Treasury Department spokesman Robert Stack claims it’s a myth that US persons living their everyday lives outside the US are being harmed by FATCA. We know it’s true because the damage FATCA has caused and is causing to our lives is real.
In relation to the Stack statement, Tim noticed that Treasury was “re-iterating on twitter that NO ONE will give up their US citizenship because of FACTA and that it is only a myth that that is happening,” which caused Not Amused to write, “That makes us all mythical creatures then. If anyone related to any US government agency ever tries to contact me, I’ll tell them to have their head examined because people like me don’t exist.”
“We Are Not a Myth” is a protest on Tumblr where we post our photos to show that we are real. You can show your face or hide it in your photo, as you wish, and you can add a message along with it. You can add your photo yourself OR e-mail atticusincanada@gmail.com and she’ll add it to the display.
Thanks much, Atticus, for setting this up on Tumblr. Thanks to Blaze for the original suggestion, “It occurred to me that would be great to do around the world as a Treasury Myth Buster. Each person could do their own sign I Am Not A Myth and perhaps the country.”
And thanks all for your photos – the visuals are so eloquent!
@ Just Me
Petros could do a screen shot from the video with some Not-a-Myth text superimposed and then send it along to Atticus to post on the tumblr site. It would be a great way to start off the next collage (page 2) which I’ll be happy to put together when there are enough new photos. Hint, hint Petros and others!
@ All
I would love to do a Page 2 collage of We Are Not a Myth photos but I can’t do it with just 2 new photos posted since Page 1. I need about 20 photos. I hope some more Brockers will send something to Atticus to post on the tumblr site. I’m loving how creative people have been so far.
Could Atticus add photos of Two Cool Women protest if Calgary and Outrages agree?
Maybe by Sunday it will be Two Snow-Women Protest. That might be an even better photo to add.
Trans-Canada driving conditions — please, please be good enough for me to drive there! I think it’s a good idea to have our picture included for tumblr. But wait for Outraged’s OK.
“Their faces tell the story. They show the real victims of FATCA…
The We Are Not A Myth Portrait Protest shows the world the Myth vs FATCA document released by Robert Stack, Assistant Deputy Secretary of U.S. Treasury, for what it actually is. A Stack of Lies.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/FATCA-Faces-Tell-The-Real-by-Lynne-Swanson-Taxes_Taxes-131106-101.html
Lynne, you did it again — thanks for posting the powerful visuals in your latest OpEd News piece.
@ Blaze
That is another terrific article for Op Ed News. I have failed 3 times now to register to comment there so I’ll have to thank you here. Now I wished I had fussed a bit more with that collage which started out as a little thank you to Atticus for putting the tumblr site together. BTW, anyone else care to post a protest portrait? You can see it’s pretty easy to remain anonymous, if you choose.
@Em: Thank you for putting together that collage. All the photos along with the comments or sign from each person or groups makes a powerful impact.
I hope others will take you up on your suggestion and join in. Remember, We Are Not A Myth Portrait Protest is not just for Canadians.
Blaze, you’re on fire – hot dang!
@Blaze..
thank you for all your hard work on this site…..and what makes me feel even better today is my boy friend is finally starting to understand me and how FATCA has turned me into this sign maker, mad printer of everything to do with FATCA and email writer to all the Canadian politicians. I showed him him your We are not a myth article in op ed. He gets it now….THank you so much.
@northernstar
This news has made my day!
Bravo, northernstar. Blaze is a fine convincer.
Thank you Blaze, you really have a way with words, (loved your music video http://youtu.be/R5jc97wXphs http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2013/10/23/an-old-classic-destined-to-become-a-new-fatca-classic-lynneblaze-american-taxman-stay-away/ ), and Em for the ‘We are NOT a Myth’ collage! The collage gives me heart – and will make others here feel not so alone in this. And it reminds those close to us that we are not imagining the threat or exaggerating, and that we must continue to oppose it – each contributing as they can.
Of course, a special thanks to AtticusinCanada for all the work she has put into the Portrait Protest. I hope Em’s collage, Atticus’ hard work, the article and most especially the photos and comments by the FATCA Faces will encourage others to participate.
@Blaze
did that journalist get in touch with you yet that I sent her to you?
I have to let you all know what my boyfriend said when he saw me at the collage…that I looked like a convict…LOL…and he took the picture…I am a prisoner , ready to get the shackles of FATCA slavery off me. Then the next song I will play is by Jimi Hendrix :
The day he sang at Woodstock, I was on a bus going to Toronto looking for
FREEDOM!!!!!!!
I was traveling and missed the FATCA FACES at Oped News by Blaze. Just now saw it, and wanted to acknowledge it. Yet again, Blaze is blazing away! I would have thought someone would have headlined this one!
I see people who have had their insurance rates rise or their insurance cancelled thanks to Obamacare are posting on a tumblr site too … http://mycancellation.com/
After a week’s lull our portrait protest finally got another anti-FATCA face. Please sirs (and madams) we want more.
Thanks to those of you who sent me the new photo this week!
Well, I was contacted yesterday by CBC’s “The Current” asked about our “We Are Not A Myth” portrait protest and did an interview this morning. Short and sweet. Was asked about my relinquishment. Was asked about how this affected my family and why I gave up U.S. citizenship. That was it. Allison was on and did a fantastic job! Oh and the phone connection was dropped so they had to call me back and thank god they did. It went well. Thanks to Allison and CBC.
@AtticusinCanada
I just listened to the podcast tonight in NZ. I think between everyone, the subject was well covered. Loved hearing your voice… very well done. I think if anyone had not heard about FATCA before now, they would be concerned and a bit miffed at the U.S. for its extra-territorial actions. Hopefully it gets a few heads out of the sand…
Here is the link I assume others have discovered..
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2013/11/13/fatca-under-fire-from-tax-experts-canadian-citizens/
Lea Turkington
@Kyla4u
Anyone feel like participating in Project Xpat? I’ve just given them a piece of my mind. It would be good for them to hear from as many people as possible.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/theprotojournalist/2013/11/22/246639969/project-xpat-exploring-the-expatriate-life?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook
My answers were:
My name, email address, etc.
Where I live now – United Kingdom
What place do I consider home in America – I don’t.
Why did you move abroad – I married my British husband 18 years ago. We have lived in both the UK and the US since them.
What does it mean to be an expat (10 words or less): US homelanders hate expats – FATCA and citizenship-based taxation prove it.
So, please, everyone feel free to join in!
I’m a lurker, and am forever grateful to everyone for sharing their information and experiences so generously. I have been absorbing all this information just like a sponge! I will be advising DoS of my relinquishing act through the Vancouver consulate in the near future, and will be sure to report how it goes. I don’t feel alone anymore. And I’ve sent my contribution in to Atticus. Thanks to everyone for this most incredible site!
@Fifi
Welcome to Brock! So glad to hear you’ve found the information you need. We do have a sort of connection – everyone in this boat that is. Thanks for letting us know and look forward to hearing about your visit to the consulate.
@Fifi
Welcome to Brock and for putting your picture on brock.
Being on Brock you know you are not alone. We are all in this together and the info that is shared is priceless.