side aisles and Sam among the other 60 or some other multihued candidates in the middle. The ceremony was about 40 minutes, more laid-back than I would have thought, and generally a good time aside from the conspicuous absence of the national anthem and substitution by Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to Be An American” with accompanying video.

Before the ceremony I whispered to Sam, "What would the Queen think?" His reply, "She probably wishes she could leave, too."

Also, our friend's Snapple bottle cap yesterday portentously offered the old advice, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Below are some snaps of the day:

Some light, pre-ceremony reading. Note boots, classy choice.

Sam has his document inspected to make sure he has neither become a Communist or terrorist nor traveled anywhere shady since his interview.

Sam stands and waves his mini-flag when the UK is called. There were representatives from about 30 or so countries from Vietnam to Cote d'Ivoire to Belarus. Half the room stood up for Mexico.

Sam promising to bear arms for the US, etc.

The President welcomes everyone as citizens, urging them to embrace the civic responsibilities that come therewith. Pretty good speech.

Sam with official certificate of citizenship & official mini-flag with mini-Lady Liberty.

What new citizen would be complete without a t-shirt like this? Took literally less than 60 seconds to find at our local thrift store.

Champagne toast! "My fellow Americans...etc etc."