No thanks to the complete overreach of the US government, my Norwegian rubber sister saw the news regarding one of her countrymen being detained by Customs and Border Protection at the airport upon entering the United States, before he was sent home after interrogations and a whole slew of invasions of privacy and personal space. This, combined with many other instances of European tourists who have had their cell phones searched and had messages and criticisms of the current US administration on them, support for Palestine and anti-Israel sentiments, all of which led to similar treatments by CBP, has my best friend reconsidering if it's safe to travel here at all. Never mind the fact that she's coming into an airport that has only two international flight origins and screens lightly; it's the principle of free speech and privacy being violated by a dictatorial regime that says this is to "make us great again".

How the fuck are we supposed to be champions of the free world and uphold the values we were founded upon if we cannot extend these rights to our allies? This sickens me to no end, and if the chance to see my closest friend again is ruined over things beyond my control, I am going to be devastated like I never have before. I cannot express enough how deep our relationship is with one another, Latex Neko and I. To have this jeopardized potentially over four (even eight if this bastard stays in office) more years would be more than heartbreak. It would be like being denied the opportunity to see a member of your family; it WOULD be, because she is like my sister. And the fact I can do next to nothing about this is what scares me the most.

I try to do everything right. I pay my taxes. I vote. I settle for living in a backwards state full of even more backwards people. I work my job loyally. Why do I have to answer for any of this? Why can't I get out? Why do you think I want to leave here for Norway so badly? Not only to be in the company of my closest friend, but to leave all this behind that burdens me?

At any rate, in light of this, her trip may or may not be cancelled once mid-July rolls around. If that's the case, I will be going to IndyFurCon solo, which I really, really don't want to do. I already paid for the king suite and the pass for Friday and Saturday, and would really like to share in that with somebody. Ideally my rubber sister, who had her fursuit already made for this event (and am still waiting on mine, I have no idea how it's going to be done in the timespan that's left, but that's a journal for another day), but if not, one of you fine people are welcome to hit me up and join me for part of the weekend, because honestly? I'd be sad to go alone.