Good catch Peter. I was not aware that they had closed that door. Just goes to show that the 'rules' change all the time. So it's back to the drawing board for someone who wants to retire to the UK.
Meadbh, paranoia is never justified by definition.
paranoia - definition of paranoia by The Free Dictionary It is an extreme, IRRATIONAL distrust of others. Fear is sometimes justifiable but not paranoia.
In my opinion (and I am entitled to one, we are all entitled to judge and all do so), the fears expressed here regarding some things border on paranoia. Who are you to say their concerns are 'very real'? I can't say they overreact but you can say they don't? It doesn't work that way Meadbh, you don't get to tell me my judgement is wrong and your judgement is right or their judgement is right. You get to disargree with me and have your own opinion and judgement, that's all you get. I am not alone in thinking Americans tend to the paranoid. Do some reading:
https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=wtzgVPjXLcGBrAOytoDwDw&gws_rd=ssl#q=americans+paranoid
If you Google the opposite, 'Americans not paranoid' you get the same hits. In other words, there are lot of articles on Americans being paranoid and none saying the opposite.
Regarding my tone. Tone is a sound, it is not written. In all one on one communication, 55% of the message is conveyed through body language, 38% through tone and only 7% through the actual words used. You may THINK you can imply a tone from the written word but in fact you may be wrong in how you perceive it as often as you are right. I am direct in my writing and in my speech. I don't beat around the bush or concern myself overly with being 'pc'. You may well confuse that directness with a 'tone' you don't approve of, but that is something you are guessing at, not something you know to be a fact. So please do not presume to tell me what tone I am using or why.
"Please consider taking a less critical, less confrontational approach." You are incorrect in your judgement Meadbh. Please consider confining your comments to the subject and not making personal remarks about me.